The Healing Powers of Fun and Froyo
Winning bar trivia, being sad, and a very good egg sandwich
A few days ago, I wrote about how off I’ve been feeling lately, in the nonlinear phases of grief. Nothing has really changed since then, but being honest about it helped. Trying to seem fine is another level of mental gymnastics that we don’t have time for! I’m trying to respond to the “how are you?” questions a bit more truthfully: things are hard right now and I’m stressed about a lot of things, both short and long term. But hour to hour, I’m having a good time, a lot of the time. I feel lonely and needy and scared and also like I might cry in many different situations. Also true: I’m having fun spending more time with friends and family, doing new things, reading in my comfy new bed, and hanging with Este, the best cat. I’m finding joy in yoga, music, and summer fruit. I like the freedom that comes with living alone, though not the bills. It’s a mixed bag and there are many ups and downs.
Two local updates:
As we approach the mayoral primary, I have to make an important update to my ranked choice slate: Jessica Ramos is out after endorsing Cuomo (remember, we don’t rank Cuomo but we want to rank five people, this video explains the system very well). My ranking is: 1. Brad Lander 2. Zohran Mamdani 3. Adrianne Adams 4. Zellnor Myrie and 5. TBD. Make sure to talk to people in your life about how RCV works, early voting starts June 14th.
NYC readers, we’re hanging IRL! Join us on June 22nd for ice cream in the park in Greenpoint. RSVP here, can’t wait to see you!
Now, let’s dive in. Later this week, I’m doing another round of things I bought and things I felt.
Something to cook:
Tilden came over on Monday and made us incredible spinach artichoke toasts. We very loosely followed a recipe in
cookbook. Here’s the process: defrost and drain a box of frozen spinach and cook it down with garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Add a jar of chopped artichokes (rinse them if they have a strong marinade) and then lots of cheese. We used a combo of greek yogurt, cream cheese, cheddar and a little mozzarella for melting. Season the heck out of everything with black pepper and a little salt. While that’s happening, toast your bread (I used a pullman loaf, which was the perfect shape). Pile each slice with the topping and a little extra cheese and then pop the toasts in the broiler for a few minutes. Paired with a side salad, this was a perfect dinner.
The ultimate compliment is when someone makes a recipe you introduced them to. My parents made
’s parmesan fritatta (the recipe is in her cookbook) for brunch with Beth and Geoff after I made it for them in early May. It was delicious alongside Deb’s perfect blueberry muffins.I made a simple roasted cauliflower and chickpea bowl for dinner with a very tasty topping: feta mixed with calabrian chili paste. We have spicy feta at home.
Something to order:
I won bar trivia for the first time in my life at Common Mollies, with a talented team led by Gabriela. Wednesday pop culture trivia is fun and chill there, with lots of time between the questions so you can talk to your friends. We ordered Homemade Taqueria to the bar and a mushroom avocado burrito was perfect after a long day.
I had an appointment on the Upper East Side and used it as an excuse to meet Hillary and Amy for froyo at Butterfield Market. We went to the one on Lexington, which is apparently less crowded than the Madison one. There was a decent line but it was worth the wait. I got original tart and coffee and both were excellent. Toppings are a $1 each so be mindful when you order. I will return!
Sometimes, you need to make an executive decision and book a dinner reservation. I booked a table for three at Cozy Royale and thankfully Isa and Frida could join me. We had a lovely time sharing gossip, fries, orange wine and the very delicious blue cheese olive dip situation.
After yoga on Saturday, I decided to check out Hani’s in the East Village, which Rose and Micki both recommended. Everything looked good, but as one person, I limited myself to the chocolate chip cookie and the fluffy egg sandwich. The cookie is salty and crispy on the edges, with many types of chocolate pools. Very good. I liked the egg sandwich even better—it’s fluffy eggs with spinach, cheddar and a spicy green sauce on well toasted milk bread. The toasting is key for texture. There’s some seating in the back if you want to dine in and the team was so kind to everyone even though it was so busy.
We celebrated Julianne’s birthday with a night out, including a pregame featuring pizza (all the best pregames have food), a show at the Red Pavilion and cocktails at Carousel. It was a really fun night, everyone was just committed to having a good time, which felt good. I hope to have more summer nights like it—fun is healing.
Something to read:
I’ve been very into Kelsea Ballerini’s divorce EP
So much NYC queer history in Erik Piepenburg’s Grub Street Diet
When did TV stop worrying about money? from
How
got a menu item on the menu at SoothrI love
’s writing (he was also a fan of Hani’s): Foods from the U.S. That I Crave When I'm ThereTourmaline went on Las Culturistas to talk about her new biography of Marsha P. Johnson and the conversation is so moving
Loved
’s thoughts on moka pots and coffee trends more broadly’s trip to Italy looked incredible! I am going to Italy for the first time next year and the google doc is already underway.Every Single Album’s emergency podcast on Taylor Swift buying back her masters. I’m glad we got the vault tracks but so happy to listen to the original Holy Ground and Out of the Woods!
’s celebrated a newsletter anniversary (go read ) and reflected on imposter syndrome. Success and doubt go hand in hand.The ICE Policy That Set Off Chaos in LA
Families in Gaza are running out of food for their children. Watching this unfold in real time is horrific and inhumane. You can join me and donate to the Palestinean Children’s Relief Fund.
Take care this week! I’m rooting for you!
xo, Abigail
our next hang will have to be over the Hani's cinnamon roll!! Sending lots of good vibes your way
A lot of registered Dems have an open slot on their ballots thanks to Jessica Ramos’s heel turn! We’ll all figure things out by our own consciences, but I’ll say I was mightily impressed with Michael Blake in last week’s debate.