Where To See & Be Seen: The Definitive Downtown Guide

When we first heard of Carlos Quirarte and Taavo Somer opening up a new spot on the Lower East Side, there was no question that said restaurant would fulfill a cool divining prophecy, the realization of which no one could imagine, but no one could argue. For a decidedly refined night out that is still a night out - this is the Lower East Side after all - Le Turtle's whole French nouveau thing, emphasis on the nouveau, vibes seamlessly with the neighborhood. Their website alone is, well, honestly you look and tell us. Click around, it's like a pastel, American Apparel commissioned art school project that you can't stop watching and you don't know why. 

The primest of seats would have to be their little bird cage-esque private booth, perched up a few steps and tucked away just to the right of the bar. The social high ground. You'll be hard to see, so, of course, no one will be able to stop looking. This whole French nouveau thing? We're pretty into it.

Le Turtle, 177 Chrystie Street

Alix Verley-Pietrafesa in Marc Jacobs Clip On Sunglasses