Eschewing the indistinguishable mordern aesthetics of a drugstore - including the word “drugstore” - Bigelow Chemists makes shopping for toothpaste or a hairbrush a complete joy, especially for the modern girl. It’s a real live old-timey apothecary, carrying modern products in a vintage space. You’ll feel you’ve stepped into a black-and-white 40’s movie as the elegant woman with tortoiseshell hair combs. Indeed, Bigelow Chemists is the oldest drugstore in the United States, harkening all the way back to 1838.

Bigelow carries their own brand of beauty items, including the ever-popular lip glosses, facial creams, masks, hair products, and hand and foot care. They peddle a host of other lovely toiletry lines, including Bumble & Bumble, Bliss, Frederic Fekkai, and many others. Try some new brand-name makeup at the stands around the counter.

And they do sell those tortoiseshell hair combs, along with barrettes and other hair accessories, Mason Pearson hairbrushes, cosmetic boxes, toothbrushes, and umbrellas. You can find Diptyque candles, homeopathic remedies, and novelty scarves. And if it’s something simple you’re after, there are rows ands shelves of modern drugstore brands and over-the-counter medications. Bigelow also has a full-service pharmacy in the back.

So go ahead. Pamper yourself a little. And enjoy the old-time New York feel.

C.O. Bigelow Chemists
414 Sixth Avenue, at West 9th Street
A/B/C/D/E/F/V to West 4th Street
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 9:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
212-473-7324

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La Bonne Soupe is a midtown eatery that’s high on quality and low on attitude - refreshing from the neighboring Michael’s, where it’s all about table location, location, location. For nearly three decades, La Bonne Soupe has been serving up French bistro fare that’s wallet-friendly and convenient for the theater-going crowd. And for this New Yorker who gets vertigo when traveling above 14th Street, the restaurant is an institution - perfect for first dates, negotiating deals, and catching up with old friends - worthy of the subway ride and the crowded Fifth Avenue thoroughfare.

The vibrant main dining room is cozy and warm with its red-checkered tablecloths, framed vintage French cinema posters, neighborly banquettes, charming French waitresses - and their signature onion soup, well, I’ve been to Paris and La Bonne Soupe does compare. For $15.95, dine all the pre-fix, which includes their dinner soup selection, a glass of house wine, a fresh baguette, salad (with a dressing you will want to rob right off the table) and ribbon-whipped chocolate mousse. From the Croque Monsieur with its rich béchamel, to the buttery Filet Au Poivre simmering in a fragrant cognac sauce to the Fondue au Fromage which might very well inspire ecstasy cries, or pleas for seconds - you simply won’t be disappointed.

With prompt, friendly service, downtown prices in a theater location and tender chicken sautéed in a light white wine and butter sauce (did I mention the mousse?), La Bonne Soupe offers a little bit of Paris in the heart of New York City.

La Bonne Soupe
48 West 55th Street
between 5th and 6th avenues
New York, NY 10019
212.586.7650

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