in the mood for an affogato
& all of this week’s art exhibitions and food happenings
This week we’re sharing our Florence, Italy travel guide, featuring shopping pop-ups, highlighting the coolest gallery shows on now and introducing you to our cool friends: Maneesh and Alvina of Passerine.
Sorate
Look around any block of the city, from Soho to Sunset Park, and you’ll probably clock someone with a Matcha in-hand. If you’re one of the masses enjoying it, take this as your sign to elevate your ritual one day with a stop into Sorate. The new jewel-box tea shop and counter in Flatiron is a collaboration between founder Silvia Mella and tea master Keiko Kitazawa. Nestled on 18th st between Broadway and Park Ave S, the shop features a four-seat counter for tea and matcha tastings, and dessert pairings as well as takeaway teas. Open daily until 7p from 8a weekdays and 9a weekends.
ATM Soho Flagship
New in Soho for lovers of the coolest premium essentials: ATM Collection has opened their first-ever flagship store at 107 Spring Street. Designed with intention by founder Anthony Thomas Melillo, the minimalist line is familiar, but aspirational and the design of the store mirrors this ethos. Alongside cool neighbors like the Judd Foundation, Fanellis, and Cubitts eyewear, the block continues to become cooler and cooler with the addition of ATM Collection on the corner of Spring and Mercer.
Shifka
A new fast casual spot has hit the streets of Noho thanks to the Michelin-recognized team behind Sami & Susu. While pita sandwiches take center stage, Shifka also has a supporting cast of dips, bowls, and soft serve. This vibrant addition to the neighborhood at 324 Bowery is just as great to-go as it is to dine in at the surprisingly spacious dining area. Shifka is open every day from 11a-8p.
One of the most visited cities in Italy, Florence might be known for David and the Medicis, but if you know where to look there are little gems everywhere throughout its ancient streets. From indie wine bars to pharmacies older than modern Italy, we have all the best selections of how to make a trip to Florence the coolest it possibly can be.
If you’ve ever wished your swimsuit fit like your favorite pair of jeans, consider this your siren call. Beloved NYC-based label Malia Mills, the pioneers of bra-sized swimwear, are hosting a sample sale in SoHo THIS WEEKEND! Founded in downtown NYC in the ‘90s, Malia Mills has spent decades championing women to Love Thy Differences™. Score up to 80% off their cult-favorite swimwear and travel-ready ready-to-wear, all proudly made in America. Swing by 104 Charlton Street today & tomorrow (10am-7pm) - the bubbly will be flowing and their fit specialists will be on deck to help you find your forever pieces. RSVP here!
This Saturday, Bobbie’s taking over Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo with our Chief Confidence Officer, Cardi Bobbie — rallying for federal paid leave and safer childbirth for all parents in the U.S. Swing by Bobbie’s green phone booth to call Congress, making your voice heard, and have a shot at winning three months of paid leave on us. Bring your babes for bubbles, crayons and more fun! Plus, you’ll take home some free treats from our friends at Graza, Lalo, Dagne Dover and Coterie. Can’t make it IRL? Call 732-QQ-CARDI to have your voice heard from home!
Meet Maneesh & Alvina, the co-owners of Passerine, a modern, upscale Indian restaurant on our favorite block between Flatiron and Gramercy. We caught up with the pair to hear about how a shared heritage and love for hospitality brought them together to form this downtown hotspot.
How did your careers as restaurateurs begin?
Maneesh: In 1975, my father came to the United States and opened the first Indian restaurant in the state of Texas. I grew up in that restaurant — surrounded by the smells, sounds, and spirit of a place that celebrated who we were and brought people together. It was more than a business; it was my first lesson in hospitality, in community, and in pride of culture. After so many years in New York, I realized the city was missing something that felt like home — a true New Yorker’s Indian restaurant. So, in 2021, I opened my first one, and later that year, my cocktail bar, Temple Bar. When that first restaurant eventually closed, it was bittersweet, but meeting Chef Chetan Shetty reminded me why I started — and inspired me to begin again, with even more heart and purpose.
Alvina: Maneesh and I have been friends for many years (he even officiated my marriage to my husband!), and after spending 25 years in the luxury fashion and retail world, I decided to step back from full-time work to focus on my young children. Around that time, Maneesh had a beautiful tabletop brand of bone China and linens, and I began consulting for it. We quickly realized how much we enjoyed working together — what began as a creative exchange soon evolved into a true partnership. From that collaboration, Passerine was born.
Tell us about your seasonal Indian restaurant, Passerine!
Passerine is a restaurant for New York, by New Yorkers. Most Indian restaurants in the city try to transport you to India — whether through the grandeur of the Taj Mahal or the nostalgia of a colonial club. We wanted to do something different. We wanted to keep our guests right here, in the heart of New York City, and serve modern Indian food that feels true to this city and to us.
When we met Chef Chetan, he cooked a meal that completely surprised us — unlike anything we’d tasted in New York. He’s endlessly curious, always exploring new cuisines and seasonal ingredients, and finding creative, unexpected ways to bring them together. But no matter how inventive the dish, there’s always his signature — those fragrant, freshly pounded spices his mother sends from India every couple of weeks. That small gesture gives every dish a warmth and authenticity that’s deeply personal and full of heart.
What’s your favorite part about the New York culinary & restaurant community?
We’ve both lived in New York since the late ’90s, and one of the things we’ve always loved is the camaraderie among small, independent restaurants — those that grow here, stay the course, and keep serving great food with wonderful hospitality. On 20th Street, where Passerine is, everyone knows each other. Sometimes the team from Gramercy Tavern will stop by to borrow napkins, or we’ll see Rezdora sending guests to wait for a table in our Drawing Room. It’s really a supportive community — we share experiences, cheer each other on, and celebrate each other’s successes.
How do your backgrounds in marketing & fashion inform the vision of Passerine?
Our backgrounds in marketing and fashion really shapes how we think about a restaurant — not just as a place to eat, but as a full experience.
A: Fashion taught me how to build a mood and tell a story through texture, color, and detail, so I think a lot about how a space feels and how all the elements work together, like pieces in a collection.
M: Marketing, on the other hand, helps me understand the audience — what draws people in and how to create something that feels both aspirational and authentic.
Together, they guide our vision for a restaurant that’s not only beautiful and expressive, but also connects with people on an emotional level.
Do you have a favorite dish on the Passerine menu?
M: What Chef does with cabbage is just remarkable. Our Slow Roasted Cabbage is something that has to be experienced to be believed. It’s tender and layered with spices and garnishes that gives a taste unlike anything else. It’s always a part of my order!
A: The elevated chicken kofta which is made of halal chicken thighs which are bathed in a truffle cream and accompanied by pickled mushrooms and finished with shaved truffles. One bite is never enough!
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