Takashimaya (first posted 8/1/06)

With our dear friends, the Rathers, moving, there have been conversations about places in the city they need to visit before they're gone. I recommended a thorough browsing of Takashimaya — a hi-end Japanese department store on 5th Avenue.

There are few places in the city that are more beautiful than this space. And it's not too big, like Saks or Bloomingdales, so you can thoroughly explore it without shop-till-you-drop-tired-feet. One highlight is the lobby where fresh flowers are arranged before your eyes.

If you love designy things, it's a New York don't miss. Buy something there, anything, just to see the way they giftwrap.