The birth certificate may say New Jersey, but Karl-Anthony Towns, the seven-foot star of the New York Knicks, has a New York origin story.
Growing up in nearby Piscataway, NJ, Mr. Towns and his parents regularly made the 37-mile drive into the city to take in parks, museums, New York Yankees games, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and, of course, to watch the Knicks. — his mother Jacqueline Cruz’s favorite team — plays at Madison Square Garden.
“To play in this place now is really cool, to see life come full circle,” said Mr. Towns, who was traded to New York from the Minnesota Timberwolves in October, in a recent phone interview.
Mr. Towns, 29, has been one of the most dominant forces in this young NBA season, averaging 24.7 points, 14 rebounds and 3.3 assists for a Knicks team (24-12), the which at the beginning of January is third. in the Eastern Conference. Already a fan favorite in the five boroughs, he recently earned the nickname Big Bodega, a clever play on his size and his New York and Dominican roots.
“You know you’re treading on holy ground,” he said of the Garden game. “It’s called Mecca for a reason.”
His tenure in New York so far has not been all business. Mr. Towns and his girlfriend, model Jordyn Woods, enjoy eating around Manhattan, stopping at Nobu Downtown or the Corner Store in SoHo or grabbing takeout after the game at Joe’s Pizza, Little Ruby’s Cafe on Mulberry Street or at his guilty pleasure, Mama’s Empanada.
“Shout out to Big Mama, keep it down at night,” Mr. Towns said.
Here are five of his favorite places. Towns in New York (unfortunately, no bodegas).
1. Yankee Stadium
Just as nostalgic as Garden for Mr. Towns is another iconic sports cathedral in the city, Yankee Stadium. Some of his fondest childhood memories are of the stands at the old Yankee Stadium with his parents, wearing pinstripes and eating popcorn (still his prom snack).
“They didn’t have much money, but my parents made life special for me with the money we had,” said Mr. Towns. (His mother died in 2020). His favorite moment on the court? When Yankees legend Bernie Williams threw him a baseball, which he still owns, from the ballpark in the early 2000s.
During this year’s playoffs, Mr. Towns was a fixture in the stadium, albeit in slightly better seats. “Watching the Yankees go to the World Series this year was a real treat as a fan,” he said, “and I’m really proud of my Yankees.”
2. The Polo Bar
“Polo Bar is the definition of classic,” said Mr. Townes for the Midtown celebrity hot spot by all-American fashion designer Ralph Lauren and one of the hardest-to-get reservations in town (30 days in advance recommended). Part of the appeal and experience is the distinguished decor: the brown leather saddle seats, wood-paneled walls and equestrian artwork. “What you imagine a Ralph Lauren Polo restaurant or bar would look like is exactly what he did and he did it at the highest level,” said Mr. Towns.
With Ms. Woods and his agent, Jessica Holtz, Mr. Towns recently dined at the Polo Bar and ordered the Dover chicken and sole. “The service and food is excellent and everything is beautifully branded,” he said.
3. Comedy Cellar
Beneath the brightly lit Comedy Cellar sign and down the stairs of an unassuming building in the West Village, comedy stalwarts such as Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer and Dave Chappelle have been known to appear nightly.
Mr. Towns, who has frequented the Comedy Cellar since his early days with the Timberwolves, appreciates both the art of stand-up and the character of the room: the low ceilings, small crowds and distinctive red brick backdrop.
“It’s intimate, like it’s like a pub with a stage inside,” he said. Pub prices too — $14 covers the weekday charge and a two-drink minimum.
The cool kids don’t just shop in Williamsburg or SoHo. Dover Street Market, which straddles the NoMad and Murray Hill neighborhoods, is a seven-story retail oasis of hypebeast brands, exclusive collaborations, and runway-level looks at party-worthy prices.
Mr. Towns, who cited Marni, Comme des Garçons, Rick Owens and Balenciaga as some of his top designers at the store, also respects its curated art installations that include textured walls and pillars. “Different cuts, different patterns, maybe outside the fashion box,” he said. “I really like this.”
On a recent visit, Mr. Towns took time to have a coffee in the store’s colorful Rose Bakery on the ground floor and indulge in a little shopping. Among his purchases: Mirror perfume, a Comme des Garçons and Kaws collaboration, and a pair of Vomero 5 sneakers, an exclusive Nike and Dover Street Market collaboration, which he gifted to Ms. Woods.
5. Altro Paradiso
Modern but not modern, Mr. Towns is drawn to the quiet cool of Altro Paradiso, a neighborhood spot in SoHo from restaurateur Ignacio Mattos (who also owns local favorites Estela and Lodi).
“I feel like most of the time you can just walk in and you don’t have to make such a crazy reservation,” said Mr. Towns, who noted that Italian-inspired Altro Paradiso has a “good space” and creative pastas like strozzapreti al pesto.
Mr. Townes—like most New Yorkers—is still exploring and discovering the restaurant scene. “Choose the place based on the vibe of the people you’re with,” he advised. “Would you like to go to a Yankees game with a bunch of Mets fans?”
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