MARCH 2023

Brad’s NYC

Earlier this winter, my husband and I took a trip up to New York for a couple of days. Its such a regenerative place for me, and one I worked in for years before my return to Atlanta full-time to start Dixon Rye. It always reinvents itself and is a constant source of inspiration.

New York has far too many amazing places to create an exhaustive guide, but our latest trip had such a perfect mix for a city getaway - a curation of art, culture, amazing food, and the requisite shopping. I thought I’d share our itinerary to get a glimpse into the way we like to travel.

Museums & Exhibits

Guggenheim

We were lucky enough to catch “Alex Katz: Gathering” at the Guggenheim on this trip. He’s one of my favorite artists; his ability to capture the essence of “quick things passing” makes art that is both thought-provoking and digestible at the same time. While this particular exhibit is closed, the way the artwork snaked up the Frank Lloyd Wright designed rotunda is an example of the beautiful and interesting way the Guggenheim always puts on exhibitions. I always try to stop in when I’m in the city to see what they’re exhibiting.

Louis Vuitton: “200 TRUNKS, 200 VISIONARIES: THE EXHIBITION”

This one feels almost cruel to include as it is permanently closed, but it was such a highlight of our trip. Housed in the old Barneys (RIP) on Madison Avenue, the exhibit invited a mosaic of talents to reimagine and personalize trunks, either physically or metaphorically, that matched the dimensions of the original LV trunk conceived in the 1850s. It was a fun exploration of the extravagance of Louis Vuitton and a great way to revisit the old Barneys space, which I’ve sorely missed.

Paley Park

I stopped at this little pocket park for the first time on this trip. Tucked away on East 53rd, it’s a meditative respite from the intense hustle of midtown Manhattan. I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee and taking in the soothing grey noise created by the 20 foot waterfall, perhaps after stopping in nearby Bergdorf’s.

MoMa

A perpetual classic. I always make sure to stop by for their permanent collection, but the Ellsworth Kelly exhibit going on at the moment and the upcoming Georgia O’Keefe: To See Takes Time have me ready to plan my next trip.

Restaurants

Breakfast/Brunch

Jack & Charlie’s

We were staying at our dear friend Ruth’s (of Found in Houston) pied-à-terre in the West Village and Jack & Charlie’s is right around the corner. Sometimes, when something works, I like to stick with it, especially for a meal as utilitarian as breakfast. Created by the founders of the esteemed 21 Club with a chef from Daniel, it was honestly way more delicious than we needed it to be, and in a very chic setting to boot.

Lunch

BG Restaurant at Bergdorf

Lunch at Bergdorf’s is an institution of which I gladly partake. Perched atop the women’s mansion, it offers a very uptown version of New York that’s great to visit before heading back to our preferred West Village. The people watching is as spectacular as the views of Central Park.

Tin Building

I had to make a trip to Jean-Georges new mega-market the Tin Building for the design as much as the food. With five restaurants, three counters, and three bars in a historic building on the waterfront, it’s an almost overwhelming sensory experience with a bustling seafood market, wafting smells of a French bakery, and gorgeously designed interiors.

Dinner

Cafe Cluny

Cafe Cluny is the ideal neighborhood spot, and their tagline, “Charming the West Village Since 2006” represents them perfectly. A charming bistro nestled among the cozy shops and cobblestone streets of the West Village; I promise you can’t go wrong with their roast chicken.

Via Carota

This perennially packed spot is one of the toughest tables in town - they don’t take reservations and are beloved by practically everyone. However, once you’re inside, you're welcomed to a cozy and bustling atmosphere that really celebrates farm-to-table dining. The NYTimes even claimed that they have “the best green salad in the world.”

Commerce Inn

This was one of my favorite spots of our last trip. It’s another great village spot. Tucked away on a cobble-stone street, this “shaker” inspired restaurant is from the team behind Via Carota and Buvette.

Veronika

On one of our first nights in the city, we ate at Veronika. Located inside the Fotografiska, a photography museum on Park Avenue, it’s an extravagant place - the kind where triple-tiered chandeliers hang from 20-foot ceilings, and intricate stained glass adorns a gilded lounge. It was a fun place to get dressed up for, order a bottle of champagne, and enjoy the kind of upscale western European food that is not as common as its eastern counterparts.

Shops

Bergdorf Goodman

This hardly needs introduction but it’s a must visit for me every time I’m in the city. From the curation of clothing and designers to the incredible visual merchandising, it’s truly the best department store in the world.

BDDW

BDDW has been an inspiration to for me for years. They build incredible furniture deeply seeped with the ethos of craftsmanship that is shared at Dixon Rye.

Officine Generale

I became obsessed with this brand on my last trip to France. Every detail, pocket, and seam has been intentioned in the most perfectly Parisian way. I love all of their knits and their stores are so well apportioned.

Todd Snyder

Another obsession of mine - they make the perfect elevated wardrobe staples in the chicest of settings.

Dear: Rivington

Dear: Rivington is the kind of esoteric store that can only exist in New York. It started out on the LES but recently moved to Noho. It features an intriguing curation of home goods, clothing, and art (both vintage and new) that lean avant-garde. We picked up a collection of the stunning ceramics that the co-owner, HeyJa Do, created for Dixon Rye.

Public Trade

I’ve long had musings of creating the perfect hotel store. Public Trade at the Public Hotel comes pretty close.

Of a Cloth

My good friend Hilary Robertson recommended this jewel-box of a shop in Rock Center. It has pieces from all over the world, and you can really feel the patina and worldliness of each object.

Moscot

An iconic NYC maker of eyewear, my husband Peter bought a pair on this trip. You really can’t beat their quality and design.