Why is the snow always melting so fast?
Read on for the coolest spots to have the warmest meals & your pop-up line up for the week ahead
This week we’re featuring three cool new restaurants, sharing food pop-ups and creative workshops, highlighting our coolstuff collab Valentine’s bouquet (for sale now!) and introducing you to our cool new friend: Eric Do.
Lulla’s
The team behind Casa Ora, the chic Venezuelan spot, just opened up a sister bakery this week – Lulla’s! This all-day cafe will serve a selection of sweet & savory pastries from owner Ivo Diaz’s childhood like Mandocas and Pan de Leche alongside coffee, and cocktails. Stop daily from 7a-5p at 169 Graham Ave!
Jeong Yuk Jeom
Next time you’re in Koreatown looking for some KBBQ on a cold winter's day, check out the just-opened Jeong Yuk Jeom – a high-end export from LA! Owned by brothers Jaeyong and Andrew Son, the thing which sets Jeong Yuk Jeom apart is their commitment to dry-aging their meats, which is something we’ve only seen in a few other Korean barbecue spots in the city (most notably Cote.) The sprawling space is right off Herald Square at 44 W. 32nd st, and is open daily from 11:30a-11p (and open late until 2a on Fridays and Saturdays!)
Ceres Pizza
We are pleased to report that the hottest new pizzeria in the city is NOT in the West Village (or Williamsburg.) Instead, Ceres Pizza is fittingly located in Little Italy; serving naturally leavened pies that are at once ambitious and classic. Take for example the combo we’re most excited to try: a simple tomato slice with spicy peppers and ricotta (pictured above!) Open Wed-Sun 11a-9p at 164 Mott St!
Give your Valentine the *coolest* bouquet in NYC this Valentine's Day. We've teamed up with our cool friend Molly Halpin, the founder of Brownstone Botanical, to offer this limited edition collaborative bouquet in our coolstuff.nyc color palette – a fun twist on Valentine’s Day classics!
This bouq is full of color, accented with lime green blooms paired with pinks and reds and wrapped in periwinkle blue.
Available for $65 in one size for pickup at the beautiful (and new!) Brownstone Botanical flower shop. Limited quantities are available, so pre-order a bouquet now until February 11th, then hop on over to the shop for pickup at 173 Green Street in Greenpoint on February 13th & 14th.
This is your sign to do something ~different~ this Valentine's Day! Whether you’re in love with love, taking a break from Cupid, or flaunting that friendship, Sofar Sounds has a funfunfun show for you. Sofar Sounds is a global community that connects artists and audiences through unique live performances. Sofar shows transform everyday spaces — from living rooms and rooftops, to boutiques and museums — into captivating venues for intimate gigs. Each Sofar show typically features 2-3 diverse acts, and you’ll find out the exact location 36 hours before the show. It's the perfect mix of surprise and delight, and it's definitely better than a box of chocolates. Grab your tickets before they sell out!
Farm to People: Know Your Food
Right now there’s a lot of capital N “News” reports about food (ahem eggs, milk, etc.) Something that might help you feel a little more informed is the weekly talk series, Know Your Food, from Farm to People. On Tuesday evenings from 2/11 through March, co-founder Michael will sit down at their Bushwick location with farmers, writers, experts, and entrepreneurs to explore what makes local food so special. RSVP to attend and get the details about upcoming guests and dates!
PDA x PDA Pizza Box
PDA, the ad agency, and PDA, the Brooklyn pizza spot, have teamed up for a cheeky Valentine’s Day collaboration. Even though they share a name, the two PDAs were never linked—until Emi Guimond, founder of PDA (the restaurant), accidentally listed herself as an employee of PDA (the agency) on LinkedIn. Instead of correcting the mix-up, PDA (the agency) ran with it and made Emi the Employee of The Month. A friendship was born, and a collab was inevitable. Now, just in time for Valentine’s Day, the two PDAs are serving up NSFWZZAs:a limited-edition pizza in a vibrant, custom-designed box. Grab a pie 2/10–2/16, where you can choose your pizza, pick an image, and add a love note.
Pop-Up at Flex Mussels
Flex Mussels is introducing “Giuseppe’s,” a nostalgic Italian American pop-up dining experience, opening upstairs at their UES location for a limited two-week run happening until the 17th. At the helm of Giuseppe’s is seasoned Chef Steven Lopin, with decades of experience in Italian American cuisine from spots like Franke’s and Frankies 457 Spuntino. Giuseppe’s is named in honor of Chef Steven Lopin’s grandfather and the beloved dog of his chef partner, both of whom passed away last year. This heartfelt tribute sets the tone for a menu that embraces the comforting and playful spirit of the classic Italian eateries many grew up loving, with dishes like Caesar Salad, Meatball Salad & Eggplant Parmesan. Snag a table for nostalgic vibes all night.
