NYC restaurants — Life

If you know me, you know how obsessed with Bon Appétit I am. The podcast, the magazine, the Instagram. It's all good. Since their HQ is in NYC, they post about a lot of delicious hidden gems in the city. Wifey BK was one of those gems, and luckily I have some friends who are equally concerned about the aesthetics of their coffee shop who came with me to check it out.

It's part coffee shop, part art gallery, and part impeccable floral display, all beautiful. Owned by two artists, Simone Shubuck and Janine Foeller, it's housed in a minimalist chic industrial sort of building in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. I've only lived here a couple of months and have already taken many friends here. It's just one of those really good vibe, beautiful environment type of places. Very cool, but everyone is very kind.

Every detail seems attended to, from the tree stump seating, to the artfully scrawled menus, and colorful cheer. Every corner is more photogenic than the last.

I adore all the handmade china and the feeling that you're inside an artist's studio. The whole place is expressive, through the art, the gorgeous florals, and the ever-changing menu. If you find yourself in Park Slope anytime soon (this place is only temporary...), check it out for yourself.

Yes, I am one of those people who keeps a list of restaurants I want to visit. Truly I have entire notes on my phone dedicated to different cities. The thing I get sad about the most when the time comes around to get a new iPhone is not having all those notes at my fingertips (yes, I know I could transfer them over, but I abide by a very strict tabula rasa philosophy when it comes to new phones). Regardless, I knew, phone or not, that De Maria was at the top of my list once I moved. I made Eric come with me, and although he balked at the slightly more expensive menu, (just a fair warning), he'll still tell you it's one of the best breakfasts he's had in New York.

The color palette is demure, but still hip. They do the millenial pink/instagram foodie/grain bowl chic trend in a very respectable and sophisticated way. A way that doesn't feel like it will fall out of fashion in two years, and in a way that doesn't make you feel like a fraud for going there (I'm looking at you rainbow bagels and cookie dough dessert shops).

My ordering recommendations: Cheese Biscuit (sounds random, but it's one of those things that every layer of flavor is thought through and is top quality) | Nigela Seed Potato Crisp (Eric's breakfast, and let's just say I was very jealous of it) | I've heard the Avocado Toast and the Banana Bread are fantastic as well. Sidenote: the china they use is beautiful, I've scoped out those mugs and they're done by the uber cool brand Workday Handmade

Also, infinite shoutouts to a beautiful and good-smelling loo. De Maria's is very chic.

And under the glow of the Virgin Mary I leave you. Go to this place! You won't catch me brunching here regularly, because $15 avo toast isn't exactly on budget, but who doesn't want to indulge once in a while? Yum.