2011 WAS A BIG YEAR for Shimon and Ariel Ovadia. Over the last twelve months, the Brooklyn-raised brothers watched as their upstart line, Ovadia & Sons, skyrocketed from an underground favorite to the forefront of the menswear market. The label’s sharply tailored threads—which range from impeccable double breasted suits to beautiful sport shirts and heavyweight knits—are now carried in stockists as varied as C’H’C’M and Barney’s, and 2012 looks poised to continue the young company’s rapid ascent.
A great deal of Ovadia & Sons’ success can be ascribed to its founders’ vision and insight. Shimon and Ariel are, in many respects, the perfect dinner party guests: stylish and worldly, eloquent and amiable. Which is exactly why we decided they’re also the ideal candidates to kick off our new “A Night Out” column. Here, the debonair twins take us on a tour of their favorite New York eateries, venues and watering holes, and show you what to wear to each.
The Dinner Date
The Spot: Yama, 112 E. 17th Street (at Irving Place)
What To Wear: “Some vintage jeans, and your favorite worn-in shirt. No jacket required, unless you want to impress your date.”
Why We Love It: “Yama is our local go-to sushi spot. The food is great, but the atmosphere is nothing fancy at all. You really go there to eat. It’s especially good for when you’re taking out a girl for the first time—you don’t want anything too extravagant. Order a bottle of Okunomatsu cold sake, a bunch of sashimi, a spicy tuna roll, and the Special No. 1, which is jalapeno with yellowtail.”
Suit, dress shirt and knit tie by Ovadia & Sons
Live Music
The Spot: Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, 35 E. 76th Street
What To Wear: “It’s just one of those places that makes you want to wear a suit and tie. There is no such thing as ‘overdressed’ here, or anywhere for that matter.”
Why We Love It: “A night at Bemelmans is really like stepping back in time, as though you’ve been transported back to the ‘50s. It’s a small, magical place. There are beautiful hand painted walls and lampshades, and the waiters are all dressed up in white jackets. The live jazz is always fantastic—Woody Allen and his band play on Monday nights, which is a lot of fun. It’s upscale and classy without being pretentious. There’s a casual, easygoing vibe, but you won’t look out of place wearing a tuxedo. The crowd is always a great mix, and surprisingly younger than you’d expect—but don’t be surprised if there are some older women hitting on you.”
After Work Drinks
The Spot: The Mondrian SoHo, 9 Crosby Street
What To Wear: “Whatever we happen to have on after work. A navy double breasted jacket, white oxford shirt, knit tie, and some trousers with a 2-inch cuff. In the fall we wear a lot of corduroy, but once Old Man Winter rolls around, flannel is in heavy rotation.”
Why We Love It: “The atmosphere here is cool, because you can actually sit down and have a conversation. There’s nothing worse than when you’re meeting up with someone for a chat but the place is too loud. The room itself is filled with glass art, chandeliers and paintings, and it has a bit of a green house feel. They change the menu seasonally, so try one of the specialty drinks, or go with something classic like a Tanqueray Martini with olives.”
Tuxedo jacket by Ovadia & Sons
The Big Celebration
The Spot: The Peninsula, 700 Fifth Avenue
What To Wear: “A double breasted tux jacket, crisp white shirt, white linen pocket square, no tie, worn-in jeans, and pebbled double monks. Don’t forget to splash on your favorite scent.”
Why We Love It: “For us, the company we’re with is what’s most important—the place is just a background. It doesn’t really matter where we go, as long as we have our friends with us. That being said, one of our favorite spots to stop by is The Peninsula. There’s a really cool bar on the roof with an outdoor area. You can kind of just take over a little section and hang out. The drinks are great, and there’s a really nice view. It’s a little escape from the city.”
Portraits by Allen Tullos
Still lifes by Paul Wax
