Destination Manhattan: the Upper East Side of shopping, art and gourmet stops
He lives opposite Central Park. Izak Senbahar, the businessman behind the epicentre The Mark, talks about New York's most vibrant neighbourhood, which hosts international events and many galleries.
The Upper East Side is currently one of the most interesting and lively areas of Manhattan, particularly between 72nd and 86th Streets. Not only to live there - many young families have moved from Downtown because of the high quality of the schools - but also to spend a holiday in a less touristy and more residential, but lively and vibrant New York.
I have chosen it for years, both for my home and my hotel, The Mark. Among the many reasons to love it is its proximity to Central Park, a constantly changing film scenery that never bores: from the Bridle Path, already painted by Edward Hopper in 1939, where one can walk or ride a horse, to the Reservoir, the lake where many New Yorkers jog or cycle, and it is pleasant just to watch the play of light on the water.
I live opposite, in a 1930s townhouse designed by SheltonMindel, with European-style interiors by interior designer Christian Liaigre. The Mark hotel is also a neoclassical building from 1927, with an aristocratic touch and more contemporary interiors designed by Jacques Grange, such as the black-and-white striped marble floor, which is almost hypnotic and immediately became a symbol. I often go to the hotel at the weekend, if only for a coffee. During the Met Gala, The Mark was an epicentre: after the ceremony everyone went to the lobby for an after party of hot dogs and chips until 1am.
My lunches on the Upper East Side are at Three Guys for a burger, a salad or a Greek speciality, or at Sant Ambroeus Madison, a classic of Italian tradition in Manhattan, as is Elio's: I love its pasta, such as tagliatelle paglia e fieno and ravioli, among its signature dishes. Sometimes, for a quick American lunch, I stop by E.A.T. on Madison.
Saturday afternoons, on the other hand, are often dedicated to shopping. I really love Nili Lotan, an independent designer who creates easy to wear, functional yet stylish clothing, and I sometimes go to Bergdorf Goodman, at 66th and Madison, which remains an important shopping centre for luxury goods. I also like Zitomer, smaller and less well-known, where you can find a little bit of everything, from accessories to perfumes, from homeware to beauty and care products for men as well. As for the better known brands, I often buy from Prada, Loro Piana and Tom Ford.
