New York has—and always will be—one of my most favorite cities in the world. I make it a point to drop by every year for a month or two. I am just always constantly inspired when I’m there and I bring back to Manila so many ideas and stories.
New York City is always present in my work in fashion and always heavily referenced. During my SS/24 show at BYS Fashion Week, I even had a tank top with the words “Mr Chow” on it. I don’t care what people say, it is my favorite Chinese restaurant in New York.
There’s just something about the city that draws me in every time. The energy, the food, the people (my god, the people!), the fashion—everything screams “Chris Nick.”
Most of my friends always wonder why I love New York City so much, and I always say: The way I do New York City is different. Every day offers something new; it gives me a new crazy story to tell the next day when I’m having coffee with the girls. I have my friends in New York City to vouch for the truth of what Chris Nick’s New York really is like.
Ahead, I've listed down some of the must-visits and must-dos in New York City if you want that CN NYC POV.
How to Explore New York City, According to Fashion Designer Chris Nick
The Baccarat Hotel
This has got to be one of my most favorite (and most frequently visited apart from The King Cole Bar) hotel bars to go to in New York. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, it smells amazing, too! They change the hotel scent every season, but the martinis are definitely Chris Nick-approved: it's served in baccarat crystal. The crystal glass (at a price tag of $590) is worth the $40 martini price tag by itself. They also have a fun selection of art you can browse through at the bar, and the crowd is a great mix of the upper class and travelers.
Bergdorf Goodman
If there’s one place that I visit more often than Sant Ambroeus, it’s Bergdorf Goodman. They just really have the best selection for all the things you need—name it: clothes, shoes, handbags and beauty. They even have a restaurant called BG’s on the top floor where you can have a drink, afternoon tea, or even dinner after a full day of shopping. And can I just say, the lobster mac and cheese is divine.
Art Galleries
One thing I love about New York City is the art. I try to veer away from the more touristy spots like the MoMA and The Met. It’s fun to browse through the different galleries in the city, specifically around Madison and Chelsea, that offer a more curated selection that showcases some of the works of the classics that range from Picasso to Andy Warhol, to upcoming New York City-based artists and some foreign artists that have never been on my radar.
There are some in particular that I loved and it was Salon 94 in the Upper East Side and Fotografiska on Park Avenue. Sometimes when I’m lucky, I get to spot art from Tom of Finland—one of my favorite artists. Fun fact: I reference his work in the way I dress—google him and you’ll see.
LOOK: Must-Dos in New York City, According to Fashion Designer Chris Nick
Indulge on a fancy burger 
If there’s one thing I love most, it’s a good burger. In fact, when it’s my first time at a restaurant, I always order a burger and a martini as that sets the bar for me if I should go back. The simplest thing on the menu is a burger and in a cocktail menu, a martini—and when those two are done right, you can be sure that the rest of the menu should be amazing as well.
For the new restaurants, I most especially enjoyed the burger at The Centurion Lounge (which offers an incredible and unmatched view of the city by the way—but there’s a catch: you have to be an American Express Centurion Club member) and another would be Chez Zhou at the Pendry Hotel. No-fail classics include Perrine at the Pierre Hotel, The Dining Room at RH, and The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel. As you can tell, I like a fancy burger.
Catch a film on the big screen
I almost never like to watch movies in the theater, I only do it when I travel, which even I find weird. But it’s great to see the current films showing at the Angelika Theater in SoHo, the Paris Theater in Midtown, or perhaps if you would like to watch something from the past, the Film Forum offers a selection of old films—mostly foreign indie films that offer a great new perspective compared to the commercial ones you’d usually see on Netflix.
Sip on a martini (or three)
Another thing I love to do while in New York is to, quite literally, have a martini almost every evening. I can’t count how many I’ve had this trip but I do love some of the new spots that I’ve been to like Le Dive in the Lower East Side. The Public Hotel, also located in the Lower East Side, is a hotel owned by one of Studio 54’s founders Ian Schrager. They have some pretty good martinis, too.
Head on over Uptown and there’s an option called The Grill if you’re looking for a classic American spot that offers great steaks and martinis. While over on the west, there’s another bar that offers great martinis. It's a little harder to get into, but dress the part and you’re skipping the line. It’s called The Nines. Just below that is a club worth checking out called Acme, again, a little hard to get into but just slap on a pair of Chris Nick tuxedo flare pants and you’re in—tested and proven.
Go on a nightout
Everyone knows I love a good party. Some of my favorite spots in the city are Casa Cruz and Casa Cipriani Downtown—which are two of the spots my best friend Alexa likes to take me to. The Box (where there are no photos allowed) is quite the show and not for the faint of heart, while Soho Grand and Paul’s Casablanca go on my list too for a younger crowd. The Little Sister is a great option, but that was a little too hip-hop for me, but was it a pretty spot? Yes.
If you’re going for an easier evening, Bemelman’s Bar at The Carlyle Hotel and Baretto at Fasano are no-fail options. The Champagne and Caviar Room at RH down over at Meatpacking is a great spot, too. It speaks for itself, champagne and caviar? Girl dinner!
Discover your new favorite scent
Everyone knows I am perfume-obsessed, it’s ridiculous. It’s how you know I’ve entered the room: the fragrance comes first, attitude second. From the perfume department at Saks to the different stores around Madison, Soho, and West Village—I just absolutely love to waste my time browsing through perfume.
In fact, on every trip, I make sure to buy a fragrance (okay maybe three) that will remind me of that specific time. For this trip, the perfume that stood out to me the most was D.S. & Durga's Cowboy Grass. Naturally, I had to get it even if it was just for the name.
Cowboy Grass 50ml Perfume, $210 (approximately P11,747), D.S. & Durga, dsanddurga.com
About the author
Chris Nick Delos Reyes made his mark in the Philippine fashion industry for his eponymous brand Chris Nick. Sleek yet sensual, his designs reflect the sophistication inherent in the world traveler. In 2023, he was honored in both Preview Best Filipino Fashion Designers and Preview Best Dressed List.
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