The beginning of September means so many things to so many people. The pumpkin-spiced everything returns to menus everywhere, new sky-high boots purchases start racking up the AMEX bill, the crisp fall air begins to fill the city, and the subway begins to smell a little less disgusting. For many New Yorkers, the beginning of September only means one thing - FASHION WEEK. Yes, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is already in high gear, ending Wednesday in Lincoln Center. Even though you might soon be covering up with a huge infinity scarf and some driving gloves, designers will be debuting their warm-weather show stoppers like this little number.
You have to wonder between the shows and the fittings and pop-up everything, where are the most fashionable New Yorkers dining on the regular? We asked a few of our favorites where they love to eat and why these haunts are always in fashion. by Joleen Zanuzoski
Brendan Monaghan, Associate Publisher: GQ
To live one of the most glamorous lives surrounded by the most glamourous friends comes effortlessly to Monaghan who can be seen strutting around town in showstopping outfits, bow ties and a monogrammed accessory or two. He has been going to Il Cantinori for 18 years "usually two to four times a week" and due to his larger than life persona and the fact he is the definition of a regular, the restaurant has christened a dish after him - the Pollo alla Brendan. He's also a huge fan of the whole wheat spaghetti with crumbled sausage and peas. "I love Il Cantinori for so many reasons: Domenico is the best waiter and I will only sit at his table. There is always a diverse crowd - anyone from Anna Wintour to Jennifer Aniston - but you don't need to be a celebrity to be treated like one." Besides the ambiance, Monaghan raves about the food, noting "they will make you anything you want, [even] if it's not on the menu [and] they will never rush you." What Monaghan can be found sipping on between bites of his namesake chicken? "They make a mean margarita - made with Splenda, not sugar, if you ask." Why do we have a feeling if we ask for anything we want and we're not Brendan Monaghan, it might not go over so successfully? Il Cantinori 32 East 10th Street nr. University Pl.
Mia Moretti, DJ
Not only is she one of the most sought-after DJs around, she recently made her design debut with an amazing jazz-inspired collection in collaboration with Pencey. When she isn't being super hawt in videos like this, she can be found sipping on sake at Izakaya 10 in Chelsea, usually in a party dress as she's always stopping in after DJing an event. What is her favorite item on the menu after a hard night's work at the turntable? "I love the Yamaimo Wrap - it's a thin slice of mountain potato served over a piece of dried seaweed with a ume (plum) and shiso (mint)." Who doesn't love a good mountain potato? We'll have whatever Mia's having - not only are her beats perfection, so is her choice of late-night eats. Rhyming! Izakaya 10, 207 Tenth Avenue nr. 23rd St.
Andrew Mukamal, Fashion Stylist & Host of Today's Look
It's pretty much a given that Andrew Mukamal will be spotted by Bill Cunningham and end up in the NYT's Sunday Styles in something neon, with animals on it, all black, or studded. It's really a toss-up, but he never fails to be donning the latest in fashion. Mukamal can be found at Brooklyn Diner wearing Today's Look, whatever that may be, and says he "sits in the booth I see Jerry Seinfeld sit in several mornings every week. He's a GOD." His dish du jour? "The chicken club is UNREAL, but so is the mac n' cheese, chicken parm, chinese chicken salad, and the chicken noodle soup. Oh, and always start with the pigs n' a blanket or fried mozzarella - they'll blow you away!" Brooklyn Diner 212 West 57th Street nr. Seventh Ave.
Katrina Szish, TV personality
Szish has one of the most exciting jobs on TV. As a regular TV host and correspondent, appearing on shows like The Wendy Williams Show, Good Afternoon America, Inside Edition & Showbiz Tonight and a regular on the approaching award's season red carpet, Szish makes dressing up and talking to celebs about what they're wearing seem effortless. Based in New York, she loves to stop into the West Village's Corner Bistro, usually clad in boyfriend jeans, a plaid shirt, military jacket and YSL platform wedge booties. Why she loves Corner Bistro so much? "They have the best bartender in NYC - Red - who automatically plays [Neil Young's] Cinnamon Girl on the jukebox when I walk in. Plus, I met my husband there." Her go-to burger order? "Cheeseburger, rare, no onions." She even makes a cheeseburger look chic! Corner Bistro 331 West 4th Street nr. Jane St.
