:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67031801/DogsGrays.0.jpg)
Rachel Syme, a staff writer at the New Yorker since 2012, unleashed a whirlwind of nostalgia and regret when she solicited memories of the New York City we used to love via Twitter yesterday. “Ok the talk about bad places in new york is over,” she wrote. “Let’s only talk about what we desperately miss, specifics only.”
She was quick to answer her own question with several elegant responses, tone-poem paens to a New York City that no longer exists, and may never exist again in quite the same way:
- speaking of hot dogs, i miss the meal you make of a single gray's papaya hotdog exactly 2x a year when you are in between meetings, walking + eating, often in a crowded place, where the entire goal is efficiency + delight smashed together so they slide down your throat
— rachel syme (@rachsyme) July 7, 2020
If this brings a tear to your eye, you are not alone. Soon, hundreds were getting into the act and adding their own memories of the bygone metropolis. Here are some favorites that involve food and drink:
Writing in a Moleskine with a new pen while enjoying a burger and beer at the corner table in the back section of Fanelli Cafe at like 2 pm on a weekday
— Amber Garrett (@snarkyamber) July 7, 2020
Taking my kids to the Red Hook swimming pool. Swimming for a few hours, then when they close for the mid-afternoon break, walking in our wet swimsuits to Hometown BBQ for an early dinner. And picklebacks.
— John Ore (@clarencerosario) July 7, 2020
I miss Flor de Mayo (the uptown branch is closed, at least for for now), evening drinks on the roof of my building with friends,gallery openings,the AMC near Lincoln Center on Sunday mornings & La Fonda Boriqua.
— Leesa Dean (@chilltowntv) July 7, 2020
I miss not thinking twice about taking the train.
I miss it all.
Spike my Nathan’s lemonade from a hip flask while I sit on the beach at Coney Island, get bored and ride the Wonder Wheel solo, step into the photo booth, stop for groceries at either Fei Long or a shop in Brighton Beach where I buy kvass, bread, and a bucket of cherries.
— Kat Kinsman (@kittenwithawhip) July 8, 2020
all the bars I’ve been to alone. sitting at tiny window bar seats at Cotenna while eating pasta served by mean waiters. the guys chillin with parrots outdoors. the union square holiday market. looking at candles at Enchantments. finding an empty table in the back at Botanica.
— Daniela Lapidous (@danielalapidous) July 7, 2020
getting a table (in the shade!) at frying pan on a summer friday and sharing several pitchers of sangria with friends ☀️
— sean tecson (@seanohfour) July 8, 2020
walking through the Inwood Farmers Market in the snow with my love, date brunch at Saggio in Washington Heights (also with her), cappuccino at Caffe Reggio, getting free lavender donuts from the cute girl at the doughnut plan on the LES
— Natalie Robin (@natalierobinLD) July 8, 2020
Two cheeseburger empanadas, only-green-sauce-no-red-please-and-thank-you, at Empanada Mama on W 51st St and 9th Ave, at 4:27 AM.
— Ducking Fork (@Frak_Attack) July 8, 2020
Drinking w/my friends & neighbors on the stoop of my brownstone in BedStuy or hanging in the production office w/the team at T5 while working a show or stuffing my face w/Spaghetti Limone at Lil Frankie's on 1st Ave.. man, I really miss NYC..
— Kelli Cleveland (@kelli512) July 7, 2020
eating a bodega egg sandwich in a dark, cool movie theater
— Rachel Feltman (@RachelFeltman) July 7, 2020
Queens Night Market - the best warm weather activity. Visit 50 different nations on one steamy summer evening.
— Isabel (@MlleIsabel) July 7, 2020
That moment, sitting in a show with several hundred other theater lovers, when the lights go down and the show is starting.
— Susan J. Littlefield (@littlefieldhere) July 8, 2020
Also found myself actually missing STREET FAIRS last weekend! I want my yearly mozzarepa!
Getting a box of tortes at Budapest Cafe and just walking straight down for hours, eating right out of the cake box.
— Our Lady of Perpetual Thirst (@our_thirst) July 7, 2020
