
Hilary Rhoda's day-to-night guide to New York City
Text by Annie Tomlin; Image courtesy of Hilary Rhoda
Hilary Rhoda is one of our favorite New Yorkers, and not just because she happens to be a world-famous, drop-dead gorgeous, totally stunning supermodel. Nope, Hilary's dear to our hearts because she's all this and one of the kindest, smartest, funniest women we know. Need we mention that she has impeccable taste and a taste for exploration? That's why we're so stoked that she's sharing her personal guide to NYC. Obviously, we took notes—and you'll want to, too.
Catch me having a break at...
Kaffe 1668 in Tribeca. it's across the street from my gym and a little one-stop shop. I order earl grey tea and they also have great juices and pastries. I love their biscuit with jam on it. The atmosphere is super cozy and warm.
At breakfast, you'll find me at...
My favorite spot is La Bonbonniere in the West Village. It is one of the last old-school diners left in New York, and that's why I love it. It's casual and no-frills. I order an egg-white omelette with turkey, onion, and feta, with a little hot sauce.
For lunch or dinner, I love...
I just tried this new place on the Lower East Side called Dudley's. They use locally sourced food, everything is pretty healthy, and they make a killer kale salad with haloumi cheese that I have been craving since I had it! I would also recommend the farro salad and cauliflower with brussels sprouts. It has these amazing exposed brick vaulted ceilings and is really quaint and cozy inside.
My favorite way to get around town is...
In the warmer months, I ride my bike everywhere. It's the best way to get around, especially with the New York traffic. When I'm not biking, and in the colder months, I walk. I will walk miles and miles—it gives me time to think and to see and explore new parts of the city.
The neighborhood that has my heart is...
I just love the West Village. It's so romantic and I feel like I always discover something new when I'm walking around over there. My favorite thing is when I can picture how a place would have been in another era. The quaint streets and townhouses take me back and I imagine what it would have been like in the olden days.
To escape the stress of the city...
I love nothing more than a peaceful night at home with my fiancé and dogs, but an alternative would be to bike down the West Side Highway at sunset, end at Battery Park, and sit on a bench and relax. It doesn't feel like I'm in New York City at all.
My can't-live-without beauty products are...
I use Lucas Papaw Ointment for my lips and dry skin patches, and I also put it on my cheekbones and it gives me a little glow. I always keep an eyelash curler in my purse because I don't wear much makeup during the day and that helps wake my eyes up a bit! Nars The Multiple in Orgasm is always a mainstay — I put it on my cheeks and then take whatever's left on my fingers from applying and put it on my eyelids. And red lipstick for nighttime is my favorite. Nars lip pencil in Dragon Girl does not come off. I swear by squalane oil, too. I use it as a seal over my moisturizer and it really keeps my skin super hydrated.
The best beauty advice I've ever received is...
Someone told me that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so if I'm in a bad mood, I try to think, "It'd be a lot easier just to be happy right now!" Which brings me to this: "A woman is most beautiful when she smiles." I always think a woman's true beauty comes out when she smiles.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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