Shopping in Whitney

In his 12 years as a podiatrist specializing in reconstructive rear foot and ankle surgery, Dr. Lee Wittenberg kept hearing the same questions from his patients. They wanted to know what shoes they should be wearing, why one brand of shoe is better than another, and where they could find such footwear. Realizing he kept giving the same five-minute lesson over and over again, Dr. Wittenberg decided he could pick out the shoes himself and give his patients a one-stop location where they could find footwear that meets his rigorous standards. Shortly thereafter, he opened Dr. Footsie's.

Dr. Wittenberg applies his knowledge of pedal extremities to hand-select footwear and insoles proven to provide biomechanical support and comfort. Work-related shoes include clogs for nurses, dress shoes for businessmen, and slip-resistant shoes for slip 'n' slide operators.

When 2008's economic crisis hit the nation hard, the founders of GlamSquadShop vowed to keep wardrobes from receding as well, assembling an inventory of fashionable dresses, tops, and accessories at affordable prices. The items bridge the gap between styles, blending classic staples such as a black dress with lace accents and trendy apparel such as a coral romper, ideal for pairing with sandals or a live starfish brooch. Flashy, funky jewelry—such as a rhinestone-encrusted turtle ring—spice up flowy tops and cropped jackets, and for a finishing touch, the shop stocks Nyx cosmetics and sunglasses in styles ranging from retro to futuristic to existing in an alternate dimension where looks literally kill.

At Belle Handbags, Shoes and Accessories, chic women's adornments from brands such as Rioni and LYDC London pack the shelves, earning praise from City's Best in 2011. Patrons root through jewelry, hair accessories, and wallets, finding treasures such as shimmering necklaces that accentuate elegantly poised formal heels or their more casual flat brethren. Alternatively, awe-invoking handbags comfortably hide makeup and spare red noses for spontaneous circus performances.

Sprawling over 60,000 square feet inside and out, TAO is a place for the footloose, the fancy, and the free-spirited. Mingling Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai cuisines, the menu entices gourmands with exotic entrees, and the dimly lit dance floor throbs to big bass beats. Plush chaise lounges with luxuriously wide cushions flank the pool at TAO Beach, a great place to relax or get romantic while chicken fighting. TAO’s portrait of opulent pleasure is completed with grace notes such as a hand-carved, 20-foot-tall Buddha, a meditative indoor koi pond, and backlit floral screens overlooking the booths.