In the past month have discovered many a #NancyMeyersMoment: first in the Hamptons inspired by Something’s Gotta Give; then I visited Santa Barbara to seek out classic It’s Complicated scenes; after I travelled half away around the world to visit both Surrey, England and Beverly Hills to retrace the steps of the stars from The Holiday. Now the wait is almost over to see the first new movie from Nancy Meyers since 2009’s It’s Complicated. The Intern featuring Anne Hathaway and Robert de Niro is out on 25th September in America and 2nd October in the UK. In honour of it’s upcoming release I collaborated with Warner Brothers and travelled to New York City to explore areas such as Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, Chelsea, Lower East Side, Meatpacking District and Soho. The purpose of my trip? To create a #mrbazaartravels guide based on the themes and aesthetics of the film’s latest trailer. Click through after the jump to see where my adventures took me…
Much like Nancy’s movies that came before The Intern, her latest movie is just as aesthetically pleasing. Set in Brooklyn, the film plays out in two main spaces: the industrial warehouse office of About The Fit, Jules’ (played by Anne Hathaway) start up company, About The Fit, and her Brownstone family home. As such, I set out to find places across New York City that evoked a similar vibe.
First up? Schiller’s Liquor Bar, a neighbourhood restaurant in the the Lower East Side area of the city that offers rotisserie chicken, market oysters and seasonal cocktails. It’s also Instagram heaven so you can fill out your feed, and your stomach. Win, win.
More information: Schiller’s Liquor Bar
Up next on the foodie hit list is Reynard restaurant. It’s based inside of the Wythe Hotel and thanks to it being a converted factory space that dates back to 1901, it feels akin to the office of About The Fit in the movie. Go for brunch and expect good food enjoyed amongst exposed brick walls and tall industrial iron and glass windows. | More information: Reynard
Given the industrial aesthetic is so central to Jules’ office space, it felt only right to include Boulton & Watt in this travel guide. Why? Becuase the restaurant was inspired by the industrial revolution – of which Matthew Boulton & James Watt were pivotal figures with their perfection of the steam engine. The space combines warm woods and with raw, industrial accents and huge iron windows. Very cool. | More information: Boulton & Watt
There are three The Smith restaurants based throughout Manhattan and they make a for a reliable spot to have in your dining arsenal for when are exploring either uptown or down. The vibe is that of a casual American brasserie and let it be known that the calamari is delicious. Their Broadway branch has a fun Photo Booth downstairs, too – try it after a cocktail or two! | More information: The Smith
Confession: I am addicted to coffee! I love to seek out a new-to-me coffee shop when I visit a new area of a city. So I was thrilled to find the Brooklyn Roasting Co. while exploring Dumbo in Brooklyn. Again, this is a super industrial inside the space that buzzes with atmosphere – you can even see the beans being roasted at the back of the store. Those lofty white ceilings and hanging pendants are reminding me of Jules’ office space again!
More information: Brooklyn Roasting Co.
After coffee it’s nice to enjoy a little something sweet and One Girl Cookies is the perfect spot to tick that box. Just around the corner from the Brooklyn Roasting Co., it’s a light and airy spot to rest up, eat delicious cookies and people watch. | More information: One Girl Cookies
For a romantic dinner in a hyper stylish yet welcoming environment, be sure to book a table for two at Upland NYC. The food led by Chef Justin Smillie is California inspired and takes heavy cues from the seasons. While the interior references utility and heritage thanks to the touches of natural oak, elegant leather and custom-blown glass and patinated copper throughout the space. It’s one of my favourite Manhattan spots!
More information: Upland NYC
Not only does the interior fit-out of West Elm Market instantly remind me of the About The Fit office, but it’s also full of items I expect to see in Jules’ Brownstone home when I see the movie. In fact, in her research for the movie Nancy toured the office of Lauren Santo Domingo, founder of Moda Operandi, and it was the West Elm rug she saw that inspired the one for Jules’ office in the movie. You can read more about Nancy’s research for the set design, here.
More information: West Elm Market
Another cool design store to check out in the city is Schoolhouse Electric. This Portland, Oregon based company carries a vast range of classic period, vintage and contemporary light fixtures and glass shades, home accessories, furniture and hardware. Their Vestry St. store is cosy, friendly and stylishly merchandised.
More information: Schoolhouse Electric
Michele Varian’s store is akin to a design maven’s treasure trove. It’s full of home accessories, furniture, lighting and cool, quirky pieces that will add stacks of personality to a space. | More information: Michele Varian
Whether it’s been a tough day at the office or just a long day of sightseeing that has made you need to let your hair down with a drink or two (just like Jules and Ben in do in the trailer for The Intern!), the cocktail bar at Sixty Soho is the spot to do it.
More information: Sixty Soho
The recently reopened Whitney Museum is the hot spot right now in the city for anyone looking for a fix of American art. As well as the culture, take in the views across the city from the series of architecturally striking roof decks. | More information: Whitney Museum
The Gansevoort Market personifies the old, historical New York and is full of character. The industrial space set in the Meatpacking District offers a curated selection of locally produced goods and delicious fare from brick oven pizza to tacos, along with a beautiful flower shop.
