…New York neighbours
Actress-turned-rock-star Juliette Lewis extols the virtues of The Big Apple's loveliest locales - from veggie cafés to vintage shops
I tend to see New York through a cab window. I lived there for three months when I was 19, while shooting Husbands and Wives with Woody Allen. I lived there again while I shot Mixed Nuts with Steve Martin, a film that went straight to video. These days when I visit it's to see friends who take me out all over. Here's where:
Dumbo
Short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, this wild, artsy South Brooklyn neighbourhood is trendy in a good way, and only just starting to be built up. With really interesting shops and artists living in converted loft apartments, it's like a new East Village, and you can get there by walking along the incredible Brooklyn Bridge, which seems to have been around forever.
The cobbled streets and busy cafés are a draw, but I go there for the vintage shopping. There's also a health-food store called Peas and Pickles (45-55 Washington Street, no phone) where everyone gets their groceries. Ziggies (1817 Second Avenue. Tel: +1 212 289 0824) does really fantastic lunch and dinner, but I go there for breakfast, and to stock up on little organic snacks for the plane ride home: granola squares and Yogi berries from Tibet, which are supposed to be incredibly good for you.
Find it: between Hudson, Fulton and Prospect Streets and the East River. How to get there: Take subway line F to York Street, or A and C to High Street.
East Village
The original artist's hangout, this is where to come for vintage clothing shops, bits of music equipment, flea markets... and it's a great area to visit as it's not on the tourist radar.
All the shopping here is affordable and has a real New York City vibe. There are outside clothing stores all the way along Ludlow, where you'll find new designers next to more economical stuff.
Stop by St Mark's Bookshop (31 Third Avenue. Tel: +1 212 260 7853), which is a superb place for browsing.
And you also have good restaurants there. I like to eat healthily, and you can get hearty cooked meals at the Pink Pony (178 Ludlow. Tel: +1 212 253 1922). The soups or the chicken are tasty, but I actually love the place for its banana pancakes, which are the best ever. You have to try them!
Find it: between 14th and Houston Street on the East Side, bordered by the Lower East Side, the West Village and Gramercy How to get there: Take subway line 6 to Astor Place.
Union Square
The big heart of New York, this neighbourhood is a bit more conventional. Big and bustling, there's lots to take in.
There's the Union Square multiplex (Regal Cinemas, Union Square Stadium 14, 850 Broadway. Tel: +1 212 253 6266; regalcinemas.com) if you're looking for a place to go to the movies.
I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm a fan of a veggie café called Zen Palate (34 East Union Square. Tel: +1 212 614 9291; zenpalate.com). The yam fries are so good you just won't believe it - satisfyingly unhealthy and nice and fattening.
Screaming Mimi's (662 Montauk Highway. Tel: +1 212 662 668 1631; screamingmimis.com) is an amazing vintage clothing store with great dresses and shoes. It's totally expensive for vintage, but their selection is gorgeous.
Find it: north of Greenwich Village, south of Flatiron Building. How to get there: Take subway lines 4, 5, 6 or N, R or L trains to Union Square. For dates and venues of Juliette and the licks' upcoming tours, visit julietteandthelicks.com
