Rep Your City with Conversations: Jennifer Ann Smith (Queens, NY)

Rep Your City with Conversations

 

Name:   Jennifer Ann Smith, Esq. 

City/State:  Queens, NY (NYC)

How long have you lived in your city? I was born here, went to high school in nearby north NJ in Bergen County, left for college to go to the University of Michigan, and moved around the country to various military bases for a little bit but came back to NYC for law school.  Been back ever since!  Growing up in NYC, then in very different northern NJ, and then experiencing the military world and small towns across America all provided me with such varied perspectives and an opportunity to experience very different ways of life.  It also served to teach me and help me gain an understanding about what makes a community and how things like socioeconomics, urban planning, and discrimination can impact entire societies and groups of people in disparate ways.  

What makes your city special for you? NYC is a place where you can find and experience every culture and background within one small area.  You get to enjoy cuisines, art, history, culture, traditions, religions etc. from all over the world without leaving home.  Because NYC is inhabited by people from all over the world with all different backgrounds, experiences, and histories it brings a richness and diversity that you cannot find anywhere.   Queens, NY is believed to be THE most diverse place in the world in that more countries and backgrounds are represented here than in any other place.   Especially right now, when it is difficult and unsafe to travel, you can still learn and experience all sorts of cultures and backgrounds and celebrate diversity right here without having to hop on a plane.  

What is your city known for?   Diversity, activism, amazing food & entertainment, and as the city that never sleeps. 

Any best-kept secrets in your city?  The touristy areas are not the places to have real NYC food even though it is advertised as such.  The real food, pizza for example, isn't from a chain. It is from the mom and pop Italian places all over the city, and you won't find it near the tourist attractions. NYC of course has chain restaurants, but real NYers know that the best food here regardless of the type of cuisine is always the mom and pop local places where recipes have been handed down over generations and the owners/workers care and become part of the community.  There is also some really spectacular fine fining with tons of famous chefs all in one place.

   Another tip is to not limit your visit to just Manhattan.  There is so much history and amazing things to see in the rest of NYC (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx). If you want to get some great views that aren't just an overpriced crowded touristy place like the top of the Empire State Building (which is still lovely but packed!) check out rooftop restaurants/bars especially at night such as The Westlight In Brooklyn or Ravel Hotel rooftop in Queens.  Amazing views! 

Favorite Restaurant:  Christos Greek Steakhouse in Astoria Queens, NY for delicious steaks, lobster mashed potatoes, drinks, and appetizers!   Also tasty, Pho Bac in Elmhurst Queens, NY for authentic, & fresh Vietnamese food.  The Westlight in Brooklyn for tasty bites and the most l incredible 360 degree views both inside and on their rooftop deck.   

Have a favorite 'home away from home' in your city you can share?  Julia's Beer & Wine Bar in Ridgewood Queens. It is that kind of tiny chill place to grab a drink and a tasty snack in an atmosphere where the staff become friends.  Also Domino Park in Brooklyn is a lovely place for a waterside picnic with a view.  

Why should people visit?  NYC has so much history and so much to impart to visitors. Everything has value in experiencing.  Museums, Art both in galleries and even on the street, restaurants, exhibits, monuments...there's so much to learn, see, and do.  Even just walking around and seeing the very different neighborhoods and boroughs there's something new around every corner.  In NYC, you get this unique experience of being able to experience cultures from all over the world which have been incorporated into the fabric of nyc and in many ways are just as much a NY experience as they are authentic and true to their origins.  

Photo: The Westlight Bar & Restaurant, Brooklyn, NY

Rep Your City with Conversations: Jessica Bertulis of Los Angeles, CA

Conversations is excited to announce a brand new monthly feature: "Rep Your City". Created by one of our new Features Editor Herschel Dixon, "Rep Your City" allows you, the reader, to show where you live, what makes it special and why we should visit. 

Our debut feature is with Jessica Bertulis of Los Angeles. Enjoy!

• Name:  Jessica Bertulis 

• City/State:  Los Angeles, CA

• How long have you lived in your city?  19 years 

• What makes your city special for you?  Los Angeles is a place where dreams come true and there’s surprises around every corner if you are open to them. 

• What is your city known for?  LA is known for it’s amazing weather year round.  We are also known for being able to access the mountains and ocean in a single day.  LA is also becoming recognized more for our food and art scene as well.  We’ve been having quite a renaissance in our downtown area and it’s very exciting.  LA was always very spread out with mini-cities all over and we are now finally seeing our downtown take a stand as the hub of this massive city.   

• Any best-kept secrets in your city?  A lot of people don’t realize how much amazing hiking this city has.  Right in the middle of Hollywood you can access hiking trails for that quick access to nature.  LA is also very close to mountains and nature if you travel just outside of the city.   I highly recommend adding the Hollywood sign hike to your list of must-dos when you visit.  If you’re feeling really adventurous I recommend continuing your hike to the Tree of Wisdom.  It’s a lovely spot to have a reflective moment with an epic view of the City of Angels.    

Another secret that many don’t know is that there’s actually some great diving here in Los Angeles.  Catalina Island and The Channel Islands have incredible kelp forests that are truly a unique thing to experience and they are very easy to access.  I recommend diving in the spring and early summer when the water is still on the colder side.  The kelp forests don’t flourish in the warmer months when the water heats up a bit.  

• Favorite Restaurant:  I LOVE BESTIA.  Bestia is an Italian restaurant downtown that is just amazing.  I highly recommend the bone marrow – I dream about it.   Make your reservation in advance.  Otherwise, my pro tip is showing up just before they open and being the first one in line to sit at the bar.  (Although, it may be different now with Covid.)  

• Have a favorite “home away from home” in your city you can share?  I love going to Malibu and hanging at Paradise Cove which is a tiny little spot right on the water.  It always makes me feel like I’m on vacation and I just love how relaxing/ chill the vibe is there.  

• Why should people visit?

LA is a really fun city that’s got a bit of something for everyone - Nature, art, shopping, film and TV studios, Disneyland & Universal theme parks.  You’re odds of running into someone famous are pretty high since there’s so many celebrities that live and work here.  That’s always a fun thing to complete your LA checklist.  It’s also a great place to rent a car and drive to other areas in So Cal.  We are 2 hours from San Diego Santa Barbra, Joshua Tree & Palm Springs.  Drive a little bit further north and you’re hitting wine country with the Paso Robles and Salvang.  Go further east and you’re in Las Vegas.  There’s an infinite amount of adventures and possibilities awaiting you here.

Want to Rep Your City with Conversations? Contact Herschel Dixon at Herschel.dixoncmg@gmail.com with REP YOUR CITY in the subject line.  If chosen as a feature all “Rep Your City” features need a photo of the participant and can also include a picture from some place or something in the city they are representing.