Bagel Pop-Up at Rolo’s
Everyone’s favorite pastry chef, Caroline Schiff, is popping up with BAGELS this Saturday & Sunday at Rolo’s in Ridgewood. Head over from 11a-3p for hand rolled bagel specials by Caroline (while supplies last) and plenty of Rolo’s brunch hits!
Love in Full Bloom
Love is in full bloom in W burg!!! A super cool v-day installation from Zola that you won’t want to miss is happening at Fox Fodder Flowers between February 11-14 from 10a-4p. The show is a partnership with 6 NYC multimedia artists to transform real love stories into stunning sculptures inspired by wedding bouquets. Swing by next week – just in time for you to grab a last-minute Valentine's bouquet.
The Argentine International I
Opening on Wednesday, The Argentine International I at The Slip Gallery will feature the work of 17 Argentine artists living and working in NYC (including cool friend Ivana Brenner!) On view through March 8th, the show is curated by The Office of the Unknown Curator and attempts to showcase the network and friendships that have emerged in New York City amongst these artists working within the city. And don’t miss the opening artist’s reception, open to the public, on February 12th from 6-8p!
Meet Eric, a designer, writer, and all-around creative based in Brooklyn. Eric has been a longtime collaborator of coolstuff.nyc, contributing to guides and cool friend interviews. Recently, he has expanded his creative practice by launching his handmade bag company, RICO, as well as What About Wine – a substack where he shares his immense knowledge of the juice in an approachable way. We caught up with Eric to hear about how he keeps pushing the envelope of creativity.
How did your interest in sewing and bag making begin?
I began to tailor my own clothes in high school since I didn’t have enough money for a tailor, but a lot of free time. I squeezed out every inch of wearability from my clothes so I didn’t have to buy new, and after learning about the waste that the fashion industry produces, it felt like a good reason to upcycle.
Bags were always my favorite accessory. I began upcycling old denim, t-shirts, and workwear into bags and then it emerged as a collaborative project with friends to create accessories that matched their hobbies and personalities, like ping pong bags, wine bags with corkscrew pockets, camera bags with film canister pockets.
Tell us about your bag & accessories brand, RICO!
RICO specializes in functional, durable, and purposeful accessories all handmade in Brooklyn.
It’s about celebrating the creative, social, and hobbyist community that surrounds me in NY, creating items that match their lifestyle: the music lovers, the wine drinkers, the photography heads. There are endless hobbies and I want to celebrate all of them, interviewing people, learning their workflow, what they need, and how I can build something fun and personalized for them.
What’s your favorite part about the New York creative community?
The closeness. Everyone is a couple of degrees of separation apart, so it becomes easier to form connections once you put your name out there and I want to continue building those relationships, especially with other AAPI creators.
And I also hear that you’re writing a Wine substack, What About Wine?
I’ve always loved wine and drinking culture, which was a big inspiration for my RICO Wine Bag. Wine has the ability to create something magical out of little moments. I recently passed my WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust) exam and I’ve been asked a lot of questions about wine from friends & family. Things like: What pairs together? What should I drink? How do I order the right wine at a wine bar or shop?
Sometimes I think wine has this mystique and pretension around it, so my newsletter is an attempt to make it approachable—so anyone can feel confident and just have fun while drinking, maybe learning something new too.
Do you have any fun new designs on the horizon?
One very exciting one, with Coolstuff! It’s been fun collaborating on creating a signature wine-tote as we’ve also enjoyed our fair share of wine together.
Second, is a new record bag inspired by DJ friends, record-collectors, and leopard side panel pants. And more collaborations on the horizon, follow me to see more and connect!
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@ericericdodo
www.ricousa.shop
What About Wine Newsletter
There’s apparently a big sports game this weekend, but much more importantly there is a hugely significant televised event taking place: THE PUPPY BOWL!!! Swing by Three’s Brewing in Gowanus from 1-4p to watch a bunch of adorable dogs run around on a vaguely-football inspired field. Even better, $1 from every pint sold during the puppy bowl viewing party will benefit Puerto Rico-based rescue organization The Sato Project.
831 Stories, the modern romantic fiction company, is popping up at Big Night's West Village "Brand Room" for a special Valentine's week activation. Stop by the pop-up to shop books, merch, and curated Big Night goods all around the theme of love/romance along with a custom co-branded box on both brand's sites through V-Day.
Florescent is back for another year with their Valentine's Dinner and Floral Arranging Party. This year they’re partnering with the culinary team at Calaca Cafe to offer an exclusive Latin food and cocktail experience (dietary restrictions can be accommodated!). Following dinner, each duo is invited into Florescent's brownstone floral studio where they will design their own luxe floral arrangement amongst other couples under a big, sparkly disco ball.
Legendary Japanese bag makers, Porter Yoshida & Co. are hosting a super fun market today and tomorrow in the Lower East Side. Swing by 48 Ludlow St to shop goods from cool-kid makers like Porter, Friend Editions, Mellow, Cafe Forgot, and many more! PS on Saturday there will be coffee and donuts from 11a-2p :)