Chantal Chadwick, Co-Owner: End of Century
The Lower East Side is known for some of the best restaurants in Manhattan but it's also becoming a great neighborhood for amazing shopping. Chadwick's End of Century not only houses amazing accessories and downtown chic fashion, it doubles as a gallery, showcasing local artists. If you don't recognize Chadwick from your recent visit to EOC, you might on Bravo's Gallery Girls, where Chadwick can be seen dining out, doing downward dog and on the arm of her cutie pie boyfriend, Spencer. Where she grabs a bite between filming and sourcing amazing baubles for EOC?" Right next door at Zoe. "The food and cocktails are some of the most inventive in NYC and consistently executed with attention to detail. I love the whole grilled wild Dorade with lemon and mustard seed grapes." Chadwick can be seen sipping on an Alaska cocktail while wearing something amazing from EOC - "most likely a dress by Samantha Pleet and a Martine Ali stone cuff." Zoë Restaurant 245 Eldridge Street nr. Stanton St.
Paul Johnson Calderon, Director of Social Media: MyDROBE.com, Owner/Designer: Mauvais Garçons Calderon is so much more than a white-haired socialite or a hot boy in a bow-tie. Recently, he's part of a team that launched MyDrobe, an interactive website and app that "seamlessly brings a user's existing wardrobe online to act as a virtual personal shopper and stylist." When not virtually creating wardrobe options, he is designing his signature a-mazing bow-ties under his label, Mauvais Garçon. When not designing, socializing and styling, he can be seen sipping on the Mykonos Mule and savoring a lobster roll at The Grey Lady. "There's truly nothing like it in the city. A taste of New England in the heart of the LES. I couldn't possibly ask for anything more reminiscent of home - I love it!" Usually clad in a preppy-punk ensemble, he can be seen dining in a Ralph Lauren Oxford with one of his Mauvais Garçons bow ties, a needle point belt (J. McLaughlin), Nantucket reds, and black deerskin Minnetonka moccasins or Doc Martens. Luckily, he has MyDROBE to organize his yin and yang style. The Grey Lady 77 Delancey Street nr. Allen St.
Leandra Medine, Founder of The Man Repeller
If you are known to rock harem pants or sleeves of bangles and chains aka "an arm party," most likely you are following the amazing stylings of The Man Repeller - Leandra Medine. This recently married fashionista managed to do just the opposite of repel one lucky fella and in between authoring her blog, starring in Uniqlo's new campaign and styling window displays for Maje in SoHo, she loves to stop into Jack's Wife Freda and Cafe Cluny for sustenance. "I love the tuna burger at Cluny and the tuna salad at Freda - I'm very into Mercury," says Medine. She also speaks highly of the friendly waitstaff and abundance of good wine. What she's most likely sporting while savoring her Mecury-fueld meal? "Ripped jeans and sneakers." Jack's Wife Freda 224 Lafayette Street nr. Spring St; Cafe Cluny 284 West 12th Street nr. West 4th St.
Kristian Laliberte, Senior Editor: Refinery 29
This New England native has made a name for himself around the streets of NYC as a serious fashion-forward man about town. Not only does Laliberte's reporting uncover the best Instagram accounts to follow, the best fashion week invitations, and what Sean Avery's apartment looks like, he's also known to shop eBay from time to time and is a huge fan of ABC's Revenge (who isn't?! We need to know who died on that plane!) His favorite dining haunt? Indochine in NoHo, always sticking to his usual order of the spicy chicken and the Lychee martini. "[Indochine's] wallpaper is just instantaneously glamorous. The whole vibe is very old school sexy. You can have an intimate conversation in one of the booths, but there's always someone there you haven't seen in five years to catch up with. Also, it's a great date place because the lighting makes you look two points hotter." Everyone - take note of that hot tip! What Laliberte is usually sporting in one of Indochine's dimly lit booth? "Nudie jeans, a slim-fit white button down shirt, blazers and boots." Indochine 430 Lafayette Street nr. Astor Pl.
