72 Hours in Brooklyn
Wythe Hotel is the original boutique hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, focused on culture, food, community, and warm, genuine service. We are staunchly local, and mindful of our role in Brooklyn’s proud history of welcoming people from all over the world.
We invite you to experience Brooklyn through the eyes of tastemaker Katherine Lewin. Lewin is the founder of Big Night, a dinner party shop with locations in both Greenpoint and the West Village of Manhattan. She is also the author of Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties, a hosting cookbook.
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Guest Edit
Katherine Lewin
Friday evening: Check in, drop your bags, and walk over to Bernie’s. Sure, it may only be 4:30pm, but this place fills up fast, and you want to get your name on the list early. The red-checked tablecloths, red vinyl booths, and killer playlist and martinis will get you right into the vacation mindset.
The other perk of an early dinner? Plenty of time for a nightcap. And there’s no better place than Bar Blondeau, on the 6th floor of Wythe Hotel, where the view of the Manhattan skyline is glittering and gorgeous. Someone once told me it’s even more beautiful if you happen to catch it on a night when it’s snowing.
The view from Bar Blondeau on the 6th floor
Saturday morning: We’re starting the day in Greenpoint, just a short walk away from the hotel. Brunch is a must at Chez Ma Tante, home of famous-for-good-reason pancakes and the best Bloody Mary. The quiche is also incredible.
Take a digestif walk to Transmitter Park, where you’ll get another great view of the city. Afterwards, grab a coffee at the very-cool Rhythm Zero.
Chez Ma Tante pancakes shot by Romulo Yanes for The New York Times
Saturday afternoon: Continue exploring Greenpoint with shopping along Franklin Street. Some of my favorites include: Word Bookstore, Awoke Vintage, Alter, and of course, Big Night – my dinner party shop where you’ll find so many special things for anyone who loves to cook, eat, and/or host.
Snacktime. Grab an al pastor taco at Taqueria Ramirez, or a slice at Paulie Gee’s, before walking south towards Williamsburg for more shopping. I always love stopping at Haricot Vert, Mociun, Beam, Catbird, and Todd Snyder.
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Big Night Shop, located on Franklin Ave in Greenpoint
Saturday evening: Walk over to Domino Park to catch the sunset, then grab dinner at Brooklyn’s forever-coolest restaurant, Diner. A perfect order there is a martini and the burger.
P.S. You can read Katherine's review of Diner for The Infatuation here.
Photo credit dinernyc.com
Sunday morning: One of (if not the!) best part about staying at the Wythe is that you can casually roll down to Le Crocodile in your comfiest clothes for a sun-drenched breakfast. The omelet is a perfect food, and don’t miss the pastries.
Ikenna Stovall for Le Crocodile
Sunday afternoon: Sure, you could easily spend your whole weekend in North Brooklyn, but South Brooklyn is a pretty idyllic place to spend a Sunday, too. Explore the shops on Atlantic Avenue – my favorites include the antique and vintage stores Humble House and Horseman Antiques, and the homeware shops Porta and Primary Essentials.
There’s always something cool happening at BAM, or the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Head there to get some culture in – see a matinee or early evening movie, or a concert, or a show.
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Sunday evening: Continue south to Carroll Gardens, one of the quaintest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. There are so many great places to eat here, but for a quintessential New York City experience, go to Frankie’s 457. The cavatelli with brown butter and sausage is legendary.
The Infauation Review of Frankie's (457) Spuntino
Monday morning: Before you leave town, walk over to Frankel’s for one last parting bagel or breakfast sandwich. You can’t go wrong here, but my order always includes the pastrami salmon on an everything bagel.
The Infatuation Review of Frankel's Delicatessen