i’ve been to 23 of the NYT's top 100 NYC restaurants. here’s how i'd rank them:
also: round swamp farm’s chicken salad is overrated, my new holy grail hair product, and the lobster cobb salad I’ll be making all summer
Good morning! We made it through the heat wave. I didn’t go into the city this week, but if I had, I just know my Salt & Stone wouldn’t have stood a chance (iykyk).
I’m throwing my first dinner party of the summer next week. Theme: Americana Aperitivo. More on that in a future newsletter. A few fun brands are involved (stay tuned), and if you work for a brand or know someone who wants to do a Hamptons dinner party this summer… you know where to find me!
And yes, this week I ranked the 23 restaurants I’ve been to from the New York Times Top 100. Bear with me. It’s part personal taste audit, part public service. Plus: what’s actually worth grabbing from THE Round Swamp Farm, and what I’ve been cooking, wearing, & scrolling on the internet!
If you’re new here — welcome. If you’re not subscribed yet, now’s a great time to fix that.
CURRENTLY:
Cooking: Made the best fish tacos yesterday and forgot how easy and satisfying they are — healthy-ish, quick, and impressive. Also made Ina Garten’s lobster cobb salad over the weekend and added grilled corn, which felt correct
In my cart: This perfect white tank by Guizio ($38) that’s all over my feed. Also: a black bikini with a flower I’m scared to tan in ($179), a safer-but-still-chic version (top + bottom $48), and these striped Anine Bing pants ($280) that scream Sag Harbor art dealer
Wearing: The lacy buttery white skirt ($285) I mentioned I bought last week got sooo many compliments this weekend. Also my summery J.Crew pearl necklaces — I have the thick one ($98) and the thin one ($70) and honestly wear both very consistently (sometimes together!)
Recommending: The Oribe treatment serum ($32) officially replaced my WOW spray. I use it post-shower before blow drying and it smooths, protects, and makes my hair deliciously soft
Watching: Deep deep deep in Love Island (USA) and honestly haven’t touched another show in weeks, it seems that I’m not alone
Scrolling (Online): The bit about the Sagaponack General Store merch being the new Amber Waves Farm in
made me laugh out loud (for the 300 people who’ll get it).Also, everyone’s getting engaged with a pear-shaped diamond, the Baddie Performance Index is real, and Cosmo just interviewed the friend running a Love Island contestant’s Instagram. Culture is peaking
Market Pulse: Influencer marketing is peaking. Brands are cutting spend everywhere else but keeping (and even growing) creator budgets
Discussing: You can learn a lot about someone by where they love to eat or what they absolutely drag. And honestly, I don’t know what’s more off-putting: someone who trashes your go-to spots or proudly loves the places you avoid…
NYT TOP 100 23 (ACCORDING TO ME)
You’d think I’m trolling the New York Times at this point. Every year, they drop a list of their 100 best restaurants in NYC. Below are the ones I’ve actually been to — ranked, obviously, by my Beli scores (a.k.a. gut instinct with a numerical value).
Important caveat: my ratings factor in food, vibe, and the overall experience — which means some of these might’ve caught me in a great mood… or a bad one. Let me know if you think I need to give any of them another shot (or if I massively overhyped your least favorite). Let the food fight begin!
23. Raf’s (7.0): One of the few places I went to too early on in their lifespan. The bread and crudo were great, and the space is stunning — but our meat was so overcooked the bartender noticed, whisked it away, comped it, and sent dessert. I want to love it. I’m still mad I don’t.
22. Jeju Noodle Bar (7.2): One dish (the toro ssam bap) was amazing. The rest was a little forgettable. Maybe I didn’t order correctly? I want to give it another shot but haven’t felt the urgency.
21. Semma (7.3): The dosa was incredible. Everything we ate was objectively great. But I went too early during peak COVID-spacing and dining rules and it kind of killed the vibe. Need to go back for a fair shot.
20. Frenchette (7.9): The duck frites were good, the bakery is lovely, but overall… I don’t fully get the hype. My boyfriend loves it, so I’ll probably return and re-evaluate.
19. Court Street Grocers (8.3): This is a nostalgia rating. Used to get the B&B in college and it still hits. Everything’s great — the turkey, the reuben, the droopy.
18. Eyval (8.6): Really, really delicious — the rice, the meats, all top-tier. But I didn’t love the desserts, and the energy in the space felt off. Like I’d recommend it, but I’m not rushing back.
