The easternmost side of New York holds a special place in my heart, as, living in the East Village, it was the area with which I grew the most familiar. This certainly does not mean that I have experienced all that the East Village and Lower East Side have to offer; in fact, I have only grown more aware of just how rich the city is, developing a thrilling sense of ignorant naïveté each time I stumble upon something new, such as a quaint café, a stunning townhouse, or an ancient familial deli, just to name a few. The more I realize how ignorant I am, the more deeply I fall in love with New York. It truly is a cultural treasure chest, possessing infinite gems–some of which have already been discovered, others patiently waiting. Below is a (incredibly brief) guide to LES, at least, the LES I have experienced thus far, as I hope there will be plenty more discoveries to come.
Dimes: a quaint, small, intimate, and healthyish restaurant. They also have a market and deli, which I have not frequented, but they seem just as lovely.
The Fat Radish: a veggie-forward, hip restaurant with a lively vibe.
Ice & Vice: an amazing little ice cream shop with inventive flavors (with seasonal specials) and cones (I had the koala chip– eucalyptus ice cream with black pepper and chocolate chips–on a blue corn cone).
The Ludlow: a chic, hip, and comfortable hotel with rustic and charming elements (think animal skin rugs, leather furniture, funky metallic light fixtures, and gold faucets).
Good Thanks: the cutest Aussie café with beautifully presented, delicious food and a friendly Australian staff.
As I said, this list is extremely brief. I hope to spend more time in the Lower East Side and continue to explore this brilliantly old, idiosyncratic neighborhood of the city.
La Beauté d'Être 