We interviewed Ido Simyoni, a world traveller and the mind behind huge and successful Social Media campaigns that went viral on Instagram, #StopTheTerror. He shared with us his 7 NYC hot spots and answered a few fun questions!
Our Founder, Fernanda Paronetto, interviewed a very special guest for this week with an amazing story and how he’s influenced and is still influencing the world through Social Media!
Ido Simyoni (@Ido8All) is the mind behind huge and successful Social Media campaigns that went viral on Instagram, #StopTheTerror.
Check out his Bio, his +7 NYC Tips and a few fun questions:
“After 9 years of working on the biggest TV productions In Tel Aviv (from “The Israeli Idol” to “The Big Brother”), I decided that I need a new challenge. My biggest dream was to move to NYC and this was on my Bio, on Instagram, for almost 6 months: “Living in Tel Aviv, Dreaming of New York City – looking for an opportunity”.
But, the world had different plans for me and (almost 4 years ago) I was head-hunted by an education company (Kaplan International English), based in London, for the role of Head of Creative, Content and Social Media.
In addition, with my storytelling skills and my passion for Social Media, I’ve also managed to achieve some big success in my personal life: from running international the Social Media campaign (#StopTheTerror) to creating powerful Social Media accounts – even for my precious dog, Izo (@TheIzoTimes), traveling all over the world with my #Ido8allBus and sharing the love.”
See below 2 beautiful short videos of his breathtaking experience. The first, he tells us “How it feels to be dead” and his incredible recovery!
…and the second, how he skyrocketed his exposure on Instagram and went Global:
Now, to his +7 NYC Tips:
Burger and Barrel
“My handle on Social Media is @Ido8all (Ido ate all) because I love food, so most of my time in NYC I’m looking for places to eat. The variety of burger places in the city is rad. Finding THE place for burgers was challenging and quite calorie heavy, however I’m happy to announce Burgers and Barrel as my winner because of the taste that makes you want to order more (even though you are completely full #TrueStory).”
Burger and Barrel is an American Pub and is owned by the renowned restauranteur John McDonald and Chef Josh Capon.
With a perfect location, in the heart of SoHo, they feature an award-winning burger named “Bash Burger”. Plus, they have an outstanding wine list.
Hours:
Monday – Tuesday: 11:30am – 10pm
Wednesday – Thursday: 11:30am – 11pm
Friday: 11:30am – 11pm (kitchen) and 12am (bar)
Saturday: 11am – 11pm (kitchen) and 12am (bar)
Sunday: 11am – 10pm
Location: 25 West Houston Street, SoHo
Peacefood Cafe
“Go Vegan (?!) – I love meat and the more red, the better, however when my friend introduced me to Peacefood Cafe – next to Union Square, I just couldn’t believe how amazing Vegan Food can be (they fooled me with Fake Chicken).”
Moreover, the description on their website is surely the best one, so here it is:
Peacefood Cafe is named after the simple idea that peace begins on your plate. Two vegans founded Peacefood Cafe in 2009 on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Eric, an antiques dealer, and Peter, an interior designer, believe the awareness of non-violence can be spread through feeding people with delicious vegan food.
Amazing, right? This is definitely up our alley!
Hours: Check their website to see the different locations.
Locations:
41 East 11th Street, Greenwich Village
460 Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side
Dominique Ansel’s Bakery
“I usually don’t eat anything sweet in the morning, but one thing can’t avoid having at least (1…2… and 3) are the Cronuts at Dominique Ansel’s Bakery… This is giving Bakeries totally new meaning.”
Dominique founded his Bakery in November of 2011 and in no time, was all over the news and receiving countless awards.
Today, it’s not a “behind the scenes” spot any more, but we have to confess it’s still top of our list for Bakeries in the City.
Oh! You might be asking “What is a Cronut?”. It’s a croissant and doughnut hybrid – surely to die for, and as Ido said, hard to eat only one.
