Where To Go When You Don’t Want To Make A Big Deal About Your Birthday, But You Actually Kinda Do

"You had originally planned for an entire Saturday of “me time,” but after your at-home facial and a giant mug of tea, you’ve come to the realization that “me time” is incredibly boring. Course-correct your birthday by ordering way too much food and drink at Daebak, a Korean BBQ spot in Chinatown. It has a fun industrial atmosphere with K-pop music videos projected all over the walls, and it works for a wide range of group sizes. The attentive servers are very good about turning your meat over the gas grill, which is a relief, because birthdays are no time to DIY, and you’re pretty sure your friend is too drunk to work over the flames. Get plenty of refills on the excellent banchan and don’t leave without ordering a kimchi pancake—maybe put a candle in it." - adrian kane