MIDDLE MARCH
63rd - 69th Streets
From 63rd to 69th Streets, architectural and ecclesiastical landmarks mix with posh shops and boutiques.
EAT
Start your morning with a cup of espresso and a fresh croissant at the French boulangerie Bel Ami Cafe (30 E. 68th St.), a longtime neighborhood favorite. At lunchtime, tuck into an onion soup at Le Charlot (19 E. 69th St., 212-794-6419) or a lobster and asparagus salad at Altesi Ristorante (26 E. 64th St., 212-759-8900), known for its Tuscan-inspired dishes and extensive wine list.
DRINK
Recharge with a sampling of 21 grand crus coffees at the Nespresso Boutique (761 Madison Ave.), or go for high tea at Bar Seine (37 E. 64th St., 212-606-4600) in Hotel Plaza Athénée. For a taste of old New York, order the opulent Sixty-Third Street Martini at Club Macanudo (26 E. 63rd St., 212-752-8200), one of the city’s few remaining cigar bars.
RELAX
At Spa Valmont (37 E. 64th St., 212-606-4675), located within Hotel Plaza Athénée, indulge in the Elixir des Glaciers treatment, two hours of facial and body pampering that’s a favorite of Upper East Side glitterati. For a hair color touch-up, head to Varin Salon’s popular Color Café (762 Madison Ave., 212-734- 9055), a French-inspired lounge for color treatments. For blow-outs there’s Eliut Salon (762 Madison Ave., 212-472-3440), where Penelope Cruz and Sheryl Crow go for flawless hair.
SEE
The Federal-style building on the corner of 64th Street (726 Madison Ave.), built in 1933, was designed by architect Morrell Smith to reflect the period when the original occupant, the Bank of Manhattan, was founded (1799). Right off Madison Avenue, the townhouse at 47–49 East 65th Street was commissioned in 1908 by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother, Sara, for her son and his new bride, Eleanor, and is where the three lived until Franklin and Eleanor moved to the White House in 1933.
SHOPPING HIGHLIGHTS
Stop by Kate Spade’s VIP Salon (789 Madison Ave.) to try on the latest collection with a glass of Champagne in hand. Follow it with a visit to the stunning Tory Burch flagship (797 Madison Ave.) to browse this season’s Moroccan-inspired line. A few blocks up you’ll find Anne Fontaine’s (837 Madison Ave.) perfect white blouses, which are always in season. Nearby there’s luxury Swiss jeweler De Grisogono (824 Madison Ave.), a mecca for sparkling baubles.
HOLIDAY GIFT PICKS
These gorgeous items do good and are guaranteed to make anyone on your list happy.
ROMA DRESS AND ANA HANDBAG
Inspired by the Victorian era, Anne Fontaine’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection features velvet, jacquard, and arabesque motifs. The Roma dress ($495) includes details like a removable collar in off-white crepe and macramé cuffs around the sleeves, and pairs perfectly with the Ana handbag ($550) in black leather. 837 Madison Ave., 212-988-8081; annefontaine.com
NEW RETRO S04 WATCH
From de Grisogono’s New Retro timepiece collection, which is distinguished by panoramic faces and vintage finishes, the S04 Watch ($85,900) features 303 emeralds set in white gold and a signature galuchat strap. 824 Madison Ave., 212-439-4220; degrisogono.com
SILK NO BLESSE
Made from luxurious silk jacquard with a 100 percent silk lining, the Silk Noblesse smoking jacket ($2,768) can easily transition from day to evening. Plus, as formalwear, it functions as an alternative to the traditional black tuxedo jacket. 803 Madison Ave., 212-570-0050; laperla.com
EVENING BELLES LUCINDA
The Madison Ave. Collection Evening Belles Lucinda ($598), a silk satin clutch adorned with a large bejeweled bow and 14k goldplated hardware, is made in small batches for extra-exclusivity. 789 Madison Ave., 212-988-0259; katespade.com
L’ELIXIR DES GLACIERS LIMITED EDITION TRIBUTE TO LALIQUE
Exclusive to Spa Valmont at Hotel Plaza Athénée, L’Elixir des Glaciers Limited Edition Tribute to Lalique ($785) features the skincare brand’s antiaging facial line housed in a red lacquered box outfitted with a Lalique crystal cabochon. 37 E. 64th St., 212-606-4675; plaza-athenee.com/spa-and-fitness/spa-valmont
MULTI COLOR SMALL SLOUCHY SATCHEL
Made from soft pebbled leather, the Slouchy Satchel ($495) is detailed with vibrantly striped, removable tassels for an understated pop of color. 797 Madison Ave., 212-510-8371; toryburch.com