Hitha Palepu, Founder of Portavi Company and Hitha On The Go
Basically, Hitha does it all. She travels internationally half of the year for work and when not traveling she is helping other people travel in the most stylish way possible. Palepu's Portavi Company will help you pack your carry-on with the bare essentials, but will not compromise fashion in the process. Where has she been all my life?! No more oversize baggage fees because I need to fit in just one more pair of boots - she has solved the overpacking problem that most fashionistas on the go are known for. When she has a spare moment to stay grounded in NYC, she loves 44 and X in Hell's Kitchen. "I love the seasonal menu, the superb service, and the fact that it's a mere 4 blocks from my apartment. While my husband is sick of the restaurant being my go-to request, my father always wants to go whenever he's in town. The first time I ever went there, we were celebrating the start of my husband's new job. I had the pistachio-crusted lemon sole, an evening special that I ask if it's available every time I go." If the lemon sole isn't available, she loves the Mediterranean chopped salad with a fish - "the salmon and halibut are standing favorites." For dessert, she highly recommends the peanut butter mouse tart. The perfect outfit to wear to 44 and X? "I fall back on a standby casual-chic outfit - a flowy dress and strappy sandals in the summer, or tailored slacks and a loose (or peplum!) blouse. The blouse must always accomadate the inevitable food baby. And flats, always." 44 and X 622 Tenth Avenue nr. 44th St.
You have to wonder between the shows and the fittings and pop-up everything, where are the most fashionable New Yorkers dining on the regular? We asked a few of our favorites where they love to eat and why these haunts are always in fashion. by Joleen Zanuzoski
To live one of the most glamorous lives surrounded by the most glamourous friends comes effortlessly to Monaghan who can be seen strutting around town in showstopping outfits, bow ties and a monogrammed accessory or two. He has been going to Il Cantinori for 18 years "usually two to four times a week" and due to his larger than life persona and the fact he is the definition of a regular, the restaurant has christened a dish after him - the Pollo alla Brendan. He's also a huge fan of the whole wheat spaghetti with crumbled sausage and peas. "I love Il Cantinori for so many reasons: Domenico is the best waiter and I will only sit at his table. There is always a diverse crowd - anyone from Anna Wintour to Jennifer Aniston - but you don't need to be a celebrity to be treated like one." Besides the ambiance, Monaghan raves about the food, noting "they will make you anything you want, [even] if it's not on the menu [and] they will never rush you." What Monaghan can be found sipping on between bites of his namesake chicken? "They make a mean margarita - made with Splenda, not sugar, if you ask." Why do we have a feeling if we ask for anything we want and we're not Brendan Monaghan, it might not go over so successfully? Il Cantinori 32 East 10th Street nr. University Pl.
Not only is she one of the most sought-after DJs around, she recently made her design debut with an amazing jazz-inspired collection in collaboration with Pencey. When she isn't being super hawt in videos like this, she can be found sipping on sake at Izakaya 10 in Chelsea, usually in a party dress as she's always stopping in after DJing an event. What is her favorite item on the menu after a hard night's work at the turntable? "I love the Yamaimo Wrap - it's a thin slice of mountain potato served over a piece of dried seaweed with a ume (plum) and shiso (mint)." Who doesn't love a good mountain potato? We'll have whatever Mia's having - not only are her beats perfection, so is her choice of late-night eats. Rhyming! Izakaya 10, 207 Tenth Avenue nr. 23rd St.
It's pretty much a given that Andrew Mukamal will be spotted by Bill Cunningham and end up in the NYT's Sunday Styles in something neon, with animals on it, all black, or studded. It's really a toss-up, but he never fails to be donning the latest in fashion. Mukamal can be found at Brooklyn Diner wearing Today's Look, whatever that may be, and says he "sits in the booth I see Jerry Seinfeld sit in several mornings every week. He's a GOD." His dish du jour? "The chicken club is UNREAL, but so is the mac n' cheese, chicken parm, chinese chicken salad, and the chicken noodle soup. Oh, and always start with the pigs n' a blanket or fried mozzarella - they'll blow you away!" Brooklyn Diner 212 West 57th Street nr. Seventh Ave.
Szish has one of the most exciting jobs on TV. As a regular TV host and correspondent, appearing on shows like The Wendy Williams Show, Good Afternoon America, Inside Edition & Showbiz Tonight and a regular on the approaching award's season red carpet, Szish makes dressing up and talking to celebs about what they're wearing seem effortless. Based in New York, she loves to stop into the West Village's Corner Bistro, usually clad in boyfriend jeans, a plaid shirt, military jacket and YSL platform wedge booties. Why she loves Corner Bistro so much? "They have the best bartender in NYC - Red - who automatically plays [Neil Young's] Cinnamon Girl on the jukebox when I walk in. Plus, I met my husband there." Her go-to burger order? "Cheeseburger, rare, no onions." She even makes a cheeseburger look chic! Corner Bistro 331 West 4th Street nr. Jane St.
