There’s something magical about the first warm day in New York City. People emerge from hibernation, shed their puffers, and suddenly every sidewalk café is packed like it’s Paris in July and every grassy patch is covered in picnic blankets. Soho Diner, nestled beneath the Soho Grand Hotel, has embraced this golden-hour with the seasonal reopening of the iconic outdoor garden, and let me tell you: it’s worth the reservation.
On a wintery January day, we settled into a booth at a retro dining staple downtown, Soho Diner. I’d been once before for lunch, but had been dying to try out their brunch menu ever since.
Amidst the buzz of fashion week in Soho this weekend, we grabbed a break and a bite to eat at Soho Diner. Perfectly situated under the Soho Grand hotel, a few minutes walk from fashion week hub Spring Studios, the Soho Diner was a great spot to unwind from the day’s activities and inspirations. We weren’t the only ones who thought so, clearly, as the 50s themed diner was packed with models, editors, and fashion fanatics.
When you walk into Soho Diner, you feel like you’ve instantly stepped back in time. Wait – scratch that a little – into a beautifully curated version of the past: salmon colored upholstered booths, cherry wood finishes, a Crosley jukebox, and vintage signs indicating menu items. Soho Diner “pays homage to the great American dining staple: a place where every stripe of the community can have a quality meal with friends and family.” But their modern touches remind you that you’re in a place with the charm of the past but the welcoming attitudes of modern day, rather than a perfect carbon copy of an imperfect past world.
Just like their ambiance, Soho Diner’s menu reflects the beauty of modern American cuisine and the classic comforts of staple diner items. From their classic burger and milkshake to a half dozen oyster starter and a grapefruit brulee, every type of eater will find their fix here. Since we went for brunch, we ordered the Smoked Salmon and Potato Latkes, the Steak and Eggs, and started off with a few oysters. And of course, some milkshakes – how could we not at a diner?!
To start off, our milkshakes came out first – an orange julius and a vanilla classic shake. The orange julius was creamy and citrusy, but still very light and refreshing even with its sweet flavor profile. To round it out, the vanilla milkshake was thick, decadent, and delicious. An absolute must try – they were out of the strawberry and chocolate flavors when we visited, so we can’t wait to stop by next time to try those.
After we finished our drinks, the oyster starter arrived. The east coast oysters were fresh and delicious – a must have during the summer season. They were served with the classic mignonette, spicy cucumber relish, harissa cocktail sauce, and a lemon wedge. All the accoutrements you could possibly want to accompany a set of oysters. Next up, our main dishes: the Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon, and the Ham Steak and Eggs. The latkes came with herbed creme fraiche and poached eggs; their creaminess paired wonderfully with the salty smoked salmon. The steak and eggs arrived with specklings of chimichurri on a giant cut of pork, and topped with two sunny side up eggs – definitely plan on leftovers!
We left the Soho Diner full and happy, and can’t wait to go back to try the rest of the items on their menu. Learn more about Soho Diner here, and click here to make your reservation!
