SoHo

Scoring a facial with the actual Joanna Czech is like hitting the skincare lottery—though one with any of her personally-trained aestheticians at her new, soaring downtown studio is, too. Famous for her signature, manual sculpting massage which includes intense massaging and “slapping” (which is more invigorating than painful), Czech’s seemingly-simple methods keep her extremely well-known clients’ skin glowing and healthy. Every facial focuses on skin support at every turn, starting by treating the lipid (top) layer of skin, and moving on to microcurrent, hyaluronic acid patches, oxygen infusion, microneedling, and more as needed. Czech’s eponymous skin care line is clean and absolutely fantastic. There is a second location in Dallas (and a residency at Blackberry Mountain in Tennessee).

A boutique facial studio on the border of SoHo, Ställe Studios is one of the most sought out facials in NYC. Founder and head esthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand (she worked previously at L’Oreal and Dr. Barbara Sturm) knows how to transform skin into the glowiest, freshest-looking version of itself. Each treatment starts with an in-depth skin analysis to create a treatment exquisitely tailored to your skin. Whether it’s the buccal massage, sculptural facial, glass skin peel, or signature facial, each treatment is out-of-this-world incredible.

You will without a doubt leave feeling and looking completely rejuvenated. The Skin Lab evokes a ramped up version of what you feel slathering on The Rich Cream (or any other totally amazing Augustinus Bader product) - luxurious, refined, and completely innovative. Located at the intersection of indulgence and science, The Skin Lab is complete with the classic Augustinus Bader blue, copper detailing, and the most high tech facials. You start off with a skin consultation with an expert and choose your preferred treatment. We love the Ultimate Facial which combines customized skincare picks, exfoliation, micro current, oxygen therapy, ultrasound, and LED - all completely tailored to your skin’s needs. Even better, they have a three treatment approach to help you find the best route for your glowiest skin ever.

The columned facade of Watches of Switzerland’s NYC boutique is unmistakable in its SoHo-ness. Inside, the original ironworks building is split into two levels of everything serious collectors, devoted horologists, and casual appreciators of good design could ever dream of.

The rooms at this recently-renovated Soho hotel are decorated smartly and elegantly with plenty of comfort and flair. People flock here for the scene-y rooftop pool, and incredible views of Manhattan from the gym, the sky bar, and many of the rooms. Images courtesy of Nikolas Koenig.

Founder Rachel Krupa had an ambitious goal when she opened The Goods Mart in Silver Lake: to create a convenience store unlike any other in the country. Now, with the Silver Lake location sadly shuttered, The Goods Mart has made a move east, occupying a much-needed space on Lafayette in SoHo. Think of it as the corner store for a new era, where prices are low (a cup of amazing coffee is a steal at $1.25), the quality is high, and the mission is rooted in community. Shelves are devoid of artificial colors, flavors, and other nasties and even the slushies are made with organic ingredients and served in paper—not plastic—cups. But back to the mission: Customers have the option of donating to different monthly charities at checkout, while good food approaching its sell-by date is delivered to the homeless in partnership with the nonprofit Lunch on Me. In the spirit of adapting to the times we live in, The Goods Mart has curated healthy snack boxes for national delivery. Donate one to frontline workers while you’re at it right from the site.

Carbone’s takeout menu is firmly in the ridiculous but awesome category, and thank god for that. In this time of quarantine, a blowout supper of whole grilled branzino dripping in butter or bone-in, meltingly tender rib eye with spicy rigatoni vodka is a brilliant way to lift the spirits and keep very talented restaurant workers in business.

This airy oasis for gua sha facials, holistic skin consultations, and acupuncture sits at the top of a glamorously ancient walk-up on Spring Street that’s more Venice Beach bungalow than SoHo loft. Hanging plants, beautiful raffia chairs, and so much sun pouring through the enormous windows it’s hard not to squint are lovely flourishes that make it hard to leave, but the true draw is how beautifully nurturing their treatments are. Founder Britta Plugg is a master of gua sha, the ancient Chinese therapy of smoothing a sculpted stone tool across skin to support lymphatic drainage, ease tension and puffiness, and boost glow. She and two cofounders—an acupuncturist/herbalist and a product developer/herbalist—have a gorgeous gua sha skin-care line, Wilding, which turns the therapy into a beautifully soothing at-home ritual.

In SoHo, the recently opened King, the work of two alumni of London’s River Café, is the toast of the town. On the menu: ropes of cheesy tagliarini with nutmeg, hearty bowls of ribollita, and elegant dishes of salt-baked trout.

The Smile to Go is a SoHo grab-it-quick joint with a huge selection of food that is filling and tasty and healthy.