Home JOURNAL Globetrotter | Jen Murphy

Globetrotter | Jen Murphy

Jen Murphy's surfer-chic style and boho flair are evident in every aspect of her life. As the Deputy Editor of one of our all time favorite travel magazines, AFAR, Murphy scours the globe for exotic finds to share with her readers. We recently caught up with Jen and asked her for tips on great places to eat, drink and shop in NYC and San Fransico.

How would you describe your style? Who, what, or where is the inspiration behind your style?

I?m a surfer girl at heart. If I could live in bikinis, sun dresses, and flip flops I totally would. I see those Roxy girl ads and want to live that lifestyle. I love Roxy and Malia Mills bikinis. Last year I spent two weeks in Trancoso, Brazil and loved how women of every age and shape rocked these tiny little Brazilian bikinis without an ounce of self consciousness. I bought three from the Osklen boutique but must admit I haven?t had the balls to wear them back home in the States. I love the style of Caroline Murphy and Elle MacPherson ? natural beauties. I?ve never dyed my hair. I let the sun have its way in the summer and my hairdresser, Julien Farel, always tells me to lie and tell people he does my highlights. Since I can?t live in a bikini in NYC I tend to wear a lot of dresses, mostly because it?s only one piece I have to worry about fitting in my gym bag each morning. I love the designs of Maiyet and Suno both for the look and how they tell an interesting story. I always bring something home from my travels. My colleague John taught me if something speaks to you just buy it, or you?ll go home with regrets. Two of my favorite purchases are a gorgeous alpaca throw from Uruguay and my One Bar Shoe Onora heels from Repetto in Paris. Osklen boutique: Rua Maria Quiteria, 85. +55 21 2227 2911 | 2930 - Ipanema@osklen.com.br

We know you recently moved to New York from San Francisco. What do you love most about each city? Can you share your top three favorite spots for eating, drinking, and shopping?

I lived in NYC for ten years and when I left, I thought I was done with the city. But then I got to San Francisco and discovered I missed New York. My two years living in San Francisco left me with a new appreciation of NYC?s frenetic pace and crazy energy. I find the people in NYC so inspiring and it?s such a culturally rich place. And, call me crazy, but I love the seasons. There?s nothing more beautiful than a snow-covered Central Park or walking the High Line on a humid summer night. I liked San Francisco because it was so easy to escape the city and be in Napa or Sonoma or Tahoe or Santa Cruz. I?d run every morning along the water to Crissy Field and under the Golden Gate Bridge and those sunrises were just magical.

Courtesy of Jetsetter, FoodFashionista

San Francisco Eating

SPQR- This was my go-to neighborhood restaurant. It?s super tiny and narrow but I can usually snag a seat at the bar. I think the chef, Matt Accarrino, is such a talent. His menu is always so surprising and always pushes you out of your comfort zone just a tiny bit. I?m a fan of the brassicas and grains with burrata, avocado and green goddess dressing and his sweet carrot and lentil salad with date and vadouvan curry crema. You can?t go wrong with any of his pastas but I?m a total sucker for his smoked fettuccini with sea urchin, smoked bacon and a soft quail egg. I could eat that dish once a week. The restaurant also has what is in my opinion one of the country?s most interesting Italian wine lists. I always feel like I take home a little wine knowledge. 1911 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, (415) 771-7779

Zushi Puzzle- It took me awhile to get past the awful name and the hole-in-the-wall digs, but the quality of the sushi here makes both forgivable. It?s worth waiting for a seat at the sushi chef?s counter and then you just eat what Roger serves you and know it will be some of the best fish you?ve ever put in your mouth. I also love that this restaurant is BYOB. 1910 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123, (415) 931-9319

