I miss my bench. I call it “mine” but in reality it belongs to Joe, my local coffee spot, or its owner, Jonathan Rubinstein. One of New York City’s third- wave coffee ambassadors, Rubinstein opened the first Joe in 2003 on West 4th Street, the same week I moved to New York City, to an apartment just a block away. He placed two benches out front, enclosed by a kindly, green, wrought-iron fence, off of which both plants and locals, hang. I call it “the most valuable real estate in the West Village,” and not because of the demand, which is high, but because it’s the ultimate vantage point.
Nestled between Gay Street and an exit for the West 4th A/C/E/B/D/F/M subway stop it’s the best people-watching in Manhattan. And not just for tourists (they love that we have a street named “Gay”), or celebrities (Anderson Cooper often trots by; the nearest streetlamp featured a “missing” poster for Charlotte Gainsbourg’s cat), but for locals, the Greenwich Villagers. These are my people. The writers, editors, designers, professors, actors and artists (and their dealers) who, for centuries, have given the neighborhood its texture. Sometimes it’s just a nod or not even, and sometimes it’s 30 minutes of laughs and dish and deep discussion. Over a cappuccino. Over the railing. On my bench at Joe.
Everyone in New York City—everyone, everywhere—has a bench. For some it’s a restaurant, a walk, a karaoke crew, something essential or dear to them from their former life that they cannot wait to return to once the coronavirus lockdown lessens. Until there is a vaccine—and even then, life might not return to normal. But as Europe begins to thaw, and some states (smartly or not) begin to lessen restrictions, we asked a group of prominent New Yorkers—from legends of stage and screen to your favorite yogi—what they’re most looking forward to when the lockdown finally ends. (These interviews have been edited for clarity and space.)
Daniel “Desus Nice” Baker, talk show co-host and podcaster: Three months ago, I probably would’ve said someplace trite such as Soho House, Sarabeth’s or a Juice Press store (I love all these places; please don’t ban me). But the thing I want to do more than anything is see my family. Growing up in the Bronx anytime there’s a special occasion (graduation, birthday, new Jordan’s dropping, etc.) we celebrate at the ‘French Riviera of the Bronx’ aka City Island. So my wish would be to rent out the room in the back of Lobster Box Restaurant on City Island for all my family and get bloated on crab legs, garlic bread and colorful drinks with way too much alcohol in them. I want to see my nephew be picky with French fries. I want my siblings to call me ‘Hollywood’ in a half mocking/half proud way. And I want them to all stare at their phones when the bill comes, which I will happily pay.