Plus, to see more pictures and infos on Dominique Ansel’s Bakery, see our post!
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 8pm
Sunday: 9am – 7pm
Location: 189 Spring Street, SoHo
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
“I am probably not up-to-date with the latest trendiest rooftop bars in the city, but my heart is with one of my firsts 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar – because the drinks are accompanied with fantastic views of the City and always packed with mega chic crowd. #SelfieWithEmpireState is a must.”
It’s surely one of the best views of the Empire State Building you’ll get, even though it is quite touristy.
The place is beautiful, large windows, beautiful opened area, delicious food and cocktails, paired with a great crowd, as Ido said.
The Music? Well, during weeknights they play upbeat lounge and weekends, primarily 80’s, 90’s and House Music.
Hours:
Opened 7 days a week, all year long, from 4pm – 4am
Food served only up till 12am
Location: 230 Fifth Avenue, Flatiron
Shopping Spree
“Shopping – When I’m not in Woodbury Common or The Mills at Jersey Gardens, you’ll find me searching for vintage clothes in the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.”
Woodbury Common features over 220 stores including Tory Burch, Nike, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Burberry, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, The North Face and more. And, all of it at savings of 25% to 65% every day. They have a list of the best luxury brands with amazing discounts.
Contrary from Woodbury, The Mills at Jersey Gardens is a two-level indoor outlet mall in Elizabeth, located in New Jersey. It’s a great place to spend the day if you’re in the mood of shopping.
Williamsburg, or Willyb as we kindly call it, is definitely a great spot for shopping if you enjoy off the beaten track brands and vintage stuff. But, prices can get surprisingly high around there. We love it anyway.
Chelsea Piers
“You’ll always see me with my camera and phone when walking in the street of the City. However, one of the places I like capturing the most is Chelsea Piers – specially the skateboard park because it reminds me of Venice Beach in L.A., without the beach.”
Located on the Hudson River, Chelsea Piers offers over 25+ different sports if you’re into learning, practicing or even competing.
Moreover, they have great classes and competitions for kids and adults, plus a great health club and other dedicated event spaces.
Location: 23rd Street & Hudson River Park – 62 Chelsea Piers
Hairrari East Village
“If you are looking to cut your hair in a cool friendly place you should try Hairrari East Village. I absolutely love them and my new haircut!”
Hairrari was founded in 2011 by Magda Ryczko in Williamsburg.
Different from normal hair salon, Hairrari “flips the barber salon concept upside down once inside”.
They welcome girls and boys and can work on your unique dream hair style.
And, as they say: “Take a seat, grab a drink, and check out the local art on our walls while we take care of your hair up top and give you the look you want.”
Location: 34 East 1st Street, East Village
We also asked Ido a few fun questions too:
What does NYC mean to you?
“NYC to me is my dream (and hopefully future) home. I have always been fascinated by the city and keep falling in love with it every single time that I’m there…”
Which famous New Yorker would you like to meet? And why?
“With no doubt, Jimmy Fallon. I’m always fascinated by talented people and he’s an example of someone who’s just good in everything he does. So, I would probably challenge him to cook me dinner and choose our outfits, while we do the history of rap 26.”
Do you have any embarrassing moments in the City, you’d love to share?
“I have been to New York more the 18 times and consider myself as someone who “knows the city”. One night, after going out with my non-local friends, I was in charge of ‘navigating’ and instead of going Downtown to Brooklyn we ended up in Queens.
I felt so dumb, but I blamed it on the great wine we had. Luckily they were so tired and tipsy that they ended up forgiving me for this long ride. My tip here is go download and use CityMapper.
And, for more information on Ido and his amazing and inspiring work, take a look at his website.
Photo Credits: Chris Loupos (portrait picture), Courtesy of the Venues, Insidertripps, LWYang, Greyline, Jie Jenny Zou, Jeff Gipson and Urban Omnibus
*Last Update on March/2020.*
