We've never really had a firm opinion on radishes—it's one of
those vegetable like parsnips or rutabagas that doesn't take up much
brain space. Suddenly though, we're giving the meh-ish vegetable a
closer look, with last week's opening of The Fat
Radish, a new restaurant on Orchard Street that already has more hype among the downtown crowd than H&M for Lanvin. On a block that's gentrifying
faster than you can say LES, the eatery, in its short tenure, is fast
becoming the go-to of the sustainable-glam
crowd—think bike riding chicks who mix their Bodkin with
Balmain or or bearded surfer dudes with paint-spattered jeans, a Spade & Partners heavy credit card statement, and eau de Marijuana. Owners Ben Towill and Phil Winser, the boys behind the indie fashion world's favorite catering company, Silkstone, wanted to shake up the culinary scene with a spot that delivers simple,
healthy, farm-to-table dishes. While the menu leans slightly
British (Towill hails from Cornwall), organic fiends of every
nationality will trip over the choices which include crispy kale,
heirloom carrots, kombucha squash, and of course, the radish. An
up-front, kitchen-y juice bar is followed by an airy space that's
slightly industrial, slightly upscale farmhouse—all housed in a former Chinese sausage factory. Bonus points for the biodynamic wine and cocktail list from
Apotheke's David Clelland, and the music (on our last trip we heard
everything from Florence + The Machine to Hall & Oates).
With all the cool kids giving you the once-over the second you hit the
dining room, we've put together the perfect
outfit for an eco-cum-gallery-girl look that will get their nods
of approval. Our roundup includes crisp trousers paired with a
tulip-shaped, eco-friendly sweater, a sculptural statement necklace,
earthy booties, and a tough satchel, all topped off with a
paraben-free perfume that is kinda spot-on for a romantic
tête-à-tête. Suddenly, the radish seems so much
more sexy.
The Fat Radish, 17 Orchard Street (between Canal and Hester streets); 212-300-4053
Above, from left: Bodkin Tulip Sweater,
$276, available at Maryam Nassir
Zadeh; 123 Norfolk Street (at Rivington Street); 212-673-6405; Renata Abbade Necklace, $200, available at
Maryam
Nassir Zadeh; 123 Norfolk Street (at Rivington Street); 212-673-6405; Fur Hood Padded Parka, $170,
available at Topshop; 478 Broadway (at Broome Street); 212-966-9555;
Laughter Nuit Eau de Toillete, $60, available at
SpaceNK; 99 Greene Street (between Prince and Spring streets); 212-941-4200; Coclico Ndakinna Bootie, $405, available at
Dear Fieldbinder; 198 Smith Street (at Baltic Street); Brooklyn; 718-852-3620;
Zara Shoulder Bag With Double Buckle, $89.90,
available at Zara; 580 Broadway (at Prince Street); 212-343-1725.