ARTURO’S COAL OVEN PIZZA (106 W HOUSTON ST., NEW YORK, NY 10012): My partner grew up nearby and he introduced me to this absolute gem. This is not a slice place. You sit down, look at the—er—eclectic paintings on the wall, order an entire pizza (I suggest bacon and mushroom), and enjoy live entertainment because there’s a whole-ass piano in there. Also, several years ago, I was eating here with my partner and “It Had to Be You” came on, which I interpreted as a sign.
THE SMITH (1900 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10023): The location of Josh’s date that is interrupted by Ari. The Smith is basically like a small, upscale chain that’s themed like “a real New York restaurant.” It’s perfectly solid, and this location is right across the street from Lincoln Center.
KATZ’S DELICATESSEN (205 E HOUSTON ST., NEW YORK, NY 10002): Brodsky’s is definitely a nod to this Lower East Side icon. Everyone should go here at least once, but make sure you pay attention to the ticket system. In addition to the pastrami, they have great hot dogs! Oh yeah, and I think they maybe shot a scene from some movie in here once?
THE SMILE (26 BOND ST., NEW YORK, NY 10012): The Smile, which Josh mentions is on the same block as his apartment, was a “NoHo brunch staple” for about ten years. It’s now Jac’s on Bond.
GRAY’S PAPAYA (2090 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10023): Iconic hot-dog stand where Ari stops on her way to the gala. No, I have never gotten the papaya drink, but I do enjoy a quality ’dog.
KING OF FALAFEL & SHAWARMA (53RD AND PARK, NEW YORK, NY 10022): When Ari suggests stopping at the halal cart for dinner after she and Josh visit The Frick, she’s referring to the Manhattan outpost of the best street meat in the city. The cart is on 53rd and Park, so it would be more of a walk than Halal Guys on 6th Ave., but Freddy is the King. The falafel here isn’t dry and everything’s nice and spicy.
2ND AVE DELI (162 E 33RD ST., NEW YORK, NY 10016): It has somewhat confusingly moved from its 2nd Ave location, but this is one of my favorite classic delis and another inspiration for Brodsky’s. Great corned beef.
SHOPSIN’S (ORIGINAL LOCATION) (63 BEDFORD ST., NEW YORK, NY 10014): Owner Kenny Shopsin was a fascinating and idiosyncratic character and a huge inspiration for Danny Kestenberg. I highly recommend his book Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin. The later incarnation of Shopsin’s is still open at Essex Market.
MILE END DELI (CLOSED) (53 BOND ST., NEW YORK, NY 10012): This is closed now (it’s still open in Brooklyn) but was ever-so-slightly one of the inspirations for “The Brod.” There’s something odd about opening a (pricey, hipster-aesthetic-y) Montreal-style Jewish deli in a city where local Jewish delis struggle to survive.
ODESSA (CLOSED) (119 AVENUE A, NEW YORK, NY 10009): Speaking of local establishments struggling to survive, I have to join Josh in mourning the loss of this 24/7 diner that didn’t make it through the pandemic.
GRAND STREET SKEWER CART (CHRYSTIE ST., NEW YORK, NY 10002): Were you dying to know where Ari’s lamb skewer came from in Chapter 2? Here you go!
THE MERMAID OYSTER BAR (96 2ND AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10003): This place really is co-owned by Zach Braff—a fact I learned while on a bad first date.
VESELKA (144 2ND AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10003): Beloved East Village Ukrainian restaurant where the food is like a warm hug.
ESS-A-BAGEL (324 1ST AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10009): There’s no shortage of bagel options, but this is forever my pick. My standard order here is a scallion schmear with lox, tomato, and capers on a sesame seed bagel. Josh is correct: There’s no need to toast if you’re getting a fresh bagel!
ELEVEN MADISON PARK (11 MADISON AVE., NEW YORK, NY 10010): Once considered the best restaurant in the world, this is the kind of super-intense kitchen Josh references in contrast to his low-key venture with Radhya.
CHUAN TIAN XIA (5502 7TH AVE., BROOKLYN, NY 11220): One of NYC’s best Sichuan restaurants. This is where Radhya strategically orders from when she invites Josh to her apartment.
LOS PORTALES (25-08 BROADWAY A, ASTORIA, NY 11105): Tacos till 3 a.m., tucked away on Broadway. This is where Ari picks up tacos (and yes, they do have the chambray onions and a man slicing roasted meat).
BOHEMIAN HALL (29-19 24TH AVE., QUEENS, NY 11105): This neighborhood institution is the inspiration for the “Bohemian Garden” where Radhya holds her pop-up. I spent so many post-work hours at picnic tables here, drinking beer and eating sausage, fried cheese, and pierogies in this gem.
Nightlife
DOC HOLLIDAY’S (141 AVENUE A, NEW YORK, NY 10009): The bar where many a bad date of mine has ended. As Josh notes, there’s an extremely memorable aroma wafting out to the sidewalk, which is why he declined to join Radhya and Briar there.
THE PIT (154 W 29TH ST., NEW YORK, NY 10001): People’s Improv Theater is next door to my former workplace on 29th St. It’s one of the inspirations for LaughRiot.
BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB (318 W 53RD ST., NEW YORK, NY 10019): I used to pass this place on my way to and from work (I had a miraculous four-block commute at one point). It’s the inspiration for the club where Ari sees Gabe’s bringer show.
BURP CASTLE (41 E 7TH ST., NEW YORK, NY 10003): The gimmick of this beer bar is that it’s themed as a monastery and you’re supposed to keep your voice down. For some reason, men seem to think that makes it the perfect location for a first date. Ask me how I know.
PYRAMID CLUB (RIP) (101 AVENUE A, NEW YORK, NY 10009): Also on Avenue A is the former home of Pyramid, a venue with a storied history, which initially closed in the wake of the pandemic, reopened in a slightly different format (thus, Josh’s line about “whatever Pyramid is now”) and then closed again in late 2022. I was never cool enough to go there, but it was a favorite haunt of my partner, who used to DJ gothy 80s nights.
FILM FORUM (209 W HOUSTON ST., NEW YORK, NY 10014): Josh mentions that there’s a Buster Keaton retrospective at this nonprofit theater. As a self-proclaimed “film person,” I believe the cinema-going experience is incredibly transformative and powerful. If nothing else, we need movie theaters as locations for dates! (Note: movies are for fourth-date-and-higher evenings only.)
Shopping
STRAND BOOKSTORE (828 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10003): Yes, it can get really touristy at peak times and the front is mostly non-book merch but it truly is one of my top recs for a first date and I love browsing the sale carts on the street in front.
DUANE READE (WEST 4TH ST., NEW YORK, NY 10012): Duane Reade (the setting for Ari’s “victorious” pervertables challenge) is an only-in-NYC drug store chain that is now owned by Walgreens, which means we can expect them all to be converted to Walgreens in a few short years.
BABELAND (94 RIVINGTON ST., NEW YORK, NY 10002): The inspiration for “CreamPot.” Babeland was one of the first chains to make shopping for sex toys accessible. I was once interviewed for a trend piece in The New York Times where they called me a “devoted Babeland customer.” I also took my mother here once and she was a great sport.
ACADEMY RECORDS (415 E 12TH ST., NEW YORK, NY 10009): My partner is a DJ, so I had to include a record store and its denizens in this story. This is where Josh listens to the Brian Eno mansplainer.
HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE (126 CROSBY ST., NEW YORK, NY 10012): In the final chapter, Ari and Josh are waiting in a line outside this store, for a Moth Story Slam. They host a number of events here, but it’s worth stopping in just to check out the books!