Spend a day on Manhattan's Upper East Side with Alyssa Kapito, renowned NYC-based interior designer, as she invites us into her world of refined taste and timeless style. From her favorite cozy cafés and art-filled corners that inspire her, Alyssa reveals the hidden gems and sophisticated spaces that define her approach to design and her love for this storied neighborhood.
A: The Upper East Side is so authentically New York City. There aren’t a lot of tourists and most of the people walking around live there. The fun is going for a great lunch, shopping, the park, the galleries, museums and bookstores. It’s chock full of gems and historic homes mixed with everyday life in a uniquely Upper East Side way. It used to be quite formal, but in the past ten years it’s gotten a bit less stuffy a whole lot fresher and even a bit edgy which I love. Here are my favorite spots to hang out with friends and explore.
Strudel and a cappuccino at Café Sabarsky
A: Located in the Neue Galerie, Café Sabarsky is one of my favorite spots to meet a friend for a mid morning coffee. It’s beautiful, the Austrian pastries are phenomenal, and there’s a great bookshop filled with design books and Josef Hoffman home accessories that you can enjoy post strudel. I particularly love the custom gold leaf viennese stationary they sell. It makes a wonderful gift if you’re looking for something a bit more unique. Gustav Klimt's portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer is also on the second floor so make sure not to miss that.
CAFÉ SABARSKY - Neue Galerie 1048 5th Ave, New York
“My personal favorite is to sit with a good book on the benches that line the walkways. Most of the time I'll just people watch, it’s such great fashion inspiration. ”
A walk In Central Park
A: Central Park is one of the best parts of the Upper East Side. I have so many friends who run the reservoir every morning after school drop-off but my personal favorite is to sit with a good book on the benches that line the walkways. Most of the time I will just people watch, it’s such great fashion inspiration. In the spring it’s filled with Cherry Blossoms for about two weeks which is super special but i think the best time to enjoy the park is Fall when the air is a bit crisp.
Fleming by Le Bilboquet
A: Fleming is at the top of my very favorite places to have lunch or dinner. The food is great and the
ambiance is fantastic. The decor is very inspired by Jean Michel Frank and Josef Hoffman with a fantastic mix of art. I can go back there multiple times a month and not get bored.
FLEMING BY LE BILBOQUET - 27 E 62nd St, New York
The Galleries
The Upper East Side is filled with incredible galleries, offering a selection of both art and unique furniture pieces. It’s an area where you can discover everything from classic works to contemporary designs, making it a perfect destination for anyone with an eye for aesthetics.
Lévy Gorvy Dayan
On the second floor of Lévy Gorvy Dayan, you’ll find Treehouse, a captivating collection of works by Thomas Houseago.
The gallery is currently showcasing an exhibition by the painter Francesco Clemente.
LÉVY GORVY DAYAN - 19 East 64th Street, NY 10065
Some of my other favorite galleries, which I visit on a regular basis:
Salon 94 Design, 19 East 64th Street, NY 10065
The invisible collection townhouse (by appointment only)
Valerie Goodman Galerie
David Zwirner
Skaarstedt gallery
White cube
Aquavella
Gagosian
Emma Scully Gallery
