For star of stage and screen Emmy Rossum, New York is home. The native New Yorker made waves with her Award-winning performances in Shameless and The Phantom of the Opera, and starting on October 16th, Rossum will return to the stage in a modern retelling of Thoreau's Walden. Set to capture audiences with moving performances and excellent staging—the Tony nominee Whitney White directs—Rossum will bring her distinct voice and flair to the role.
Below, get to know Rossum and where she goes in Gotham and make sure to check out more insights from our Inspectors, chefs, and celebrities on their favorite spots.
Where do you like to dine out in New York?
I love this French bistro. We had our rehearsal dinner here and I just celebrated my birthday here this year as well. Get the steak frites, tuna tartare. It has a real vibe that you would not expect on the Upper East Side.
Four Twenty Five, a Jean-Georges Restaurant
We had our anniversary dinner here this year. The plating is gorgeous, the drinks, the music, and the decor all feels very luxe and special.
JoJo, a Jean-Georges Restaurant.
I love dinner in a townhouse. It’s really cute and special in here for brunch.
A great local spot for fresh delicious ceviche. My mom is a huge fan!
Sushi Seki
This is my go-to sushi. The salmon with blistered tomato is to die for. I think about this salmon when I’m not in New York.
EJ's Luncheonette
It's an absolute gem. Favorite luncheonette ever, since ever. I had my wedding day girls' brunch there. The chopped Greek salad with chicken is the best I’ve had. My friends from Los Angeles still talk about this salad as rivaling the La Scala LA salad. The Garden Club Sandwich (sprouts, cheddar, grilled mushrooms, avocado, cucumber, BASIL MAYO!!!) is to die for. Extra basil mayo on the side for dipping your sweet potato fries. And they can do it gluten free.
Sfoglia
This small, cozy restaurant in Carnegie has a limited menu but everything is perfect. We always get the brick chicken and mussels with chorizo.
Paola's
Great wood-fired pizzas, meatballs, the buzzy salad (a super fresh beet, arugula, fresh green pea salad). It's family friendly, and we often go with our friends and all our kids. The kids love to get mocktails from the bartender.
Always a great burger, cash only. I like the silver dollar fries!
Korali Estiatorio
Under the radar spot, great Greek food on the Upper East Side; super fresh fish, pita, dips, flavorful rice, and branzino.
Where else do you like to explore in the city?
Favorite Museum/Gallery
We got married at the Guggenheim amidst all the Kandinskys during the greatest hits exhibition. We also love the Met Museum’s new kids play space.
Favorite Hidden Gem in the City
The garden at the Cooper Hewitt is open to the public and it's a lovely place to stroll with your stroller while an infant naps, read a book, do your crossword puzzle and sip an iced tea from Eli’s or Bluestone Lane.
Favorite Place to De-Stress
Erika Bloom at Tribeca Pilates Studio. When I can make it downtown to work in person with Erika I always do, but we train virtually as well 3x a week. She keeps my spine in alignment and my body strong!
Kathy Galotti at the Adel Atelier Hair Salon. Kathy has done my hair color since I was 18. This lovely salon in Midtown has a backyard garden, which is perfect for checking hair color in the natural light. Kathy is proficient at brunettes, blondes (she is responsible for SJP's Sex in the City blonde!) and red (Cynthia Nixon!).
Favorite Park or Outdoor Space
The Peter Pan statue in Carl Schurz Park. There’s something really magical about the light there. It’s poignant and beautiful and a little spot no one ever goes to.
Favorite Take-Out Spot
Glace Ice Cream—I know they’re famous for the TikTok hot chocolate craze but the real vibe is all gluten-free ice cream menu. The chocolate brownie? Tiramisu? Peanut butter oreo? All gluten free! For my birthday this year, I had a selection of ice creams from there with a candle. My daughter was bummed I didn’t have a cake as well, but I just love ice cream that much!
Farm To People Farm Box Delivery—This farm to home company delivers farm fresh eggs, butter, milk, fruits, and veggies to us weekly.
Daily Provisions on 96th—This is a great new spot to grab a salad or a cold brew on the way to the park with the kids. My husband loves their famous crullers.
Wa Jeal Chili House—Perfect Chinese delivery every single time. My kids and I get the tofu vegetable soup, steamed shrimp and broccoli w/ garlic sauce on the side. My husband loves the sesame chicken and the scallion pancakes.
Butterfield Market—Grab a hazelnut iced coffee and get your 10k steps around the Central Park reservoir. It’s iconic. Also great froyo here year round. I am here so often that I accrue “points” and it feels exciting to redeem them and get $5 off every time I go!
Favorite Theater/Cinema
The Met Opera. Always.
Favorite Bookstore
Corner Bookstore 92nd Street – This is the kind of bookstore where the booksellers actually know the books that they’re selling. They may not have everything, but they can order it very quickly. It’s cozy and inviting and there’s just something about it that feels like a throwback.
The Strand on the Upper West Side.
What are some of your other New York staples?
Favorite Shop
Suzie Kondi has an adorable store downtown for knitwear and cozy clothes.
Pink Chicken has energetic prints for the kids, hair clips, adorable pajamas.
Warby Parker—My dear friend, Neil, started this years ago and it’s still my favorite place to get sunglasses and readers. The prescription glasses are affordable, the virtual try-on online makes it easy to pick a frame shape that’s flattering, and they do a lot of good as a company through their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program.
Officine Générale—Very cool, works with my uptown style. Beautiful pieces. I bought a white blouse and a purple dress here this year that I am getting great price per wear on.
Kallmeyer—I love this NY brand. Female founded and designed, suiting and separates, timeless. I get a lot of compliments when I wear her stuff.
Favorite Things To Do with Kids
Duck Pond / Reservoir—I love the duck pond and the reservoir. I am known to power walk there early mornings with my mom squad.
The MET Museum—Story Time on Thursdays is free and they have a new play space for kids that is beautiful and really interactive.
The American Museum of Natural History. My best friend got married here under the whale. Our kids love to run around, explore new parts of the museum, including the live butterfly pavilion, which is so tranquil.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan—Another great spot we adore. 3+ levels of space for kids to explore, learn, grow, and play!
Address Book:
Sushi Seki
208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
EJ's Luncheonette
1271 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Sfoglia
1402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
Paola's Osteria
1246 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128
Korali Estiatorio
1662 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128
Guggenheim Museum
1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
2 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128
Erika Bloom Wellness
104 Franklin St Floor 2, New York, NY 10013
Adel Atelier Hair Salon
231 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022
Peter Pan Monument
Carl Schurz Park, New York, NY 10028
Glace NY
1266 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128
Daily Provisions
375 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Wa Jeal Chili House
1588 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Butterfield Market
1150 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Metropolitan Opera House
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
The Corner Bookstore
1313 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128
Strand Book Store
828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Suzie Kondi Orchard St
15 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Pink Chicken
397 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Warby Parker Washington St.
819 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
Officine Générale
220 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
Kallmeyer
83 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
The American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024
