J'adore Gramercy Park

Sometimes among the craziness of the city, it's nice to find a "respite from the storm", so to speak. I feel like I found exactly that this weekend when I decided to explore Gramery Park, a neighborhood that is situated between 14th Street, First Avenue, 23rd Street and Park Avenue South. The shining star of the neighborhood is, no surprise, Gramercy Park itself. The small, fenced-in, two acre park is one of only two private parks in the city. Only residents that live on the border of the park have a key and are allowed access. However, for someone without a key but with a lot of curiosity, I had a great time exploring the area. Here are a few of my favorite stops (aside from the beautifully maintained park which is a must-see in itself):

For after-work drinks or to kick-off a weekend night: Rose Bar or Jade Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel (2 Lexington Avenue, http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/). The hotel was recently madeover by hotelier Ian Schrager and it shows - both bars are designed with a kind of bohemian meets high-style mentality - its not cheap though so maybe save this for a special occasion.

For weekend brunch: Friend of a Farmer (77 Irving Place, http://www.friendofafarmer.com/). This spot offers a warm, homey atmosphere that makes you feel like you're a houseguest in a rural estate outside the city. Breakfast and brunch are their specialties.

For coffee/tea/relaxing: Few places in New York feel as non-chainy as 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar (71 Irving Place, http://www.irvingfarm.com/). They not only provide coffee and tea and other delicious beverages, but also mix up some unique sandwiches, soups, salads and other delightful items perfect to easily help you pass a weekend afternoon.

From tea to martinis and strolling to lounging, Gramercy's got it all!