How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Dena Yoba

Dena Yoba wears many hats and moves with intention. A multihyphenate creative raised between L.A. and New York, she brings a thoughtful, artistic lens to everything she does. For the past 3 years, she’s brought that same energy into leadership as president of the Yoba Development Foundation, guiding community-focused work with clarity and heart. She's also the daughter of Bronx-born actor Malik Yoba, but her path is entirely her own. In this week’s edition, Dena shares a vibrant, hyper-local take on being “outside,” filled with familiar faces, spontaneous plans, and the kind of city magic that only happens when you let the day unfold.

Okayplayer: When you want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, where do you go in NYC?

Dena Yoba: When I want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, I’ll have dinner in the city — specifically Soho. It’s the perfect place to people-watch; the energy in Soho right now feels very reminiscent of pre-COVID. The city is definitely back. There are a few places I like to eat, but Sartianos on Mercer, in particular, is one of my favorite dinner spots right now. It’s sexy — you can catch a vibe but still be in your own world. The environment is really chic and has a sultry aesthetic as well. Then, if you decide you want to be outside after all, there’s Submercer right under Sartianos, which is an underground gem. Truly intimate energy, solid music, and an exclusiveness that can make you feel like you’re in a secret underground lair. The vibe is sort of “if you know, you know” — it’s a cool, club-like lounge hidden below the streets.

Where do you go when you want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by crowds?

When I want to be around people but not overwhelmed by crowds, I go for a good old-fashioned walk — specifically in my favorite neighborhood in BK, Fort Greene. Fort Greene has the best energy. If you walk around on a Saturday, you can shop the farmers market at the park or even see some of my homies that sell vintage clothing on DeKalb. Shout out to Milk, Moe, and Shaya. You can stop by Evelina, which I just so happen to be a super regular at. It’s an Italian and Mediterranean blend — the food is so fire. I usually start with their pinsa bianca, then the octopus, and they have this mushroom burrata ravioli that is so delicious — perfect place to grab a bite. Fort Greene has my heart; it’s definitely a special neighborhood, and the community within it is what truly makes it.

What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?

Ok, boom, the perfect day in NYC starts with one singular plan that morphs into the most spontaneous day/night ever, and usually, you’re with some of your favorite people. 

Last week, my perfect day started just like that. I had a few meetings in Brooklyn, then I had to stop at Aimé Leon Dore for my last meeting with my dad. We grabbed lunch at Ruby’s on Mulberry Street and people-watched, which is a perfect place to do so. They also make a great shrimp salad. It was one of those days where there just so happened to be a ton of events going on within a four-block radius. So we bounced from one event — which was a perfume launch — then a Dave East listening party, and then Fish Cheeks, which is a fire Thai spot on Bond St. Highly recommend their crab curry.

Now, if you don’t have all of that going on, then a walk around Brooklyn can turn into anything. Usually, I’ll walk around my neighborhood, Fort Greene, and naturally, because New York is New York, I’ll run into someone I know. 

By the end of the great exploration, hunger will definitely strike again — usually, music is also needed. Depending on whether I end up in the city or Brooklyn, dinner and drinks can be anywhere. If I end up in the city, then Chinese Tuxedo in Chinatown is another go-to. They have these insane oxtail buns, and their drinks are ridiculously good — I get something called The Bloody Angle with tequila and blood orange; it's absolutely gorgeous. 

If I want music and food, then I’ll end up in Brooklyn. There are a few spots — from Damballa in Bushwick to Please Tell Me in Williamsburg and Miss Barb's on Nostrand. Damballa has fire Haitian patties, the aesthetic is super cool, and the drinks are tasty. Miss Barb's always has good music and a great selection of orange wine. It’s an intimate yet vibey spot. Please Tell Me has Wine Wednesdays, and their food is good as well — honorable mention to the wings. The wine selection is beautiful, the cocktails bang, and they have a dope little Photo Booth mirror by the bathroom. Some of my favorite memories have been made there. If I want to end the night with good music, I know I can find my homie Chooch — he DJs at all of these places quite often, and he’s absolutely talented at curating a vibe. Thus completing a perfect NYC day.