Passion Points: Family

The Elms hotel, Abberley, England; courtesy of von Essen hotels
The Elms hotel, Abberley, England; courtesy of von Essen hotels

Liz Lange on New York with Kids Text Size A A A

The maternity-wear designer was born and raised on the Upper East Side, still one of her favorite neighborhoods in New York. Here she shares her top spots.

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP: I go to Sant Ambroeus every morning during the week for coffee and a croissant or a little sandwich. It’s a fun New York scene—and delicious. Via Quadronno (25 E. 73rd St; 212-650-9880) for lunch or afternoon coffee is another fabulous people-watching scene. It’s very child-friendly, too. I love to take my children there for hot chocolate and to meet friends for lunch. The pressed paninis are the best in town.

FAVORITE WALK: One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday when I’m in town is to walk along Madison Avenue from Barneys up to 77th Street. It’s the best shopping street in the world!

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS: Lunch at Fred’s at Barneys (660 Madison Ave., 9th floor; 212-833-2200), is always a scene and you get the added benefit of being able to shop before or after your meal. For the city’s best Asian chopped chicken salad, I like to go to Geisha (33 East 61st St; 212-813-1112; geisharestaurant.com). For dinner, my kids adore the pizza and pasta at Serafina (1022 Madison Ave.; 212-734-2676). Nobody makes a better soufflé than La Grenouille (3 East 52nd St.; 212-752-1495). The ambience here is so old world, which I love.

FAVORITE HOTEL: Stay at the Lowell Hotel, the city’s most beautiful boutique hotel in the best Upper East Side location. If you prefer something larger, the Four Seasons is divine.

FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD: One of my favorite blocks in New York is 70th Street between Park and Lexington, where you’ll see all the magnificent townhouses (Woody Allen’s is the newest one on the block). Then spend some time strolling along Lexington in the lower 70s: stop for a latte at Sicaffé (964 Lexington Ave.; 212-452-2250), check out Mecox Gardens next door, which has beautiful things for the home.

Have lunch at Swifty’s (1007 Lexington Ave.; 212-535-6000), where you’ll spy many of the Upper East Side “ladies who lunch” or dinner at Sette Mezzo (969 Lexington Ave.; 212-472-0400), which many Upper East Siders think of as their “kitchen” away from home. Be sure to stop into both Roberta Freyman boutiques for cute beach cover-ups and tunics, which even come in children’s sizes. I also love the new Heidi Klein boutique I have spent my entire life eating the yummiest tea sandwiches at William Poll (1051 Lexington Ave.; 212-288-0501), and they are still the best. Or have afternoon coffee and pastry at Payard Patisserie & Bistro, François Payard’s famous patisserie, which is right across the street.

FAVORITE VIEW: I love a table by the windows of Nougatine, the casual section of Jean Georges on Central Park West, for its magnificent view of the park at night as well as the delicious cuisine. It’s beautiful year-round, but spring and summer are two of my favorites times to dine there.

ON THE HORIZON: I am very excited about the opening of Ladurée at the former Plaza Hotel on Central Park South. The macaroons at Ladurée are the best in the world and until now they were only available in Paris.

Read more member tips on what to do when visiting New York City with kids

Read about visiting museums in Paris with children

Read about great sights for kids in London

Read member suggestions on what to do with kids in New York

Read about a family itinerary in Paris

See our Library for great books for kids on Paris, London, New York

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