The Lo Down: 5/23/26
Big sighs & bigger wishlists...
Food & Drink
I’ve been MIA from the NYC scene lately - between surgery, Seoul and Paris, I haven’t exactly been boots on the ground here. But I’m excited to spend some more time in the city this summer because there’s a lot on my radar.
One new spot I have been to: the new West Village location of Le Dive. And it is, unfortunately, exactly the vibe (and absolute scene) I expected it to be. For context: I looked out my window at 2:42PM on Friday afternoon, and there was one lone man standing outside. By the time I looked back at 3:10PM, the place was completely mobbed with a line down the block.
I had hopes it would become an easy neighborhood spot for an impromptu glass of wine with friends, especially since the former (less ‘cool’) tenant at that location has more of that energy, but I’m not so sure that’s happening here. Le sigh.
I did make it back to Red Hook Tavern this week, only my second visit ever, and can confirm I still think it’s the best burger in NYC.
Shopping
It’s sale season - which completely snuck up on me this year.
I honestly haven’t been paying much attention to online shopping the past month or so. Between Seoul and Paris, I’ve been busy shopping in person, which reminded me how much more exciting fashion feels when you’re actually out in the world discovering things in person again. I even recently did a stroll down Orchard St, one of my favorite shopping streets in the city (more on that soon), and it genuinely snapped me out of my funk a bit.
I think I had gotten a little disconnected from fashion recently. It started to feel overly transactional - and that’s probably my fault for spending more time shopping online than in person. A good reminder to actually get out there again.
(A full review of everything I bought in Paris - à la my Seoul recap - coming next week).
That being said, this dreary weekend weather has pushed me back toward my web browser and all of my wishlists.
One thing I’ve gotten much better about over the years: not impulsively buying random sale items just because they’re marked down. My strategy now is that if something already exists in my wishlist, it’s fair game. If not, I try to leave it out of my cart.
So, here are 10 summer-ready pieces currently sitting in my cart, from my wishlists, that I’m very tempted to finally pull the trigger on (and all under $360):
Clockwise from top left:
SIR layered silk-chiffon halter top
Guest in Residence cashmere t-shirt
DESTREE embroidered cotton skirt
The Frankie Shop lace midi skirt
Culture
Broadway has been struggling lately and, while it’s upsetting, it’s honestly not surprising. Ticket prices have gotten completely out of hand. I wish culture felt accessible enough for a spontaneous night out in NYC, but the cost of putting on these products has become so enormous that it’s created this unsustainable cycle. If Death Becomes Her can’t make it, then what can? (That being said: run, don’t walk to see it before it closes June 28!!)
There are so many shows I want to see right now - Every Brilliant Thing, Maya Rudolph and Meg Stalter in Oh, Mary! - but when tickets are starting at $400-600+, it becomes difficult to justify.
So for my fellow theater lovers: a reminder that Broadway lotteries exist, and they are very much worth entering. Most are around $45/ticket, and I’ve won several over the past couple years (as have many friends), so it’s very attainable if you’re flexible.
I recently won the lottery for Dog Day Afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. I somehow have never seen the 1975 film it’s based on, so I’m queueing that up for this weekend.
Linking the two lotteries I’ve used below for your reference - good luck, and support the arts!!!
Current Obsession
Think I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I just discovered the Tint & Protect SPF serum from Ciele and it’s an absolute game changer.
Ironically, I bought a tinted SPF serum in Seoul fully convinced that any K-beauty product would become the holy grain to end all holy grails - and this completely blew it out of the water.
It’s lightweight, glowy, acne-safe, and has SPF 50+ protection, which is honestly all I want from a complexion product during the summertime. It’s replacing the SPF+foundation in my routine immediately.
On My Radar
Gosh, a new club/cocktail lounge in Chinatown, originally from Florence
Oyatte, a new fine dining spot from an alum of Atomix and The French Laundry
Tavern Next Door, a new cocktail bar from the Red Hook Tavern team right next door to the restaurant
Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses exhibition at Brooklyn Museum
Zoo Sindang, a new cocktail bar from Seoul with drinks based on different zodiac signs
Kidilum, a new Indian restaurant in Flatiron
Until next week -
xo
Lo
Le dive looks so fun!! 🤩 Also if you get the GIR cashmere top keep me posted if it’s worth the hype!!
THE burger of NYC 🍔 😋