CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine
SANDY SANCHEZ • writer/brand strategist • Headspace / Small Pleasures
Neighborhood you live and work in: Carroll Gardens
Where are you drinking or dining this weekend?
If I’m staying in the area for drinks, I’m going to Anaïs for natural wine, DAE for interesting cocktails and a quiet environment, Barely Disfigured for the backyard, or Elsa for a great Negroni. For dinner, I have my go-tos. Long Island Bar for deviled eggs, little gem salad, and chicken sandwich. Ingas Bar for the burger and whatever seasonal dish they have. And Al Badawi for incredible Palestinian food.
If I’m meeting up with friends in Williamsburg or Greenpoint, I’m 100% either going to Taqueria El Chato, Esse Taco, or Allswell for the chicken sandwich and an IPA. But if it’s an East Village night? I’m eating Puerto Rican food at Casa Adela or tacos at Carnitas Ramirez. And I’ll usually end the weekend with a visit to the Carroll Gardens outpost of The Meat Hook on Sunday so that I can cook something delicious and comforting that evening.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love going to the movies and try to see one every week. I usually go to Metrograph, Film Forum, Nitehawk (love their burger and chicken sandwich — clearly, I love a chicken sandwich), or Cobble Hill Cinemas. The last movie I saw was Pedro Almodóvar’s Law of Desire (1987) at Metrograph and it was fantastic. A lot of these independent theaters will curate movie series every season, so I like going on their websites and seeing what they’ve got lined up for the month.
Any weekend getaways?
I try to go to the Catskills every season. For this upcoming trip, I’m doing two days at a cabin near Livingston Manor and two days at Hotel Lilien in Tannersville. The Catskills region is so big, and sometimes my favorite spots are one to two hours away from each other, but I’ve got a lot of favorites I always go back to.
Callicoon area: I still haven’t found a sourdough in NYC that’s as good as the one at Roger That Bakery.
Livingston Manor area: The entire Main Street is a must. And make sure to experience the James Turrell exhibit at the Catskill Art Space. If you’re into fly fishing like my partner, visit Dette Flies.
Liberty area: Stop by Town & Country Antiques for one of the best curations.
Hunter/Tannersville area: Go to Fellow Mountain Cafe, shop at the Tannersville Antique & Artisan Center, and stay at Hotel Lilien (or just go for dinner and drinks).
Catskill area: Eat the pulled pork sandwich and donuts from Gracie’s Luncheonette, and browse the books at Magpie Bookshop.
What was your last great vacation?
My last big vacation was a year ago when I went to Mexico City for my birthday. I love Mexico City, but there was a heat wave that week and I got sick. So I’m going to backtrack and say that my last great vacation was actually two years ago when I was in Europe for three months. I was primarily in Florence. My partner and I were both freelancing, so we did an extended stay. It was our first time being in Italy and getting to stay for a long time allowed us to fall into a beautiful routine, befriend the cafe owners across the street, and become regulars at shops and bars.
My favorite Florence spots:
Salumeria Pirgher Marzio for cheese and cured meats. The owner, Sandro, is the sweetest and we’d communicate with each other through Google Translate and my Duolingo-level Italian.
L’Arte di Dory for spaghetti aglio e olio and the most delicious food in general. It’s run by the kindest family.
Langolino for cocktails and cozy bar vibes. One night, we met some Florentines who explained to us what it was like to grow up in Florence and how when you grow up surrounded by beauty, you almost take it for granted.
Santo Spirito Flea Market for the most interesting, unique, and vintage finds.
S.forno for pastries, pizza, bread, and grocery goods. And for a fancier meal, their sister restaurant, Il Santo Bevitore.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
The Freda Salvador Elba Penny Loafers. Loafers are my everyday shoe and every couple of years, I invest in a nice, high-quality pair.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Sonny Molina in the Lower East Side for the best haircuts. I’ve known them for years now. They do a bunch of cool editorial work now and also offer haircuts. And they have a sliding scale for TPOC, sex workers, and single parents.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m donating my money to the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. They’re helping those affected by the mass deportations. And I’m donating my time as a mentor for the 4As Foundation Multicultural Advertising Internship Program. I did this program twice in college and it opened up so many doors for me.