A city that doesn't just spoil you—it transforms you.

The city opens up your palate, heightens your expectations, and undeniably diminishes your tolerance for mediocrity.

A city that sparks so many debates, conversations and questions.

One of them being The city or Brooklyn?

Depends on the type of person you are. For me, as a Greenpoint transplant, the answer is biased towards Brooklyn.

On those “Brooklyn” kinda days, my life orbited around Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Bushwick. Whether it's the blistering summer heat or the wintry chills, my weekends typically started with a light breakfast at the unassuming Bakeri in Greenpoint, followed by a Sweetleaf coffee en route to Transmitter Park for a panoramic view of the city skyline. The walk along the East Side River seamlessly paved the way to Williamsburg for an exploration of concept stores, cafes, and bars.

One of the other questions that New York always threw at me during my time there: Coffee or Beer or Cocktails? If the call is for beer, the choice is always Radegast, an industrial-style biergarten. The grilled bratwurst is exactly what you need with the beer. And before you realize it, you have been there for 5 hours enjoying the hum of conversation, company and energy. Radegast evenings always ended with an epic lamb tagine at Cafe Mogador.

Weekends in Bushwick are defined by lazy lunches at Roberta's, often in the backyard, relishing a Bee Sting Pizza or slurping on ramen at Ichiran. If the mood strikes for luxury, cocktails await at the Westlight rooftop back in Williamsburg. By far, the best skyline view of the city.

On those “The City” kinda-days, hours are spent exploring Soho, rejuvenating at La Colombe for a caffeine kick, discovering my next read at McNally Jackson, and indulging my sweet tooth at Little Cupcake Bakeshop. Evenings would almost always end at Som Tum Der, for some spicy hearty Isaan Thai feast and cocktails.

And on those “Culture” kinda-days, it's The Met for an art immersion, always ending with a stop at the Met rooftop for a glass of wine while overlooking Central Park—a well kept secret with the locals.

Honestly, on any kinda day that you are feeling, the city offers you so much and so merely take this as a guide. I encourage you to find your own path in New York. Figure out if its The City or Brooklyn for you.

A city that is more than just rooftops & cocktails & great food.

A city that gives you culture without traveling anywhere else.

A city like nowhere else.

You can’t say it’s not for you till you have visited.

Because there is nothing like New York.