New York City Guide
With Lee, Charlie and Cat heading over to New York last week to launch Neat into the US, we thought it was the perfect time to share Team Neat pal Katie Morgan's guide to New York City. From the best brunch spots and workout classes to the most epic bakery to treat yourself, she's got you covered!
We had 4 days in NYC and we ate, walked, ate, saw the sights, ate, and well … ate! That's what holidays are for right? A healthy balanced diet to me is wholesome foods with treats on the side. I am a serious coffee snob with an obsession with green smoothies and brunch so I seeked out the best of the best while we were there.
EATERIES
Jacks Wife Freda
Be prepared to queue outside but don't worry you won’t be waiting long. There are 2 locations, one in west village, the other Soho, and both are cosy little cafes bursting with atmosphere and people. They like to seat you as quickly as possible and the food comes out within minutes... but that also means they like to get you out within minutes of finishing your last mouthful so another brunch-loving traveller can experience Freda’s best creations. The menu has a little bit of everything from rose water waffles, smashed avo, toasted sangas, eggs with haloumi and a green shukshukka. Even though we felt slightly rushed, I’m not one to eat slowly so it didn’t bother me in the slightest, and this was our favourite brunch in New York. Hats off to Jack's wife!
The Butchers Daughter
Strolling up Bleaker street in the downtown west village we came across this little white-coloured gem filled with plants and a crazily dressed waiter (think Lenny Kravitz meets ABBA!). We had just eaten so we stopped for a snack; we had the ‘cacao suave’ and ‘mango madness’ smoothie (with an avocado straw!!!) and their famous cashew cheese sauerkraut Rueben. The whole menu is gluten and dairy free and offers some amazing sounding brunches. It's slightly $$ but it’s New York and you pay the price for something healthy and schmancy!
Little Collins NYC
A little slice of Melbourne in New York with the best coffee on the island; hands down! The cafe is skinny and long so you can walk in and make your way down the line to the coffee bar at the end where you can sip your coffee and get on with your day. They have a small but perfect menu of smashed avo, granola, banana bread, eggs and PB jelly.
Bluestone Lane
Milo and vegemite toast are just a few of the Aussie touches at this place. Everyone in the cafe seemed to sport an Aussie accent, ‘gDay Mate’ ! Located in part of a cathedral church just up from the Guggenheim on Central Park’s Upper East Side, the interior is just spectacular. Their toast creations and smashed avo are top notch. I got the ricotta cheese and berry compote combo. Thumbs up mate!
Juice Press
Conveniently located next door to our hotel on west 55th street, it didn’t take us long to realise an amazing green smoothie was just on our door step! At $10US a smoothie they weren’t cheap but they were loaded with the good stuff. Mine was (highly recommend for those who love something creamy and less fruity) the ‘Clean Green Protein’ made with banana, spinach, almond milk, hemp protein, almond butter, chia seeds and ice. Rob had the “nurse ginger green” which was apple, banana, coconut water, spinach, kale, hemp protein, fresh ginger and a date. Now they just need to stock Neat Nutrition and it would be the best Juice Bar around!
Levain Bakery
Now that you have downed your green protein shakes it’s time for some sugar! OH. MY. COOKIE! There are some seriously finger-licking cookies in this little basement bakery on the upper west side 74th street! Named the best choc-chip cookie in New York I had the double chocolate peanut butter cookie and it was honestly like eating a jar of PB with a slab of chocolate. It wasn’t overly rich or sweet either but one was more than enough.
WORKOUTS
SLT: Strengthen, Lengthen and Tone
This is Reformer Pilates on overdrive! Get ready to feel the burn in places you never thought was possible. These Megaformers are going to lengthen and beast you at the same time, leaving you walking away with a killer booty and aching abs. Sounds fun right?!
Soul Cycle
Get in the saddle and ride into the best version of yourself. This class is a killer (aren’t they all!) but is the perfect amount of heart rate raising and soul lifting to make you feel down right fabulous.
Barrys Bootcamp
The home of Barry’s; enter the red room and expect to burn maximum calories on and off the treadmill. Think 7 minutes of sprinting and 7 minutes on the gym floor x 4-6 rounds. Recommended for people who love HIIT training and are experienced in the gym because with 50 people in a dark room, don’t expect the trainer to be watching your form.
OH NYC! I could go on forever about this glorious city but instead I'll just leave you with a handful of my favourite foodie experiences and workouts. It's the city that first stole my heart and found me love almost 5 years ago – we’ll be back again soon!