Lived off Dojo for years. And Mogador. It kind of breaks my heart that the city/neighborhood is so unaffordable for folks/kids. It was still a lot of fun being broke...
I'm a xennial ex-New Yorker, ahead of you in leaving but slightly behind in wisdom — the Yaffa Cafe mention and then maybe Joya? Song? at the end got me in the feels. This is lovely. (Also I hope it rains on the nurse that took your Republic noodles away every day, forever.)
This was so awesome! My newsletter and podcast is about how gentrification has created experiences like yours and I love this so much and wish I’d not been a baby in 1986 so I could have lived some of this. Let me know if you’d be interested in coming on my podcast to talk about this!
Great piece! Ah Dojo, my first -ever lunch in New York (thanks to you!). Loved taking this tasty trip down memory lane with you and peeping your pic from your Parson days.
For an old school New Yorker this piece was golden. I couldn't begin to tell you how many days and nights (especially nights) I spent in all the restaurants you mentioned. Thank you for the memories and the beautiful memoir.
Oh gosh, in no particular order… Cafe Mogador, The Knickerbocker (which was reserved for eating at with parents), Bagel Bob’s, Waverly Diner, B&H, Veselka….
I coat checked at that restaurant too! I've always wanted to know the name. I remember piles of fur coats on the basement floor! And I did get to coat check Paul Newman's coat! Great piece Viv!
Thank you thank you! I think you helped me get that gig! I can't remember the name of that restaurant for the life of me. The best celeb I got there was Chuck Barris from The Gong Show so you win!
You could have asked one of the cokeheads at the bar to buy you a steak. I’m in the Catskills now but some faves - saraghina in Brooklyn, the ramen craze - various joints, flor de mayo, mermaid inn when oysters were a dolla, hand pulled noodles in Harlem, ROKC in Washington Heights, halal carts…
I'm flashing back. I worked near Odeon at a short - lived rib place called Rachel's. It was modeled after Tony Roma's and I lied about working there to get the job slinging racks and martinis to Wall Street creeps). I couldn't afford Odeon but finally went there a year later on a date. I got a "lobster" entree which had a half lobster shell arranged on it with a few wisps of green. When you lifted off the shell there was five bites of lamely spiced lobster meat in butter in the center of the plate. I ordered dessert, needless to say! I was a coatcheck girl at an Irish Pub in the 50s for a few months--what a nightmare; I waited tables on the Upper West Side a few years later but there were no steep stairs in that place...Thanks for the memories.
Ooooh! Sting, Buscemi, and the skinny on NYC cuisine! I am really looking forward to the restaurant experience when I visit for the first time next spring.
Lived off Dojo for years. And Mogador. It kind of breaks my heart that the city/neighborhood is so unaffordable for folks/kids. It was still a lot of fun being broke...
I feel the same way. <3
Being young and broke was absolutely glorious.
Me, too! I still go to Mogador ALL THE TIME. I will never break up with their Country Breakfast.
I'm a xennial ex-New Yorker, ahead of you in leaving but slightly behind in wisdom — the Yaffa Cafe mention and then maybe Joya? Song? at the end got me in the feels. This is lovely. (Also I hope it rains on the nurse that took your Republic noodles away every day, forever.)
<3
Ding! Ding! Ding! And thank you!
This was so awesome! My newsletter and podcast is about how gentrification has created experiences like yours and I love this so much and wish I’d not been a baby in 1986 so I could have lived some of this. Let me know if you’d be interested in coming on my podcast to talk about this!
I'm down—thank you!
Great piece! Ah Dojo, my first -ever lunch in New York (thanks to you!). Loved taking this tasty trip down memory lane with you and peeping your pic from your Parson days.
I love you forever
For an old school New Yorker this piece was golden. I couldn't begin to tell you how many days and nights (especially nights) I spent in all the restaurants you mentioned. Thank you for the memories and the beautiful memoir.
Thank you so very much!
This piece made me so happy!! I miss Republic! And Dojo. I still live in GV & cherish that spots that remain.
As one should! What are your faves?
Oh gosh, in no particular order… Cafe Mogador, The Knickerbocker (which was reserved for eating at with parents), Bagel Bob’s, Waverly Diner, B&H, Veselka….
I still eat at Mogador all the time! That Country Breakfast is a constant!
I coat checked at that restaurant too! I've always wanted to know the name. I remember piles of fur coats on the basement floor! And I did get to coat check Paul Newman's coat! Great piece Viv!
Thank you thank you! I think you helped me get that gig! I can't remember the name of that restaurant for the life of me. The best celeb I got there was Chuck Barris from The Gong Show so you win!
That's hilarious, I loved The Gong Show.
Head of the line at Odeon 1990. Maybe I cooked you steak frites? Dojo go to for years. Republic too. Memory lane.
Too funny! I couldn't swing the steak back then—would've loved that! So many great spots gone. Where do you like to eat now?
You could have asked one of the cokeheads at the bar to buy you a steak. I’m in the Catskills now but some faves - saraghina in Brooklyn, the ramen craze - various joints, flor de mayo, mermaid inn when oysters were a dolla, hand pulled noodles in Harlem, ROKC in Washington Heights, halal carts…
LMAO those cokeheads! Also those dollar Mermaid Inn oysters were the BEST
Lovely. Did you ever drink the plum wine at Do Jo?
Oh hell yes. When I could afford it.
I want a second helping of this piece. I was living a parallel life in LA, starving and striving with my cool art friends.
I would love to read more about you 1980s NYC experiences.
Thanks so very much!
I'm flashing back. I worked near Odeon at a short - lived rib place called Rachel's. It was modeled after Tony Roma's and I lied about working there to get the job slinging racks and martinis to Wall Street creeps). I couldn't afford Odeon but finally went there a year later on a date. I got a "lobster" entree which had a half lobster shell arranged on it with a few wisps of green. When you lifted off the shell there was five bites of lamely spiced lobster meat in butter in the center of the plate. I ordered dessert, needless to say! I was a coatcheck girl at an Irish Pub in the 50s for a few months--what a nightmare; I waited tables on the Upper West Side a few years later but there were no steep stairs in that place...Thanks for the memories.
Haha...you're welcome. Thanks so much for reading!
Ooooh! Sting, Buscemi, and the skinny on NYC cuisine! I am really looking forward to the restaurant experience when I visit for the first time next spring.
You'll dig it.
Wonderful writing. Really took me back.