Let's Go On a Solo Date in NYC 01: East Village + NoHO

Welcome to my new series, Dating NYC, where I take myself on solo dates throughout the city. Keep reading for what’s in my bag, my outfit, the date (obvi), and my reviews/takeaways.

It goes without saying that I really love this picture

Here’s the sitch:

Do I love New York? It’s complicated. When I leave, I’m so relieved. My nervous system settles, I feel more creative, and time seems to stretch in every direction. (Alexa! Sounds like you should move immediately!” - is that what y’all are thinking?)

But when I’m here, I sorta kinda can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I love my daily walks in Central Park. I love the first balmy day of the year, when the blue sky is singing, “Toss your to-do list and find the nearest margarita, babe,” and it’s a city-wide celebration that we made it through winter. I love that simply meandering from street to street and walking through the park is the main event. And the hours after a big snowfall, when the trees are glistening and you can buy a cup of hot chocolate on every street corner? Magic. New York is special. There’s this together essence that feels singular and completely unique.

Generally, though? I armor up and crave a calm existence (you see my dilemma). Some part of me knows that I’m meant to live in a house with large windows and a backyard with a grill and a driveway with a mini van. I just described my childhood. :’)

That being said, NYC is home (for now) and I want my appreciation of this sparkly and overwhelming city to g r o w. I’m in pursuit of making memories that extend beyond the walls of my apartment and my morning walks with Honey. So I’m going on some dates with Miss NYC and I’m cataloguing them here!

Let’s get into it.

getting ready

Everything I brought with me: tote, sunglasses, disposable camera, book, computer (that I ended up not using), wallet, and hand sanitizer.

What I wore: I was going for something comfortable but still intentional and put together. We make an effort when we go on dates, right? LINKS: Shoes, Jeans (rental), tank, thrifted FRAME button down!

first stop: books and bugs

Book Club is a small business in the East Village with a cafe/bar in the front and a bookshop/patio in the back. Delightful, right!? It’s thoughtfully laid out and feels cozy but not claustrophobic.

It was popping! Along the bar I found heads buried in books, interrupted only by the occasional page turn and sip of beer. On the patio I found the same: folks reading on picnic tables, drinking espresso and journaling. There was even a game of chess going on.

I perused the shelves for awhile, deciding which books to take home with me.

BTW - does anyone else enjoy slowly browsing titles and holding different books in your hands? It makes me feel like I’m in a Nora Ephron film and someone’s about to bump into me and accidentally pour their coffee on my favorite sweater and omg, it’s my long lost crush from high school, what are you doing in New York!? I’m married!! You’re too late!! You missed your chance!! Anyhow.

After making my purchase and ordering a glass of sparkling rosé (duh), I found a chair on the back patio. Seated next to me was someone working on some intense math calculations, scribbling equations in a notebook. It was all very sweet and I felt grateful to not be doing that.

The two novels I selected. I absolutely devoured Liz Moore's "God Of The Woods" and I've heard equally incredible things about her former novel, "Long Bright River." It's fun to have a cop/mystery thriller for the summer. "The Stationery Shop" by Marjan Kamali is a sweeping love story about young lovers that get separated and then reunite years and years later. I'm certain the ending will have me bawling. I can't wait.

So I’ve got Onyx Storm open on my lap, the wine was delicious, the blue sky was skying, and…oh no. Mosquitos…were…everywhere.

I made the best of the situation, which looked like repeating the mantra, “It’s okay to be a little uncomfortable” LOL but I promptly left as soon as I finished my wine. I am a proud Creature of Comfort (and Leisure and Relaxation and Enjoyment).

REVIEW: Mosquitos aside, I’m SO excited to return to Book Club and next time I’ll come prepared. I’ll wear long socks, long pants, bug spray, and/or sit inside at the bar. Book Club is perfect for all my fellow introverted extroverts. If you want to enjoy a delicious beverage and be surrounded by fellow book-lovers but not feel pressured to chat up a storm, this place is for you!

second stop — oops, i went shopping

hair! is! down!

How adorable is this window display?

Free from Mosquito Hell, I set off in search of a bite to eat. The rosé kept me company and proposed a detour into this adorable boutique called Cloak & Dagger, where everything was cheerful, chic in an old-world European kind of way, and…expensive. Perfect!

After having a party for one in the dressing room, I walked away with some french-inspired jeans from Levis, one of the more affordable brands in the shop. My plan is to take these to my tailor and have them hemmed into little capri/cropped pants that are friendlier for the summer. Imagine them with a tank top and little sandals!?

I love the extra detail of the bow in the front, it's so playful!

OKAY but imagine them cropped!? How cute and summery!

REVIEW: An adorable boutique that I can’t wait to take my mom and Tia Carly to. The woman working there was so helpful and sweet, and the selection is really top notch. I love the ability to shop a variety of brands from one location! This is perfect for anyone who loves the flirty and chic French style. I do wish it were insteadof$.

third stop — pasta and dragons

I love this photo, the girlies are out in their ballet flats and sandals!

For dinner I decided to visit an Italian spot I’d heard good things about. I offered to sit at the bar but the hostess looked at me and said, “Would you like a table on our rooftop patio?”

I devoured a veggie springtime pasta, drank another glass of sparkling rosé, and read Onyx Storm at a table for one. It was around this time when I started to mentally tally up the cost of the evening…🫠

Oh and I eavesdropped on a first date at the table next to me.

Her: “I’m a Scorpio. The main thing about Scorpios is that we’re mysterious.”

He asked for the check a few minutes later. Maybe he’s a fire sign?

REVIEW: Because it’s such a large restaurant, this is an awesome spot if you spontaneously go out with friends and need a table for 4 (or 8!) at a moment’s notice. They also have a market and caffe with pizzas and paninis that I’m looking forward to trying.

takeaways

My main takeaway is that I want to be careful about the drinking + shopping combo.

On my way home, I started to unravel about how much I’d spent. “I could have bought THIS or THAT with the money I spent tonight!” Did I regret my choices? What do I value more, a new necklace or exploring new neighborhoods? A facial or a night of whimsy and joy and the feeling of belonging? It’s tricky and ultimately an ongoing conversation I have with myself about what I value more (because I do value fine jewelry and heaven-sent facials, let’s be clear). I don’t regret the evening in its entirety, but there are areas I could have paced the fun a bit — I could have ordered an appetizer instead of the pasta, for example (I had leftovers at home, waiting for me in the fridge!). Or I could have purchased one book instead of two. I’m looking forward to getting creative on how to solo-date New York without spending an arm and a leg.

All in all, I had a GREAT night. I woke up energized on Sunday and placed my new books on my TBR shelf.

Do you have any recommendations for me? What area of New York should I solo-date next? Thank you for reading!!