Featured
FOOD: DJs Favorite Eats After Hours
They are the tastemakers of your weekend night outs, spinning behind the decks to match the beats with the stomps of the dance floors. But if there’s one thing else that DJs love more than music it’s food—and they happen to have good taste for it. Case in point: DJ Neil Armstrong, Jay-Z’s former tour DJ, teams up with chefs to bring Brunch & A Mixtape or the dinner version of it across the country. Other DJs have taken their love for food even a step further by opening their own restaurants or bars. In Queens, Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin of Mister Saturday and Mister Sunday parties opened an outside bar called Nowadays. (Due the seasonal change, Nowadays is closed except for two special events.) James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem has The Four Horsemen in Williamsburg. And I asked some of the top DJs in New York City to share their go-to food spots after those late night set shows.
DJ Natasha Diggs
At 17, Natasha got her first set of turntables. Since then, she has played alongside or opened for your favorites artists (e.g. Erykah Badu, Just Blaze, D’angelo, Lauryn Hill and Damian Marley). Earlier this year, Natasha became the official DJ for Lauryn Hill’s Small Axe Acoustic Set Tour, where it held seven shows in two weeks.
You can usually find her: "Fridays at Subrosa for my weekly dance party/live music showcase "SouL in the Horn", Mondays at Bowery Electric for "Mobile Mondays!", Tuesdays at Provocateur and all kinds of random jump offs in between!"
After hours cravings: "Wo Hop is always an option - long time late night reliable food option for the DJ and after hours set plus its on the way back to Brooklyn. If I''m feeling a little more fancy Blue Ribbon is the spot I'll treat myself on the early am trip."
She suggests: "At Wo Hop, Chinese broccoli or baby bok choy, eggplant with black bean sauce to satisfy my veggie heavy diet. The salt and pepper flounder and vegetable fried rice are also sure shots. At blue ribbon it depends on the mood but I always save room for a dessert...or two."
DJ TAP.10
Like many DJs, Bay Area-bred Tapan Munshi was inspired to get into music by another DJ. Tapan told SF Weekly that that inspiration lead to collaborations with high school friends at an after school program called Youth Radio. Tapan now is the resident DJ of the Honor Roll Crew, which consists of (yup, you guessed it) those same school friends.
You can usually find him: "Residencies at Kinfolk 94, Fat Buddha (Yep! Yep!), Friends & Lovers (#FOMOparty). I've been fortunate to guest DJ at some of the best parties including Makossa, The Rub and #theVS."
After hours cravings: "Late night food options can be tough, especially after 4AM. I've tried to curb my late night eating habits mostly because I end up paying for it the next day and it's a horrible habit to inhale chicken wings and knock out the next hour. Yafa Deli - I was introduced to this spot from a couple Brooklyn homies as the sure shot late night spot for great fried chicken. They have the fried chicken on deck all times of night, wee hours of the morning and they can usually fry some wings to order."
He also suggests: "Empire Biscuits - If you're in East Village, this is the sure shot. Chicken biscuit with honey, hold the pickle. Artichoke Pizza - I stick with the grandma slice, or margherita...not a fan of the namesake Artichoke slice."
Lawrence Poon, another Bay Area native, has found a way to combine music and fundraising. His first club event was a fundraiser for his friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer. Then came a coat drive. Today, Lawrence continues to inspire with his music.
You can usually find him: “I often play at Fat Buddha in the East Village, hill & Dale and Sons of Essex on a weekly basis."
After hours cravings: “It all depends on where my DJ gig ends. When I DJ at Fat Buddha on Thursdays I eat across the street at Zaragoza Mexican restaurant. If it’s Sons of Essex or Hill & Dale I go to Green star Deli for a Muenster Grilled Cheese Sandwich with tomatoes. Anywhere else after I DJ, my default is a beef patty with cheese at any pizzeria. Two favorite late night restaurants are Cafeteria (Mac & Cheese) or Copellia on 14th street. It’s a 24 hour Cuban restaurant and the Lomo Saltado is beast! After DJing and drinking, the options are limited. I choose these spots because it’s greasy, cheesy and good. When eating late, being healthy is not an option. DJing is my passion and the food at the end is a reward.”
DJ Toy
San Francisco also has given us another talented DJ. When not working as the Marketing & Events Project Manager at The Fader, Allyson Toy stays involved with music as DJ Toy. Allyson has played for the biggest brands in existence - from M.A.C and Victoria's Secret to Puma and Macy's.
You can usually find her: "I DJ primarily in Brooklyn, but pop up in the city every now and again, too. I end up frequently at Kinfolk, Enid's, and Up & Down, but I've also rocked at spots ranging from Soho House and Gotham to traditional hard ticket venues such as Irving Plaza or SOBs, opening for artists ranging from pop acts such as Rita Ora to Internet rap kids like Keith Ape or Brooklyn's Phony Ppl, who are like a younger, more NYC version of The Roots."
After hours cravings: After most DJ sets, I feel a sense of accomplishment so despite it being a late night, I feel entitled to rewarding myself! I'm one of the few DJs I know of that doesn't drink at all, so the reward usually comes in the form of food. Chinese food is by far the most comforting food to me, as it's what I grew up on. If I'm in the city, depending on how hungry I am I might make a trip to Chinatown and grab a late night meal at Great NY Noodle Town on Bowery. Their wonton noodle soup is cheap, fast, and right off the Manhattan Bridge for a quick cab ride back to the crib."
Her other suggestions: "Though less authentic, if I'm in Brooklyn I'll head to M Noodle on Metropolitan, which is not far from my place. They close at 6 a.m., and the roast duck noodle soup is unbeatable within a three mile radius in the late night! Plus, it's also the same price as the noodle soups with other meats, so it's a great value compared to its pork or chicken counterparts which are usually less expensive. Outside of Asian fare, the Barbacoa tacos served from the taco truck on the corner of Bedford and N 7th are to die for. I'd think getting goat meat from a truck would either be really adventurous or really suspect, but after a long night, I'm not in the mood to ask questions. Though an acquired taste, the goat meat they serve is always delicious. Salty, a little crisped on the outside, while still moist and flavorful on the inside. Paired with the usual taco fixings, which are always super fresh, it can't be beat circa 4:30 a.m."
