OTH Table Notes: Summer 2026
19 excellent things we're eating, reading, and talking about.
Good morning, friends. Today, we’re going deep into all of the fantastic stuff we’ve been transfixed by lately: from a Polo Bar moving rumor and our new favorite striped market tote to a special OTH reader discount for the first Chef’s Table festival in Park City and a stash of vintage Lucky Peach magazines. (We originally planned on running an enchanting essay about growing up in one of New York’s most illustrious — and mourned-since-it-closed — restaurants, but realized we had too many good “starters” to share. That’s coming next week instead.)
This collection is a good one, so settle in. — Team OTH
1. How many is too many taverns?
For Grub Street, Matthew Schneier asked “Why is Every New Restaurant a ‘Tavern?’” highlighting some recent openings including Trudie’s, Graciela, and Grimm. And the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing: Erin spotted another — The Derby Club — on the @newopeningsnyc Instagram (a great follow if you don’t already).
2. Bear Sounds 🎶
The Bear’s five-season run ended a few weeks ago, and the music — curated by its show-runners Christopher Storer and Josh Senior — has been such a distinguishing treat, start to finish. We assembled a custom playlist of our favorite “Bear Sounds” from the show (and John enjoyed this take on why the soundtrack really hits).
3. Chef’s Table is coming to Park City in August — and OTH members get 25% off.
The people behind Netflix’s Chef’s Table are throwing their first festival August 13 to 16 in Park City. More than 70 chefs from the show, including Massimo Bottura, Francis Mallmann, Nancy Silverton, Sean Brock, and Dario Cecchini, are taking over restaurants across the city for one-of-a-kind dining experiences and intimate tastings. The festival is less than three weeks away, so consider this last call.
On the House subscribers use the code CTTF25 for 25% off every ticket tier***:
Signature: $2,000, now $1,500.
Includes two lunches, two dinners, and one guaranteed chef pick.Premier: $4,000, now $3,000.
Guaranteed placement with two of your top chef picks.Elite: $7,500, now $5,625.
Guaranteed placement with every chef you pick.Be a Chef: $15,000, now $11,250.
Inside the kitchen with the masters.
***Custom discounts like this will be a regular part of our OTH Paid Membership tier (alongside IRL member tastings, stylish merch, and more), launching here in the fall.
4. A few more August events we’d be down to join.
Mexico City’s Masala y Maíz popping up at The Modern (the dinner, available exclusively to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, includes a private after-hours tour (!!!) of the Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera exhibit); Smithereens’ new Cook Lunch series with guests like Joe Beddia and Rita Jammet; if you’re upstate, Missy Robbins + MISIPASTA is hosting a special experience at Callisto Farm.
5. Chef pants for ALL.
From Hudson-based designer Nikki Chasin, they come in shades of blue cheese, flour, and split pea.
6. RIP Walk-ins.
Real Simple ran an excellent piece on the state of reservation culture. It reminded us of this story Marco Shalma did for us a while back about the disappearance of walk-ins…and how hard it is these days to just have a spontaneous NYC night out.
7. Happy birthday David Chang.
Celebrate the Momofuku founder’s b-day on August 5 by nabbing this mint collection of vintage Lucky Peach magazines. We want them!
8. Rumor has it that Polo Bar is moving to 625 Madison Avenue.
We ran a quick poll on the OTH IG and 80% of followers think changing locations isn’t the best idea. More to come when it becomes final.
9. Our new favorite market tote, because you definitely need just one more chic gigantic striped bag.
It’s lightweight, spacious, and durable. Plus, it looks charmingly like it was born in the atelier of a French heritage brand.
10. An underrated summer lunch spot.
The presentation at Nami Nori ⬇️ is always as brilliant as the sushi.
Locations in New York, Miami, Virginia Beach, and Montclair, NJ.
11. Matt Damon 🚫 gluten.
He recently told Amy Poehler on her Good Hang podcast that it “completely changed [his] life.” Here’s a link to the best GF pasta on the planet (tested and approved).
12. NYC restaurant merch is having a moment.
We have a big guide of the best picks, new AND vintage, coming 🔜. Until then, enjoy Gap’s collab with Los Tacos, one of the city’s most popular taquerias (those SHORTS). If you can’t get your hands on one of the pieces — it’s going quick — Los Tacos also sells its own tees.
13. Spend a Saturday at Amant Brooklyn.
Catch Kim Gordon’s show before it ends on August 16, then grab dinner at Zoli afterwards. For more art/food pairings, check out our collab with exhibits in new york that ran last week:
14. Speaking of museum restaurants.
Julia Sherman, executive chef at Oberon at the New Museum, announced she’s leaving the restaurant to focus on her new line of salad dressing mixes.
15. That marvelous HAY x Jasper Morrison outdoor entertaining/camping/garden/chic/collapsible summer collection is ON SALE.
Yes, that striped folding chair is only $220 👀.
16. A reminder to support your local cookbook shop.
Laura Fenton wrote about some of the city’s best for T magazine. We’ve got a special story coming soon about our favorite outpost.
17. It’s Trip Time. (Even if it’s always Trip Time.)
The final leg of summer is upon us. If you’re in need of a bump up, we’ve got a few essentials on our list, including our new favorite luggage makers. Nice, right?
18. No assholes, please.
Vanity Fair reports that private clubs around the world are done with bad behavior. Amen.
19. And a final giggle from this week’s The New Yorker.
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I love the names of the pants colors. Cheese particularly. Great post. So much fun stuff to enjoy.