My partner, Anatoly's gallery in the heart of Chinatown, located in an old mall. Their roster of artists are always incredibly refreshing and dynamic, representing a new wave of energy for New York creatives. Every few months Whaam! also hosts book talks as a platform to discuss deeper subcultures within legacy and future generations in the city.

See also: Gallerist Johnson Chang Reflects on Decades in the Art Industry and His Hopes for the Future of Chinese Contemporary Art

An amazingly well designed, music-driven restaurant located in Gowanus in Brooklyn. It's the only venue in New York and one of the few in the world that merge the intersection of design, music and food so well at the level of excellence that they do. Their vegan-menu is also one of the best offerings around town, coupled with one of the most advanced sound systems in their space.

A quintessential Downtown New York hotel with so much history. During the winter the front lounge is cozy and has dark carpets and a functioning fireplace, a great place to staycation or even just get a drink. The best thing is they are dog-friendly, so our puppy Truffle has become a regular there.

Another classic but located on the heart of the Upper East Side, this is where I come for special occasions and that old New York experience. It's a small piano bar with intimate booths and their Ludwig Bemelmans' famed murals. Perfect date night venue –– if you can snatch a table.

See also: All That Jazz: The Star-Studded History Behind The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel

A New York landmark but I never get tired of it. Even though I live downtown we bring our dog to the park regularly and there's always a new discovery every time, given the vast side of the park that expands all the way from midtown through to East and West Harlem.

Given my partner's Ukranian roots, his family lives in the Brighton Beach area of South Brooklyn ––  also known as "Little Odessa" due its tight-knit Russian and Eastern European communities, the boardwalk stretches along the south borders and leads you directly to Coney Island boardwalk. It's a very scenic walk route that we often do in the early evenings before walking to Coney Island and seeing fireworks or get an ice cream cone, or bumper cars.

An iconic discotheque located on Brighton Beach boardwalk. They host Vegas-style floor shows paired with Russian eats and has the glitziest vibes inside, but you can also walk outside and it takes you straight to the boardwalk and beach. I spent various birthdays and fun weekends there and always have the best time.

A hole in the wall in Chinatown known for their, well, hand-pulled noodles –– brings me back and it's an easy cheap eat I always go to.

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