From GNO to Date Night...
I've got you covered. Everything you need for a perfect Friday night with the girls and a romantic Saturday evening.
Welcome back to guest check! This week, I’m sharing my ideal NYC weekend lineup — from a Friday GNO to a Saturday date night. Whether you’re looking for the perfect spot to sip cocktails and dance or a cozy restaurant for a more intimate vibe, I’ve got you ladies covered. As always, grab your coffee (or martini), and let’s get into it.
Girls Night Out
If you’re looking for a chic new spot for cocktails, Le Bar Penelope on the Upper East Side is the place to be. It’s the newest addition from The Avra Group and I loved everything about it. This European-inspired cocktail lounge exudes effortless elegance with its moody lighting, velvet drapes and hand painted murals. It’s the perfect place to kick off a GNO, sip on something strong 👀, and indulge in a little people-watching (my favorite activity) before heading to the next spot. It’s also ideal for a long dinner — which is exactly what we did (literally showed up at opening and didn’t leave until 11PM).
Here’s what we ordered and I definitely recommend you do the same:
Cocktail: Espresso Martini (I completely missed the names of the other drinks ðŸ˜)
Appetizer: Shishito Peppers and Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Main: Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass and Asian Style Filet
They also bring out a complimentary snack trio and salad to start, which I loved. Plus, they host piano nights during the week and have a live DJ set on weekends. I’m already thinking about when I’m going back next. One last thing! Make sure to snag a reservation on Resy because tables seem to book up fast.
Date Night for Two
On Saturday night, my boyfriend planned the perfect date night (points for Henry). You guys know there’s no gatekeeping over here, so let’s recap!
We started at Urban Illusions, a super intimate and interactive magic show that felt like a hidden gem. There were only 20 guests at the show, so everyone got to participate, which, in my opinion, makes it that much more fun. The show started at 7PM, setting the vibe for the rest of the night. I’m still blown away by the magic tricks the magician pulled on us — it was actually mind blowing. I don’t want to reveal anything here in case you guys go. And PSA: it’s BYOB!
At 8:30PM, we headed next door to Mokyo. If you haven’t been, it’s a cozy East Village spot with the best Asian fusion small plates — perfect for sharing. Their corn dumplings are to die for. We first visited a few years ago and haven’t stopped thinking about them since, and luckily, they’re just as good as we remembered. 10/10 planning on his part.
Here’s what we ordered:
Sake: Sesshu Otokoyama
Small Plates: Corn Dumpling, Yellowtail Crudo, Noodle, Gumbo and Steak
mokyo
The Best Events Happening This Week (& Next)
(3/24-4/6)
At the end of each newsletter, I’ll share a curated list of the best events happening in New York City that I think you’ll love. If you check any of them out, let me know!
I also have my March event newsletter to reference all month long 💌
That’s all for this week! Thank you for being here — it truly means the world to me. Let me know your thoughts and what you’d love to see in future newsletters.
xo,
Laila
Instagram: @laila_elnaggar
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