Chic in NY: Paula Rubenstein Ltd.

Before you head over to Circolo on Bond Street, make sure you stop into Paula Rubenstein's new venue.  You may remember her old legendary shop on Prince Street. It was so jammed packed with treasures that I thought I was going to break something every time I entered.  When the landlord tripled her rent, she quietly disappeared last year but turned up on my favorite street not long after which could not have made me happier. Now there is more for all her antiques and to stand back to see everything.  Her fabric fanatics will rejoice at the new organized shelves and you should run, not walk, to check out the bookshelves.  As I told her, everything happens for a reason, and in this case, for once a rent hike turned out to be a good thing.  

Paula Rubenstein Ltd. 

21 Bond Street

off Lafayette

New York, NY 10012

212-966-8954

Monday - Saturday

12 -6

If you look closely, she has a copy of Grace Coddington's highly collectible and hard to find first book for sale.  It's $1200 if you are interested. 

I LOVE the paint drips on the sides of this table that I was told might have been used to print wallpaper. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chic in NY: Circolo

When my friend Abigail Jorgensen asked if I wanted to come downtown and check out a new Italian restaurant for which she is doing public relations, I immediately said yes.  The restaurant in question, Circolo is located on my favorite street in all of Manhattan, Bond Street, so I really couldn't say no.  If you've ever been to Posada Margherita in Tulum, Mexico you might already be familiar with the owners, Alessandro Carozzino, Federico Paterniti, Francesco Barosi, Andrea De Leonardis.  Honestly, I'm not sure why Andrea and his wife Giada would ever want to trade the warmth of Tulum for the cold of New York to run Circolo but I'm glad they did.  It's a chic and simple breath of fresh air serving the type of food your grandmother would have made if she was obviously Italian.  

The word Circolo in Italian means a "local spot to meet friends, play cards and discuss current affairs over an aperitivo or a bite to eat."  To me it also represents the circle of friends who not only do actually hang out at the restaurant but those who came together to help design it, Ambra Medda, the founder of Design Miami; Shawn Brydges of Brydges Mackinney, and Suzanne Demisch of Demisch Danant. And before you ask, the pale grey on the walls is Lamp Room Gray from Farrow & Ball.  The rustic tables were "inspired by Enzo Mari, an Italian modernist artist and furniture designer from the '50s and '60s. The concept for the furniture is the same as the concept for the food: simple, less is more. This is the concept for everything, the design, the food and the drinks. Simplicity is key", said Andrea.  

They are still figuring out the art work for the walls and are only open for dinner right now but I definitely want this to be my place to hang out downtown all the time now.  By the way, if you are looking for a job, they need a manager and more servers.  They will also be open for lunch and brunch soon.  And if you stop by, you might just see me there too. 

Circolo

45 Bond Street

between Bowery and Lafayette

New York, NY 10012

212-375-0323

The napkins were designed by Veronica Sommaruga, who has worked with fashion houses like Marni and The Row and play on the word Circolo which means circle in Italian. 

I love the front door handle. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic