This week is the Voice‘s Best of NYC issue, our annual opportunity to bestow arbitrary awards like Best Clothes for Under $100 and Best Boutique for Effortless Style. In turn, we asked a few of our favorite New Yorkers to name their favorite local things.
Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano are the co-founders of fashion blog Refinery 29.
Best/worst thing you’ve seen on the subway
Philippe von Borries: A man with a chicken in a bag.
Justin Stefano: Best? Pole Dancing. Worst? Pole Dancing.
Best secret shopping spot in New York?
P: Acme Smoked Fish in Greenpoint.
J: SAVE FASHION sample sales.
Best neighborhood for street-fashion photos?
P: Crosby Street.
J: NOLITA.
Best thing you can only find in New York that the rest of the world is missing out on?
P: Touring the world’s cuisine by way of the 7 train.
J: Di Fara’s Pizza, and my grandmother.
Favorite New York fashion designer?
Philippe: Rag & bone.
Justin: Steven Alan.
Favorite street performer?
J: The guy who hangs out in the tunnel between the 1/9 and F trains at 14th Street, covering Beatles songs. Always a different haircut.
Best New York celebrity sighting?
P: Mariah rolling up in her new Maybach.
J: Jay-Z. Or maybe Bill Clinton.
Best hiding place in the city?
P: Any Chinese massage parlor.
J: The Upper East Side. No one I know goes there.