Erica Chayes Wida, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Teruko Brings Wagyu, Sushi and Subterranean Surrealism to Hotel Chelsea

3 weeks ago | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Teruko at Hotel Chelsea. Courtesy Annie SchlechterIt’s Tuesday night at the Hotel Chelsea. Lively coteries loiter on the rosy-hued sidewalk, colored by the white-and-crimson neon sign proudly displayed on the Victorian-era haunt. The late May evening is balmy enough to eat outside, but carries a chill that justifies the fire crackling beside gothic settees in the lobby. To enter the hotel’s newest dining concept, Teruko, which debuted Friday, May 23, I descend to the subterranean level.
Bar Bianchi Brings a Taste of Milanese Aperitivo Culture to the East Village

1 month ago | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Bar Bianchi is bringing a taste of Milan to the East Village. Courtesy Liz ClaymanFrom the pocket-sized, sultry Elvis in Nolita to the effortlessly chic Tabac-inspired wine bar Le Dive in Dimes Square, Golden Age Hospitality founder Jon Neidich has proven he’s fluid in French cool-factor. It flows through his repertoire of downtown restaurants and bars, including The Nines and Monsieur.
At Maison Passerelle, Gregory Gourdet Rethinks French Dining by Confronting Its Colonial Past

1 month ago | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Welcome to Maison Passerelle.
Amid arsenic concerns, is brown rice or white rice better for health?

1 month ago | today.com | Erica Chayes Wida |Maura Hohman

/ Updated / Source: TODAYRice is a staple ingredient in an endless array of recipes, and it’s found in millions of pantries around the world, but not all types are created equal. And with so many varieties available on store shelves today, it can be a little confusing about how to decipher which variety of the grain is best — especially brown rice versus white rice. Eating brown rice is a great way to meet your daily whole grain needs.
The best expert-recommended and editor-tested sandals to shop from Birkenstock, Clarks and more

2 months ago | today.com | Allie Wise |Erica Chayes Wida

Create your free account or log in to save this articleApril 25, 2025, 8:48 PM UTCWith spring travel in full swing, you’ve probably already unpacked your tank tops, dug out your swimwear and bought new linen clothing to survive the heat during your vacation. Sandals are the last piece you need to complete your warm-weather looks. After hours of research and consulting a few experts, we’re happy to announce that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for a stylish pair.
Caribbean Cuisine and Island Energy: Kabawa Drums Up a New Rhythm in Fine Dining

Mar 28, 2025 | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Chef Paul Carmichael at Kabawa, his new Caribbean restaurant in the East Village. Courtesy KabawaThe Caribbean, with its rich food, music and culture, is a destination that offers a tranquil escape to those who visit. Thanks to Barbados-born executive chef Paul Carmichael, who opened Kabawa in the East Village on March 25, people can discover a taste of the island’s energy in New York—at least for an evening, and as long as you have $145 per person to spare.
Food, Fashion and Furniture: New York’s Best Designer-Backed Restaurants

Mar 11, 2025 | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Along with designer dresses, leather handbags and custom couches, some of the most renowned luxury brands now offer New Yorkers another luxury experience: dining. From Polo Bar to La Mercerie, the designer-owned restaurant fad is a trend that continues to grow.
Discover the Coziest Italian Restaurants in the West Village

Feb 27, 2025 | wetheitalians.com | Erica Chayes Wida

BY: Erica Chayes WidaFinding your favorite Italian restaurant in a city like New York is an extraordinary act-and once you have one, you must never let it go. Hold it tightly like the lapels of a wool coat when the wind whips down Sixth Avenue. Learn the names of the owners, the managers and the waitstaff. Greet them ebulliently, and if you can, in Italian. Try every dish on the menu until you know, for sure, which is your go-to.
Papa San, a Japanese Peruvian Restaurant, Opens in Hudson Yards in NYC

Feb 24, 2025 | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Chef Erik Ramirez and Juan Correa at Papa San, their newest venture. Courtesy William Jess LairdI don’t often hang in Hudson Yards, but for Papa San, I would. The fifth venture from chef Erik Ramirez and restaurateur Juan Correa, who began invigorating New York, Madrid and London’s dining scenes with a Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine called Nikkei in 2015, opened to the public Thursday, Feb 18.
Joomak, a Korean-Influenced New American Restaurant, Opens in New York

Feb 14, 2025 | observer.com | Erica Chayes Wida

Jiho Kim debuts Joomak, a new iteration of his Michelin-starred Koreantown restaurant, in the West Village. Paola BaylonAfter nearly three years as one of New York’s must-try tasting menus, Joomak Banjum closed its doors in February 2024 due to rising rent. It felt like a premature end to the Michelin-starred restaurant’s story, but for executive chef Jiho Kim, it was just the beginning.