HoodRich : ChillHouse
A couple days out of the second great blizzard New York City's seen this winter, heaps of grey slush and lake-sized puddles line the streets - the perfect makings for a dreary afternoon indoors one would assume. However, the sun is shining and I've somehow convinced my bestie to rouse from the week's hibernation in order to check out Chillhouse, a brand new cafe-spa combo that opened this week in the heart of the Lower East Side.
It's the brainchild of the uber adorable/ultra cool, Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, founder of TasteTheStyle.com and co-owner of some of the coolest bars I know. With an eye for aesthetic and a spirit of zen, she and her team manage to effortlessly marry productivity and pampering in this one-stop-shop, Pinterest approved hot spot .
Minimalist fresh, the front window is lined with succulents and small plants, inviting light and life in full force. Clean whites and touches of soothing beach tones, along with a sick neon, define the chic, retro-modern space in front, while custom abstract wallpaper from Calico decorates the walls of the massage area in back - fluid forms of lavender, teal, and peach, seamlessly guiding clients from work to unwind. Even the bathroom oozes of art deco, with slick black tiles and a fish-eye mirror framed in gold, a few simple nude sketches for additional creative accent.
Both cafe and body menus are relatively limited, but certainly unique. With "turn me on" and "wind me down" beverage offerings and a small selection of deluxe snacks, the cafe specializes in rare, health-forward treats, utilizing organic healing ingredients like kava, matcha, and ube. The "Golden Latte", choc full of turmeric and other spicy deliciousness, was BOMB - like Christmas in a cup, pero like, all year. The "Beet-chata" was also dankalicious. In addition to the obvious beets and horchata fixings, this bev also boasts a sprinkling of activated charcoal, an all-natural detox element currently trending hard in the beauty sphere.
Other menu highlights include house wines and beers, artisanal mineral waters, and bougiest, most beautifully packaged bag of watermelon jerky I've ever seen. Sourced from Sakara, a 100% clean, organic, vegan meal delivery service based out of SoHo, Chillhouse one of few vendors who carry the line in store.
As for body services, the nail menu lists an awesome array of fun designs and customizable color palates. With inspiration ranging from disco to Henri Mattisse, these multi-tiered manis transform nails into totally affordable mini-modern-masterpieces in under an hour.
In addition to hand things, Chillhouse also includes a more intimate spa space tucked in back with private massage rooms. Whether you're in need of quick recharge or some deep healing, the body menu has you covered, with 25, 50, and 80 minute options and lineup of specialized massages designed to energize, relax, or even cure your hangover.
Generally speaking, prices range from relatively-moderate to borderline-premium keeping in mind, these are luxury services/supplements we're talking about here. While it may not be an affordable everyday routine, Chillhouse is def a new staple of treat yo'self scene. Now open from 8 AM to 8 PM daily.
