by Andrea McVeigh

WHY? The release of the Sex and the City movie means that New York - the show's 'fifth' character - is in the spotlight again as the home for all things fashion fabulous. Here's our special SATC-themed guide for aspiring Carries.

EAT: Carrie 'celebrated' her 35th birthday alone at Tuscan restaurant Il Cantinori at 32 E. 10th St. when her friends failed to show. If you're feeling 'single and fabulous', head to Café Edison (at Hotel Edison) on w. 47th St, where Carrie once found refuge from the rain, only to meet an old woman who sprinkled Lithium on her ice cream (btw, that's not included on the menu!). Stop by for a pink frosted cup cake at Magnolia Bakery at 401 Bleecker St in Greenwich Village, like Carrie and Miranda. And shop for groceries and nibbles at the girls' fave deli, Zabar's at 2245 Broadway and West 80th St.

SHOP: SATC wouldn't be SATC without shoes. So hot foot it to Manolo Blahnik (31 W. 54th St) , before skipping (how does Carrie do that in heels?) to Prada at 575 Broadway, Marc Jacobs (403-5 Bleecker St) and SATC stylist Patricia Field's boutique at 302 & 306 Bowery (between Houston and Bleecker). When they're not buying shoes, the gang have been known to snoop around ABC Carpet and Home at 888 Broadway, looking at home furnishings. And wear your prettiest dress to the Furniture Company at 818 Greenwich Street where Carrie first met Aiden. And don't forget the HBO store (1100 Avenue of the Americas) for SATC-themed goodies, from coffee mugs to pyjamas.

DRINK: Cipriani Downtown (376 West Broadway) is the place to go to drink champers-and-peach-juice cocktail combo, the Bellini. Or go on a Big date, to The Monkey Bar (60 E. 54th St) where Big took Carrie for an old-fashioned New York evening as 'friends'. Try to blag your way into uber cool spot, Bungalow 8 (515 W 27th St) for a night of clubbing, celeb-spotting and champagne drinking (it's $22 a glass!). If you can't get past the doormen there, head over to Onieals bar (174 Grand St), the site of Steve and Aiden's bar, Scout, located on the spot where a brothel, speakeasy and gambling den once stood.

SLEEP: The fashionista crowd, glossy mag editors, rock stars and A-listers all stay in SoHo's exclusive Mercer hotel. The Prada flagship store (where Carrie took Berger to spend her book advance) is across the street, so you won't have to dirty your Blahniks hopping over for a splurge. If that's out of your price range, try budget, boutique crash pad Hotel QT, from the same owner, Andre Balazs (he also owns LA's Chateau Marmont and The Standard). Just off Times Square, near West 45th street and Broadway, Hotel QT's got a swimming pool in the lobby, a swim-up bar, fab cocktails and nightly DJs - all the zsa zsa zsu Samantha could hope for!

THE SIGHTS: Book an On Location tour of SATC attractions (www.screentours.com), where you'll be taken round the city's hot spots, including Carrie's apartment stoop and the church where Samantha meets 'The Friar', as well as locations from the movie. Every gal should visit Tiffany & Co (727 Fifth Avenue), whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner - it's also where Trey bought Charlotte her engagement ring. Make sure you don't make the same mistake as Carrie and head to the impressive Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of modern art (1071 Fifth Avenue) on the day it's closed. And if you're travelling solo, make a "Joy for Two - for one!" date with yourself at the beautiful old Paris Theatre (4 W. 58th St).

www.nycvisit.com
 
 
Photography supplied by NYC & Company