Dimes Square Might Be A Bermuda Triangle
Here's everything you need to know so you don't get...lost
I feel like the term lore had to have originated during the inception of “Dimes Square.” There is no other way to describe how a corner of Manhattan has developed a personality of its own, inspired such a strong connotation with incredibly specific qualities, and simultaneously incited such deep hatred among some and boundless loyalty among others. Nolita Dirtbag started churning out memes, the number of skaters grew ten-fold, and every nearby restaurant accumulated a 70 person waitlist any night of the week— a piece of the Lower East Side had quickly been co-opted.
There are a few central components to Dimes Square. In my head, these are the skaters that love that little triangle of pavement where there are no cars, the vintage-lovers and girlies that shop at Country Of and Coming Soon, and the intersection of these crowds that like dark and sexy bars and restaurants to hang out at, ideally where they can sit outside and drink out of small wine glasses. The corner of Orchard and Division morphed into a constantly self-fulfilling prophecy—a haven for downtown 20 somethings that had vintage designer to show off and lots of cigarettes to smoke that continued to attract droves of the very people that began to define it.
The people and the discourse and the fashion are all fun to talk about, but I think we’ve got our bases covered there; I am most interested in the microcosm’s food scene. I went to Cervo’s for the first time 3.5 years ago and it became my favorite restaurant in New York. Flash forward 2 years, I started working across the street at Mel the Bakery on the weekends, getting Cafe Grumpy at 6am when I arrived at the bakery, a slice of pizza from Scarr’s for our 2pm family meal, and a Dimes Deli smoothie for the way home. As I spent more time in the neighborhood, I became familiar with every business, new and old, in the direct vicinity. I’ve eaten at 97% of the central spots, sat at the coffee shops, shopped in the stores, etc.
Nowadays, I tend to avoid the neighborhood due to its insane wait times and the promise of impenetrable stares from onlookers, all of whom look like supermodels, as you walk around trying to get from Point A to Point B. I do still love a lot of the spots there, though, and I wondered if others were deterred the way I was. I also started poking around on my map and noticed that nearly every single one of these restaurants have pretty terrible Google Reviews. Now these reviews are not the end-all-be-all gospel truth of what is good or bad. It is jarring (and funny) to see allllll of these places garnering 4.2 stars AT MOST.
I believe if you are going to venture into the belly of the beast, you should at least be informed. Don’t wait 2.5 hours or spend $300 if you don’t need to—save yourself some piece of mind and a good outfit. I am here with a realllll honest roundup of what’s going on in the ecosystem New Yorkers love to hate. Perhaps some insight into why no one can break that 4.5 star ceiling?
The Restaurants
Kiki’s
If Dimes is the origin of how Dimes Square came to be, Kiki’s is the enduring epicenter. I first went to the Greek restaurant before I could legally order a drink and remember being stunned—I was 16, to be fair. But I LOVED IT. The interior is dark and mildly cavernous, the bottles of wine are under $40, and you kinda can’t go wrong. I have heard from many sources that the quality has declined since my life-changing 2016 trip, but it is still reliable. They write names on a sticky sheet next to the door and call you when your table has been ready. You very well might wait two hours and I would say it is 100000% not worth more than 45 minutes of your time. It is fun, though, especially in pleasant temperatures.
Corner Bar
Nine Orchard’s exclusive little restaurant is the classy French bistro we all dream of. Prior to my first trip to Corner Bar after its 2022 opening, I had heard nothing but praise. It looked so luxurious—clean white plates holding perfectly cooked steaks among white tablecloths and ice cold martinis. When I finally went, I felt like I had finally been let in on a well-kept secret. Corner Bar was by no means under the radar, but it felt like only those who really worked for it got to enjoy a Saturday night dinner in the dining room. We had salmon carpaccio (great), caesar salad (fine), and moules frites (outstanding). It wasn’t a dinner that reinvented the wheel and it was certainly expensive, but it felt special. I haven’t tried to sit there for dinner since, which is telling. HOWEVER, my last two Corner Bar visits were perfectly executed—a 9pm+ Saturday night walk in to sit at the bar. Too many Vespers and free drinks from bartenders, and a too-small serving of the most perfect french fries. Forget a seated dinner. Good for a romantic date night or a late-night stiff drink.
Cervo’s
The apple of my eye—I write about Cervo’s SO OFTEN but I can’t help it. The tiled bar, the globe pendant lights, the tiny corner tables, the expansive open street seating… it’s too good. Fried skate and mussels escabeche always. Salads, veggies, and fries are bound to be perfect. Skip dessert and drink whatever variation of their white negroni they have on the menu. Cervo’s deserves better than Dimes Square’s bad rap and it is worth traveling for. Worth the wait. Worth the price. Great for a solo dinner.
Coffee/Sweets/Etc.
Dimes / Dimes Deli / Dimes Market - like yeah, it’s good. I loved my tiny $8 black tahini toast and my fall salads. Is it too expensive? Yes. Is it still cool? Not at all.
Little Canal - Baristas rotate between being so nice and so mean. Reliably delicious coffee (sucker for Variety coffee). Nice place to sit and read and do lots of people watching. Still haven’t made it in the evening during wine bar / dinner service.
Michaeli Bakery - The best rugelach in the city.
The Bars
Clandestino - The OG haunt and the punchline of so many hinge dates gone wrong.
Le Dive - Somehow full at all hours of the day and full of impossibly hot people. Not worth the wait IMO, but make a good martini. Fun if you can find a seat when it isn’t packed. Not worth a res.
169 Bar - Scary. The bartenders are always mean to me. Fun late at night for a $5 PBR, if you must.
Forgetmenot - Great for day drinking but scary in the evening. Gets full and draws a funny mix of people. Gets raucous during sports games. Not anything special :)
Parcelle - Cute and vibey but too bright inside…does anyone agree? Is the new WV location better?
The Stores
NO GEM - Just went in for the first time and wanted everything, especially that little red clock pictured below. Obsessed with their Instagram and desperately need to know about the Injeolmi (Korean roasted soy powder) Cream Espresso
Beverly’s - A store that is good for looking. Perfectly curated.
Coming Soon - An OG in the world of little shoppy shops in NYC. They carry our Gaetano Pesce book :)
Unisecon - So small you might miss it, with the most incredible dresses and skirts I absolutely can’t afford. “They blend innovative design with traditional techniques.” LOVE.
Country Of - Low maintenance vintage store with a small collection of fab Issey Miyake and CDG. Lots of gems.
Where to next…
ELBOW FINALLY
I’ll be off next week given… the obvious. Hope you all have a restful week and I will see you on the other side. Vote <3
I never think about Dimes Square until I'm in Dimes Square and then I remember Dimes Square
Man, I hate Dimes Square and I hate that I even typed that out. But I do enjoy Kiki's - the move is to put your name in and drink around the corner to deal with the wait, but agree I don't want to wait more than 45 minutes, but I don't do that ever.
Tolo is very good, so def worth a visit.