The founder of the fanciful shoe brand Le Seul, Danyelle Freeman, knows a thing or two about how to enjoy New York. As a former food writer and current shoe designer, the city has become somewhat of a playground to her—a creative place where inspiration peeks out from the curtains of Broadway, arrives in Japanese dishes in Midtown, and is found in far-flung art centers in Brooklyn.
Photo by Brianna Capozzi, courtesy of Le Seul.
Her shoe company embodies similar inspirations, a blend of comfort and style that New Yorkers can cherish. For its inaugural Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Le Seul (French for “the only one”) is designed with patent-pending InSeul™ details like custom cushioned footbeds, slip-resistant heel grips, quilted suede insoles, and more. To create a shoe that’s both stylish and comfortable, Freeman collaborated with Dr. David Hancock—an experienced physiotherapist and former Nike Performance Board member and New York Knicks advisor—to innovate Le Seul’s insoles.
Whitewall spoke with Freeman about her New York favorites, including where she recommends readers to eat, see art, and seek inspiration.
Danyelle Freeman’s NYC Favorites
Photo by Brianna Capozzi, courtesy of Le Seul.
WHITEWALL: Where is the best spot to find inspiration in New York?
DANYELLE FREEMAN: It may sound cliché, but I always pick Broadway when I want to feel inspired. There’s so much art, craftsmanship, and talent at work both on stage and behind the scenes. From the set design to the choreography, the dialogue, and the acting, I always walk out filled with creative energy.
Just last night, I saw The Picture of Dorian Gray, starring Sarah Snook. It was hands down one of the best performances I’ve seen by an actor on stage. The Australian actress (from Succession) plays over twenty characters and nails every one of them. The staging and the ingenious way the director brings this classic into modernity is mesmerizing. Recently, I also saw Kieran Culkin and Bill Burr in Glen Gary Glen Ross and Six for the fourth time, as my son can’t seem to get enough of the music.
“I always pick Broadway when I want to feel inspired,”
Danyelle Freeman
WW: What’s the best off-the-beaten-path to see art in New York?
DF: Pioneer Works in Red Hook, Brooklyn is a fantastic find I discovered by word of mouth. If you haven’t been to this huge warehouse space for visual and performing arts, music and science, it’s entirely worth a visit, especially at sunset. This multi-purpose space has a great vibe and hosts interesting performances, exhibits and talks throughout the year.
Photo by Brianna Capozzi, courtesy of Le Seul.
WW: What is your best-kept secret in New York?
DF: As a former food writer, I could never commit to just one restaurant, though I will confess I’m a total devotee to Japanese cuisine in all its forms—from pristine sushi to tempura, refined kaiseki, and robata. One of my treasured secret gems is Sakagura, a low-key izakaya hidden inside a nondescript office building near Grand Central. It’s the kind of place you’d breeze past without a second glance, and that’s exactly why I love it.
You step through the sterile lobby, descend a worn staircase, and suddenly you feel like you’ve just been transported to Tokyo. The space is warm, dimly lit, and quietly buzzing. The sake list is over 200 bottles deep and there’s a delicious roster of traditional Japanese bites—from tsukune skewers and udon to chilled soba.
“I’m a total devotee to Japanese cuisine,”
Danyelle Freeman
Danyelle Freeman’s New York
1. Broadway
Courtesy of Broadway.
“Broadway is the oldest north-south thoroughfare in New York City. Where Broadway winds through Times Square in Midtown Manhattan is considered the Broadway Theater District. The term Broadway has become shorthand for it. Broadway shows attract the world’s most talented actors, singers, musicians, and dancers. When combined with the relatively small theaters they play in, the result is an unforgettable, intimate entertainment experience that has stood the test of time. Technically, a Broadway show is simply one that has played performances at a Broadway theater. In order to be considered a Broadway theater, there must be 500 or more seats (theaters in Manhattan with less than 500 seats are considered Off-Broadway). There are currently 41 theaters in New York City that qualify as Broadway theaters.” —Broadway
2. Pioneer Works
Atelier Van Lieshout’s “The CryptoFuturist and The New Tribal Labyrinth,” installation view, courtesy of Pioneer Works.
“Pioneer Works (PW) is an artist and scientist-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural center in Red Hook, Brooklyn that fosters innovative thinking through the visual and performing arts, technology, music, and science. We provide visual and performing artists, musicians, scientists, technologists, community organizers, and educators the resources and platform they need to expand their practices. Pioneer Works has three floors of interconnected studio, performance, exhibition, and multipurpose spaces, which cultivate collaborations past the boundaries of traditional institutions by placing makers and thinkers in proximity to each other. We support onsite production through our science, design, recording, and ceramics studios; media, virtual environment, and technology labs; darkroom; and garden. Multi-disciplinary programs, exhibitions, residencies, and performances are presented to the public, of which the majority are free.“—Pioneer Works
3. Sakagura
Courtesy of Sakagura.
“Established in 1996, Sakagura has been a pioneer in introducing new yorkers to the world of sake. We continue to be one of the top sake bars in the United States, attracting countless sake lovers from around the world. Our one-of-a-kind menu consists of over 260 kinds of carefully selected sakes, authentic tapas-style Japanese dishes, and homemade desserts. We are known for being a “hidden jewel” of Manhattan also because of our unique and hidden location. Come find us and transport yourself to Tokyo.” —Sakagura
