This weekly feature spotlights a wide variety of people who live and work on the Lower East Side. If you know someone you would like to suggest be featured in “My LES,” please email us here.
What’s your name?
Natalie Frigo.
What do you do?
I am a jewelry designer. www.bynataliefrigo.com
How long have you lived on the LES?
About 2 1⁄2 years.
Favorite block in the hood?
On Orchard St. from Grand to Broome. It’s one of my favorite blocks in the entire city. I was walking there a few days ago and overheard a tour guide explaining that General Delancey owned almost all of the land that we think of as the LES in the 1700’s. Orchard Street is where the orchard was on the farm. For some reason, this makes me love that block even more.
Favorite date spot in the hood?
Stellina on Allen. Everything in this little place is delicious. The atmosphere is what I imagine a small cafe in Rome in the 1960’s would have been like. It is beyond adorable and romantic.
Favorite coffee in the hood?
I don’t drink coffee, so I have no idea!
Favorite slice in the hood?
Nonna’s on Clinton.
Where do you take your visitors when they’re here?
For food, I always take people to the Doughnut Plant, il laboratorio del gelato, Katz’s and probably sneak in a little Russ and Daughters. If we have a few days, I try to take them to the Pickle Guys and get a biscuit from Little Giant. And I love taking people to the Sunshine Cinema for a great movie.
Favorite dive/locals bar in the hood?
No Fun on Ludlow. It opened recently and it’s the perfect place to grab a drink: great music that’s not too loud, a dozen beers on tap and filled with very friendly locals.
How has the neighborhood changed in the last few years?
Bars and late night restaurants have started creeping south of Delancey. I wonder how long it will be before they are in full force south of Grand. Hopefully, we won’t lose our great neighborhood feel in the process.
Favorite LES memory?
My favorite memory is the first day we moved into our apartment on the LES. When we first moved to New York City, we lived in Brooklyn. Within a few months of living here, we visited friends in Seward Park and immediately fell in love with the neighborhood. We spent a long time trying to find a place here and when we finally got to move in, it felt like a dream.