More information: Gansevoort Market
When I saw that Robert de Niro went to have a traditional wet shave at a men’s barbers in the trailer for the movie, I knew I had to try the experience out for myself! You can too by heading to one of Fellow Barber’s stylish locations across the city. Try the hangover treatment: 20 minutes of total bliss! | More information: Fellow Barber
If you are keen to capture those classic Brownstone sights and pictures, then a stroll through the charming Brooklyn Heights neighbourhood will more than meet the requirements. For a similar vibe in Manhattan you can wonder around the West Village.
The High Line Hotel is a small hotel of just 60 rooms that each feature hardwood floors and one-of-a-kind locally sourced furniture. The cosy, welcoming vibe of the whole hotel feels more like walking into someone’s home and starts from the moment you step inside the lobby. Outside there’s a charming courtyard with comfortable seating, strung bulbs and Intelligentsia coffee served from a truck. This spot is a slice of calm amongst all the buzz of the city – I love it. | | More information: The High Line Hotel
Have you been to any of these spots in NYC? Are you excited to see The Intern?
// Photography by Will Taylor | Posted in collaboration with Warner Brothers; all views my own
42 Comments
I’ve loved reading these travel guides Will — more more!!! If The Intern looks this beautiful I believe I will like it a lot! 😉
@Jen – I have loved creating them! Thanks for following along and enjoy the film! 🙂
Beautiful!! I long to visit one day…
@Azu – If you can, you must – NYC is my favourite city in the world!
My mom and I were talking about this movie on the phone yesterday; we’re both massive Nancy fans! Great post!
@Susan – Love that! Similarly, I’ve always been a NM fan but have literally lived and breathed these movies for the past few months and it’s been soooooo much fun!
Gansevoort is one of my favorite spots in the city. Congrats on this awesome collaboration!
@Flora – I’ve been to NYC countless times but it was my first time at Gansevoort. So happy my research for this guide led me to it because it was a-mazing!
Brooklyn Heights looks stunning.
@Ben – Yes! It’s a really cute residential part of BKLYN. It’s not far from Dumbo, which I love as well.
A new Nancy Meyers movie?! How did I not know this!
@Patricia – It’s gonna be so good. Can’t wait!
Just watched the trailer & loved the bit were Robert gets a massage at the end! xo
@Amy – Ha! I love that scene too.
Will you are very inspirational to me. I love how you capture these moments and share them with us all. xx from France
@Marie – That’s very kind, thank you. Hugs back to France! 🙂
We watch Nancy’s movies as a marathon every Christmas at home. My sister is gonna flip when she finds out there’s a new movie!
@SB – Now that’s what I call a knockout tradition!
fellow barber looks awesome thanks man
@Jake – Get the hangover treatment – it’s life changing! Haha
Love NYC and really want to go again now and see these places
@Laura – I get excited every time I visit! Thanks for stopping by.
It’s wonderful! I love each picture and I can imagine each moment being there! :)) I’m also happy I was able to get many Snapchat exclusives. It must’ve been an exiting trip…! 🙂 So, if you guys are not following BRIGHT.BAZAAR on Snapchat you are missing great stuff! 🙂 I wish you a big success with your new BRIGHT.BAZAAR project! 🙂
@Daniel – So pleased you enjoyed the post and thanks for following along on Snapchat as I shot all the content! Cheers to you!
The High Line Hotel is one of my favorite for afternoon cocktails. Did you get to check the rooms?
Beautiful post as always xoxox
@Sivan – Thank you! Yes, more gorgeousness in the rooms!
I love Upland. I was there for the first time in January. It’s right around the corner from where my friends live and where I stay when I visit. Always a treat.
@David – Isn’t it the best? I send everyone I know who visits NYC to there!
So many cool spots!
I´ve been to Reynard´s myself for dinner once. Beautiful place!
Keep it up and color the world bright! 🙂
@Lars – Thank you!
Wow, it’s so lovely to see all the places I just visited one week ago! Would have looooooved to see you there, big fan of your work Will! Also: such a nice collab you did! Good for you!
@Merel – So lovely of you to say, thank you! Glad you had a great trip to NYC and enjoyed the guide!
Hey will great post… I lived in Nyc for seven years…. Reading your post makes me miss it so much!! But it’s a great article!! Keep it up will!!
@Davinder – How cool that you were able to live there for seven years! So pleased you enjoyed the post, too. Thanks!
Do you know where the scene with the little girl’s friends party at a small park takes place?
@Stephanie – I don’t, I’m sorry!
Loved reading this! I so loved the movie as I do with all Nancy Meyers movies!
@Rochelle – Thank you! Glad to read that you are a fan too!
Love those stores! thanks for sharing the awesome photos.
@Anna – Thank you!
They filmed in Tobys estate coffee shop in Williamsburg! You should check it out!
@Lacy – Yes, I love it in there! Such a cute and stylish spot! 🙂