where to walk in when the people are gone

As we fly past Jan and into Feb, I am thinking about a phrase my mom likes to say — “the days are long but the years are short.” It’s something I’m bringing with me into this year, which is going to be a whiplash of celebration and excitement (10 wedding invites hanging on my fridge!!), but also allowing myself to embrace the slow tempos of the winter days & nights. Meals are cozier and heartier, dinners linger over spotty glasses of Pinot Noir. The simple, defiant act of going out with friends on a Friday feels deeper and more intentional, romantic even, because in the drudges of winter, leaving your apartment is a grand gesture.

January is the slowest month in the hospitality biz. Those of us playing the Resy game year-round know that this means it’s also the best time to snag a usually difficult-to-secure table. Walking into a restaurant this week is giving Beauty and the Beast-levels of be our guest servitude — little to no wait, corner booths for two, the occasional comped prosecco, and who knows what else?? It’s the best time of year to eat, while the “resolutioners” and “dry Jan-ers” are avoiding bar stools and bread baskets like the plague. We all have that white whale on our Beli lists, the reservation that’s always been just out of reach, and there’s no better time to try your luck.

Here are my picks for where to aim high, tip well, and walk in this Jan & Feb — the important part is that you ignore your December credit card statement. XOXO

Cesar salad from The Snail, which saves most of its seats for walk ins. The restaurant ducks just below street level, but doesn’t feel like the typical cavernous, subterranean haunt. Light wood paneling, warm beige tones, hanging plants against ecru walls welcome in a weary traveler who trudged through McCarren park to get there. Not that The Snail really looks that different from any other restaurant in Brooklyn, but it feels like a nice break from the heaviness of winter dining and wool coat racks. I loved the cirtusy scallop aguachile, crisp with hints of apple in the sauce; the heaping, snow-covered Cae Sal; and burger-lovers have assured me that this one is the real deal. Go for a 2-martini lunch (that is topped with a fussy, delicious gilda), or a “nice dinner™.”

Veal Antonio & heaping plates of penne alla vod from walk-in only, Italian classic Emilio’s Ballato. You’ve probably heard of this place if you’re a fan of Taylor Swift or Joe Jonas or even Boston Rob, but Emilio’s is more than just a celeb hotspot, okay!! Red sauce joints like this one exist in an interesting plane somewhere between ridiculous fantasy mob movie and a relic of an actual NYC past, where all patrons & staff are friends from neighboring villages in Southern Italy. Even if it’s your first time there, it feels like a home, maybe not yours, but someone’s, and you’re welcome as if you are blood. The food is decadent, made for unapologetic, sloppy winter eating. Get there at 5pm, stay as long as you possibly can, and ask your server what’s on the “secret menu” — aka their signature Veal Antonio, aka veal parm with vodka sawuz, aka the real reason the lines are hours long down Houston Street.

Ramen from Tonchin, my personal fave ramen in the city and a lowkey coveted reservation to score in the winter. As soon as the temperature drops below 40, my body literally craves their miso ginger vegan ramen — a rare veg broth that packs in rich, shiny umami flavor in every slurp. Meat-eating friends love the tonkotsu pork and spicy tan tan ramens, but we can all agree the shishito pepps and kinoko (mushroom) buns are perfect apps. Inside the restaurant is chic and clean, with a long dark bar and plenty of seating at the back tables and little booths. End the night with some kakigori (aka a creamy shaved ice) for a cool down.

Surprise surprise… a martini from a sexy hotel bar. I love the hidden library feel of Portrait Bar located at the Fifth Ave Hotel, which has all the trappings of a perfect winter spot. Cozy, dark wood paneling, oil paintings and old photographs of weathered, distinguished faces line every wall. It’s giving a little elegance, an air of posh, a dash of sultry, a hint of Colonel Mustard in the library with a candlestick. I swoon over places like this for a yap session with your closest confidants, martini in hand, munching on their popcorn & french onion dip.

A Beaujolais from Stars, the newest addition to the ultra-cool portfolio by Chase Sinzer and Joshua Pinsky (of Claud and Penny fame). Now, I haven’t gotten into the 12-seat, walk-in only wine bar just yet — but it’s on the top of my hit list, and I trust anything this duo has to offer. Stars has an elite list of “88 bottles under $88” worth exploring time & time again, making it a destination for anyone who isn’t tired of the wine-bar-with-small-plates concept.

Espresso ‘tinis from Jac’s on Bond, another moody subterranean destination made for the Nolita Dirtbags and those who surround them. The staff here is kind and quick, the cocktail menu is interesting and not overly experimental, the bar space is fairly roomy for a sceney Manhattan spot, and there’s a pool table in the back if you dare to go flirt with the men who frequent it. I came to Jac’s via my day job for an industry Mr. Black coffee liqueur tasting/class, and now I can’t step foot in here without ordering an espresso tini. At 6pm on a Saturday the bar was alive but comfortable — late night gets more cozy and vibey, so get there early to secure your perch.

Snowy szn is proving to be a constant clothing struggle — I’m eyeing this scarf-hat combo from Damson Madder, v chic Simona Rocha neckscarf, these water resistant-Uggs via DSW, fuzzy Jacquemus headband on sale?!, and stocking up on Nordstrom Rack sweaters <3 like this oversized turtleneck and this one with feathery trim sleeves!!!!!

As a jarred sauce hater, Monte’s has changed my life and has been saving me on weekday evenings when I don’t want to cook/make sauce homemade. insanely delicious.

yes I have a ShopMy now…so I get a small commission for certain linkz

NYC Tourism has the sales on things to do this winter — Broadway Week starts today, from Jan 20–Feb 12, meaning 2-for-1 tickets to some fab shows, and Must-See week has discounts for museum tickets, magic shows, classes, and beyond (I am snagging the Lotte Palace magic show tix obvi).

I’m excited to finally check out Wburg’s newest-hottest club, Mad Radio, this weekend (so if ur trying to stalk me that’s where I’ll be)

I need to try this Focaccia popup at Fort Greene Park!!!

This time of year is very much museum haven for me (indoor activities only, please!!!), like Robert Rauschenberg’s newest Pictures from the Real World at the Museum of the City of New York; or Tom Llyod’s exhibit at the Studio Museum in Harlem.

Visit Sicily NYC opens on the 24th in the East Village!!!! So many of our Italian faves are really Sicilian by nature — like cannoli, arancini, etc. Their team have a knack for storytelling and pulling people into their world. I loved that they shared the story of Saint Lucia (my confirmation saint name, iykyk) on IG and can’t wait to support their store.

Obviously The Traitors ****both US and UK, my obsession, my beloved. I’m heartbroken that the iconic Rob C is gone, too soon, from the castle but rooting for Natalie Anderson of Survivor fame to take the reigns!!!!!! If you don’t know her lore she’s epic and hot and so cool I die.

Lisa Rinna, as much as I love her, is on the way out unless she makes some serious changes to her game play - she’s way too much of a force/icon that to lay low is way out of character. I need her and Dorinda to be funneled Sauv Blanc and dirty martinis to get the party going. goodbye Michael Rapaport, freak show loser, but can Colton plz be next lol???

Obvi I’m all in on the offish Traitors pod with Bob the Drag Queen & Boston Rob, as well as Evan Ross Katz’ drop your buffs pod/substack, but Hunter Harris has an amazing free traitors chat if you watch, I highly rec subscribing!!!!

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Everything updated in the trusty whereisaleylongo GOOGLE MAP. happy walk in szn!!!