NEW YORK -- Looking to rub shoulders with celebrities and supermodels (or at least see the backs of their heads as they brush past with their entourage)? Head to Little West 12th Street in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. It-factor oozes from every bar, restaurant and shop front on this cobblestone street.
In New York, where hip is always happening, "hot" can become icy cold in no time. At the moment, there are several contenders jostling for top spot on the scenester's lists. Nolita ("north of little Italy"), is downtown style at its best. For fashion that's months ahead, head to Elizabeth Street. In Hell's Kitchen, 9th Avenue is steadily rising, with upscale dining next to tiny Senegalese or Puerto Rican storefronts. Long the "street du jour," Soho's West Broadway remains one of the best places to watch the young, wealthy and fabulous shop, dine and socialize. And sitting at the top for those seeking glamour and exclusivity -- not to mention their names in gossip columns the next day -- is Little West 12th Street.
Blessed with the high energy of the Meatpacking District ("MePa" or "MPD"), yet tempered with the romance of old European style and charm (1800s Belgian block paving), this year Little West 12th's star went from on-the-rise to shooting with five big openings. Every square inch of this street's two-and-a-half blocks is packed with excitement.
Food
Touting itself as "a steak house with a conscience and sex appeal" STK (26 Little W. 12th St, 646-624-2444, http://www.stkhouse.com) is part greenmarket restaurant and part nightclub. Flawlessly made up of textured crocodile tiles, creamy leather banquettes and big picture windows to show off the bevy of beauties drinking and dining, this is slick, stylish Manhattan eating at its best. The second floor is made up of private seating (named after burlesque stars such as Tempest Storm). Take a seat and tuck into the Parmesan truffle fries, decadent steaks and foie gras French toast while the DJ provides loud and funky background music.
For diners who want a little intimacy with their cool, resto-lounge One (1 Little W. 12th St, 212-255-9717, http://www.onelw12.com) offers hundreds of candles and plush couch seating to encourage personal space violation when dining on Kobe beef or Erica's Bad Ass Cheeseburgers with Saga Blue and Cheddar. Think eclectic, hip and sexy with a menu divided by who's dining: "for us," "for me," or "for all." Caviar and champagne bars staffed by attractive Versace-clad servers add to the ambience of hedonistic party flavour.
Where do the models and beautiful people go when they're pretending to eat? Pastis (9th Ave at Little W.12th St, 212-929-4844, http://www.pastisny.com) is a flawless replica of a French bistro, right down to the antique mirrors, tasty steak frites and the well-dressed, bickering children at the table nearby. Getting in for brunch on the weekends requires a face recognizable to the masses or a reservation made several weeks in advance. Once you get past the doorman, don't expect a relaxed meal -- think elbow jostling, noisy, packed to the rafters. But you will be seen by those who matter, darling, and that's all that counts.
Get your lips air-kiss ready if you're heading to the Buddha Bar (25 Little W. 12th St., 212-647-7314, http://www.buddhabarnyc.com. Sister club to its popular namesake in Paris, this restaurant and hipster hangout is a feast for the eyes: a huge black-lacquered Buddha sits underneath a cross shaped skylight and jellyfish chandeliers twinkle down onto the beautiful people below. Otherworldly and opulent, a creative Asian menu and solid sushi offerings satisfy both the rock stars and wannabes alike.
Frolics
"Sorry celebrities only," is the most commonly used rejection line at the entrance to tenjune (26 Little W. 12th St., 646-624-2410, http://www.tenjunenyc.com), which has no admission charge unless you count high cheekbones and good looks. Before the nightclub officially opened in September, it was packed with A-list hipsters attending private parties (including Jay-Z, Jessica Simpson, Kate Bosworth and Penelope Cruz; Diddy and Lindsay Lohan have DJ'd here also.) The private entrance for bigwigs, VIP-only bathroom and marble wall with twinkling lights and leather-covered bar all add to the exclusive, self-indulgent air -- or maybe it's just the chocolate vodka cocktails that make it seem that way.
Cielo (18 Little W. 12th St., 212-645-5700, http://www.cieloclub.com.) is favoured by those who prefer their deep house and nu-jazz grooves in a sophisticated, more mature setting. The award-winning club balances bottle service with the best DJs in the world, so that both dance-loving booty shakers and booth-watchers who don't want to sweat in public are welcome and catered to.
Offering a more down-to-earth atmosphere, Brass Monkey (55 Little W. 12th St., 212-675-6686, http://www.brassmonkeybar.com) is a pub buzzing with all the energy of the area and none of the attitude. Twenty beers on tap and 35 bottled varieties, hearty food and a fun, British-rock soundtrack add further to the charms of this warmly lit, wood-beamed retreat.
Fashion
Brazilian-born Jussara Lee's bespoke designs (11 Little W. 12th St., 212-242-4128, http://www.jussaralee.com) guarantee fashionistas don't have to worry about showing up in the same outfit as someone else. Acting as a personal couturist, Lee guides clients when choosing fabric, buttons and trims for that perfect outfit. Her dedicated following is made up of young, professional and diverse shoppers.
In between fittings, head a few doors down to Destination (32-36 Little W. 12th St., 212-727-2358), a stark, inventive space merging art with fashion. Find it by spotting the large porcelain pigs outside the door, and browse contemporary art, robot-shaped sparkling key chains, braided gold-leather handbags and daisy-covered soccer balls.
Fancy
Based on the idea of a European salon where artists, musicians and writers can congregate, Arium (31 Little W. 12th St., 212-463-8630, http://www.ariumnyc.com) is a traditional, very upmarket tea salon. With more than 90 teas on offer, including hard-to-find rooibos (red bush leaves from South Africa), you can enjoy live classical music courtesy of the reconstructed Steinway B piano, while observing the other well-manicured raised pinky fingers in the gallery-like space.
If you want to leave well-coiffed, as well as culturally invigorated, the attached Tela hair salon (31 Little W. 12th St., 212-463-8213, http://www.telanyc.com) (accessible through a discreet door off of Arium) has an airy, relaxed vibe created by scissor-king Philip Pelusi and his experienced team of beautification experts using their in-house organic products.
Vanessa Craft, a correspondent for the NYC style-bible Zink Magazine, has spent many a Manhattan evening in the non-guest-list queue of the city's hottest venues.
142