Mr & Mrs Smith

You can’t say you’ve ‘done’ SoHo without having supped on champers and a three-tiered seafood platter at Balthazar on Spring Street in (+1 212 965 1785). La Esquina (114 Kenmare Street; +1 646 613 7100) is a favourite of grungy-glam New Yorkers in the know; they come here for perfectly executed Mexican food in a restored 1950s diner car. The always-packed Raoul’s (180 Prince Street; +1 212 966 3518) is a small, authentic French brasserie. Ask for one of the cosy lamp-lit banquettes for romantic dining à deux and a just a little extra space, or head into the beautiful enclosed garden at the back. Lure Fish Bar on Mercer Street has become a SoHo staple, serving beautifully presented seafood and award-winning sushi (+1 212 431 7676; www.lurefishbar.com). Make your brunch reservations at Public (+1 212 343 7011), a vast, loft-like space on Elizabeth Street with a cosmopolitan marvel of a menu. The 98-seat, Osteria Morini, (+1 212 965 8777; osteriamorini.com) on Lafayette Street, has a homey atmosphere and luscious pasta concoctions layered with flavour such as the truffled mascarpone ravioli, drizzled with melted butter and studded with bits of prosciutto. Owner and chef Michael White found his inspiration for the menu in the cuisine of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Grab a banquette seat in SoHo's sexy Boqueria SoHo (+1 212 343 4255; boquerianyc.com), sister restaurant to Boqueria in Flatiron. The classic tapas menu is expertly paired with spicy reds, crisp whites and always-smooth sangria. Savour burgers stacked with truffles and topped with giant onion rings, charcuterie and tuna tartar paired with excellent wines at Burger & Barrel (+1 212 334 7320).

As much a restaurant as a bar, Schiller's Liquor Bar on Rivington Street is lovely for brunch or just a few drinks. Don’t let the boozy name fool you: this is also a great spot to take any little ones you might have tagging along. It has a great prix fixe kids’ menu (+1 212 260 4555). The wine bar next door to Public, The Monday Room (+1 212 343 7011; www.themondayroom.com) lets you sample a vast variety of vintages with the benefit of a personal sommelier. Do dinner at Balaboosta, which is Yiddish for 'the perfect housewife', at 214 Mulberry Street in nearby Nolita. Try the ceviche which changes daily or the grilled lamb chops topped with Persian lime sauce (+1 212 966 7366; balaboostanyc.com).

Café Gitane at 242 Mott Street (+1 212 334 9552) offers great French-Moroccan food in a simple café space; its outdoor tables are ideal for people-watching. Almost like a rickety old dining cart, Café Habana at 17 Prince Street (+1 212 625 2001) serves excellent Latin American and Mexican cuisine – the corn on the cob is out of this world. It makes one hell of a spicy Bloody Mary.

Boutique spa Haven on Mercer Street (+1 212 343 3515; www.havensoho.com) will take care of all your beauty needs – ask for Yasmin if it’s waxing you’re after, and we recommend Gabby for a flawless manicure and pedicure. Liberty Helicopters on West 30th Street and 12th Avenue (+1 212 967 6464) will whisk you around the Manhattan skyline and out to the Statue of Liberty. It also offers airport transfers.