On a roll

LISA LIMB • Nami Nori, Postcard

CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine

LISA LIMB • co-founder • Nami Nori, Postcard
Neighborhood you live in: Upper West Side

It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
Although there really is no “weekend” for a restaurant owner, I do like to take Friday night to unwind with my husband Sebastian. We cut back on drinking during the week so Friday is our night to enjoy a bottle of something nice, usually sake or wine, although right now we’re into a shochu called Daiyame that we were gifted by some friends. It’s a sweet potato shochu that has an incredible floral and fruitiness to it, that’s quite unexpected and unique.

Any restaurant plans?
A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to Demo by my friend Aya Ikeda — a restaurant consultant and industry insider who knows literally everyone — and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I’ve already been back and am concocting plans to return again. They have the type of menu that’s impossible to order from, because you want one of everything. The team there, Jacob, Q, and Dina, have that genuine hospitality gene that makes it such a warm and memorable experience. And it’s right across from our Nami Nori West Village location on Carmine St. Such a welcome addition to the block.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I carve out some “me time” every Monday night when I take a house dance class taught by an amazing teacher, Huu Rock. He’s an incredible dancer, but what makes it so enjoyable is that he creates a really welcoming vibe in his class. It’s pure joy — and appreciation of the culture of house. And also, an ass-kicking cardio workout.

Any weekend getaways?
I took a quick, two-day trip to Miami for work, and despite the heat, I really recommend going in the offseason. It’s a lot easier to book reservations at the hot spots, and room rates are more affordable. You’re basically going from one air conditioned space to another and not walking around like in New York, so it’s doable. I highly recommend Dante’s HiFi, a listening bar in Wynwood, for a cocktail and incredible music (I’ve never seen speakers that big in my life), then take a short stroll over to Hiden for a top notch omakase experience.

What was your last great vacation?
Japan! Sebastian and I went for New Year’s after not having been in eight years. I don’t think there is any way to go wrong there, because the quality of the food, hospitality, and service is unbeatable no matter where you decide to go.

That said, we like to go places that are more local than touristy. We had an amazing stay at the onsen resort Kai in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture. You can book a room with a private outdoor hot spring. On the way there from the shinkansen train station, we stopped at Ohmine sake brewery in Mine. It’s a Mecca in the region for impeccable sake and design. We got a tour of the brewery, and they gifted us a bottle of freshly made, unpasteurized sake. We enjoyed it later that night while sitting in the hot spring under the moonlight. Pure magic.