The WM Brown NYC Black Book
Our highly opinionated guide to our favorite martini spots, top tailors, best burgers, and so much more—from us and our 26 contributors who we think have impeccable taste
This is our first city Black Book—I’ve done Negroni and Martini Black Books, but, taking a page from my wife who runs circles around me in YOLO, I decided that we should start covering our favorite places in our favorite cities, with NYC as its inaugural subject. This is my favorite time of the year to be in the city, and I know I’m not alone in that—so below you’ll find a giant (I think it netted out at 51 pages!) list of where to eat, drink, shop, smoke, and much more.
I love NY. I also hate it at times and try to find escapes and departures from it, but this damn place keeps sucking me back into its vortex. I’ve had many lives here with many moods and budgets. Earlier this year I left my permanent digs in NYC, so this list also represents the places that feel pretty dear to me, or that I think about the most when I’m there, or heading back to it. But this list isn’t just about me—we leaned on some like-minded gents whose opinions I care about and you should too. I know we’ll have missed some greats, so please add any missing favorites in the comments. Whether you live here or are just visiting, I hope this is helpful—enjoy!
P.S. It’s a pretty heavy-duty edition of the newsletter today, and it will be the last of the year as we’re taking a holiday break—we’ll be back in your inbox on Jan 5! Until then, happy holidays to you and yours!
CONTRIBUTORS
Aaron Sigmond is an award-winning publisher, editor and author. His forthcoming book, CIGARS: a biography, his fifth on the subject, is set for release in February 2025.
Adam Rapoport is a long-time magazine guy, who now runs his own content studio, QuarterZip (among other things). He still appreciates a good-hair day and really well-made, softly scrambled eggs.
Adam Sachs is a food, travel and lifestyle writer, editor and brand consultant. Previously editor in chief of Saveur magazine, he runs a culinary program he helped create for Silversea, a small-ship luxury cruise line. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, two kids and an overactive brittany spaniel who is excited to meet you.
Angel Ramos, founder of Angel Ramos New York, embodies a style that seamlessly merges tradition with a bold sense of rebelliousness. His sartorial prowess and eye for detail have solidified his reputation as not just a designer, but a tastemaker who inspires others to embrace the art of personal expression through clothing.
Bruce Pask is the Senior Editorial Director at Neiman Marcus. A writer, fashion editor, stylist, and creative consultant for renowned magazines and fashion publications, Pask has held fashion directorial posts at T: The New York Times Style Magazine, GQ, and Cargo Magazine. Pask’s decades-long career in the fashion industry has led to his current tenure overseeing editorial content at Neiman Marcus following his time as men's fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, a position he took on in 2014.
Chase H. Winfrey is a photographer and creative who has called New York City home for the past 8 years. He photographs and ruminates on life well-lived and well-clothed, and currently manages the recently relaunched men's brand for J. McLaughlin. He is always searching for hidden gems, whether that's at the bottom of the cocktail menu, the back of the bookstore, or on page 82 of his eBay search.
Chris Mitchell is an author and designer who restores homes in New York and the Hamptons for his family. He is a former media executive at Condé Nast, where he was publisher of Vanity Fair, GQ and other magazines for more than 20 years.
David Bruno is the founder of Départ Wine, a forthcoming wine and spirits and non-alcoholic retail store in Moynihan Train Hall. He is currently a consulting buyer for &Holiday Wine Parlor at Krewe and the brand new Penn Cellars Wine & Spirits shop in Penn Station. Previously he was a: buyer at Bergdorf Goodman, launched and built Todd Snyder, and helped open Goodman’s Bar at Bergdorf Goodman’s Men’s Store.
Elias Marte, a lifelong New Yorker, is an entrepreneur, jewelry and watch collector. He is also one of the partners behind Alfargo’s Marketplace, a monthly clothes market with a growing community of like-minded individuals.
Eneuri Acosta is an entrepreneur and brand strategist working with culture-forward brands in the automotive, luxury and lifestyle spaces. Formerly Chief Brand Officer at Hodinkee, Eneuri played an integral role in building one of the most successful digital media and commerce platforms. Prior to Hodinkee, he spent 11 years at General Motors in various lifestyle and brand communications roles. He lives in NYC and is an avid vintage car and cycling enthusiast.
