In New York, it's all about who you know. And now you're connected. Angelika Taschen knows New York. She's been behind the velvet ropes, explored the secret, unmarked restaurants and beloved neighborhood delis, scoured Soho, Nolita and Tribeca's stylish stores, and scoped out hotels uptown and downtown, from sleek and chic to hidden charms. She provides an all-access pass to parts of New York even most locals don't know. Dictionary-style cutout tabs make it easy to flip through, and a pocket-sized map of Manhattan lists all the shops, hotels, and restaurants in the book. With this guide in hand, New York is yours for the taking. Featuring the Maritime Hotel, a former sailors' dorm, now Chelsea's coolest hotel; Robert De Niro's Greenwich Hotel, with its authentic Japanese spa; the cheap but chic Pod Hotel. Learn how to get the best table at the Waverly Inn,Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's exclusive salon for the glitterati; how to find Soho's hidden basement bar subMercer; the Shake Shack, for a terrific burger in the shade of Madison Square Park; Rao's, the Spanish Harlem Italian joint run by the Sopranos' actor who turned Madonna away; where to buy New York's best cheesecake; and Greenwich Letterpress, for hand-printed cards to send to envious friends who didn't make this fabulous New York trip! The photographer:Poul Ober specializes in interiors, architecture, and travel, and has produced advertising and editorial photography for Williams-Sonoma, O At Home, House & Garden, and various architectural and interior design firms. He lives and works in New York. (www. poulober. com) Texts by:Daisann McLane writes for National Geographic Traveler Magazine, The New York Times, New York Times Magazine and International Herald Tribune. She is the author of TASCHEN's Cheap Hotels and lives in New York City and Hong Kong. (www. daisann. com) The editor:Angelika Taschen studied art history and German literature in Heidelberg, gaining her doctorate in 1986. Working for TASCHEN from 1987 to 2010, she has published numerous titles on art, architecture, photography, design, travel, and lifestyle.