Bar Tartine? I don?t think anyone is cooking food in America like chefs Nick Balla and Cortney Burns. I am continually wowed every time I have a meal at their restaurant Bar Tartine. They pull off that rare feat of cooking food that?s both interesting and intellectual but also at the end of the day down right delicious. The famous Tartine bread is a must and it should be eaten with the pumpkin seed oil and cultured squash spread. The menu takes a lot of cues from the cuisine of Hungary and I love how creative the chefs are with vegetables. I must admit, I dream of the aroma of their smoked potatoes with black garlic. No shame. It?s one of the most comforting dishes I?ve ever eaten. They also make all of these really interesting, refreshing drinks with kefir. I love the Ginger Burns water kefir. 561 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103, (415) 487-1600

Courtesy of Eater, Yelp, FormerChef. Bottom left: Bar Tartine, right: Zushi Puzzle

San Francisco Drinking

The Tourist Club- This is one of the most magical drinking spots. You can only access it by hiking the Redwood Trail or the Sun Trail from Muir Woods. You know you?re heading in the right direction when you start to see rowdy, tipsy hikers passing you in the opposite direction. The trail takes you to a clearing and you?ll see a large Bavarian-style house with wraparound porches and decks filled with people drinking steins of beer. Don?t be fooled by the name, this spot is far from touristy. It?s actually part of the worldwide Nature Friends organization, which promotes outdoor activities. It?s usually members-only but one weekend a month it opens for guests so check the web site before you embark on your hike. 30 Ridge Avenue, Mill Valley,CA 94941, (415) 388-9987 http://touristclubsf.org/

Smuggler?s Cove- When you walk into Smuggler?s Cove you don?t expect to be served a serious cocktail. The d?cor is over-the-top tiki themed with pufferfish lanterns, rattan fish traps, and buoys hanging from the ceiling. I always try to snag a seat in the small upstairs area, which feels a bit like a tree fort. A metal staircase leads you down to a basement-level bar called the Boathouse. But the drinks are an homage to exceptionally made cocktails from tiki culture. The menu features more than 75 drinks and is divided into chapters such as Traditional Drinks of the Caribbean and Rum through the Ages. If you like rum, you will totally geek out on the extensive selection. You can even sign up for Smuggler?s Cove Rumbustion Society. I?m a sucker for the banana daiquiri. 650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102, (415) 869-1900

Courtesy of TrailSpotting, TheBigDrinksSF. Top: The Tourist Club, bottom: Smuggler's Cove

San Francisco Shopping

Nest- This tiny shop reminds me of a Parisian flea market. I used to live a few blocks away and it was my go-to spot for buying last-minute gifts. You can find everything from gorgeous bedding from John Robshaw to vintage Oaxacan jewelry and funky pillows from the South African collective Loving Africa. They always have the cutest letterpress note cards and a great selection of cookbooks. 2300 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, (415) 292-6199

Mollusk Surf Shop- I just love the aesthetic of this surf shop in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. When you walk in you?ll find a small houseboat made by artist Jay Nelson. They have an incredible selection of surfboards, including some shaped by Sunset local Danny Hess. The staff is great at helping beginner surfers pick out the right board. Even if you don?t surf, you?ll find great clothing, art, and a selection of the latest surf videos. The shop also hosts great events. 4500 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122, (415) 564-6300

Courtesy of Nancy D Brown, AugustArc

New York City Eating

Dell?anima- My good friend and running buddy Joe Campanale is the brilliant young sommelier behind this tiny Italian spot in the West Village. I love the coziness of the space and there?s always great music. I?m in my happy place if I end up with a seat at their bar and a deliciously simple arugula salad and the charred octopus. The Italian wine list is packed with fun, esoteric bottles, but I?m a sucker for negronis and I think Dell?anima makes one of NYC?s best. If I come with a friend, I request a seat at the chef?s table so I can watch the action. 38 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014, (212) 366-6633