Eric Twardzik is the deputy editor of Wm Brown. A writer on subjects ranging from single malt scotch to estate tweeds, his writing has also appeared in GQ, Esquire, Robb Report and other publications.
Fred Castleberry is the creative director/part-time CEO/photographer/fashion designer/unpaid intern at his eponymous made-to-measure label, F.E. Castleberry. He believes you’re a New Yorker the moment you get mugged and always dresses like he has somewhere better to go afterwards.
James Lamdin is the Founder of Analog:Shift and VP of Vintage & Pre-Owned Timepieces for Watches of Switzerland. A longtime collector, James launched Analog:Shift in 2012 to be a new kind of resource for the discerning collector, with a dedication to authenticity above all. James’ passion for vintage extends to other corners of collecting, including classic cars, vintage movie posters, and gentlemen’s ephemera. Born and in raised in New England, he’s called Manhattan home since 2006.
Jason Diamond is a bestselling author living in Brooklyn with his family. His forthcoming novel, Kaplan’s Plot, is out on Flatiron in 2025. He runs the newsletter The Melt and can be found on Instagram.
Jay Fielden, an editorial adviser at Ralph Lauren, is a former editor of Esquire. He is researching a book about John Lennon’s stolen watch, based on a story he wrote in The New Yorker earlier this year.
John Munson spent the last 22 years in Manhattan, and now spreads his time between Amsterdam, Madrid, and New York. He hosts curated trips around the world with his passion project @therovinghotel, sells watches on the side @watchingtonsquare and pays the bills as a copywriter and branding and marketing consultant. You should probably hire him.
Ken Aretsky was born on the Lower East Side, and his early exposure to the food industry began with his family’s soda-supply business. In 1996 he launched Aretsky’s Patroon, a classic Midtown Manhattan restaurant and rooftop bar that has maintained a reputation for personalized service, clubby private rooms, and exceptional cuisine. You can still find him greeting guests, now alongside his son Gene Aretsky, who has stepped in as the second generation purveyor of hospitality.
Matthew Woodruff is a designer and stylist based in New York. He's the creative director of menswear brand and bespoke tailor J. Mueser.
Marty Hackel is a former Golf Digest Global Fashion Director, aka "Mr. Style", who continues to style and write for Golf Digest among others. He has a weekly radio show on golf and continues to stay active in the golf industry.
Ralph Fitzgerald is the founder of Fitzgerald Bespoke. Born in London and trained on Savile Row, he now operates his own bespoke business from New York’s iconic Chrysler Building, earning him the moniker “The Chrysler Tailor,”
Salvatore Ambrosino was born in Queens and raised between Italy and the U.S. In 2020 he launched his own brand, L’Arte Nascosta through which he makes the process of commissioning custom, Italian-made, artisanal heirlooms and accessories accessible to patrons from around the world. In 2024, he launched a second service through L’Arte Nascosta called AION Tours, which specializes in planning and hosting authentic and immersive bespoke travel experiences around Tuscany. He currently lives between New York and Florence.
Sid Masburn is a designer and retailer. He and his wife, Ann Mashburn, have shops in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, and Washington DC. These days he is mostly a visitor to New York, but spent 1984-1994 as a resident.
Steve Knorsch is the Managing Director USA for Cad & The Dandy. Born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, he is now a US citizen and has been a New York resident for almost a decade. His passions include traveling, art, reading, food and wine. He loves a good conversation and making sure his clients leave with a better self esteem and looking impeccably dressed no matter how casual or formal.
Tony Conrad is a partner at True Ventures (Blue Bottle Coffee, Sweetgreen, Holey Grail Donuts) and also co-founded about.me & Sphere, both acquired by AOL. He’s on the board of Flour + Water Hospitality Group, the Tony Hawk Foundation and formerly a T40 National Co-Chair of Technology for President Obama. He currently lives in San Francisco after stints in New York, New Delhi, Jakarta and Paris.
Tug Rice is a New York City-based illustrator whose clients have included Harry Winston, Dior, The Carlyle, and The Ritz London. He is also a regular collaborator with the British luxury brand Halcyon Days. His work was recently highlighted in the book New Fashion Illustration: 50 Essential Contemporary Artists.
Zachary Weiss is a Manhattan-based brand consultant & writer.