nyc, by us: 5 spots we love
5 places in nyc that we have been loving
This will be a new (and ongoing) series where Hanna and I share the establishments we’ve been loving in NYC over the past month. We’ll also, as of lately, include a song that we feel encapsulates our vibes as well.
One of the things we find most charming about New York City is the incredible variety of establishments that make the city feel alive and ever-changing. Sure, there are countless other reasons to love it here, but it’s the way New York effortlessly blends the old with the new that truly captivates us. You’ll walk past a time-honored institution that’s withstood the test of time, a place that feels like it’s been around forever — both a reminder of the city’s rich history and its timelessness. Then, you turn a corner and suddenly find yourself in a sleek natural wine bar with a hi-fi sound system, signaling where the ‘young crowd’ spends their Thursday evenings. It’s as if the city is constantly shifting, reinventing itself, but always maintaining its essence. Sometimes, it feels like we're living in the middle of a Noah Baumbach film — something about the energy, the quirky characters, and the way New York pulses with possibility. And honestly? We love that.
This series came to us with the thought that creating a New York City guide — like one you might find for Paris, for example — seems almost impossible to make 'timeless.' These cities are constantly evolving, and what’s fresh today might be gone or transformed by next year. But that’s also part of the magic of New York, right? It’s always in flux, always reinventing itself. Plus, isn’t it By Benchis' moral obligation to give you only the best of the best?!
Consider this not so much a traditional guide, but more of a quick reference —something you can send to a friend visiting next month or a handy list for when you’ve got a weekend with no plans. Or maybe it’s something you’ll keep for yourself, something to quietly gatekeep until you’re ready to share it with the world. Either way, this will be your go-to mini travel guide to New York — a snapshot of what’s happening in this ever-changing city we call home.
forecast: located in Greenpoint, forecast truly became the definition of a hidden gem. I stumbled upon this store during a walk, right after having lunch in the area. The space is incredibly open and feels like a curated art gallery, with a handpicked selection of independent designers whose works lie at the intersectionality between technical utility and intentional, elevated design. Every piece displayed in this store feels innovative and thoughtfully curated. What I enjoyed so much, is the whole in-store experience. The staff is incredibly warm and knowledgeable. Each sales associate takes the time to walk you through each item, sharing the story behind the design and the vision of the artist. It’s very evident that every piece displayed, whether clothing or object, has been chosen with purpose, ensuring harmony with the space and the narrative forecast draws; incredibly taciturn. I think a standout discovery for me — one of the reasons I love in-store experiences so much — was Amiche Alpine. I think this brand perfectly captures the essence of what I’ve always wanted from athleisure; elegant, chic, and still fully functional. Their rain jacket in particular, is a showstopper. Flattering in every way and living rent-free in my mind ever since I’ve tried it on. (85 Quay St, Brooklyn) - Rachel
Tigre: located in the Lower East Side, before even entering Tigre feels like walking into an SNL Stefon sketch (“New York’s hottest club is…”). Tucked beneath scaffolding, next to a hotel, where a half-distracted bouncer tells something about waiting for a hostess. So you wait, standing next to a pile of trash, eyeing a metal door covered in stickers, wondering if you’ve made the right choice. Suddenly, once the door opens, and the hostess says “Are you X?” — you immediately feel like you did make the right choice. We've heard people say Tigre is effortlessly cool, but we feel the space is intentionally cool. It’s intimate, sleek, and chic but somehow remains unpretentious. The kind of bar where you can either start or end your night, whether you’re dressed in something vintage you bought on your last Merci C’est Vintage pop-up (iykyk!) or keeping it casual in jeans and a sweater. The cocktails are outstanding — our go-to is Foreign Places — and the staff is warm, accommodating, and genuinely invested in making your night a great one. We’ve been here more times than we can count, and we keep coming back. If you're looking for the perfect place to impress a friend coming from out of town, this is it. (105 Rivington Street) - Rachel + Hanna
ställe studios: Located in SoHo, this is where my friends have been getting facials since last year. I wasn’t into facials before moving to the US, because in Brazil facials are divided into two categories: lymphatic drainage facial or buccal massage and extractions/skin cleanse. There is no ‘facial culture’ in Brazil, but more of a ‘let’s get straight into cosmetic procedure’ kind-of-vibe. When I moved to the US, I realized my skin’s needs changed and I desperately needed to embark on the journey of taking better care of it, which included finding a good facial. It feels like ages ago when ställe was in a smaller space. Now, they have their own stunning studio, and I can’t wait for my appointment in May (counting down the days!). There are so many things I love about ställe that goes beyond the aesthetics of the space, but one thing stands out: trust. It’s rare to find a place where you feel like you’re in the best hands, and that’s exactly how I feel there. When
told me, "Rachel, this is where you need to go," I just trusted her and went. From the moment you walk in, the entire staff makes you feel right at home. Everyone’s aura calms you down, instantly. You also bfeel like a superstar when you are in the facial bed/chair and they put the ställe headband on your forehead. No one is pushing products on you; instead, every facialist takes the time to tailor your routine and thoroughly explain what’s going on with your skin — why it's behaving a certain way, and how to improve it. ställe was the first studio that discovered my ideal skincare routine. Even a year later, the recommendations they gave me still work wonders. The products they suggested have delivered gradual, long-lasting results, and I can’t imagine using anything else. I trust the staff with everything, from extractions to touching my face, and honestly, at this point they could put anything on my skin, and I’d trust them! I always recommend it to friends visiting the city, especially if they have an event or something special coming up. (54 Howard street, 5th floor) - Rachel
Lévy Gorvy Dayan: tucked in the Upper East Side, this gallery is not only stunning, but it features a great curation of unique and interesting contemporary art shows. Their last show, Michelangelo Pistoletto’s To Step Beyond, featured incredible paintings and sculptures spanning the artist’s innovative practice from the early 1960s to the present. This is the type of place that perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Upper East Side, in the best way possible. (19 E 64th St) - Hanna
Setsugekka: a hidden gem in the heart of the East Village. For the longest time I gatekept this place, as I used to come religiously here after school on Thursdays to get what I consider by far the best quality matcha in all of the city. I used to walk from 13th and 5th, where I had classes on Thursdays, all the way there. A very nice 3pm stroll for me, walking at the right pace to make sure I could be there before its closing time of 5pm. Setsugekka is one of those places that you can miss when you walk past it. A tiny establishment with barely any seating space, besides the counter with 4 stools, where you are kindly invited to sit in while you analyze all of the wonderful options of the finest Japanese green tea. A “barista” will explain to you the menu, its origins, the taste profiles and all the details you need to know, while making a beautiful cup of matcha right in front of your eyes. If one is not ready to dive into this world of the finest form of Japanese green tea, one can settle for my favorite treat in the menu: a matcha afogatto, made with oat milk ice cream and a creamy coat of matcha on top. The perfect blend of tastes if you ask me! For some, the service there is considered very slow, but they take pride in their craft, so if you’re in a hurry and want something to go, you might as well go somewhere else. This is the place for those that enjoy quality, craft, history and relaxation. A place for you to sit down, make conversation, sip several types of matcha and really enjoy the beauty of this wonderful and special tea. (74 E 7th St) - Hanna
Omg need to go get a tea immediately
Amo minhas amigas que sabem de tuuuudo