The Lo Down: 8/28/25

You love to hate me...

Side note: Today’s letter is your standard dose of culture & recs, but the fall fashion edit is SO good it deserves its own spotlight - stay tuned for a separate letter dropping early next week.

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Culture

I love TikTok, and I love NYC. Last Thursday, I ended up at Sombr’s album release party/free concert, conveniently happening 285 feet away from where I was having dinner. I saw it posted that afternoon on TikTok that he was shutting down Canal Street for a surprise show celebrating his new album. It was a wonderfully weird gathering of people of all ages, people who came to see Sombr and people who just stumbled upon the show; grandmas hanging out of their windows, confused looks on their faces, and gen z girls dancing on their fire escapes. He performed 7 songs (there is only 10 on the album, so that’s pretty great for a free show!). Now that the album is out & I’ve listened to it end to end, it’s really enjoyable to me. He’s an emotional loverboy - pining after exes and people he never even dated - but he was born in 2005, so he’ll surely be alright. I said it a few weeks ago here, but after seeing him perform live, I absolutely think he’s one to watch and has a rising star.

Speaking of concerts…I finally saw Lady Gaga last night - and made it there spoiler-free! To be honest, I was left speechless (she didn’t play that song, tho). It was hands down the best live performance I’ve ever been to - from the sets, to the costumes, to the storytelling, and obviously the talent. There were SO many songs that shocked me: “Applause”, “You and I”, “Summerboy” “Million Reasons” and she did her outro to “Highway Unicorn” (first time since 2013!!!)…she maintains her status as the #1 pop diva in my book - there is truly nobody else doing it like her (I will fight you on that if you disagree). She is a singular talent and I can’t believe it had been FIFTEEN years since I’d seen her live. If anybody wants to take me to see her again when she’s back in NYC September 6 or 7…I am available.

I was instantly influenced by an Instagram ad last week for the new off broadway play, House of McQueen. McQueen was one of the first designers that made me passionate about fashion - he was a one of a kind creative being. I’ve read this biography on him, as well as this one on Isabella Blow, who plays a significant role in his career & in this play, so I was very familiar with his background and story. That being said, I’m not sure who exactly this play is for — I didn’t gain much from watching it, nor did my friend who was a bit less knowledgeable about Lee’s life prior to the play. It felt like a cliff notes version of his life, and never really got to the heart of his fashion & design - it just scratched the surface of his work and life. Luke Newton plays McQueen, and his performance is truly phenomenal and uncanny - undoubtedly the best part of the entire production. I guess maybe the play is more for fans of him/Bridgerton?

Food

Sunn’s: Good, but not life changing or worth bending over backwards to try and secure a res. A deceivingly heavy meal, everything was a flavor bomb that stuck to my tongue for the rest of the night. The order: banchan of the day; hwe (Korean-style raw fish, yuzu chogochujang, cherries); ssam (soy caramelized beef brisket, ssamjang + lettuce wraps); tteokbokki (baked nonna-style w/ tomato, gochujang, stracciatella — the best dish). And a complimentary mochi dessert (maybe complimentary to balance the scale of charging $25 for the banchan?)

The Snail: The patio, set back from the sidewalk, felt secluded and private, even borderline European. A truly lovely spot for a shaded, outdoor brunch that doesn’t feel like you’re sitting on a disgusting city sidewalk. The order: malted waffle with strawberries & whipped cream; chicken schnitzel caesar salad; crab cake benedict (good but overly rich, would skip this next time). I’d definitely like to return & try their dinner menu, especially considering I skipped *the* burger.

Cactus Wren: The vibe is simply off at this restaurant. The furniture was ugly and strange, and the crowd was an odd, mixed bag. The food, however, was quite good. The order: shrimp toast (good, but needed a little spice); langoustine beignets (surprisingly light); tomato tartine (divine); caviar service seven layer dip (a little too much going on - the chips & caviar are best enjoyed together, and then the dip & tortillas together separately); aged comte & honey pizza; and some of the very best desserts I’ve had in recent memory: a PB&J ice cream sandwich & cherry garcia baked alaska.

Papa San: Not a meal you necessarily need to go out of your way for, but a great option should you find yourself near Hudson Yards. The order: shrimp maki (skippable); cold rice noodles; chicken experience for 2 (a decent amount of food - crispy skins, yakitori, oyakodon, and a couple other small accompaniment dishes that I can’t quite remember); root vegetable, rice cake & mushroom robataya; lucama soft serve. Interesting and inventive cocktail program.

Current Obsession

The beaded chainmail lamps & tapestry works from Wretched Flowers, a Connecticut-based husband and wife design duo. Launched in 2024, their pieces are available by commission.

On My Radar

La Boca, Francis Mallmann’s restaurant at the new Faena New York, opens Monday

Birley Bakery, a new London import on the UES

The Ripple Room, a bi-level LES bar from the team behind Carousel

LenLen, a new Thai restaurant in Flatiron

Until next week -

xo

Lo