#1: Recent Favorites
A biweekly a roundup of places I went and things I ate/drank/wore/saw/did that I can't help but recommend.
November is flying by, no?? Somehow, we’re two weeks in, which means it’s basically January, because the week after next is Thanksgiving, meaning it’s basically December already, and December always feels like it’s one week long because I never have enough time to do what I want/need to do before Christmas, which obviously melds into New Years. So, while it may only be November 14th, next thing you know, you’ll wake up to discover that it’s mid January and I, for one, will be broke, because the holidays are expensive and all my friends are Capricorns.
Anyway, here are a few of my favorite things from the past two weeks (which feel like the past two days).
Favorite things I ate.
I’ve been having a hard time with food recently. Usually, I have a few favorite dishes that I eat on rotation for some unspecified amount of time, until one day I take a bite and discover I suddenly hate whatever dish that I’ve been borderline obsessed with for ~2 months. I then swap it out for some new obsession…and the cycle repeats. My issue right now is that I have no favorite dishes, no go-to flavor profiles, no cravings. I feel like I’ve really been eating for fuel, which is kind of depressing.
My recent go-tos have been the pho and sautéed string beans at Pho Grand, the pork and chive dumplings from Super Taste (these are the best dumplings in the city and you get 10 for $4.75), and the Gochujang wings from Golden Diner. I guess I’m in an Asian food phase?
I was about to say that I don’t really dine out anymore, then thought about everywhere I’ve eaten over the last fourteen days and immediately realized I need to move away from NYC and get a reality check. Anyway, I think what I meant was that I haven’t been trying very many new restaurants.
That said, on Wednesday, I did end up trying something new, sort of by accident.
My boyfriend escorted me to an event uptown that went from 6-8pm. We arrived at 8:01, because I assumed it would go until 8:30/9:00, and were denied admission. Turns out, some events actually have hard outs??? This was news to me. The whole experience was quite humbling, and I now can’t help but recommend you arrive at an event before it ends.
Anyway, there we were, on 57th Street, dressed up and defeated. My boyfriend, the hero that he is, saved the night by suggesting we get dinner somewhere cute nearby. We ended up at Le Rock, and were happily surprised when we managed to snag a table in the bar area in under 15 minutes.
I don’t often find myself dining near Rockefeller Center, mostly because I rarely make it north of Houston, but also because the restaurants up there are weirdly corporate and mid.
Le Rock was surprisingly nice (surprising because I hate everywhere now and I liked it there, and might even try to go back for a full on dinner, since we did the bar area and light bites). The space itself is beautiful and the lighting is dark enough (why do restaurants always seem too bright these days??). The service was good (even in the bar), and the food/drinks were pretty yummy.
We split the leeks vinaigrette, the escargots bourguignons, and the sunchoke barigoule, which I thought were all good but not great. We also split the chicken liver mousse and rillettes de canard, which were served in little ramekins alongside toasted baguettes and were only $6 each—and were absolutely delicious! I could have just ordered two of each of those and been very happy.
My dirty martini was good and James had a nice glass of white wine. A friend of ours behind the bar sent us some bubbly—j’adore. If you ever are going to a show on Broadway or something, this would be the perfect place for a pre show dinner/drink.
Additional favorites from the past two weeks were two tried and true NYC institutions: Pastis and Il Buco.
I had a particularly wonderful time at Il Buco. The staff there are lovely and helpful and fun, the food is delightful and rich and homey, and the somm recommended the perfect tempranillo that was so good we got a second bottle.
Favorite things I drank.
It’s almost impossible to heed these wise words if you go to Anyway Cafe, which has an extensive menu of incredibly delicious martinis made from infused vodka. I myself enjoyed three borscht martinis there on Friday, and paid the price on Saturday. Still strongly recommend.
Other favorite beverages consumed recently include: Cafe Himalaya’s mango lassi, this natural red by No Es Pituko (their white is equally as good), and a vanilla milkshake from Five Guys (this may have only been good because I was hungover from the beet martinis…please advise).
Oh! Also, I was introduced to the best happy hour deal! Bad Luck Bar in Bed Stuy does an all night happy hour: $33 for 2 drinks and 12 oysters // $6 beer + a shot. The bar is cute (though small), crowd was attractive and chill, and they make a delightful dirty martini. Would be a great date spot.
