As a parade of scintillating art fairs unfold across New York this week, Whitewall caught up with Ash Bhasin, the insightful General Manager of Pendry Manhattan West. Energized by the serene simplicity of the West Coast, the Midtown hotel beckons international visitors into a haven of personalized luxury service, singular amenities, and delightful culinary surprises. Here, Bhasin shares his best of Manhattan, from a revitalizing jaunt through the High Line to exploring gem off-the-beaten path, and much more.
Courtsy of Ash Bhasin.
Courtesy of The High Line, New York.
WW: Best Spot to Find Inspiration in New York?
ASH BHASIN: One of the best spots to find inspiration in New York is the High Line in Chelsea—an elevated park that weaves through the city with a blend of public art installations, native gardens, and panoramic views of the Hudson River. It’s a perfect escape for creative thinking, people-watching, or simply finding a quiet moment above the city’s constant buzz.
“One of the best spots to find inspiration in New York is the High Line in Chelsea,”
Ash Bhasin
Hidden Artistic Getaways in New York
WW: Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Place to See Art?
AB: I’d have to say one of the best off-the-beaten-path places to experience art in New York is the Lower East Side (LES), a neighborhood rich in graffiti culture and often overlooked in favor of Brooklyn. For a self-guided tour, start with a walk to Freeman Alley—tucked off Rivington Street between Bowery and Chrystie—where you’ll find a hidden corridor layered with ever-changing graffiti, stickers, and paste-ups. It’s raw, dynamic, and one of the city’s most Instagrammable art spots.
“I’d have to say one of the best off-the-beaten-path places to experience art in New York is the Lower East Side,”
Ash Bhasin
Best-Kept Secrets for Relaxation and Refreshment
AB: Some of New York’s best-kept secrets are its hidden gems that go beyond the usual. For a speakeasy experience, Please Don’t Tell in the East Village remains a classic—accessed through a vintage phone booth inside Crif Dogs, it still feels magical for first-timers.
“Some of New York’s best-kept secrets are its hidden gems that go beyond the usual,”
Ash Bhasin
In Downtown Brooklyn, Sunken Harbor Club offers a tiki-style escape above Gage & Tollner, complete with nautical vibes and inventive cocktails. And for a truly elusive foodie find, Bohemian in NoHo is an unmarked, invite-only Japanese restaurant tucked behind a butcher shop—if you can score a reservation, it’s an unforgettable experience.
Ash Bhasin’s New York Favorites:
1. High Line
Rosana Paulino, The Creation of the Creatures of Day and Night” High Line commission, New York. Courtesy of the artist and Mendes Wood DM.
The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. Saved from demolition by neighborhood residents and the City of New York, the High Line opened in 2009 as a hybrid public space where visitors experience nature, art, and design. — Source
2. Please Don’t Tell
Courtesy of Please Don’t Tell, New York.
Courtesy of Please Don’t Tell, New York.
Please Don’t Tell is an award winning New York City cocktail bar hidden behind the phone booth in famed East Village hot dog joint, Crif Dogs. — Source
3. Sunken Harbor Club
Courtesy of Sunken Harbor Club, New York.
Sunken Harbor Club is an immersive tropical cocktail bar inspired by tales of adventure and the mysteries of the deep. Our first chapter opened on the second floor above Gage & Tollner in Downtown Brooklyn in October 2021, helmed by Chief Cocktail Officer Garret Richard. Our second chapter opened in September 2022, at Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa on the western edge of Bermuda. — Source
4. Bohemian
Courtesy of Bohemian, New York.
Exclusive (referral-only) East Village Japanese eatery hidden behind a butcher shop. — Source
