A rarity, causing an “optical illusion” effect of two moons, moondogs are often beautiful and intriguing to witness. Curating that same sense of intrigue daily through the intentional blending of cultures, Moondog Williamsburg is the perfect destination to experience a new take on musical and culinary classics.
This month in New York City, city folks got a delightful, curated way to meet new people. Love connections were made at the Chaotic Singles Party at the divine Moxy Williamsburg. Wrapping up and putting a red ribbon on Tinder’s Single Summer Series, hundreds of guests gathered for a bold night out that started with the Cocktail Making Class.
A Mexican-inspired Courtyard opened its doors to Brooklynites in Williamsburg earlier last month, inviting them to enjoy Mexican gastronomy and culture as they experience the menu for the first time. The popular food district has long been an epicenter for culinary innovation, drawing the attention of food enthusiasts from far and wide. By offering contemporary interpretations of classic Mexican dishes, Mexi navigates the delicate balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation.
In an ever-evolving culinary landscape, Mexi distinguishes itself through a commitment to authentic flavors, cultural immersion, and a holistic dining experience. The echoes of Mexico resound not only through the delicious dishes but also through every aspect of Mexi’s decor. Traditional tiles, hand-painted artworks by local artists, and Mexican symbolism create an environment that transports diners to the heart of Mexico. The restaurant breathes life into century-old church pews, reclaimed beams, and custom doors, which stand as artifacts of history, now repurposed for the enjoyment of patrons. Large oil paintings adorning the walls capture the essence of Mexican landscapes, agave plants, and traditional Folklorico Dance Dresses, creating a sensory journey through the country’s diverse regions. Every detail, from the Zapotec Queen-sized rug to artisan hand-painted tiles, adds texture and authenticity to the space, ensuring that Mexi remains a masterpiece in culinary immersion.
Mexi Food
The Mexi team drew inspiration from their Mexican heritage to create a menu that pays homage to the country’s rich culinary traditions. Spearheading these efforts is Chef Zenaido Hernandez, an experienced talent from the restaurant group, with the consultation of Michelin chef Johan Svensson from Aquavit. At Mexi, everything is made from scratch, from corn tortillas to mole sauces and hand-rolled corn masa dumplings, often referred to as ‘gnocchi,’ showcasing a commitment to authenticity and quality.
Photo courtesy of Mexi
Mexi Cocktails
Curated by Ramon Morado and Carlos Becerra, Mexi’s cocktail menu is a celebration of Mexican spirits, showcasing rare small-batch tequilas and Mexican rums. These ingredients serve as the foundation Mexi’s cocktails that draw inspiration from Mexico’s history and heritage.
Mexi is located at 149 North 9th Street and is open daily from 4 to 11 p.m., with reservations available through Resy.
Giving us all a well needed disconnect from reality, ROLL THE BONES (RTB) theatre company transformed audience members to simpler times with immersive theatre experience, No. 9.
A delightful excuse to bond, No. 9 is designed for pairs who are willing to unplug for an hour to escape into one of three worlds: Asheville, North Carolina in 1986, Redding, Connecticut in 2007 or where we ended up; in 1993 chilling outside of a trailer in Twentynine Palms, California with our host, Lynne. Before the experience began, each pair received a watch preset to go off after an hour; which marked the end of our visit.
It was a starry night in Twentynine Palms on October 13, and friends and partners were kicked back on lawn chairs with a cooler full of beers and powdered sparkling cider. In addition to the dim lighting, sounds of crickets and life like set; Lynne’s nomadic and welcoming spirit ignited an eclectic mix of conversations ranging from constellations, the vibrations crystals and humans share and the emergence of TLC.
Created and directed by RTB Artistic Director, Taylor Myers, and Michael Ryterband, No. 9 is “ a human-centric answer to the loneliness epidemic of the digital age.” The production was accompanied by a seamless shift to the Dead Letter Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge where audience memembers were served chili, pizza, and other comfort foods and cocktails.
Opened to the public on October 14, No. 9 is set to run through early November. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
Púsù is the newest addition to the Williamsburg food scene and we cannot wait for more people to try it out
A quick walk from the L train’s Bedford Avenue subway station is Nan Xiang Express.
A hidden gem located in Williamsburg
I had the pleasure of visiting Slate’s new rooftop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and was able to enjoy premium access before it opened to the general public. Accessible through the Pod Brooklyn hotel, it offers a creative and modern take on the weary rooftop bar concept, and makes drinking amidst a New York breeze somehow feel new again.
Antidote, a Dim Sum / Sichuan hotspot in Williamsburg, just launched Jazz Nights on the first and third Wednesday of every month. With a plethora of exuberant cocktails and mouth-watering dishes lining their menu, Antidote has been calling our name for a while now and we couldn’t wait to check it out.
We stopped by on the first Wednesday of August to sample their tasty small plates and catch some live jazz! It was actually the first installment of jazz nights at Antidote, which launched as a new restaurant only 5 months ago, and we had a blast.
We started off our night by ordering drinks from their house menu – the Drunk in Love, a lychee puree-rose cocktail with a gold filigree leaf detail, was absolutely beautiful and tasted sweet, floral, and light. We also tried the Cloudy Enigma, a classic hit for gin lovers with a splash of grapefruit. The Chai-spresso was a unique take on the ever-popular espresso martini, with smoky mezcal and spiced chai to add depth. The last cocktail we tried, the Flu Shot, was our favorite: a yuzu-heavy prosecco cocktail that brightened our meal with its citrusy punch and bubbles.
The first dish we tried was the Sichuan Cold Noodle – a zingy, spicy noodle dish with sesame and green onion, it was an impeccable appetizer. A few bites of this primed us for the flavorful dishes to come, and the spice satisfied that quintessential Sichuan craving. From the dim sum menu, we loved the Siu Mai with Tea-Smoked Duck and the Crab and Pork Soup Dumplings. To freshen up our meal, we tried the Wood Ear Mushroom Salad, which is poached and mixed with chili and lemon sauce.
Another item we tried was the Honey Glazed Short Ribs – the day we went they had a different flavor spin on their menu staple, the Sweet & Sour Ribs. Juicy, tangy, and tender, these ribs were substantial and delicious. Exactly right for when you want an indulgent complement to a light meal. For us, though, the indulgence was about to reach another level. The main event of our meal arrived next: the Dongpo Pork. Scored and glazed to a level of food-magazine worthy perfection, the tender pork layered with rich fat on top absolutely melts in your mouth and is a must-try at Antidote.
After our meal, we learned a bit about the place’s origins from Rudi. The four owners have been in the restaurant business for eight years, and are Indonesian, European, Chinese, and Taiwanese, respectively. They’re all passionate about good fusion cuisine, focusing on making food taste incredible rather than sticking to traditional recipes just for the sake of tradition. To create Antidote, they transformed what was previously an abandoned warehouse near Domino Park into an industrial-chic dining establishment. We can’t wait to go back to Antidote to try some more of the menu items, and if you make your reservation soon, here are some of Rudi’s favorite dishes to spark inspiration:
Jesse Gi and Urvashi Pathania were at the center of HBO’s Asian Pacific American Visionaries celebration on October 15, 2021.