Upper West Side

Vin Sur Vingt always hits. They have an extensive list of French wines, great tapas, and several locations in the city, including two on the Upper West Side.

A neighborhood staple for four-plus decades, Cafe Luxembourg serves three meals a day, but folks flock here for weekend brunch—with warm doughnut holes dusted in cinnamon sugar, eggy sandwiches on pillowy brioche, and cheesy, herby omelets.

This French bistro, whose arched ceilings give it a cozy, wine-cave-like feel, plays the hits spectacularly. Expect garlicky escargot, coq au vin, trout amandine, and Burgundy and Rhône Valley wines. But what’s particularly special is what’s found only here: a board of pâtés and terrines curated by owner and chef Daniel Boulud, whose Upper East Side flagship Daniel has two Michelin stars.

If Afro-Caribbean Tatiana isn’t already high on your list, it should be. James Beard Award–winning chef Kwame Onwuachi takes inspiration from his childhood in the Bronx and from the legacy of San Juan Hill, the vibrant neighborhood that preceded the construction of Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. The menu is distinctly Onwuachi, and distinctly New York: The chef works with ingredients and techniques from his Creole, Nigerian, and Caribbean roots—and plays with ideas from French cooking, Chinese takeout, Jewish delis, and city bodegas.

For three weeks in the heat of a New York City summer, young dancers can gain a glimpse of life at one of the finest dance institutes in the world. This program is not for the novice. For teens studying ballet for years, Julliard can take their craft to the next level. There are some limitations on who can apply—at least one year of high school under the belt, and no high school graduates—leaving a range of fifteen- to seventeen-year-olds for a mini-college experience, complete with optional on-campus housing. Students meet in one of Juilliard's six dance studios for classes that combine classic ballet technique and pointe, with training in yoga and improvisation. Camp wraps with a final performance choreographed by Julliard faculty and renowned guest artists. Outside of the studio, there’s plenty of time to explore New York City—an intensive summer experience all on its own.

This nationwide yoga studio is known for cranking up the intensity of Vinyasa classes. Strength training is incorporated through squats, free weights, and ab workouts between traditional asanas. Studios are kept warm and humid to promote flexibility, and teachers are reliably energetic, which helps to keep motivation high.

The Alinea team made their New York debut on the rooftop of the Mandarin Oriental, and while the restaurant is just as good as the Chicago version, we're actually most excited about their high-end bar, which is accessed through the kitchen. The cool interior feels like a cozy, leather-bound library, and there are plenty of great snacks (which come directly from the Alinea kitchen), but the real star here are the cocktails. There's a five-course tasting menu with ambitious cocktail pairings, or you can just order a la carte. Pro tip: The bartenders love whipping up custom mixtures, so don't be afraid to ask.

The location of Lincoln Center's refined Italian restaurant makes it a no-brainer for before a show, but the menu (not to mention the seriously sophisticated, Italian-only wine list) actually stands up to our favorite hole-in-the-wall joints downtown. The menu fulfills cravings for all the classic dishes, from spaghettini bathed in tomato sauce and pecorino to white truffle tagliatelle, plus a glorious dry aged porterhouse. If you come in the evening, don't forget to check out another bonus from the drinks program: The negroni and prosecco bars.

Beyond the extensive list of yoga classes offered by husband and wife Stephan Kolbert and Ingrid Marcroft and their team, UWS Yoga offers meditation classes and sessions in their infrared sauna. You have to pre-book, so try and snag an appointment right before or after a yoga or meditation session for an extra detox boost.

The P.J. Clarke’s on 55th Street—it’s been there since the 1880’s—is one of those classic NYC institutions where everyone who grew up on their burgers can think of nothing better. The Lincoln Square location is a hit with kids walking home from Central Park.