I think the equivalent of touching grass in the New York restaurant scene should be paying a visit to Hart’s. It makes you feel like you can leave your phone and all your worries at the door, as it demands your undivided attention from the moment you step inside. It reminds you how magnetic really good food can be, as it draws your focus both to the terrific dishes in front of you and to the people you’re sharing it with. It has you wondering why you dine anywhere else, as you ponder how something so seemingly simple can also be so exhilarating. It’s as good for the spirits as it is for the belly. I <3 Hart’s.
After a couple weeks of feeling relatively uninspired, it felt like a jolt of energy dining there. It reminded me just how wildly lucky I am to live in a city where a place like that exists. The same city, might I add, where you can also go on a bar crawl to try drinks from countries all around the world, all within walking distance of each other. More on that below.
Dispatches from the Corner Booth
Tales from a week of dining.
A catch-up with a friend over seasonal summer delights in Bed-Stuy.


Small and unfussy, yet etched with a vibrancy and a swagger, Hart’s is churning out food nearly ten years into its existence that is unequivocally, undeniably phenomenal. I remember first reading about its commanding qualities back in 2017 in BA, and I’ve been curious about tasting that mystical, magical clam toast ever since. Many years later, I finally went inside its tiny walls this week, to catch up with a friend on a warm summer night.
I chomped on corn dripping in herby butter and snacked on delicately fried green beans dusted in fluffy parmesan. I slurped up those infamous clams sitting on top of thick sourdough slices, soaked in a garlicky wine sauce. I savored spoonfuls of porgy covered in juicy sungold tomatoes.
The whole place felt like one giant corner booth, where everyone can tuck themselves into a tiny table, lose track of time and surrender all of life’s concerns. I spotted the founder of Tables of Contents (hi Evan!) in the corner as he was leaving, holding a big bouquet of flowers for/from his partner. Cheers to whatever you were celebrating, sir. I’d celebrate just about anything here, too.
A bar crawl around the world in New York City.




The people on the internet really loved our bar crawl around the world last weekend. To clear up some concerns left in the comments, confirming we were snacking along the way at each stop and confirming mixing that many different types of drinks makes you feel pretty weird. But hey, we had fun doing it.
Check out a full extended itinerary below, including the six ones we went to plus five more ideas from yours truly of ones we didn’t make it to. To note, we were a big group, so we optimized toward bars that could fit 8-10 people as a walk-in on a Saturday afternoon (challenging!). Let me know if you attempt it.
Canada: Bloody caesar at The Canuck
Germany: Steins at The Standard Biergarten
Ireland: Guinness pints at The Four Faced Liar
Mexico: Margaritas and nachos at Ofrenda
Italy: Frozen limoncello cocktails at Bar Primi
Australia: Bondi Lagers at Old Mates Pub
China: Year of the Snake cocktails at Chinese Tuxedo
France: Red wine and roasted camembert at Les Enfants de Bohème
Spain: Sangria and potato chips with sliced Iberico at Ernesto’s
Japan: Sake at Accidental Bar
Korea: Soju at Hidden Tiger
An exceptional Peruvian feast with ceviches and pisco sours in Park Slope.


We had been eyeing the empty space at 447 Bergen St. for a bit now, waiting to see who would fill its charming shoes. Meet Inkaico, a new Peruvian restaurant from Chef Miguel Aguilar that delivers easygoing neighborhood vibes but swiftly surprises with absolutely stellar food.
It might have been due to the effects of a very strong Pisco Negroni, but I was proclaiming throughout the entire meal that this was some of the best, brightest, boldest bites I’ve had in a bit. The ceviche section of the menu alone is quite the standout. We tried the zippy choros a la chalaca with mussels and the refreshing watermelon tuna ceviche, both sizable portions presented with fantastical flair. I will be back to try the other remaining six on the menu. We then dove into the Lomo Saltado (hanger steak) and Arroz con Mariscos (paella-style seafood rice), quickly realizing we only needed one of those beefy boys to have a satisfying meal.
Mid-meal, I snapped a quick video of the bartender shaking up a cocktail. When I finished recording, he earnestly asked over the counter how he did. A very impressive job, indeed.
Bathroom Mirror Selfie
Design inspiration from restaurants.
It’s all about peak summer produce at Hart’s this time of year, which makes for peak shopping inspiration for this week’s bathroom mirror selfie. Everything rounded up here!
Their poster promoting their summer dinner events next week (you should go!) is reminiscent of the Herman Miller picnic posters, as Helen Rosner pointed out. I dare you to buy an original, but I won’t judge you if you buy a print from Etsy.
I felt like that corn kid eating their herby, buttery, delectable one. Do I need vintage corn salt and pepper shakers? Corn candles? Corn crochet kit? Probably.
Tomatoes on my whole porgy, tomatoes on my tank.
Peaches on my olive oil cake, peaches on my bag and in my hair.
Speaking of all this produce, this fruit bowl and this produce bag are too chic. Or these tiny produce bag keychains??
And I want this fruit necklace.
Above the corner booth hangs a terracotta planter. I like this one. Add some faux leaves to keep life easy.
Keap Candles strikes again. They were burning Timur Moon.
A delicate duo of flower illustrations (here and here) adorn the bathroom walls.
A framed Hart’s merch tote bag also hangs. You should probably get one.
Last but not least, don’t forget to shop the restaurant owners’ tinned fish company, Minnow!
Say hi and follow along in real-time on Instagram!
I must try Hart’s!!