NYC is Defrosting
A look at my weekend in the city as the weather (finally) warms up.
Welcome back to guest check! Spring is officially here, and it actually feels like it (eeeek!). It’s truly the best time of year because the city feels so alive. I love the energy, I’m a sucker for outdoor seating and a good aperol spritz, and I can finally ditch the coat. NYC is defrosting, and I’m loving every minute of it.
This week, I’m sharing a few dining and activity favorites from this past weekend. Let’s just say the warmth definitely influenced my plans, so here’s everything I was up to. As always, grab your coffee (or martini), and let’s get into it.
It’s Spritz Season
I’m a basic b*tch, and I’m not ashamed of it. 80 degrees and sunny in the city? Naturally, I was at an outdoor bar with an Aperol spritz in hand... just like everyone else. Here’s a couple of spots I visited this weekend and my thoughts.
Bar Pisellino: The wait was about 20 minutes at 3PM on Friday. I ordered an Aperol Spritz with a few olives — simple but nice. The atmosphere was great, and people-watching on 7th Ave was prime. The location made it a bit chaotic, and the chairs weren’t the most comfortable. Glad I checked it out, but not in a rush to return (especially if the line’s any longer). TL;DR: Worth a visit if you haven’t been, but there are other spots with a similar vibe.
Hotel Delmano: I grabbed an Aperol Spritz here around 4PM on Saturday, and the vibe was just right. No wait and we walked straight up to an outdoor table. The energy in Williamsburg feels a bit more relaxed but still lively (I honestly prefer it over Bar Pisellino). TL;DR: Great spritz and people-watching. The perfect spot if you're looking for a warm-weather drink situation.
Weekend Brunch: The Residence of Mr. Moto
If you're into brunch and looking for something different, The Residence of Mr. Moto just launched their new Japanese brunch menu and it’s so good. It’s from the same team as The Office of Mr. Moto in the East Village. Fun fact: that was the first (and last LOL) place I went to dinner alone. Learned that solo dinners are just not for me.
The decor is fun, the atmosphere is cozy, and the sushi is incredibly flavorful and fresh. If you want dinner and a show, I’d definitely recommend sitting up at the bar.
Here’s everything we ordered and you should do the same:
Drink: Hojicha Tea
Main: Moto’s Sushi Set (pictured below)
Dessert: Matcha Tiramisu
the residence of mr. moto
Central Park in Bloom
To end the weekend, Henry and I walked through Central Park on Saturday evening. The goal was a romantic night — renting a rowboat at 6PM and dinner at 7. Unfortunately, I don’t have an original thought, and the rental line was a couple of hours long, so we ended up just wandering around the park instead. I’d love to make it back to the rowboats one day, but today wasn’t it.
It honestly felt like Disneyland (way too crowded for me), but the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and absolutely stunning. Worth dealing with the chaos for a glimpse, but definitely better on a weekday if you can swing it.
We had dinner at The Central Park Boathouse afterward. The setting was iconic, but unfortunately, the food didn’t quite hit the mark. I have a personal rule to never order pasta at a non-Italian restaurant… and I should’ve stuck to it. The linguine was meh. That said, the Park House Rolls? Unreal. I’m still glad I went. The sunset was stunning, and it really felt like the perfect summer day — the Boathouse captured that energy perfectly.
The Best Events Happening This Week (& Next)
(4/21-5/4)
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 April event newsletter to reference all month long đŸ’Œ
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
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