Q&A With Mia From @lowereeeatsside

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)

How’d you get started in the food social media industry?

I’ve always been passionate about food and the restaurant industry. When I first moved back to New York (I was born and raised in Westchester County) I had just started my job as a psychologist and was slowly building up my caseload. As a result, I had a lot of free time on my hands! I was eager to be back in the city and had a laundry list of restaurants to try, so I started eating out a lot with friends and family and taking pictures of my food. I had always thought it would be fun to start an Instagram account geared towards my meals and it felt like the perfect time to take the next step and do it!

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Do you have a particular type of cuisine that is your favorite?

I absolutely love Italian food. Pasta is my love language. Whether it’s an old school red sauce joint or a trendy and impossible-to-get-into spot, I adore it all. I was able to go with a close friend to Rao’s a few years back and it was my version of winning the lottery.

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)

What restaurants in New York do you think are musts for those visiting the city?

What a tough question! There are so many great restaurants to try in the city, but I think experience is especially important when you’re giving recommendations to out-of-towners. My top recs would probably be Katz’s, Wah Fung No. 1, or Joe’s Pizza for lunch, Don Angie or Rubirosa for dinner, Dante for drinks, Sadelle’s, Golden Unicorn, or Clinton St. Baking Company for brunch, and Levain Bakery for sweet treats.

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)

What changes have you noted in the New York restaurant industry since the pandemic began?

There’s a new appreciation for dining out. I feel like there’s an exciting energy around eating out that wasn’t necessarily there before. And the takeout and delivery options being offered by upscale restaurants have been really impressive.

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

I’m not much of a chef but my dad loves to cook so I have benefited greatly from my parents living nearby and giving me their leftovers! I did perfect the Jon & Vinny’s spicy fusilli and the copycat Levain cookies during the pandemic, though!

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)

What do you think sets New York apart as a food city?

New York is such a vibrant and diverse city, and I think that’s really reflected in the food scene here. Take the Lower East Side for example. On Orchard Street alone you can hit fine dining with Wildair, an all day Mediterranean café with Sami & Susu, a happening brunch spot with Dudley’s, a vegan ice cream shop with Whipped Dessert Bar, and one of the better-known pizza joints in the city with Scarr’s! While there’s always a new restaurant to try, you can also become a regular at your local spots. For a huge city, I think that’s really special.

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Outside of New York, have you been to any other cities that have wowed you with their food?

I went to graduate school in Philadelphia and the restaurants there are just top notch. Michael Solomonov is a genius and Zahav is truly one of the best restaurants I’ve had the pleasure of trying. South Philly Barbacoa is life changing. Reading Terminal Market is so fun. It’s really just such a wonderful city.

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Where should people go in New York if they want to visit a restaurant that is a hidden gem?

I have to give away my secrets with this one! It definitely gets a lot of hype but I think Golden Diner remains a little bit of a hidden gem because of its location. It’s probably my favorite restaurant in the city. Some other hidden gems I love are MaLa Project, Pinklady Cheesetart, Funny Face Bakery (for their chocolate chip cookies) and Forlini’s restaurant.

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What is your all-time favorite dish?

The Honey Butter Pancakes at Golden Diner, the Spaghetti alla Chitarra from Rubirosa, and the Lemon Meringue Pie from 4 Charles Prime Rib.

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)

How has being a food influencer changed your relationship with New York City?

New York is so special! I’m an avid walker, so sometimes I pick a far away food destination (yes, I walk to Brooklyn) and then see what other cool spots I can hit along the way. It’s given me so many opportunities to explore different neighborhoods, cuisines, and small businesses. I’ve learned about so many interesting places I never would have heard of if not for connecting with other influencers using this platform. I’ve also been able to meet a lot of cool people, which is something that’s been especially great during this isolating time. I can definitely say my relationship status has gone from “it’s complicated” to “committed” since starting this account!

Image credit: @lowereeeatsside (Instagram)