16 SIMPLE WAYS TO START ANEW IN 2016

By James Clark and Pamela Jacobs

New Year, New EVERYTHING

It's far too easy to get into a routine, especially in the winter. But rather than make dozens of grand resolutions that are too easy to be overwhelmed by, start with the simple things. Eat somewhere different, or try a new class. Here are 16 simple ways to expand your horizons this year, both in NYC and in South Florida.

EAT

Combina: Einat Admony's native Israeli cuisine is merged with a Spanish twist in her new restaurant in SoHo that's getting a lot of attention. The space is eclectic and colorful, with ingredients used in the food displayed on shelves around the dining room. This is the perfect spot to eat something new and vibrant.

330 West Broadway, New York, NY; combinanyc.com

Vaucluse: Michael White's latest hot-spot, a French-inspired brasserie, has an urban twist without losing any of its class. This elegant environment incorporates the city's vibe, keeping it luxurious but modern and making it the perfect new place for a night out this year. With White at the helm, the food is guaranteed to be stellar every time.

100 E. 63rd St., New York, NY; vauclusenyc.com

Gianni's: If you've been wanting to check out the inside of the former Versace Mansion and have been waiting for the right excuse, wait no longer. Now you can dine in high style and enjoy ultra-luxury, fine food, and a good dose of celeb sightings in Ocean Drive's most storied address.

1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL; vmmiamibeach.com/restaurant
SuViche: What do you get when you integrate Japanese and Peruvian cuisines, and serve it to the bikini-clad and beautiful on Las Olas Boulevard? You get SuViche in Ft. Lauderdale, the latest location for this popular, healthy, and oh-so-delicious fusion concept.

401 East Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL; suviche.com

DRINK

The Bennett: Meaghan Dorman's drink list is featured in this swanky new watering hole in Tribeca. From the folks who brought you Dear Irving and Raines Law Room, this newbie is bound to impress.

134 West Broadway, New York, NY

Drexler's: This two-story, 35-seat, dimly lit bar with a craft cocktail menu is the perfect spot to enjoy a seasonal drink on a relaxing winter evening. It opened fall of 2015, and is sure to be a new hotspot for 2016.

9 Avenue A, New York, NY; drexlers.nyc

Free House American Eatery & Pub: Delray Beach just got even cooler thanks to the latest sports bar/gastropub to hit the scene, featuring local craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails, live music, and unpretentious fun, all thanks to its dynamic mother-daughter(s) team.

777 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL; freehousedelray.com

Blume Nightclub: Miami's nightlife scene is in full blume thanks to this new hot spot in Brickell, with a tropical-chic ambiance and the requisite long list of sexy scenesters who've been flocking to its dance floor. If you're looking to spice up your weekends, this is where you can be part of the in-crowd.

1421 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL; blumenightclub.com

HEAL

KryoLife: Freeze yourself to remain beautiful this winter. This unique company uses cryotherapy and nutritional and physical fitness counseling to help enhance beauty and overall physical and mental health. Treat yourself this year with a treatment that is slightly odd, but surprisingly refreshing.

57 W. 57th St., New York, NY; kryolifehealth.com

Carillon Miami Beach: At this luxurious hotel spa, you'll find some of the most innovative, unique, and all-encompassing wellness experiences anywhere in the world. Any spa can offer you massages and facials—but how about an open-air rooftop HydroSpa, a crystal steam room, a starlit herbal laconium (that's a dry heat room to you and me), and Miami's only igloo? We're sold.

6801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL; carillonhotel.com/spa

STAY

Hotel Hugo: Opened in April 2014, this artsy, industrial-chic hotel—located between West SoHo and the Hudson River—is one of the coolest and most beautiful newcomers on the block. With its sophisticated rooms and suites and oh-so-hot dining/nightlife options (Il Principe, Bar Hugo, and AZUL), Hotel Hugo is your best bet for a staycation in the New Year.

525 Greenwich St., New York, NY; hotelhugony.com

Opal Sands Resort: With its opening slated for February 2016, the ultra-luxurious Opal Sands will bring a new level of waterfront wow-factor to the beautiful beaches of Clearwater. Expect 230 contemporary rooms and suites, breathtaking Gulf views from every window, a full-service spa, a beachside tiki bar, a Gulf-front zero-entry pool, and 25,000 square feet of event space—all on what USA Today named the "Best Beach in Florida."

430 South Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL; opalsands.com

LEARN

Instant Gratification Private Essay Writing Class: Author/professor/mentor Susan Shapiro has not only published 10 successful, critically-acclaimed books—she's gotten over 15,000 New Yorkers published as well, and is personally responsible for launching countless writing careers. So if you're finally ready to see your name in print, and don't want to wait a long time to do so, take one of her wildly popular five-week Instant Gratification Takes Too Long Classes.

Next class January 6-February 3; susanshapiro.net, profsue123@gmail.com

International Culinary Center: Take a one-day cooking class with top chefs to pursue your culinary dreams and broaden your baking horizons. Classes range from pizza and macaron making to cupcake decorating and French bread baking. Stop fantasizing about Food Network stardom and learn to be your own chef this year.

462 Broadway, New York, NY; internationalculinarycenter.com

LIVE

One Sixty Madison: If you're ready for something new this year, how about moving into Manhattan's only octagon-shaped residential building. Located in the heart of NoMad, One Sixty Madison rises 45 stories high and features 319 light-filled, spacious, sophisticated residences—with one-of-a-kind views. Residents here definitely get a new perspective on city living.

160 Madison Ave., New York, NY; onesixtymadison.com

Aria on the Bay: Finally ready to make the move to Miami? Consider this 53-story Arquitectonica-designed waterfront tower in the heart of the Arts & Entertainment District. Construction is underway on the luxury building—with its 648 one- to four-bedroom condos and three penthouses, and it looks like it could convince anyone to buy into the Miami lifestyle.

1770 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami, FL; ariaonthebay.com