Mother Hoods: New York City’s Best According To Molly Guy
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by Photography by Kisha Bari
You’ve already seen and totally fell in love with Molly Guy, her little girl Sunny, and her Brooklyn pad. Now, Molly dishes on her favorite spots (kid-friendly and adult-friendly) around the big apple.
What are your favorite places in your city to…
Eat with the kids?
“Noho Star in Soho in the city. Big plates of food and totally family friendly. I can go there with my eight-year-old niece, five-year-old nephew, and two-year-old daughter, cozy up in a big booth, and make sure everyone gets to eat what they want. Everything from fries and sandwiches and sundaes to delicious huge salads and cocktails. Plus, every now and then, I will spot Lauren Hutton having lunch with a friend. The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast, which, when you’re having brunch with a two-and-half-year-old on a Sunday morning, is ideal. Sunny and I usually get there around 8, cozy up with a paper by our favorite table in the window, and order pancakes, eggs, pastries, coffee, and juice. Total pig-out fest, plus the staff is super nice, the restaurant is never crowded that early, and afterwards, we can browse their amazing lobby home goods/apothecary/clothing shop.”
Eat with just adults?
“Hibino Restaurant in Carroll Gardens. My friend Oona loves coming here for girls’ dinners on Saturday nights. We’re obsessed with its amazing tofu, seaweed salads, and yummy vegetable rolls. It’s a really nice neighborhood—a place with fresh food that never disappoints. I live for long St. Ambroeus lunches in the West Village with my girlfriends in the summer time. Its salads are outrageously expensive, super fresh, and worth every bite. Sitting at one of its little bistro tables outside at the corner of Fourth and Perry is amazing for people-spotting and also just gorge NYC real-estate porn. Amazing brownstones, beautiful tree-lined streets, and well-behaved shaggy dogs abound. I’ve nursed many iced Americanos with cream and had some super serious long heart-to-hearts with my BFFs there. It’s a little slice of downtown heaven. Super conducive for lounging, bonding, and decompressing.”
Shop for kids?
“Sweet William in Williamsburg. My good friend Bronagh owns this store. There’s one in Williamsburg, one in Soho, and one that just opened in Silverlake! Her selection of kids’ clothes, toys, and stuffed animals is impeccable. Such a fun place to shop for kids and with kids. My daughter loves to hang out there while I browse.”
Shop for yourself?
“I live for the upstairs beauty section of Lifethyme—the amazing staple health food store on Sixth Avenue. Could browse there for hours smelling its coconuts soaps, collection of organic oils, loofahs, makeup, and more. Plus, I always grab a fresh green drink from the juice bar downstairs on my way out!”
Play with your child?
“The playground. We take ferry rides around Brooklyn and stop off in Dumbo for soft ice cream cones at the seaport. We also like going swimming next door and the McCarren Hotel pool in the summer. Sunny loves floating around in her inner tube and then eating french fries in a lounge chair. Fishkill Farms Apple Orchard upstate is a great way to spend a Sunday aftenoon with the fam for apple picking, donut eating, and petting rabbits.”
Play with your adult friends?
“These days we do a lot of hanging out in each other’s houses—it’s winter, baby! As I’m writing this, it’s five degrees outside.”
Get out in nature?
“Hiking in Bear Mountain. Also Beacon, Tivoli, Central Park, and Prospect Park.”
Any good flea markets/thrift shops?
“Fort Green Flea and Williamsburg Flea. Both have a great selection of furniture, rugs, and vintage.”
Any good museums/art installations?
“Love the Neue Gallery, always. It’s a hike to get uptown, but once you do, so worth it. The Schiele exhibit followed by trout crepes and black tea at Cafe Sabarsky, then a walk in Central Park—what could be better?”
Any tourist-y places worth a visit?
“MoMA PS 1, Central Park, Empire State Building—I don’t know actually! It’s been a while since I was a tourist in NYC.”
Share this story