YES network broadcaster Sarah Kustok is the trailblazing female analyst for the Brooklyn Nets. But her high-flying gig means regular weekends off are never a slam dunk — especially during the basketball season. This weekend, she does have off — it’s the NBA All-Star break. When the 37-year-old Chicago native finds herself with an open calendar, she likes to explore New York City without an agenda. “I like the freedom of not having plans and seeing where the day takes me,” Kustok says. “To me, that’s the beauty of New York.” Here, the Battery Park City resident tells Kirsten Fleming how she decompresses in the Big Apple.
On the weekends, I like to catch up with friends and go running together. Sometimes, we’ll meet in Battery Park and run up to the George Washington Bridge. Or I will meet friends in Central Park, and we’ll run the park. It’s a good way to reconnect and stay balanced. If I’m running by myself, I like to listen to NBA podcasts like Zach Lowe’s “The Lowe Post” or the “Woj Pod” from Adrian Wojnarowski.
Afterward, I like to go to Y7 yoga, which is hip-hop yoga.
I’m really into green juices, and there’s a place in Soho called Sanctuary T. They have different teas and juices, and I really like the charcoal-activated teas.
I can be really healthy at times, but my habits go across the board. I also love the banana pudding at Magnolia.
For brunch, my friends and I meet at Baker & Co. on Bleecker Street. They have great eggs Benedict and really good bacon. I love their homemade pastas, too.
I really love Mexican food, and La Esquina is one of my favorites. The grilled corn and carnitas tacos are a must.
On Sunday, I go to SoulCycle. My favorite instructor is Jaydus, and I follow him around, because I love the music he plays. Sometimes, I will wander around to catch local hoops. Basketball City [on South Street] sometimes has really good tournaments with some of the most talented kids in the country.
If it is truly an ideal weekend, I love nothing more than going to a friend’s house, opening up some wine and hanging on a rooftop. When you are off, the last thing you want is to have a television on.
But for a low-key Sunday, I also like the Hideaway in Tribeca. It’s really quiet and best to go on the early side. They have my favorite burger, really great crab cakes and fish tacos.