Week No. 248
Guest Curator: Ryan McMahon
We love turning to our friends for recommendations—the people with a perspective, an expertise, and something to say. The ones who always know the best new spot, the hidden gem, or the thing worth trying. So, we’re opening up their recs to the world.
This time, we’re thrilled to introduce Ryan McMahon as our guest curator. Ryan and I had multiple second-degree connections before finally meeting for coffee—and from the start, we could talk about restaurants and food for hours. As someone deeply immersed in the culinary world, Ryan has an impeccable taste for standout spots, hidden gems, and all things delicious.
My name is Ryan McMahon, and I am writing to you from a 7:04 AM train headed to DC. Born in Connecticut and having spent the last seven years living in Chelsea, New York, I am a native of the Northeast, more specifically New York. I hope to never leave the latter and will never leave the former. To keep busy, I work for the founder of Resy at his latest startup, Blackbird Labs, and run a dinner series, Conte Supper Club. Above all, the thing that has brought me the greatest joy in 2025 is writing my Substack every Sunday—something I need, wrote, and ate that week. I am honored to contribute for the ladies at Caro and hope that you'll stick around for more.
Restaurant of the Week:
I suspect most people would like my thoughts on a chic new restaurant in a city like New York or Paris, but I’m here to talk about a 100-year-old tavern in Berlin that doesn’t have knives. Don’t ask why—they’ve just always done it that way.
Die Henne, or “The Hen,” is what Germans consider a Stammtisch—German for a “regulars’ table”—where the emphasis is on drinking more than food, a stance that’s hard to believe, considering some of the dishes coming out of this place. Berlin was already high on my list of places to get to and Die Henne just bumped the city up a few spots on the roster.
Ps. my favorite new restaurant in NYC is Le Veau d’Or!
Brand of the Week:
There is an interesting trend taking shape—print, specifically magazines, is making a comeback. An independent publisher leading the charge, particularly in the food world is Fare, “insightful publications for the hungry reader.” Founder, Ben Mervis, publishes an extensive guide to some of the world’s coolest food cities just twice a year. In their words, "Fare explores the tastes, textures, and triumphs of a single city. You'll get an insider's look, told through a collection of stories, vignettes, and beautiful imagery from local contributors." Keep an eye on these guys.
Shop (Save?) of the Week:
This may come off as a shameless plug, but I genuinely believe that if you live in New York—which I suspect many of you do—this is the best deal since the island of Nantucket was sold for thirty pounds silver and two beaver hats (true story).
Blackbird is a payments app for restaurants in which you are rewarded for paying with the app. For $25 a month, their Blackbird Breakfast Club Pass gives you free coffee (yes, including that $9 oat milk cappuccino you order) at 28 (!) different spots across the city. In the likely chance, there’s one near your apartment or office, this is a no-brainer.
Blackseed Nolita and Fairfax West Village are my go-to’s!