and eat and eat and eat
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
I just love food. Food is so awesome. And next week is the week of eating! If you’re like me and not going home for Turkey Day, you may be noodling on how else you’ll enjoy some good bites this coming week. While home-cooked meals and Friendsgivings are wonderful, I totally get wanting to go out and have someone else cook for you (actually what I’ll be doing this year for the first time ever). I’m not sure these spots will be open on Turkey Day, so do your research, but I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my favorite restaurants I’ve been hitting up in NYC as of late. If you’re not local, I’m sorry! Save these for your next visit please 😁 Please note: although I care about vibes, I care about quality food even more. So you can be sure all my recs go beyond a nice Instagram snap.
Foul Witch
Italian
This spot really surprised me. I usually am a no-go on Italian cuisine because I think a lot of the time it’s deeply uninteresting yet always expensive. But I went here for a date night and the atmosphere was calm but quirky and there were so many flavors I had never tasted before. They also have a really extensive wine list and a somm to make recommendations for pairings.
Don’t miss: The veal tortelli. Actually changed my body chemistry.
Ye’s Apothecary
Szechuan
I feel like I may have mentioned this before but I love this place. It’s definitely not somewhere you should go with more than three people (two is ideal) because their plates are small and so are their tables. But for two you can have a full meal and definitely leave full.
Don’t miss: Night market noodles and the HK milk punch drink
MisiPasta
Italian
I know what you’re gonna say—”but Clarice for someone who is against Italian, you sure have it a lot.” It’s just how it’s been lately, idk what to tell you! This spot is a bit different from their other restaurant, Misi, in that it’s more of a casual, aperitif spot. They have a market in front where I purchased fresh pasta, sauce, and meatballs for a cute dinner night at home.
Don’t miss: The best meatball I’ve ever had.
Llama Inn
Peruvian
They’ve been around for a while but I went back quite recently and their food is elite. Definitely not somewhere to go if you aren’t into ceviche / raw fish, though there is something for everyone if it’s not your vibe.
Don’t miss: Any dish with leche de tigre. I want to bathe in it.
Sami & Susu
Mediterranean
This tiny little spot shares a wall with Le French Diner. Their small menu makes for less decision-making (which I love).
Don’t miss: Everything was delicious but their Roman gnocchi was unconventional and different—for sure order.
Yoon Haeundae Galbi
Korean
Ya’ll know I recently got back from Korea and all I want is BBQ and fermented veggies. This is one of my favorite KBBQ spots in the city (adjacent to COTE but at a slightly better price point and definitely easier to get a rez). Nothing says “feast” to me like a good banchan spread so you best believe I’ll be coming back here this winter.
Don’t miss: I mean everything is good but be sure to get the perilla leaves to wrap your meat in.
Sofreh
Persian
I think this is some of the best Middle Eastern food I’ve had in the city. The vibe is open, airy, and minimalist, and the service was wonderful. Definitely on the pricier side but good for a date night or foodie friend night.
Don’t miss: You definitely come for the meat, which is unbelievable, but I personally thought the maitake mushroom starter was sublime. Drink-wise have a saffron vesper!
Wenwen
Taiwanese
I went here during opening week at opening time and was able to snag one of the five chickens they serve a day. But, I was back this past weekend and have to say the quality has not wavered—the food is well portioned for family-style dining and definitely authentic.
Don’t miss: The chicken if they have, the numbing celtuce salad, and the 886 noodle.
Bangkok Supper Club
Thai
They are still a very new restaurant (the sister restaurant of Fish Cheeks, also a team favorite) so a heads up that the service will likely be bad. If you go into it expecting that though, it’s less bad? They make up for it in the quality of food and drink.
Don’t miss: There wasn’t a single miss for the things we ordered but LOVED the Yum Khai Dao.
L’industrie Pizza
Pizza (in its own category from Italian)
I hate to report this, but Scarr’s, my always-has-been-favorite pizza in the city, has fallen in quality. I went last week and since they’ve blown up and opened a newer and larger space across from their old spot, the slice quality has declined ever so slightly. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still one of the best pizzas in New York, but I have to say L’industrie has dethroned them for me. They also just opened a new location in the West Village.
Don’t miss: Mike’s HH pie
Upcoming: Jazba
Indian
Another new spot that people have raved about, and I’m scheduled to try it out next week as part of my own Thanksgiving week food tour. Will circle back!
Something I Thought of in the Shower
Do Kiwis actually hate John Oliver or are they just sad they lost the bird of the century to a puking bird with a derpy mating ritual?
Something Pretty
Fall continues to fall in New York City 🥲
Something To Laugh About
Feeling like a fire sign this week (whatever that means—in this case, I mean ready to fight). Here are this week’s gems for you:
Tag yourself in this boys.
I’m tagging @Andrew in this.
I haven’t been able to stop rapping this all week around my house (perhaps this week’s true Shower Thought) but now that it’s radiator season it’s even more applicable.
This is what I think teeth were made for. How are we all the same?
Oh look, this is Klaus every morning.
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
By the way…I’m reading this.
It’s looking good, ya’ll. I’ve read a book every day this week—bringing me to 40 in my journey to hit 70 (HA) by the end of the year. Listen, delulu is the solulu I’ll see you on the other side of this reading goal.
My friend Ruby edited this week’s read, Wandering Souls. I! Can’t! Wait! To! Read! It!
That’s all for the next two weeks! I’m logging off for a Thanksgiving upstate in a most-likely haunted Victorian home, then eating at a farm that looks like the setting of “The Menu” so no Floor Time next week cause I’ll most likely be murdered?? I jest, but @friends, peep me on Find My just in case. Hope you all have a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
Til’ next time, turkey lurkey times. Your friend,
Clarice