SAMANTHA TURNER
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OCCUPATION
Concierge, Soho Grand
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HOMETOWN
Miami, FL
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CURRENT RESIDENCE
DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
Samantha Turner is the chief concierge at the Soho and Tribeca Grand Hotels. Prior to this, she worked in fashion, as an editor at Lucky and Vibe, and as the sales director at Cynthia Rowley and Earnest Sewn. Her favorite cocktail is a Grand Margarita at Soho Grand, and if she could only eat one meal in New York it would be anything on Torrisi's dinner menu.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
This is How We Do It.
What can’t you travel without and why?
Getting a cold one at the airport bar. I’m nervous about flying, and I grab a cold beer before boarding a plane- always.
Where is your favorite travel destination?
Serifos, Cyclades, Greece-I’ve never seen anything so magical.
If you could choose one person to show you “their New York City,” who would it be and why?
Bloomberg! I hear he loves hot dogs.
What or who inspired you recently and why?
“Still Bill”, the Bill Withers documentary. Such a talented musician, but more than that, he’s a fascinating, sincere, and unbelievably cool man.
SAMANTHA’S FAVORITES
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TORRISI ITALIAN SPECIALTIES
FAVORITE RESTAURANTFor lunch I have a hard time deciding between the turkey hero and chicken parm. The dinner menu is concise, with little room for choices. You just have to pick your second course- everything else appetizers, desserts, and your first course are already set.
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ARTWARE EDITIONS
FAVORITE STOREIt's a favorite of both mine and my fiance, who studied art history in college. They have a few porcelain sets by Cindy Sherman that I'm dying to get my hands on. It's also the perfect place to shop for gifts- they have everything!
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GAGOSIAN GALLERY
FAVORITE GALLERYI've seen two amazing Picasso exhibits here, and each time I wanted to stay put for hours. It's one of the best ways to spend your afternoon in NYC. Especially on one of those scorching hot days.
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SMITH & MILLS
FAVORITE BARIt just feels like NY to me. It's sexy; the kitchen is at the bar; it's tucked away on a quiet block. When I want a really good Dark 'N Stormy to end or begin my night, I come here.
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PALAZZO CHUPI
MUST DO NYC RECOMMENDATIONI'm in love with Julian Schnabel's pink villa in the West Village. I tell everyone to walk by it when they're in town. It looks like it just popped in from the sky!