The lamest trend in casual dining right now is being too into getting "the best" of something. I was visiting a friend in Red Hook and wanted to grab a sandwich from the place I like on the way home. Line down the block, but whatever I got on and waited a while. The people in front of me traveled from the UES for a sandwich. Now this place makes good sandwiches, but nowhere in NYC is "take the train over an hour" good. I truly cannot fathom going so far and waiting in a huge line solely to get a sandwich/croissant/cardamon bun/etc. What happened to finding a good spot in your neighborhood and telling your friends "I gotta guy who makes a great XYZ"
High quality restaurant banter — I’d read a monthly roundup in this format. Besides Snail, which nyc restaurants do you feel are propped up by their burger the most? Red Hook Tavern comes to mind for me. Swoony’s too.
I love RHT but they have one of my biggest restaurant peeves - insane reservation policies with an (allegedly) "relaxed atmosphere." If you're known for your burger, I shouldn't have to make a reservation days ahead to sit at the bar and enjoy it!
MTK Bake Shop jelly donuts - when fresh (early in day) vs later in day if they still have some - are 🐐 level, that's a great pull. Agree on Orwashers. Classic jellys.
Yesss re early in day. Though I will say a slightly stale one at the end of the day is still better than others I’ve tried. And currently drinking coffee out of their diner style coffee mug. I don’t work there but I would
So many good nuggets in here my head is now spinning and I have a gazillion open tabs. I lol-ed at Adren’s “there will be leeks” comment about wine bars as restaurants, and admit to loving these mostly because they remind me of my favorite spots in Paris, only in Paris we’d pay like €35 for the whole shebang — including an entire bottle and a bowl of ganache topped with EVO and sea salt for dessert. Still, love ya long time NYC.
loved today's guest column. big fan of the infatuation - always reference their recs before a big reservation.
Q for Paul - thoughts on the Beli App and if there is any sort of integration or partnership synergy with The Infatuation? (e.g. infatuation's score appears on the app / curated lists, etc.)?
Big fan of both products and think a collab or integration could be beneficial to both!
Read ‘em and weep? Needham and weep! This really was a fun one. More, please, and Mazel on your nuptials! Sincerely, a lesser colleague of P+A’s who was (lamentably) not paid for this endorsement <3
For sure this is commentary on the human condition. I remember when Shake Shack was only in its original location in Madison Square Park and the line would wind all the way through the park. People grabbed squatters off taskrabbit (pre-Line Dudes) and I assure you it was the exact same burger it is today yet because there are no photos of the line on your social media feed no one waxes poetic about their conquest.
Do you also remember the Shake Cam (?), which was a live video feed of the line? When I was an editor at Gotham mag (🙏🏼), which had its office near Madison Sq Park, we would send an intern to get lunch when the line was low.
Yes, Danny Meyer a true visionary in so many ways! ...and I am no NYC food/restaurant anthropologist but I do think that was one of the earliest precursors to the current mania that has now become such a meme that even SNL had to weigh in.
The lamest trend in casual dining right now is being too into getting "the best" of something. I was visiting a friend in Red Hook and wanted to grab a sandwich from the place I like on the way home. Line down the block, but whatever I got on and waited a while. The people in front of me traveled from the UES for a sandwich. Now this place makes good sandwiches, but nowhere in NYC is "take the train over an hour" good. I truly cannot fathom going so far and waiting in a huge line solely to get a sandwich/croissant/cardamon bun/etc. What happened to finding a good spot in your neighborhood and telling your friends "I gotta guy who makes a great XYZ"
++1 , people are too zoned in on google reviews to see what’s around them
Exactlyyy like log off TikTok and go experience the world bb!
High quality restaurant banter — I’d read a monthly roundup in this format. Besides Snail, which nyc restaurants do you feel are propped up by their burger the most? Red Hook Tavern comes to mind for me. Swoony’s too.
I love RHT but they have one of my biggest restaurant peeves - insane reservation policies with an (allegedly) "relaxed atmosphere." If you're known for your burger, I shouldn't have to make a reservation days ahead to sit at the bar and enjoy it!
my move there is almost always rainy night walk-in
Agree! Love the existing restaurant reviews but a brief roundup of happenings, with some warranted snark, would be nice
You guys are BOSSY (I hear you)
God I love food. I live in LA & still hung on every word. In Infatuation We Trust. Perfect Guest Host while Emily is gone.
😭😭😭😭😭
I still think Orwashers UES has best jelly donuts (actually second only to Montauk Bake Shoppe’s jelly crullers)
Fuckkkkk I need one + all their coffee creamer right now
Yes! That image brings me right on-site
MTK Bake Shop jelly donuts - when fresh (early in day) vs later in day if they still have some - are 🐐 level, that's a great pull. Agree on Orwashers. Classic jellys.
Yesss re early in day. Though I will say a slightly stale one at the end of the day is still better than others I’ve tried. And currently drinking coffee out of their diner style coffee mug. I don’t work there but I would
Great job, also send me a message, on IG or email or something, let's get dinner, I can't find your contact anywhere, thank u
Jason you came to our dinner in LOS ANGELES A YEAR AGO, you have Paul's email
So many good nuggets in here my head is now spinning and I have a gazillion open tabs. I lol-ed at Adren’s “there will be leeks” comment about wine bars as restaurants, and admit to loving these mostly because they remind me of my favorite spots in Paris, only in Paris we’d pay like €35 for the whole shebang — including an entire bottle and a bowl of ganache topped with EVO and sea salt for dessert. Still, love ya long time NYC.
loved today's guest column. big fan of the infatuation - always reference their recs before a big reservation.
Q for Paul - thoughts on the Beli App and if there is any sort of integration or partnership synergy with The Infatuation? (e.g. infatuation's score appears on the app / curated lists, etc.)?
Big fan of both products and think a collab or integration could be beneficial to both!
Great takes! Kevin Bacon posted about eating at Barney Greengrass IIRC, to underscore your point
This led me to the Minetta Tavern piece by Sonal Shal. God, that’s beautiful writing. https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/minetta-tavern?ifsb=yes
But wait so….drop the Harry’s berries intel
Corner Store now has three dessert options 🍓
New York has a Korea Town
It sure does!
Loved this. Would read on the reg.
Read ‘em and weep? Needham and weep! This really was a fun one. More, please, and Mazel on your nuptials! Sincerely, a lesser colleague of P+A’s who was (lamentably) not paid for this endorsement <3
❤️❤️❤️
The concept of Line Dudes is truly fascinating to me!! I wonder if I can franchise a midwest outlet.
For sure this is commentary on the human condition. I remember when Shake Shack was only in its original location in Madison Square Park and the line would wind all the way through the park. People grabbed squatters off taskrabbit (pre-Line Dudes) and I assure you it was the exact same burger it is today yet because there are no photos of the line on your social media feed no one waxes poetic about their conquest.
Do you also remember the Shake Cam (?), which was a live video feed of the line? When I was an editor at Gotham mag (🙏🏼), which had its office near Madison Sq Park, we would send an intern to get lunch when the line was low.
Yes, Danny Meyer a true visionary in so many ways! ...and I am no NYC food/restaurant anthropologist but I do think that was one of the earliest precursors to the current mania that has now become such a meme that even SNL had to weigh in.
Fine Water Summit... lol. Outside of Per Se and Masa and the like I didn't think there were places still pushing this type of bullshit.
Korean cuisine is too good to be a "trend" in my book. Def has staying power.