4 5 6, to 86th St

"ZUNY: Fresh Design"

While The Guggenheim and its Museum Mile pals hog the UES spotlight, the nearby Czech Republic Cultural Center New York (1109 Madison Ave at 83rd St, czechcenter.com) houses a less-trodden exhibition space. Through September, “ZLiNY: Fresh Design” features avant-garde pieces from students at Zlín’s Tomas Bata University. Footwear fan Daniel was wowed by a collection of psychedelic shoes from Katerina Kudrova: “They fall somewhere between Leigh Bowery, Ziggy Stardust and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” the aspiring designer cooed.

Daniel also loves nearby Jonathan Adler (1097 Madison Ave at 83rd St, 212-772-2410) for kitschy home decor like bosomy vases and the Squirrel Ring Box, a ceramic critter whose hollow acorn stores your bling. “They sell out so fast, we can’t keep them in the store,” remarked staffer Nicole.

At Adler, grad student K.J. confessed a longing for dinner at Demarchelier (50 E 86th St at Madison Ave, 212-249-6300). The menu is classic, uncomplicated French: an all-day $26 prix fixe includes soup, salad or pâté; mains like steak frites; and a glass of vin.

Forgo the tarte Tatin, though, and walk over to William Greenberg Jr. Desserts (1100 Madison Ave at 83rd St; 212-861-1340) for one of the bakery’s exalted black-and-white cookies. Transcendently cakey, they’re made fresh daily and sport a soft fondant icing that’s never pasty.

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