The Lower East Side is known for some of the best restaurants in Manhattan but it's also becoming a great neighborhood for amazing shopping. Chadwick's End of Century not only houses amazing accessories and downtown chic fashion, it doubles as a gallery, showcasing local artists. If you don't recognize Chadwick from your recent visit to EOC, you might on Bravo's Gallery Girls, where Chadwick can be seen dining out, doing downward dog and on the arm of her cutie pie boyfriend, Spencer. Where she grabs a bite between filming and sourcing amazing baubles for EOC?" Right next door at Zoe. "The food and cocktails are some of the most inventive in NYC and consistently executed with attention to detail. I love the whole grilled wild Dorade with lemon and mustard seed grapes." Chadwick can be seen sipping on an Alaska cocktail while wearing something amazing from EOC - "most likely a dress by Samantha Pleet and a Martine Ali stone cuff." Zoë Restaurant 245 Eldridge Street nr. Stanton St.
If you are known to rock harem pants or sleeves of bangles and chains aka "an arm party," most likely you are following the amazing stylings of The Man Repeller - Leandra Medine. This recently married fashionista managed to do just the opposite of repel one lucky fella and in between authoring her blog, starring in Uniqlo's new campaign and styling window displays for Maje in SoHo, she loves to stop into Jack's Wife Freda and Cafe Cluny for sustenance. "I love the tuna burger at Cluny and the tuna salad at Freda - I'm very into Mercury," says Medine. She also speaks highly of the friendly waitstaff and abundance of good wine. What she's most likely sporting while savoring her Mecury-fueld meal? "Ripped jeans and sneakers." Jack's Wife Freda 224 Lafayette Street nr. Spring St; Cafe Cluny 284 West 12th Street nr. West 4th St.
This New England native has made a name for himself around the streets of NYC as a serious fashion-forward man about town. Not only does Laliberte's reporting uncover the best Instagram accounts to follow, the best fashion week invitations, and what Sean Avery's apartment looks like, he's also known to shop eBay from time to time and is a huge fan of ABC's Revenge (who isn't?! We need to know who died on that plane!) His favorite dining haunt? Indochine in NoHo, always sticking to his usual order of the spicy chicken and the Lychee martini. "[Indochine's] wallpaper is just instantaneously glamorous. The whole vibe is very old school sexy. You can have an intimate conversation in one of the booths, but there's always someone there you haven't seen in five years to catch up with. Also, it's a great date place because the lighting makes you look two points hotter." Everyone - take note of that hot tip! What Laliberte is usually sporting in one of Indochine's dimly lit booth? "Nudie jeans, a slim-fit white button down shirt, blazers and boots." Indochine 430 Lafayette Street nr. Astor Pl.
Basically, Hitha does it all. She travels internationally half of the year for work and when not traveling she is helping other people travel in the most stylish way possible. Palepu's Portavi Company will help you pack your carry-on with the bare essentials, but will not compromise fashion in the process. Where has she been all my life?! No more oversize baggage fees because I need to fit in just one more pair of boots - she has solved the overpacking problem that most fashionistas on the go are known for. When she has a spare moment to stay grounded in NYC, she loves 44 and X in Hell's Kitchen. "I love the seasonal menu, the superb service, and the fact that it's a mere 4 blocks from my apartment. While my husband is sick of the restaurant being my go-to request, my father always wants to go whenever he's in town. The first time I ever went there, we were celebrating the start of my husband's new job. I had the pistachio-crusted lemon sole, an evening special that I ask if it's available every time I go." If the lemon sole isn't available, she loves the Mediterranean chopped salad with a fish - "the salmon and halibut are standing favorites." For dessert, she highly recommends the peanut butter mouse tart. The perfect outfit to wear to 44 and X? "I fall back on a standby casual-chic outfit - a flowy dress and strappy sandals in the summer, or tailored slacks and a loose (or peplum!) blouse. The blouse must always accomadate the inevitable food baby. And flats, always." 44 and X 622 Tenth Avenue nr. 44th St.
