@grubstreet
Grub Street
13.5K
Postcards
1.4K
Cities
2
Lists
French restaurant · Chinatown
"Described as an ultrascene-y restaurant in Chinatown co-owned and cheffed by Sam Lawrence, this is the sort of place that can shut down the dining room for a glamorous, five-hour birthday lunch with tables lined down the center and 20 close friends, suggesting polished, celebratory cooking and a room that can feel both intimate and theatrical when used for long, wine-soaked meals and special occasions." - Alyssa Shelasky
Wine bar · Bedford-Stuyvesant
"Owned by Alex McCown in Bed-Stuy, this wine bar is part of the young, chic, natural-wine movement and the kind of place where the language around wine can be playful and disarming, with descriptions that run to “pennies,” “cherries,” and “disappointment” instead of the usual talk of limestone and tobacco, signaling a crowd that appreciates both good bottles and an irreverent, unstuffy way of talking about them." - Alyssa Shelasky
Bar · Williamsburg
"Used as a party venue for custom wine zines I printed with Marko Kovac, this spot functions in my mind as a flexible, nightlife-y space where the natural-wine crowd gathers, with enough room and energy to host events that blend drinking, conversation, and a bit of downtown creative chaos." - Alyssa Shelasky
Wine bar · Boerum Hill
"Tucked among Boerum Hill’s brownstones, this candle-lit wine bar feels cozy at first and then gradually turns noisy and bustling as the night goes on, transforming into a packed room hosting a mentalist’s magic show. Sitting in a corner booth with the wine director, Joseph Signa, I worked through bottles like Escargot, a Chardonnay–Sauvignon Blanc blend by Marie and Vincent Tricot, while playing a game called “What do bubbles sound like?” and talking about which bottles make the best dinner-party wines. As the crowd thickened and a random group squeezed in next to us for the show, the place took on a secret, almost theatrical dimension when Signa led us out through a hidden wine cellar and an escape hatch around the back, making the bar feel like a slightly surreal, insiders’ hangout embedded in the neighborhood. The combination of thoughtful natural-wine selections, intimate booth seating, and a late-night, scene-y energy makes it feel both like a low-key neighborhood spot and a destination for wine people and curious onlookers alike." - Alyssa Shelasky
Italian restaurant · Hayes Valley
"Dinner at this restaurant feels warmly European, with an all-wood interior, a fireplace in the colder months, and an outdoor garden in the summer, and the menu is short and focused, offering just a few salads, a few pastas, a little fish, and a great chicken. We shared salads of chicories, citrus, and shaved kohlrabi that were crisp, bright, and balanced, each ingredient allowed to speak for itself, then moved on to a few pastas and a whole roasted branzino. Since a trip to Greece, I’ve been gravitating toward Mediterranean flavors and seafood, and the flaky branzino here captures those elements beautifully, reinforcing my feeling that the place is very honest in how it cooks and presents food." - Ben Widdicombe, Ryan Inzana
Italian restaurant · West Village
"Brunch here feels like a proper date and carries a lot of emotional weight because we came often when we were first falling in love. Sitting in the West Village dining room together, unhurried over a simple house omelet with tender, simply prepared eggs, water, and a cappuccino, gives me the best feeling in the world. The place combines a quietly elegant atmosphere with straightforward, well-made food that lets the moment, rather than elaborate plates, take center stage." - Ben Widdicombe, Ryan Inzana
Vegetarian restaurant · East Village
"This Lower East Side spot is all plant based yet feels anything but austere, with a fun atmosphere underscored by rock and punk-rock music and food that is bold, delicious, and deeply satisfying. On a very cold night, we split a fried tofu burger and the collard-greens-and-melted-cheese sandwich, and it was impossible to choose which was better. We also shared pumpkin with chili oil, fried halloumi, and beets with goat cheese, and every dish hit hard in terms of flavor while still feeling playful and relaxed — exactly the kind of meal you want in that weather." - Ben Widdicombe, Ryan Inzana
Vegetarian restaurant · Gramercy
"Meeting my co-author here for a working lunch reminded me why this is one of my favorite lunch spots in the city. I’m drawn to their simple, well-prepared dishes that feel clean but still satisfying, and lately I’ve been especially into the endive and castelfranco radicchio salad. It’s crisp and slightly bitter, with just enough richness to tie everything together, making it the kind of food that leaves you energized rather than weighed down." - Ben Widdicombe, Ryan Inzana
Pizza restaurant · Little Italy
"This Mott Street slice shop, run by Eleven Madison Park alums Julian Geldmacher and Jake Serebnick, serves what I truly consider one of the greatest slices in the world. I don’t even order off the menu here — they just make something for me — and on this visit we took home two pies: one with mushrooms that was very simple but so delicious, and another classic with tomato and mozzarella that was thin, balanced, and deeply satisfying. The place channels serious craft into casual food, so a simple pizza night with my girls becomes something memorable." - Ben Widdicombe, Ryan Inzana
Dessert shop · Flatiron District
"Pastries from this spot feel like a real treat and are a staple in our house, especially the madeleines, which are so tender with lightly crisp edges. The chestnut brioche stands out as something I don’t indulge in all the time: a moist milk brioche filled with soft chestnut cream, finished with a delicate crumble and a whole chestnut confit on top. Rich but not heavy and gently sweet, it pairs perfectly with coffee for the adults and big mugs of hot chocolate for the girls, making breakfast feel festive without being over the top." - Ben Widdicombe, Ryan Inzana
