Welcome to our editorial file ” New York neighborhoods ” presented by BARNES New York. We invite you, regularly, to visit the different districts of the city in the eyes of the Francophones who live there. They tell about their neighborhood, in their words, their tastes, their habits. Today, we discover York City, a neighborhood in a neighborhood, that of l’Upper East Side. Hélène Drummond, yesterday a doctor, now an author, is from Mons, Belgium. She has just released her first novel “La place est prize”. She lives in York City with her husband, who works in finance, and their two children. She tells us about York City.
Lepetitjournal.com New York: You live in York City, on the Upper East Side. What attracted you to this neighborhood?
Helen Drummond : When we moved from Belgium, we arrived in this neighborhood without really knowing it, thanks to the children’s school. To be located in the correct geographic area for Manhattan New School, PS 290, we had to live in the neighborhood. We had inquired about different schools before moving and had visited a few apartments according to the geographical areas of these schools. We were immediately drawn to the PS 290 school.
Can you tell us about life in this neighborhood, the atmosphere? What makes him live, what drives him?
The atmosphere is very young and dynamic. I would say that the laughter of children, the scooters, the terraces of the restaurants, the shopping street 86th street, the cultural mix, all this animates the district.
You are a mum. How is life with children in York City? Are there many families?
Yes, a lot of families. It is a very well located area for excellent schools. The public elementary school PS 290 is fantastic, there are a lot of very reputable private schools in the immediate vicinity as well. There is Central Park nearby for walks and the beautiful Carl Schurze Park that families love for its playground, shady corners, and romantic atmosphere. There are countless sports clubs in martial arts, basketball, dance, football, and the renowned Asphalt Green sports center which not only offers fabulous sports programs for children of all skill levels, but also courses during the holidays. school.
You are a writer. Can you make us discover this district with your words?
I would say Yorkville to me is the other face of the Upper East Side. It is a neighborhood that borders the old Upper East Side, hyper chic, staid and conservative, that of Madison Avenue or Park Avenue, while preserving its own identity. When you cross the Upper East Side from Central Park, you are dazzled by the architecture in the streets, the refinement of the shops, the outfits of passers-by. The more we advance, the smaller we feel. A little irritated by the snobbery too.
Then we arrive on Lexington Avenue, we continue our way and everything changes. We discover Yorkville the young, the warm, the welcoming. The decor changes suddenly, always chic, but teeming with life, children, restaurants, terraces, noise, everything. It’s not the cacophony of midtown, it’s not the opulent tranquility of the Upper West Side, it’s a small city within the city that I think has been able to recreate the best of New York life. Yorkville has redefined the Upper East Side.
As a European, do you find a little European side to this district through the inhabitants, the shops, the schools?
Not particularly European but international more generally. At the PS290 school, almost all nationalities are represented. At my children’s sports club, Asphalt Green, it’s the same thing. This cosmopolitan aspect is fabulous.
Your favorite places in York City?
Restaurants: ToloAche, Mexican restaurant 82nd street and Lexington avenue; 83 1/2, Italian restaurant 83rd street and 1st avenue; AOC East, French bistro 83rd street and 1st avenue; Boqueria, tapas bar, 77th street and 2nd avenue; Donguri, gourmet Japanese restaurant, 83rd street and 2nd avenue, Luke’s lobster 81st street and 2nd avenue (my kids favorite restaurant).
Bar-restaurant: Le Penrose, on 2nd avenue, between 82nd and 83rd street. Excellent cocktails and great atmosphere.
Maison Kayser on 87th Street and 3rd Avenue, for my almost daily hot chocolate.
Ottomanelli Brothers store, 82nd street and York Avenue. Butcher’s shop run by the Ottomanelli family for several generations. The best steaks in town.
Takunya Nail Salon: Zen and intimate atmosphere, 100% organic products, 81st street between 2nd and 3rd avenue
Asphalt Green: Sports complex on 90th Street and York Avenue, with FIFA certified soccer field and Olympic swimming pool. My kids play in Asphlat Green Soccer Club so they are each there 4-5 times a week for their practice / matches. Yes, this is our second home …
The small AMC Orphéum cinema on 3rd avenue between 86th street and 87th street.
The Webster Library, library, 77th street and 1st avenue.
Barnes & Noble and L’Occitane stores on 86th street between 3rd and Lexington avenues.
Randall’s Island and the Esplanade along the East River for bike rides.
Blossoming trees in the streets in spring …
Is this a neighborhood that you recommend to those who want to buy or rent?
Absolutely. Especially to families.
If you had to describe York City in 3 words?
Family, dynamic and cosmopolitan
Thank you Hélène Drummond
Interview by Rachel Brunet, editor-in-chief of Petit Journal New York
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