We’ve been head over heels for Bonnie Wright ever since we interviewed her for The Water Issue this summer. Now our ultimate gal gives SUITCASE her guide to London and New York, her original and adopted homes.
26 August, 2015
I
moved to New York at the beginning of this year, and even
though I had been going back and forth from London for quite a
while for work, moving was a whole different thing. Like every good
New Yorker, I now have my own list of local spots down. The high
energy and positive vibe of the city has meant my work has gained
so much momentum. There are so many stories to be heard in New
York, and storytelling is my job so I am in heaven. One of my
current projects is my first feature film, and it’s based in New
York so I don’t have to go far for inspiration. I have been lucky
enough to travel a lot with my family and work, but there is
nothing more adventurous than moving to a new city. That being
said, I still love exploring London every time I come home, so here
I write about my favourite spots in both cities:
Living away from home, my favourite ‘hotel’ would be my parent’s
house – for home cooking and endless tea.
Training with Russell at SBC. Although it’s such a sweaty
challenging class, I miss it so much when I am away. Then swimming
at Shoreditch House.
Leila’s in Arnold Circus has the best baked eggs.
I would continue walking through Shoreditch and make my way
through the city to the River Thames, always so full of history and
new people coming in and out with the tide.
Algerian Coffee Store in Soho is the best. It’s not a café, but
they have a little espresso machine amongst all the vats of fresh
coffee beans and tea. The smell in there is amazing!
Honey
& Co. is mine and my friends’ favourite type of food. And
you need all day to work your way through the menu.
Hatchards in Piccadilly I love for its beautiful old wooden
interior. The best place to to buy gifts!
The Tate Modern is my favourite gallery. Even if you’ve seen the
main exhibition the building itself is a piece of art. I also love
the National Portrait Gallery for some West End grandeur.
My parents have recently moved their Wright & Teague studio
to Shoreditch so every trip back to London (if I have been good)
means another beautiful piece of their jewellery to add to my
collection. I love Sunspel and Acne for basics. Then Dover Street
Market for something special.
When I am back in London, the most exciting thing is a a curry
from my local in East London. Americans can cook pretty much
anything, but I’ve never found a good curry. I catch up with
friends at Rita’s bar or if I’m in the the West End I love Koya in
Soho for lunch.
A cosy drink by the fire at the Chiltern Firehouse or any Sam
Smith’s pub.
The Barbican Centre will always be my cinema. I went to Saturday
cinema club there as a kid and still call it my local.
The Mercer hotel. It feels like you’ve woken up in a big fluffy
cloud. Everything is white – it’s so calm and peaceful. They also
have the best in-room breakfast!
My new obsession is Sky Ting yoga, a beautiful new studio in
Chinatown. It’s a big white loft, with wooden floors, plants and
heaps of light with a view of the Manhattan Bridge. And I’ll admit
I am a cardio cult follower of Soul Cycle. My favourite studio is
the NoHo one with Marvin – he brings the beats and the sass.
Russ & Daughters café for the best eggs benedict I have ever
had. They freshly bake all their rye bread, challah and bialys, and
their smoked salmon comes straight from their famous deli just a
few blocks away. The décor of the café is modelled exactly on the
original deli, which opened in 1914.
I’ll walk around the Lower East Side where there are lots of
great little clothes stores and galleries. Then continue down to
Brooklyn Bridge for the best view of the city with the old wooden
floors underneath you.
La Colombe will wake anyone up – it’s the strongest, tastiest
cup in town. And it’s a great place to sit and work and watch
people go by. I always take some of their coffee home to my Dad in
London when I visit. He loves it!
I could spend hours at Dimes. – I love the décor and vibe in
there so much! I could also eat the entire menu quite happily.
Start with the black rice bowl and end with an accai bowl. Everyone
loves a bowl!
I love spending hours in McNally Jackson Books. It’s small but
they have everything you need. You can then sit with your books in
the café and read for hours. The staff are so lovely!
I really love the new Whitney Museum. Start at the top and work
your way down. I love how you can walk on the outside of the
building, taking in the sculptures and phenomenal view of the
Hudson.
I like Westerlind and Armor Lux in NoLita for day wear. If I am
looking for something special for an event or a night out I go to
my friend’s shop, Georgia’s Vintage NYC in the Lower East Side. And
CAP beauty is my latest obsession – they have the most beautiful
natural beauty products and facials.
It’s so hard to choose in New York as there are so many amazing
restaurants! If I am celebrating something, then I’ll go to Minetta
Tavern. If I am going out that night, then I’ll start at Miss
Lily’s 7A. If I am looking for some mid-week nourishment, then I’ll
go to Souen or Angelica’s Kitchen.
The Bowery hotel or Sophie’s, a dive bar in the East
Village.
Sunshine Cinema on Houston always has a great mix of indie and
blockbuster films. Or my apartment…I always end up watching
something. Film is my food!
