Bergdorf's is a sybarite's delight. The store is designed on an intimate scale and lacks the kicky nouveau-riche feel of Bendel's. Although the customer base is primarily composed of ladies who lunch and businesswomen with gobs of money but little time for nonsense, fashionistas in the know appreciate Bergdorf's little secret: Sales can garner fantastic bargains, with designer-clothing prices slashed to the bone. Finely tuned designer salons represent both couture powerhouses and downtown darlings. The fifth floor is an open space filled with fashions at more reasonable prices. The jewelry on the main floor and the unparalleled gift and tabletop floor are worth a browse alone. The store has two ladies'-shoe departments, one tops for one-stop designer shopping in the $300-and-up range, and the less-expensive fifth-floor salon. On the 7th floor is BG Restaurant, overlooking Central Park, where (for prices similar to the rest of the store) you can enjoy a full menu, including afternoon tea, and cocktails. Just across the street is Bergdorf Goodman Man, a palace of men's fine fashion.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's New York City 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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