5 nyc places I ate this week

that i didn't have to wait 30 days for.

This week’s somSTACK is the answer to one of my favorite FAQs “where do i go to get a good reservation in NYC that you don’t need a reservation for?”

It is no secret that i love to eat. A lot. And in my 29 years in NYC i have pretty much dined around the block. seriously - i probably eat out 3-4 times a week (maybe the reason i still have a 1 bedroom apartment in long island city?! lol!).

But lately. Would u agree that the number of "must-set-your-alarm-at-midnight-to-book-a-reservation-30-days-out” restaurants has reached its peak?

I mean. Good for these restaurants. And even - good for the “we” who remember to set their alarms. But don't you sometimes just want to eat…what you want to eat…the night u want to eat it?!? I definitely do.

So, here’s my list of tried-and-true NYC places I ate this week that…

1. have great food

2. I just walked in or got reservations within 7 days of thinking about it

Good things can come to those who don't have to wait….

1. King, Soho

Reserved day of - party of 4.

When to go: a quiet special occasion. we went for my friend aidan’s bday.

Why i love: seasonal menus are great for the obvious reasons but I especially love that it is a concise menu. Too many choices make me dizzy. The food is delicious, elevated but unpretentious - simple in the best way.

What i ordered:

My two musts: panisse & the pasta course - it rotates but is always amazing. last year they had a Eton mess for dessert. it was the most wonderful thing. don’t forget to order the clafoutis when you place the main course. it takes 50 minutes to be prepared and yes it is worth it.

I've been a huge fan of King from the day it opened. A fave memory of mine was eating lunch outside on a summer friday next to caroline kennedy in 2018.

i recently met one of the owners - Annie Shi - when she visited our office for a cherrybombe event. it was like - meeting a celebrity. i had to take a pic. that’s how much i love king!

2. Pastis, Chelsea

Reserved the day before - party of 5.

When to go: perfect for groups. A loud special occasion or fun reunion. coworkers, guy friends gathering or girl brunch. I met my old city buddies for dinner this week.

Why i love it: have to say the scene is a huge part of every meal i've had here. frenetic, noisy-ish and kind of fun. it’s great for people watching.

What i ordered:

I remember coming here in 1999 and prob had the same meal this week as i did then. steak au poivre with fries and profiteroles for dessert. everything was good. the fries especially.

the crowd at pastis is consistently inconsistent if that makes sense. grandkids with their grandparents, people in tight dresses and heels vs. very not tight jeans and sneakers. tables of 8 vs tables of 1. dining in as the last stop of the night vs the first. on the other hand - the decor, menu and food on the other hand will forever be consistent.

3. Casa Enrique, Long Island City

Walked in and sat down - party of 1

When to go: perfect for a low-key but no nonsense foodie date. it is michelin starred!

Why i love it: I was never a big mole fan - up until a 2016 trip to Mexico City. we were walking by a small restaurant in Roma and decided to stop in for lunch - I got mole and was instantly blown away! so this is why people fuss over it! fast forward to 2 years later I walked into Casa Enrique in long island city and was blown away again.

What i ordered:

every time i come here i get the mole de piaxtla - the layered flavors with the fall off the bone chicken is honestly one of my fav dishes in all of nyc. it is so seemingly simple (chicken and rice with a sauce) but so secretly complicated.

the glorious mole! other things i love - the ceviche de pesce and the chicharonnes de harina (the complimentary) snack u get when u sit down. also note the michelin stars!

4. Oxomoco, Greenpoint

Reserved 2 days before - party of 4 - but ended at sitting at the bar (someone forgot to hit the the reserve button on the app i'm guessing 😂)

When to go: perfect for something a little out of the ordinary. Go with parents - or friends who like margaritas.

Why i love it: i hadn't been here in a while - probably 5 years ago but quickly realized what a mistake that was as I was chomping down on the soy marinated tuna tostada!

What i ordered:

The 4 of us all shared everything which i'm not huge fan of usually at dinner (there's always a level of anxiety that comes with sharing - "will I accidentally eat someone's portion" or even more likely "will I get enough to eat"). BUT I didn't mind it here - and because we shared, we could order & taste 85% of the menu ! lol 🐽🐽🐽🐽

everything i ate was amazing but my fave was this soy marinated tuna tostada - the saltiness of the soy and the crunch of the corn! A close second or third was the spring pea tiayuda or the blue prawn aguachile. i felt like i hadn’t ever had anything like them before - and that’s always fun for me.

5. Los Tacos, Noho (but also Chelsea Market, Tribeca, Midtown)

Dropped by for lunch Friday - no rezzies needed ever cause it's standing room only.

When to go: perfect for a not much time but not in the mood for a salad kind of lunch

Why i love it: it's great cause the food is great, there is a great casual no fuss energy and it's fast (the very edited menu prevents anyone from taking too long to decide). You literally walk up to the counter and have to make 2 decisions - chicken , steak , pork or cactus -and then flour or corn tortilla! The sauce bar on the side is great too red or green sauce - spicy or very spicy!

What i ordered:

I always get 4 tacos- 2 steak and 2 chicken - always flour and a tamarindo drink!

lunch success. I love grabbing for the team at office or taking my out of town friends here - I took my cousin and her boyfriend here last dec right before an LCD SOUNDSYSTEM concert in bklyn. elevator fit = rosella hat, alexmill painter pant, and chickee’s vintage jacket, similar option here.

There u have it. Five places to eat this week that you don’t have to wait 30 days for. What questions should i answer next? Comment - i am listening!

x s