Manhattan

What do Jay Z & Beyonce, Anna Wintour, Twitter creator Jack Dorsey and designer Chris Benz and myself have in common? Hint: Not recession-proof bank accounts. We’ve all patroned the Standard Grill since it opened it’s doors to the public almost a month ago. Well, us and thousands of others. Highline Park and the emergence of sunshine mobilized New Yorkers and tourists alike to the Meat Packing just in time to try the new Standard’s Standard Grill. Of course, I didn’t see any of them when I was there, but hey, they didn’t see me either.

Before writing this review, I browsed through some Yelp reviews to measure my opinion with those of other diners. I found the usual mixture of disses and praises, but thought the reviewers missed a key element of dining at…well, of dining in general. Like writers have to know their audiences, food critics have to know their atmosphere. Gotham is chock full of restaurants with medium food but a great setting. While you may not love Tao, you know the ambiance is your best bet for say, a bachelorette party. While I sought to review the food at Standard Grill, I also, almost equally, sought to measure the environment.

And the floor is tiled with pennies! The Standard Grill found a useful, um, use for America’s most confusing currency. Okay, so they weren’t the first. (The Paul Smith store in Paris has currency tiled walls and apparently some courthouse in Tuscon cashed in on the penny idea several years ago.) But it looks cool. In combo with the vaulted beamed ceilings and cushy red banquets, the Grill’s dining room is nice. As are the patrons – understated trendy and lively, the dining room and adjacent white bar room are packed from 7 to 9 or later, so if you aim dine in peace go early or eat late.
Chef Dan Silverman cooks a mean roast chicken as well as lamb chops and Steak Frites. I’m from the Midwest, and you know I’m choosy about my steak, but the steak at Standard Grill is actually delicious, cook beautifully and only slightly flavored. All Standard Grill’s meat is locally grown (plus) and prices hover around the low 20’s (plus, plus). The duck fat smashed potatoes are also amazing, if slightly bad for your figure. And the charred octopus is DELICIOUS. It may be one of the best octopus dishes I’ve had. Some friends had the trout, which was flaky and tender and came with pine nuts and currants, which sounds weird, but really worked. For dessert I had the humble pie (rhubarb and chocolate) with vanilla ice cream.

I’m not saying the Standard Grill deserves four stars for amazing cuisine – except the octopus – but it is reasonably priced, fun and has a great outdoor seating area.  I think it’s a worth a visit as the ambiance makes for a fun night any day of the week and the patron’s maintain The Standard Hotel’s measure for cool…meaning it’s cool. We may need that if this summer ever heats up.

The Standard Grill  open for breakfast 7a.m. to 11a.m and dinner from 5:30 seven days a week, located on the corner of Washington and West 13th Street; 212-645-4100

Emma Dinzebach

It’s scary; I know. I have friends who take shots of whiskey before waxing and load up on Advil. The anxiety that builds while you wait for the pull of the strip, and all along you’re picturing Miranda’s unkempt bush in the SATC movie repeating “That will not be me,” in your mind. And at up to $75 a pop, is the wax really worth it? Well, it truly depends on your pain threshold and tolerance of varying salon hygiene. After spending my spring at four different wax specialists, here is my assessment.

J. Sisters The Tory Burch toting Gossip Girl wannabes might actually be more painful than the wax. J Sisters, born of seven Brazilian sisters whose names all start with J, is, or was, the place for a painless Brazilian. And yes, it’s pretty painless. I don’t know if they sprinkle cocaine in the wax, or what, but it’s as close to painless as I found. Unfortunately, I’m too lazy to trek up to 57th street for my flower. If you go, call well in advance and be ready to shovel out $75 bones plus tip.

J. Sisters  35 West 57th Street, 3rd Floor  212.750.2485

Haven I’ve been going to Haven for five years and the price has increasingly raised and the service stayed steady. The tricky thing here is the wax. They have “honey” wax – $41 for Brazilian – or “gourmet” wax – $57 for Brazilian. Hm, now that is confusing. The staff claims the gourmet is less painful and causes less ingrown hairs. I really can’t remember to accurately assess. I mean, it all hurts. I would go for the honey first and note your reaction then try the gourmet the next time if need be. The best part of Haven is the staff who are the friendliest I’ve met in NYC. They take time to talk you through each pull of strip. They offer extensive advice on taking care of your flower.

Haven 150 Mercer Street  212.343.3515

Dyanna Nail & Body Spa You get what you pay for, right? Well, sort of. Sure the atmosphere at Dyanna Nail & Body Spa is no J. Sisters, but it’s across from Tens and full of strippers, who require pristine waxes. And at Dyanna, you can get a great wax. For $40 for a Brazilian, it is affordable and comfortable enough. The space is small though and the rooms feel less private than Haven and J. Sisters. The staff aren’t as kind or concerned about your pain, but it is quick, efficient and cheap. If you are looking for an affordable wax and can tolerate a cramped environment for 15 minutes, this is your place.

Dyanna Nail & Body Spa   40 East 21st Street  212.995.2355  or  visit their Midtown location at  150 East 39th Street  212.213.0011

I also visited two not noteworthy waxes. One was Randee Elaine in the West Village. After I left this wax I was sure I contracted crabs or herepes or worse. DO NOT go there no matter how cheap they claim their Brazilian is. You’ll make up for it in medical fees. The other was a Chinatown shack who failed to remove all the hair. Gross. Basically, skipping a few days worth of lattes is totally worth beach confidence…and your health.