Favorite things I wore.
I know it’s human nature to think that the things that our loved ones make/do are better than they really are, but I’m not being biased in my adoration of these fringe pants by Zachariah, an incredibly talented NYC designer with a fast growing brand (who happens to be a near and dear friend). These pants are gorgeous.
Essentially, they’re high waisted denim hot pants lined with a long fringe that create a “pant” leg. The cut on the shorts is perfect, going high up almost to the hip bone to ensure that maximum leg pokes through the fringe when you walk/strike a pose. They also cut higher up in the back, exposing the bottom part of your butt cheeks as the fringe swings to and fro with your walk. My boyfriend loves them.
My other favorite clothes-related thing this week was actually getting rid of a bunch of clothes I never wear by selling them to Buffalo Exchange. I made $128 in COLD HARD CASH. Would I have made about 5x as much had I sold them on Depop or IG? Probably. However, I needed to purge, and this was quick and easy.
In general, I think selling to thrift shops (I like Buffalo Exchange or Beacon’s Closet) is the best option when you have cheaper items, because the time and effort it takes to try to sell a shirt for $15 just isn’t worth it to me. If you have nicer designer/vintage pieces that you can sell for $50+, then it’s probably worth taking the time to list them on Depop/Poshmark or your IG story first, then trying consignment stores for higher end pieces or thrift shops for mid-level/vintage.
Favorite things I watched.
NYC theaters have historically been dirty, uncomfortable and overall unpleasant and thus, since you can now watch whatever you want a few weeks after it comes out in theaters in the comfort of your own home for a few bucks, they haven’t felt worth the $18 ticket plus approximately $350 for a large popcorn and a water.
That said, I saw Triangle of Sadness in theaters TWICE over the past two weeks, and the experience/movie actually inspired me to try to regularly see movies in theaters again. It’s such a superior viewing experience than watching something at home, where distractions abound and I always end up scrolling on my phone, no matter how good the movie is.
So, first of all, I recommend Triangle of Sadness. Second, I recommend seeing it (and other things) in theaters. It’s still expensive to go to the movies, but turns out that now most theaters are clean, surprisingly spacious, and decked out with those reclining seats. Plus, many theaters even have full food/drink service? Hot.
And, if you’re trying to save money, you don’t actually have to go wild at the concession stand.
Of course, I’m still putting in hours streaming shows at home. My boyfriend and I have been watching Friday Night Lights (he for the first time, me, the second) and neither of us can get over how good it is. The soundtrack, the color grading, the handheld, verité style filming… they just don’t make TV that looks this good any more.
We’re also watching season two White Lotus and, I’m gonna be honest, I’m feeling pretty disappointed by this season.
We watched episode 3 last night, right when it came out and it was a real letdown, imo. Every character did exactly what you’d expect them to do, and they’re all being deplorable in very boring ways. I just think, if you’re going to be an unlikeable character, be interesting, you know?
I loved season one so much, so maybe I’m feeling extra letdown because this season seems significantly less interesting/clever/entertaining. Regardless, I’m hoping the writers draw me back in next week, because I will finish this season, but wondering if anyone else is watching/feeling underwhelmed by season two? (Sorry, this one is less of a rec and more of a cry for validation or explanation).
Lastly, I rewatched Oliver! for the first time in probably a decade—it holds up and then some. A must-watch for anyone with a soul (unless you’re one of those people who despise musicals… weird). I was blown away by the production design and the sheer number of choreographed background characters in almost every scene. Amazing.
Favorite pasttimes.
I tend to go through hobby phases, where I do something every day or almost every day for like a few weeks, or months, then don’t do it again for many months or even years. Recently, I’ve started drawing again—which I haven’t done regularly since roughly 2018. I’m hoping to keep this hobby alive for awhile this time, though.
It’s been wonderfully soothing, and it’s also satisfying to sit down and make something in one short session. Being a “filmmaker” means that it takes years to finish/share anything, which can feel a lot like you aren’t making anything ever. It’s been nice to see some fruits of my creative labor.
I draw my lil creatures on watercolor paper in pencil, then color them with these markers and finish by outlining them with a roller ball pen (I like these).
What have you been loving (or hating) recently?
Put me on (or turn me off) in the comments!
any club reccs for disco/techno without the intensity of the basement/paragon/nowadays etc? like lola pre covid vibes