The Lo Down: 6/12/25
Deserts, desserts & damn good shoes...
Travel
The National Parks -and the Southwest in general- have been largely unexplored for me. But last weekend, I swapped city sidewalks for hiking trails and went on an outdoorsy adventure through Utah & Arizona (flying in and out of Vegas - because every trip needs balance). Here’s my personal ranking of parks/sites I visited in order of where I think you absolutely need to visit:
Antelope Canyon (lower; didn’t go to upper but heard that lower is better, and I can confirm it was magical)
Zion National Park (our guide, who I’d love to put on blast here but don’t think it’s worth my energy, said that we couldn’t do the Narrows because it was by permit only - I just fact checked on Zion’s website, and this is a lie. Fuck that guy.)
Horseshoe Bend (hot take, this is very skippable)
Food
Ingas Bar: I had the best chocolate cake of my life here - and that’s saying everything, since I hold chocolate cake to a higher standard than any other dessert. Ingas is a cozy, charming neighborhood tavern in Brooklyn Heights where the menu is constantly changing (and, fittingly, not even online). I took no photos because I was too busy enjoying: soft shell crab; mortadella with aged gouda, brown butter, and pistachio; tender lettuces salad; pork chop with grits and mole; a cheeseburger that’s one of the best I’ve had lately; side of zucchini with labneh; and for dessert, a strawberry shortcake and that rich-but-not-overly-sweet chocolate cake with a malted crème anglaise and Guinness (not sure where the Guinness came into play, but no complaints). The kind of place that feels effortlessly cool and casual - and where the ever-changing menu makes you want to keep coming back.
Bar Bianchi: The new Milanese-inspired aperitivo bar from the team behind Le Dive. Green accents, doors flung open to catch the breeze, clear nods to Bar Luce in Milan - though here it leans more Americanized (massive spritz goblets included). Loved the scene, even on a Tuesday night. The Sbagliato Pesca spritz went down very easily. The menu leans small and shareable: crispy mushrooms (umami yumminess), gigante & fava beans (light, fresh, herby), caprese (fine; the roasted tomatoes were the standout), paparadelle bolognese with homemade pasta (solid), and Rigatoni di Nash - vodka sauce, peas, sausage - very Rigatoni Pitti vibes, iykyk. For dessert: pitachio gelato from Caffè Panna and a fluffy chocolate budino that leaned more mousse. A great new summer spot I’m excited about.
Gjelina: This place very quietly reopened (so quietly that I don’t even know when) and I brunched here recently. Minus 5 points for not having Diet Coke (very LA of them). But otherwise: excellent, vegetable-forward meal. We shared burrata with peas & pistachio pesto (could’ve used more pesto, always). I had the crispy eggs with mixed mushrooms, snap peas, and ginger scallion oil - perfectly balanced and generously portioned. Took a bite of my friend’s breakfast sandwich (sausage, egg, tomato jam) and it was substantial and delicious. Was eyeing the table next to us eating the Lemon Buckwheat Ricotta Pancakes with crème fraiche and blueberry compote - ordering one of those for the table next time.
Mother Wolf, Las Vegas: A much better Italian option than Carbone (or “Garbone,” as a friend accidentally called it the other day. An appropriate Freudian slip). Gorgeous space inside the shiny new Fontainebleau hotel. The menu leans Roman classics - Gricia, Carbonara, etc. - and delivers.
Lotus of Siam, Las Vegas: If you need a break from the high-gloss energy of the Strip, go here - a few minutes off-Strip and wildly worth it. Widely considered one of the best Thai restaurants in the US, and I can confirm: it’s casual, lowkey, and the best Thai meal I’ve had anywhere in the States.
Fashion
Closed-toe flats for summer: surprisingly hard to get right. One of you asked for an edit, so I pulled 30 pairs under $300 that you can actually walk around in without looking like a tourist or feeling gross. Shop the edit here.
For more of what’s in my closet, what I’m currently obsessing over, shopping guides & more, check out my ShopMy. Looking for some personal style advice? Whether it’s for curating a flawless vacation wardrobe, hunting down the perfect shoes, or finding the best basics for your closet, I’m here to help—just reach out!
Current Obsession
To know me is to know that I love a quirky, slightly strange oversized graphic tee. I’m currently obsessing over this one from Khaite - feels off brand for Khaite, but on brand for me.
On My Radar
Dell’Anima is back in the neighborhood and just reopened, this time over on Cornelia Street
Lei, a new wine bar in Chinatown from a co-owner of King
Gazebo, Eddie Huang’s seasonal residency/pop up at The Flower Shop. He describes it as “a dance music inspired modern Chinese concept propelled by olive oil from my wife’s field in Greece.” Sounds eclectic - I’m intrigued.
Chez Nous, a new all day French brasserie in The Marlton Hotel
Until next week -
xo
Lo
Ingas Bar is in my top 5 favorite restaurants in NY! Love everything on the menu and incredibly cozy vibes.
I might take a chocolate review from you more seriously than a fashion review.