New York is an artist's paradise: from Basquiat to Warhol, the city is the perfect canvas to highlight individual talent. And one man who's conquered Manhattan with his artistic prowess is Mikhail Baryshnikov. The dancer, choreographer, and actor has lived in Gotham since the mid-1970s when he was a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) before joining the New York City Ballet in the same role. After a career spanning more than three decades—and having receiving the National Medal of Arts in 2000—Baryshnikov opened his eponymous Arts Center in Hell's Kitchen. (The premiere of their new family-friendly chamber opera, Jupiter's Journey to the Earth, is on May 10, with performances on May 11 and 12.)
However, Baryshnikov spends his time throughout the city's colorful neighborhoods from Flatiron to Chelsea to Hudson Yards. Throughout, his favorite spots have a unifying thread—an artful bend whether on the plate, on the canvas, or in the butcher's case.
Below, we caught up with the icon about his New York and what makes his picks so special.
Txikito
This unassuming Basque restaurant is truly our home away from home. It is not only close by, but chefs Alex Raij and Eder Montero share Baryshnikov Arts’ mission to foster experimentation, creativity, and community. Their welcoming staff and refined dishes are always surprising and fabulous.
For a special night out, I'd choose Eleven Madison Park. I am not vegan, but chef Daniel Humm’s dishes are exciting on every level. The service is immaculate and the setting is opulent. And it is quiet, which is a rare and welcome commodity in New York City restaurants.
The Sean Kelly Gallery
This gallery is the street level of one of the most beautiful buildings on the Far West Side. I check in regularly to see what's on exhibit when I'm on my way to work at Baryshnikov Arts. Kelly invariably chooses contemporary artists whose work looks great in the airy space.
Health SOS
When my body is complaining, I book an appointment with Evan at the westside location of this physical therapy group. It's clean, well organized, welcoming and obviously convenient.
Esposito Meat Market and Ninth Avenue International Foods
I'm not a big cook, but my wife often sends me to these two venerable New York institutions to pick up supplies for dinner. The butchers at Esposito are pros who will happily prepare any cut of meat you want, but our go-tos are the fresh sausages and chicken thighs. International Foods sells mostly Greek items with open bins of aromatic spices, buckets of feta cheese, homemade tamarsalada, and prepared spanakopita in the back...fabulous. Both places harken back to when Hell's Kitchen was a gritty neighborhood of immigrants who made - and continue to make - New York an exciting place to be.
Hero image: Courtesy of Peter Baryshnikov
