Manhattan

By Jimmy Mckenzie All photos by Paul Clemence, courtesy of ARCHI-PHOTO Since the pandemic began the city that never sleeps has been so near empty that many walking along the usually chaotic Times Square had plenty of sidewalks to enjoy all to themselves. Restaurants were soulless, and even usually lively Bryant

Award-winning photographer and writer Paul Clemence has been exploring the streets of Manhattan during these strangest of days. Here are some of his images, presented in black and white — because this is pretty much how New York City feels at this point in time.          

  By Melissa Coleman When visiting New York City, I’ve found it helpful to narrow the multitude of lodging options into two types, 1) the contemporary, large, and hip, and 2) the historic, small, and romantic. On some recent stays near Times Square, option one was perfect for a high

By Gary Walther Online, it’s Keens Steakhouse, but on the awning it’s Keens Chophouse. (No apostrophe, please.) This is just one of the quirks that make this venerable Manhattan meat-eater’s sanctuary on West 36th Street so endearing. It was opened independently in 1885, when the area was part of the

By Shari Hartford Hotel design is a very subjective topic. Some travelers like traditional dark wood furnishings and deep-pile carpet, some want a hotel room that looks like home, clutter and all, and some just want a comfy bed, good lighting and quiet…they’re oblivious to color scheme or décor. Me?

By Shari Hartford One of the first hotels I visited for this column was the Conrad. And, I loved it. That was in early 2012 when the landscape of downtown was changing, but not yet changed. That was then. With the opening of the September 11 Museum and Memorial, the

By Shari Hartford In the not too distant past, the Lower East Side was synomous with immigrants and crowded apartments buildings that were cold in the winter and broiling hot in the summer. The fire escapes that draped the structures provided the only indoor/outdoor amenity. That was then. The now

By Shari Hartford Who doesn’t like gooey, stringy mozzarella on everything that is Italian? On pizza, dripping from lasagna and sliced over a just-picked tomato with a drizzle of excellent olive oil. Ah, the taste of Italy. Murray’s Cheese Shop, a New York institution since 1940, is a one-stop shopping

By Shari Hartford When you’re standing at the crossroads of Times Square, it is easy to forget that this wondrous city is really an island. To gain a completely different perspective this summer, view the coastline from the water. Once again, the luxury yacht, Zephyr, will be calling an “All