Barbuto- There?s nothing I love more than spending a summer afternoon dining outside at Barbuto. The restaurant is in a converted garage in the West Village and is great for people watching. Chef Jonathan Waxman cooks super satisfying food that?s great for sharing. I?ll often go with friends and order a bunch of antipasti, a few pastas and a bottle or two of ros?. 775 Washington St, New York, NY 10014, (212) 924-9700

Eleven Madison Park- I don?t know if a more beautiful dining room exists. This restaurant exudes NYC glamour and the service is unparalleled. Chef Daniel Humm and his GM Will Guidara are like the dynamic duo. A meal here is an occasion. It will cost you, but the experience is worth every penny. Eleven Madison Park proves that fine dining is fun with dishes like a tabletop clambake. Each year the restaurant throws a Kentucky Derby Bash which in my opinion is the best party of the year in NYC. 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010, (212) 889-0905

Courtesy of NightOut, Village Voice, The World's Best Hotels and Restaurants. Left: Barbuto, top right: Dell?anima, bottom right: Eleven Madison Park.

New York City Drinking

PDT- How can you not love a bar that you enter through a phone booth? My friend Jim Meehan is the mastermind behind PDT. The space is small and decorated with taxidermy and kind of feels like a hip grandfather?s den. There are just a few seats and tables, which means you can actually have a conversation. You know whatever drink the bartender makes for you, it will be perfection. I love that I can tell the bartender my flavor profile and then put the rest in his hands. Even more fun is the menu of tater tots and hot dogs that accompany the great drinks. 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009, (212) 614-0386

Mayahuel- I love that this East Village bar doesn?t take itself too seriously. The focus is on tequila and mezcal and there is bar menu of yummy snacks like plantain tostones and addictive popcorn dressed up with ancho chili and cotija cheese. My go-to drink is the Hecho en Brooklyn which is a mix of mezcal, gin, lime cordial, and Campari. 304 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003, (212) 253-5888

Courtesy of NYIntro, ClupPlanet. Top: PDT, bottom: Mayahuel

New York City Shopping

The Evolution Store- I?m a total science geek at heart. I was really into geology and marine biology in college. Located in SoHo, the Evolution store is part museum, part science laboratory, part curiosity shop. I could spend hours browsing here. They have everything from replica skeletons to fossils and taxidermy. I love the selection of old globes. My apartment has a beachy theme going on and I picked up some interesting sea shells and oversized starfish here to use for decoration. 120 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, (212) 343-1114

Global Table- My time at Food & Wine left me with a great appreciation for gorgeous tabletop. I love browsing the shelves at Global Table, which sources interesting pieces from around the world, such as Japanese ceramics and Spanish wine glasses. My new apartment is close to their Upper West Side locations and I recently bought myself a house warming gift here: a set of melamine sea life plates featuring lobsters and horseshoe crabs. They?re perfect for summer entertaining. 109 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012, (212) 431-5839

Courtesy of TripAdvisor, NYTimes. Top: The Evolution Store, bottom: Global Table

What is your favorite item you have ever purchased or been given while on a trip?

I studied abroad in Australia and when the semester ended the guy I had a crush on gave me his guitar. I traveled around the country for nearly four months and dragged the guitar with me and then took it back to the States. I never learned how to play anything more than the refrain of Tom Petty?s Free Falling and the guitar is pretty beat up but I refuse to throw it away, not so much because of the guy anymore, but because it reminds me of the trip that made me fall in love with travel.

What are three items you are coveting most from L-atitude?

1) Sun and Siesta Wayuu Hammock

My dream house will have a big backyard with a hammock. There?s something so soothing about cocooning up in a hammock with a good book and or just rocking back and forth under a starry night.

2) Tamara Magel's Blue Amazonia Angel Maxi Dress

I live in long flowy dresses in the summer. This maxy dress by Tamara Magel manages to be both sexy and comfortable.

3) Silvia Tcherassi Soriano Necklace

I visited this designer?s boutique in Cartagena and her designs totally resonated with me. The colors of this necklace remind me of a sunset and they?d work for almost any season.