Vegan Restaurants, Central Park Shopping, and More: Lisette Oropesa’s New York City Guide
Soprano Lisette Oropesa. Photo credit: Dario Acosta
Lisette Oropesa is a celebrated Cuban-American soprano taking the opera stage by storm. Graduating from Louisiana State University, the singer began her career at the Metropolitan Opera at the young age of 22. Since then, Oropesa has sung at the Met in over 100 performances. She has appeared in other famous concert halls and stages as well, performing some of opera’s most iconic roles.
Oropesa will be starring in La Traviata at the Met this year. The show opened on February 26 and will be continuing until March 19. Starring as the lead role of Violetta Valery, her performance will certainly be one to remember. We were able to catch up with Oropesa and learn some of her favorite places to eat, drink, shop and relax in The Big Apple!
FOOD & DRINK
As a vegan, one of Oropesa’s favorite vegan restaurants in New York City is Champs Diner in Brooklyn, famous for their baked goods and comfort-food breakfast options. She also enjoys meeting her friends for lunch at Le Pain Quotidien near Lincoln Center. Their great service and excellent vegan options keep her and her friends coming back for more!
As an avid coffee drinker, Oropesa can’t omit Stumptown Coffee Roasters located at the Columbus Circle. She admires the underground cafe not only for the amazing coffee, but of course, their vegan options as well.
Oporesa shares one of her guilty pleasures in the summertime: having a drink at the Pier Restaurant along the Hudson. What better season for a refreshing beer and beautiful view than the summertime. Speaking of views, she also shares her go-to place to stay for her shorter visits to the city, which is the Park Lane.
With great views, reasonable rates, and its close proximity to Central Park, why wouldn’t it be her hotel of choice?
WINDOW SHOPPING — AND MORE
Her favorite places to shop and explore happen to be along Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, heading north from Lincoln Center. “There are lots of lovely shops to visit, like Reiss, Intermix, Rag & Bone. I love to get tea and scones at Alice’s Teacup, too, and of course the great staple, Peacefood Cafe. So many fond memories of chickpea fries there!” Oporesa says.
Relaxation is key for not only musicians, but everyone, and especially in the city that never sleeps. Lisette Oporesa finds herself most relaxed when she is running. As a devoted runner and advocate for health and fitness, she will often run along the west edge of the city and adore
Riverside Park for its flowers and foliage.
“Central Park is divine any time of year though!” she says. Plus, after a stroll in Central Park, you can always drop by The Met and see Oropesa in La Traviata through March 19.
