XOXO, From New York

There’s no city quite like New York. Compared to London’s reserved hustle with a dose of British politeness and dry humour, Manhattan is bold and loud. New York is a vertical city, dominated by skyscrapers and a grid system that is easy to navigate. It has been the backdrop for hundreds of classic films: Taxi Driver (1976), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), American Psycho (2000), and The Devil Wears Prada (2006), to name a few. Each element of the city has become a character in itself, each neighbourhood with its own unique set of people, and each New Yorker with a different story to tell. Here’s my story of visiting New York City over the Easter holiday in April.  

Central Park 

If you enjoy strolling around Hyde Park next to our campus like I do, the iconic Central Park is the perfect place to be. With cherry blossoms in full bloom, Central Park offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Alongside the beautiful white-and-pink cherry blossom trees, anyone can enjoy a peaceful walk, row a boat on the lake, or simply relax in Sheep Meadow – a 15-acre lawn with astonishing views of the city. Lying down in the middle of the lawn feels overwhelming yet peaceful at the same time, allowing one to enjoy the scenery and company of others.  

The twisted paths around Central Park can be hard to navigate at first, but nothing is impossible with the help of Google Maps. On some turns, parents are taking pictures of their children climbing on top of giant rocks, and on others, people are having a picnic with their friends, walking their dogs, or discussing politics and the economy. What truly stands out are the hot dog wand pretzel carts, souvenir vendors, musicians singing and playing the violin, and vendors selling cups of fruit and bottles of cold water, in and around the park. Somehow, Central Park can blend the chaotic city with its undisturbed green space. 

Broadway, Shopping, and the New York Public Library 

Besides walking around Central Park, there is still so much of the city left to explore. Times Square is known for its bright billboards and signs, always filled with tourists and people dressed in hilarious costumes, even when most of the other streets are dark. If one were to overlook its crowded haze, the area offers a fantastic chance to experience a Broadway show in one of the many theatres. I went to see Hadestown, one of the most successful shows at the Walter Kerr Theatre between Seventh and Eighth Avenue.  

There is also the historic New York Public Library, especially the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building next to Bryant Park, that is worth visiting. This public library in midtown Manhattan has stunning architecture, both inside and out, with painted ceilings, high pillars ,and reading rooms so aesthetic that it makes you want to be productive. A short walk away from the library and you enter Fifth Avenue, New York’s shopping street, where you can find any major brand stores, as well as the iconic department store Macy’s, which was established in 1858.  

The MET 

My favourite place, however, must be The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET). Amongst all the famous museums in the city, such as the American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art, Cooper Hewitt, or The Morgan Library, The MET provides something more breathtaking. It is located along Fifth Avenue on the east edge of Central Park. There are always people sitting on the well-known stairs leading up to the building, and it feels like you’ve entered the world of Blair Waldorf from the TV series Gossip Girl. Inside, The MET houses over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years of human history. Like the British Museum, visitors can wander through galleries filled with ancient Egyptian artifacts, European masterpieces by Van Gogh and Monet, and stunning pieces from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Once you go in, who knows how long you might spend trying to see every part of the museum? The most enchanting aspect about The MET is under the evening light; every Friday and Saturday, the museum hosts “Date Night at The MET” where drinks and live music are accompanied by the endless statues and pieces of art. The MET stunningly encapsulates the beauty and culture of New York City, and is my favourite museum to this day.  

Food in NYC 

Manhattan, the most popular island of New York City, is known to have some of the best food in the world, perhaps even more so than London. During my visit, I had the chance to try out different cuisines in various parts of the city, from street halal carts, to Chinese, Mexican, Thai, to New American. Here, I share one of my most memorable meals during the visit.  

Yoon Haeundae Galbi, a restaurant located in Koreatown, delivers a deeply rooted Korean barbecue experience with an unmistakably modern edge. I tried their Prime Package, which is a curated feast showcasing some of the most luxurious cuts and comfort dishes in the house. First off: the brisket, shaved nearly paper-thin and grilled by the flame for mere seconds. The marbling melts fast, leaving behind a layer of fat that coats the tongue like warm butter. Next, the fresh short ribs are lightly marinated and grilled into smoky, juicy strips that accentuated its natural richness. If the brisket is delicate and the short ribs hearty, then the wagyu boneless short ribs are pure decadence. These marbled gems are soft and practically dissolve upon chewing. Since they’re not too salty, dipping them in ssamjang, a spicy dipping sauce, and wrapping in a lettuce leaf with garlic and scallion provides the full Korean BBQ experience – it is the perfect bite. Finally, the dry-aged ribeye had a charred crust that locks in a concentrated umami flavour, while the interior remains tender and chewy.