Walk in the footsteps of the Wolf of Wall Street in Tribeca

Tribeca is one of NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods. Boasting a number of world class restaurants, iconic bars and luxury hotels, it’s the place to stay when visiting the Big Apple. We sent leading travel writer Louise Gillespie to find out more.

The area

Tribeca is one of NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods. Image credit: banset/Bigstock.com

New York’s financial district is one of the most iconic in the world and with a rich history including the horrific events that unfolded in September 2011, this district is not just worth a quick visit when in the Big Apple, it’s worth staying and spending the time exploring its diverse architecture, spectacular views and incredible restaurants. Walk in the footsteps of Jordan Belfort along the cobbled streets of the New York Stock Exchange towards the glittering Hudson, before turning in to Battery Park where ferries take visitors to the shores of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Where to stay

AKA Tribeca is located in the heart of this district, on the doorstep of global headquarters of big banking names such as Goldman Sachs and the impressive One World Trade Centre which dominates the Manhattan skyline and is certainly worth a trip to the top for an incredible vista of the city. The sixth and newest addition to the AKA New York collection, AKA Tribeca features 100 rooms that each provides an idyllic space of quiet in one of New York’s most vibrant areas. The hotel’s bedroom interiors champion a monochrome palette and clean lines reflective of the grid city that sprawls beneath the floor to ceiling windows. Interior designer Jennifer Post has transformed the hotel’s public spaces with deep shades of charcoal and bronze to create inviting spaces away from the city bustle.

Where to drink

Ward III is a mellow, cozy nightspot with bartenders crafting custom cocktails

After a day spent exploring, there are several spots for an aperitif and whilst the hotel bar certainly calls for a visit, the concierge can direct guests to basement speakeasies, sparkling cocktails bars and the quintessential New York bar comprising of exposed brick, low lighting and high ceilings. Ward III is one such establishment where the happy-hour mixologists shake up concoctions of gin, sparkling wine and citrus as well as deliciously smoky old fashions. An impressive array of whiskeys make this Manhattan bar the perfect spot for a typical New York experience.

Where to eat

Little Park, NoHo Hospitality Group’s restaurant located on the ground level of AKA Tribeca, is one of the district’s culinary highlights

Like the majority of New York there are a plethora of restaurants in Tribeca but Little Park, NoHo Hospitality Group’s restaurant located on the ground level of AKA Tribeca, is surely one of the district’s culinary highlights. With windows filled with hanging vines and floors covered with beautiful white marble tiles, the restaurant is an inviting space that perfectly compliments the seasonal menu curated by award winning chef Andrew Carmellini to take guests on a culinary journey through American cuisine. For the depths of winter the menu features an array of earthy root vegetables, warm spiced fruits and rich meaty dishes.

To start, the combination of creamy peeko oysters roasted with bone marrow is a unique flavour combination that can’t be found elsewhere in the city. With burnt wood chips lining the marrow bones to create a wonderfully heady aroma, this dish certainly evokes the wintry scene of a roaring wood fire. Roasted brussels sprouts seem to be the vegetable of the moment in New York with every restaurant having their own take on these little green gems, and Little Park is no different. Cooking them with apple cider and juicy currants on a bed of smoked parsnip puree, these sweet sprouts are little mouthfuls of vegetable heaven.

The main courses celebrate both land and sea and for those who want a flavour of traditional New York Italian, the wild boar and chestnut cannelloni combines pink peppercorns and taleggio for an impressively light pasta dish. The 10-hour beef short rib with pumpkin, swiss chard and black garlic jus is the epitome of a wintry dish that champions the most seasonal of American produce.

The puddings are reminiscent of a British boarding school menu during the winter term but reimagined with a touch of New York sophistication. Richly spiced apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream, and sticky toffee pudding with poached pear and popped sorghum are just a couple of dishes that provide the perfect closing curtain to a winter’s night in New York.

Relax and unwind in a.lounge, AKA Tribeca’s brand new lobby lounge reimagined exclusively for in-house guests

In a city where winter temperatures hover around one degree Celsius, AKA Tribeca and Little Park provide the perfect refuge from the New York cold and if winter tastes this good certainly warrants a seasonal visit. After all, spring is just around the corner.