Eating

I’m thinking about the list of places I’ve hurriedly stopped in on my way to work in New York now that work and public life are a bit different. I love the respite of an unplanned treat when life feels rushed or overwhelming. Here are a few old favorites:

The deli below my first apartment, just for a coffee, at 6 am before I took the train to Manhattan to start my shift at a cafe. Even though I had as much coffee as I wanted at work, without the deli stop it would be 9:00 before I could grab a cup for myself. A chat with the deli owner before a hectic commute made those mornings cozier.

If I transferred at Atlantic and the D express to Grand Street wasn’t showing up, I would take the N to Canal and walk through Chinatown to work. Double Crispy Bakery’s piglet bread was a favorite breakfast: chewy dough baked in a crescent shape with sesame seeds on top. Decadent days called for the addition of an egg tart and maybe a second cup of coffee.

Lovely Day’s pineapple fried rice was good for scarfing down between double shifts at a restaurant. Running out to pick it up and scurrying back to eat before the crush of happy hour crowds gave me a sweet taste of the outside world.

Working at an office in Dumbo, I usually walked the several miles there instead of cramming onto a rush hour subway. On days that called for a pick-me-up before 10 am, I’d stop at Pilar, the Cuban bakery in my neighborhood. I would plan to order one plantain, egg, & cheese empanada, but by the time I started walking I was always hungry for two.

What are (or were) your pre-work go-to spots?

Seeing

As New York’s infection rate stays low and I cautiously peek into the world, I’m making a list of gallery shows to see in person in September. This seems wild, but I’m readying my bike and sneakers and face mask.

Happy Hardcore, a group exhibit at Miriam Gallery in Williamsburg

July 30 – September 6

William Scott: It's A Beautiful Day Outside at Ortuzar Projects in TriBeCa

August 20 – September 26

Fair Vanity, a group exhibit at Summertime Gallery in Williamsburg

September 12 – November 7

Room for Salivation, Crys Yin at A.I.R. Gallery in Dumbo

September 12 - October 11

World War Me, Gina Beavers’ solo show at Miraianne Boesky Gallery in Chelsea

Starts September 15

www.mariaylvisaker.com

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