17. Gramercy Tavern (8.9): A classic. The service is impeccable, and everything is good — just a little too “grown up” for my usual taste.
16. Raku (9.0): One of my comfort cravings. The udon saved me when I was sick recently, and eating here in winter feels like a wellness practice. Steamy, salty, exactly what you want.
15. Casa Mono (9.0): Cozy, intimate, and so consistent. High-quality everything, with a great wine list. The scallops and bone marrow are especially memorable.
14. Jungsik (9.1): Went a while ago, but I still remember the space being stunning and the octopus being one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Plus I remember getting a fresh hand towel, so that’s at least .3 points.
13. Le Coucou (9.1): Not my typical preferred ~dining style, but every bite was perfect. Beautiful dining room, great service. The lobster was especially good.
12. Thai Diner (9.2): It tries hard, but it pulls it off. The egg sandwich, crab fried rice, khao soi, pad thai — they hit every time. The branding, the food, the chaos — it all works.
11. Penny (9.3): The tuna carpaccio. The ice box. The ice cream sandwich on actual bread. I crave this place. It’s light and summery and feels unlike anything else. Also, the space is beautiful.
10. Lilia (9.4): Still got it. Sat outside on a warm night and it was magic. The clams, the pasta, the focaccia — everything tasted alive.
9. Daniel (9.5): Went for my mom’s birthday and was honestly shocked by how much I liked it. I usually hate the whole fine dining performance, but the food was incredible and the bread basket rocked. I’d go back.
8. Chez Ma Tante (9.7): I’ve only done brunch here but it’s one of the best in the city. The pancakes, the pig’s head terrine… it’s all so thoughtful without being try-hard. It’s brunch for people who don’t like brunch.
7. Claud (9.8): The chocolate cake is unbelievable. Everything is rich and bold — the pork chop, the cannelini beans, the wines. You leave full, happy, and slightly regretful in the best way.
6. Golden Diner (9.8): Every single thing on the menu is a hit. The egg sandwich, the chicken katsu club, the pancakes. The hardest part is getting a table, but it’s worth it. Just go early.
5. S&P (9.8): If NYC shut down again, this is what I’d miss most. The tuna melt, the Diet Cherry soda in a plastic cup, the pancakes, the egg sandwich… and the vibe! A little deli temple.
4. Le Veau d’Or (9.9): Probably one of the most interesting, charming places I’ve been in the city this year. It’s pre-fixe, romantic, old-school, and full of character.
3. Cervo’s (9.9): I love this place. The clams, the shrimp heads, the tomato salads, even the chicken (and I hate chicken at restaurants). One of the most consistently exciting menus in the city. Dessert’s mid, but I don’t care.
2. Four Horsemen (9.9): My boyfriend took me here on one of our first dates and it was everything. Simple, salty, bright, perfect. The kind of restaurant that makes you feel smarter for choosing it.
1. Via Carota (10.0): My forever favorite. I will never not love it. The insalata verde, every pasta, the tiramisu, the berries with cream. It’s consistently excellent and works for literally any occasion. Call it basic — I don’t care.
Still (high) on my list: King, Ha’s Snack Bar, Café Mado, Carnitas Ramirez, Cho Dang Gol, Cocina Consuelo, Don Peppe, Ho Foods, Houseman, Keens, Kisa, Sailor, Shaw-Nae’s House, Shukette, Torrisi, and Una Pizza.
OTHER THINGS:
Shower thought: Matcha tastes like green chocolate milk? In a good way?
NYC things: I haven’t been in the city for over a week, but if I were there in the brutal heat (and I’ve thought about this more than once), I’d beeline to Quique Crudo, Enrique Olvera’s raw bar. Orrrrrr I’d head to Penny for a seafood platter on ice and a martini that fixes your posture
Ate this week: Le Bilboquet Sag Harbor (that Cajun chicken… also a NYC classic). And a whole lot of Round Swamp Farm. If you ever go, my recs: the picnic chicken, any sandwich, the fish or shrimp tacos, and the quinoa corn balls. The chicken salad is overrated and I will not be taking questions at this time (invisible ink)
Small joy, big impact: Air motherf*cking conditioning.
Lastly,
And don’t forget to like, comment, repost, subscribe, and share with your friends. It all makes me smile. And I don’t do that often.