june 2025 - Wanderlogue

06.2025

Finally summer. Which, in corporate America in a city with seasons, means summer Fridays kick in. Which, when compounded with strict RTO policies means essentially 4 day work weeks. Or so we aspire. But regardless, in practice, it means working not from home on Fridays, and signing off early to kick off happy hour by mid-afternoon.

Summer is a mindset. It’s not about the weather (let’s be honest, the weather has truly been awful this summer with heat waves and humidity beating us down since day one). It’s about the determination of going out to play.

For me, this summer was a reacquaintance with the city. Frolicking around. Reorienting myself to the neighborhoods I’d neglected for the past two years. Renewing my love for the city and all it has to offer. This is a summer filled with art and parks. Lack of travel this month meant bringing a traveler’s mindset home. Going anywhere the MTA would take me. Relishing the long days and late sunsets. Spending quality time close to home in Brooklyn. And bouncing around the boroughs with new found wonder.

reunited with my true love: the union square green market

The first order of business in my quest to recalibrate to abandoned rituals was to put on my farmers market best with an extra large tote in tow to turn off my brain and wander the stalls at Union Square Greenmarket. Reclaiming my Saturday mornings. And nothing heals me like colorful summer produce. And inspiring me to actually cook something seasonal.

current obsessions

Organic Sundew coffee beans from Groundwork that taste like LA. Sunny, bright, and great in a cold brew, which I have been making on repeat all month.

Adirondack Creamery has nothing but hits in general, and usually I go for the black raspberry, but this Kashmiri Kahwa really hits. The warmth of the spices with the cold rich cream makes the hottest days worth it.

ALSO, SHOPPING

For a long time I truly hated shopping in New York. I mean, to be honest I still kind of do. But there is one specific varietal of shopping in the city that I am beginning to cherish. The well curated boutiques and niche brand shops that either feel like stepping into a brand world or into a cool friend’s apartment, or a place that transports you from the chaos outside into a place where you might just slow down enough to buy something.

This month, I appreciated Albertine (always feels like being swept away into a french storybook). BOMI, hidden away on the 2nd floor of a nondescript door in Soho, a beautifully curated selection of homeware. And a reminder to myself to go to BDDW more often.

hello again, queens

Damn it has been a minute since I have actually been in Queens. Outside of the blur of Jamaica station to JFK, I really have barely set foot in this perfect borough of delights. It was well worth braving a heat wave to spend some time in Jackson Heights, which has more culture on a block than all of Fidi combined. Momos, birria, arepas and a giant dosa, with a parade supporting Zohran Mamdani passing by. And all was right again in the city.

art fix

Schlepped up to the Guggenheim on a sweaty Sunday to see Rashid Johnson’s A Poem for Deep Thinkers. This tentpole exhibition lived up to the hype. Covering the life of an artist through the spiraling gallery, through mediums and motifs.

Revisited the MoMA. Stress free before the free tickets started rolling in. Stress free to visit often enough to only bother hitting up some favorite spots.

Gallery hopped in Chinatown for a change in pace. Jochen Muhlenbrink: STILL (Lifes and Dreams) was in a tiny gallery that created an interesting dynamic that contrasts with so much contemporary art. The skill and technique that goes into these paintings that look like ephemeral, discarded, overlooked bits and pieces of life. The back of a painting, finger drawn doodles on fogged windows. But all 2D.

culture fix

relished some final days of netflix access. finally gave into some hbo max recs.

y is this show so good

tbh idk what is even happening anymore but i guess amazon is still pouring in $$

file under: netflix brain rot

new guilty pleasure

oh the times when we could still make a joke of it

honestly better than pride and prejudice

NEW FIND

GEM HOME: a perfect cafe/market/eatery with incredible pastries and immaculate vibes. I want to live here. I want to host dinner parties here. I’ll willingly go to Soho for this place.

KATINI SKIN: wonderful body and facial oils that actually inspire me to do some lymphatic drainage massages.

good bites

Ate a lot around town this month. Finally made it to Elbow Bread and yes, so worth the hype and a good successor to the iconic Mel Bakery. Lunch breaks at Rigor Hill dreams of a different life. Van Da, revisited many years later, on a day to escape the heat wave heat. ATLA, which gets extra credit for being walk in friendly on a Saturday night. And for the mango sorbet with chamoy.

little treats

Really subscribing to little treat culture this summer. A strawberry lemonade at Kos. A fluffy coconut matcha from Dae Day. Piles of gelato from Anita La Mamma on a sweaty day. An excellent matcha latte on a grey day from The Mandarin. An excessive cardamom bun, just because I happened to need to walk past Fabrique. A sneaky pastry and iced tea from Thayer while waiting for dinner.

petee’s pie is always good. but sometimes they go above and beyond with the seasonal specials. These summer specials had no business being so good. Spring Cordial slice with elderflower lemon meringue topped with rose crystals and edible flowers (yes!). And the Guava Marscarpone Slice that was a beautiful interpretation of guava and cheese.

staying close //

Relishing the ability to hang out walking distance. Simple Loaf in Park Slope. Bricolage’s crazy patio on a humid summer friday. Drinks in the covered patio of Fritz while the rain poured down and gave way to sun, over and over again. A candle lit walk in dinner at Rucola. An afternoon of working from Public Records. And a perfect brunch at Agi’s Counter.

what's cooking

I might actually start cooking again. At least, kind of.

Inspired by a beautiful apricot and fleur d’orange jam, an apricot almond olive oil cake topped with mascarpone, jam and purple basil.

bought some frozen rou jia mo pastry buns. and then decided to make breakfast sandwiches with it.

black sesame latte, like a hug, moderately better hot

bought a few courgettes, some chard and a huge bunch of purple basil at the farmers market. so then naturally made a ton of pasta for the week.

the best summer meals are basically adult lunchables. this one was more of a mini grazing plate inspired by summer produce. fresh fruit, crackers, endives, and an egg salad made with flavored french mayo. weekend late breakfast.