How Basketball Player Jordan Clarkson Spends an Off Day in New York City

After landing on the New York Knicks, professional basketball player Jordan Clarkson found a home away from home in New York City.

“New York is and always will be the place where anyone can find a little bit of home,” says Clarkson.

On his Off Days, Clarkson celebrates his Filipino heritage by perusing art at a Filipino-owned gallery in Chelsea and sharing family-style meals of sinigang, a tart tamarind-based soup; longaniza, a spiced pork sausage; and lumpia, Filipino-style spring rolls.

Check out his recommendations for how to plan your own perfect Off Day in New York CityOpens overlay, from shopping for statement pieces to indoor golfing.

Where to Eat

On his Off Day, Clarkson spends his days eating his way through New York City’s dynamic food scene, from Midtown Manhattan to Little Manila in Woodside, Queens.

JōjiOpens overlay
Midtown

“The vibes are immaculate, and the food is 10/10. I love how intimate it is, and truly a sanctuary for sushi lovers like myself,” says Clarkson, who loves the restaurant's toro cucumber and the Hokkaido crab sashimi.

Renee’s Kitchenette & GrillOpens overlay
Woodside

Clarkson grew up “eating [his] grandma’s cooking,” so walking into Renee’s feels “just like home.” He recommends ordering a little of everything, including the oxtail kare-kare in peanut butter sauce and the lumpia, and sharing it all family-style.

Kape't TortaOpens overlay
Elmhurst

You’ll find Kape’t Torta in the middle of Queens. The family-owned restaurant serves authentic Filipino cuisine and reminds Clarkson of “being invited to an aunt’s house.” His go-to order is the ube pandesal with cheese, but with a stacked menu of cakes, breads and pudding, you can’t go wrong.

La Tête d’OrOpens overlay
Midtown

For an upscale dinner that exudes “old-school steakhouse energy, but [is] a little lighter on its feet,” Clarkson says, he heads to La Tête d’Or, a French steakhouse in Midtown. “You come here for the classics,” he says, including prime rib, oysters and steak frites.

TradicionaleOpens overlay
Chelsea

“Tradicionale isn’t classic Filipino, and it’s not Spanish tapas either,” Clarkson says. Instead, you’ll find a fusion of both in the Dinuguan tacos (made with stewed pork belly), baby octopus adobo and sizzling short rib. “It’s not trying to prove authenticity,” he says; instead, it’s “just celebrating the mix of cultures behind the food.”

Kora BakeryOpens overlay
Sunnyside

“This place is bright, it’s fun and you can tell they care about what they’re making. It’s one of those spots where the Filipino flavors [ube, pandan and coconut] show up in a way that feels fresh but still tastes familiar. That’s hard to do, and they nail it,” Clarkson says.

What to Do

On his free days, Clarkson likes to take in the city’s art and culture, while also prioritizing spending quality time with his family and friends.

Silverlens Gallery
Chelsea

Silverlens originated in Manila and now operates in Chelsea, showcasing a range of art by Filipino artists. “The art is incredible. It’s contemporary, it’s bold, and it’s telling stories that don't always get the spotlight,” Clarkson says. It’s “for anybody who wants to see something real and different from the usual gallery scene.”

ESSX NYC
Lower East Side

Clarkson recommends ESSX for expert shoppers more interested in collecting statement pieces than basics. “If you’re into fashion and you want to find something nobody else has, this is where you go,” he says. The store also hosts a rotating lineup of events and collaborations, ensuring creatives are always flowing into the space.

Dover Street Market
Midtown

“I like when fashion feels a little unpredictable,” Clarkson says. DSM is “not a normal store,” he adds. “It’s more like walking through a bunch of different worlds stacked on top of each other. You’ve got huge designers next to smaller experimental labels, art installations next to racks of clothes, sneakers next to things you’re not even sure how to wear yet. And somehow it all works. It’s messy in the best way.”

Madison Square Garden
Midtown

Playing in Madison Square Garden as a visitor is one thing, but calling the historic venue your home stadium is legendary, Clarkson says. “Obviously, the best part is playing there,” he says. “But even before the game, the vibe is crazy. Fans outside, people lining up, that whole Midtown buzz building toward tip-off.”

Five Iron Golf
Multiple Locations

“I'm competitive with everything—doesn't matter what it is. So you put me in front of a golf simulator with my guys, and it’s gonna get loud,” says Clarkson. “That’s what Five Iron is: You’re talking trash, you’re swinging, you got drinks going, and it’s just a good time. You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy it.”

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Midtown

At the MoMa, a museum known for its rotating exhibitions of modern art, Clarkson enjoys wandering without a plan. “Just walk the galleries and see what catches you. Some rooms you breeze through, some you end up standing in for 10 minutes. And when you step back outside, you’re right back in Midtown chaos again. It’s a nice reset in the middle of the city.”

Where to Stay

Two of Clarkson’s favorite Off Day stays are in New York City’s NoMad neighborhood, known for art galleries, fine dining and its close proximity to high-end shopping on Fifth Avenue. From the Gilded Age influence at The Fifth Avenue Hotel to the exclusive vibe at The Ned NoMad, a boutique hotel with a members club, there’s a hotel for everyone in this neighborhood.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel
NoMad
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At The Fifth Avenue Hotel, everything “feels collected, like somebody spent years putting it together piece by piece,” says Clarkson, who recommends the property for travelers seeking a luxurious stay with plenty of personality. The hotel’s jewel-toned rooms are filled with pops of color, contain marble bathrooms and are serviced by a team of butlers. For dinner and drinks, head to the on-site French-Italian fusion restaurant, Café Carmellini; then, make your way to The Portrait Bar for a nightcap in a moody, wood-paneled space.

The Ned NoMad
NoMad
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Part exclusive members’ club, part hotel, at The Ned NoMad you’ll find a stay Clarkson describes as old-world without feeling stuffy. “The Ned has that club feel,” he says. Rooms are heavily inspired by the 1920s, featuring clawfoot bathtubs and velvet seating. The hotel’s restaurant, Little Ned, continues the Roaring Twenties vibe, serving classic American cuisine in vintage-style booths. It’s also where Clarkson recommends heading after a game at Madison Square Garden to keep the night's energy going.