I was inspired by a recent newsletter from Jess Graves of The Love List about proper dinner attire in 2023. Dining out has been a most intriguing post-Covid topic of conversation. Elle wrote a particularly good article back in Feb, deeming restaurants the new runway.

While I appreciate the unique perspective of a specifically hellish moment in modern history (aka 2020-2023), I have to play devil’s advocate that to a person who lived in/loves NYC, restaurants have always been the most important thing. Like, the limit on their importance has never existed.

So, welcome, everyone else.

During my almost decade on the east coast and countless trips back since, I most closely cherished the quintessential New York City dinner date— downtown (below 14th Street), late (after 8 pm), long (2-3 hrs), boozy (no interpretation needed) and cash-only.

I lived in the city at a time when STK-Meatpacking was not a horrendous place to eat/be seen, Lil’ Frankie’s was still an until 4 am institution, you landed staunchly in one Chow camp— Mr. or Phillipe, Miss Lily’s was holding court on Houston, Flatbush was a direct extension of the Caribbean, there was a real diner in USQ adjacent to the iconic USQ Cafe, people actually ate at Beauty & Essex and La Esquina did not have outposts.

There are soooo many new Manhattan/BK/Queens restaurants, but the essence of 2008-2016 dining remains a treasure trove of fabulous memories for me. 

I wrote about this years and years ago, but my Top 5 Ride or Die NYC Restaurants in no particular order, except for Lil’ Frankie’s always being first.

1. Lil’ Frankie’s
2. Blue Ribbon Sushi (Sullivan Street only!)
3. Miss Lily’s
4. Da’Andrea
5. The Odeon

To show that I am indeed adaptable to a changing NYC and not one of those crotchety former New Yorkers*, I will play along with the rise of the Restaurant as Runway. 

What to wear when dining in the greatest city in the world!**

Warm weather— This minidress, these mules, this bag, this cheek.

Cool temps— This miniskirt, this cropped sweater, these boots, this lip (all 3 layered).

Ok, let’s eat! Xx.

*100% proud crotchety, former New Yorker

**two most perfect NYC dining itineraries — weeknight, especially— (1) pre-dinner cocktail at The Dutch, outside reservation at Blue Ribbon Sushi, unnecessary nightcap at The Nines (2) pre-dinner cocktail at Von, proper bar sit or pizza room res at Lil’ Frankie’s, return to Von to make requests of a “no requests” DJ