How To Be Outside, Inside Featuring Rasheeda Purdie

It’s always a special treat when we encounter NYC denizens who have elevated NYC living into a veritable artform. Rasheeda Purdie has done exactly that. She initially made her mark in the city as a highly sought-after fashion stylist before switching speeds and delving deep into the culinary world. She attended The Institute of Culinary Education and further sharpened her skills under chefs and mentors like Melba Wilson, JJ Johnson and Marcus Samuellson. 

She’s currently the chef/owner of Ramen by Ra, an intimate Tokyo-inspired restaurant that has received rave reviews from The New Yorker, New York Times and Forbes. She’s even been called the Queen of Ramen by Essence Magazine. 

In this edition of How To Be Outside, Inside, Rasheeda gives us a well-rounded tour of downtown Manhattan, featuring leisurely bike rides, vintage shopping, and of course, heaps of delicious bites. 

Okayplayer: Where do you go in NYC when you want to be outside without being outside?

Rasheeda Purdie: When I want to be outside without really being outside, I get on my bike and head to the West Side Highway. My pup rides in the front basket, either solo or with my partner. That stretch feels like a reset. I pray, manifest, sing, listen to music, FaceTime my mom or sister. It pulls me away from the noise of the city and lets me focus on the water and the sky.

I usually start on the east side and ride west through the Village, stopping at Tartine for brunch. My go-to order is the Scottish salmon, apple pancakes, and mimosas. It sits on a magical corner that’s perfect for people-watching. From there, Magnolia Bakery is a must for banana pudding. I keep riding down to Battery Park to take in the Statue of Liberty and watch the world move, then loop over to the Seaport, cross back up via two bridges, and head toward East Broadway for a stop at Wu’s Wonton King, home of what I truly believe are the best wontons in the city.

If we have a little energy left, we end the night at Lucien with our guy Sal and drinks with Andreas, who serves a smooth margarita every time. Late-night bites, pasta, and a double order of fries. The best of both worlds. Cheers!

It’s a full circle of downtown Manhattan on two wheels. For me, that’s the best way to be outside without really being outside in NYC.

Where do you go when you want to be around people but not with people?

The Whitney Museum is my go-to. There’s an ease to it. You can move at your own pace, tap into your creative side, and really sit with the art. The rooftop is a reset too. A glass of rosé or a cup of tea with those views always shifts my energy.

From there, I usually head to Pier 57 for lunch at Essex Pearl. They’re good friends of mine, Chef Daniel and Felicia, and they serve the best lobster rolls and seafood bisque. After lunch, a walk on the High Line feels natural. Being able to see the city from above, at any point in the day, is a privilege. The city inspires you if you let it. That’s why I’m always looking up and around. There’s nothing a phone can offer that compares to what’s happening right in front of you.

What does your perfect NYC day look like?

A perfect NYC day starts slow, with my partner and our pup. We’re either walking or biking, letting the city guide us. Before brunch, I have to stop for coffee and my favorite oatmeal raisin cookies from The Pastry Box in the East Village. Non-negotiable. They hold me over in case there’s a wait for brunch.

Brunch at Commerce Inn is a favorite. Those pancakes are perfection. Crispy edges, fluffy centers. We sit and talk about life, our businesses, what’s next. Great ideas are born there.

After brunch, we might meet friends for a drink, then wander the city in search of more sweets. That usually leads us to L’Appartement 4F for cinnamon rolls. From there, we head east to shop and thrift. We’re regulars at Buffalo Exchange and L-Train Vintage. We also love catching Love Tara when she’s set up at the Nolita outdoor market. She’s an incredible artist with the best NYC tees, Basquiat, Biggie, Marilyn Monroe, Frida. Her designs are iconic, and it’s always good catching up with her.

We’re not big lunch people, especially after a heavy brunch, so we save our appetite for dinner. The Lower East Side usually fills the rest of the day. Galleries, pop-ups we find on the 8it app, or quality time with my partner’s family. He’s from the LES, so we’re always running into people, always posted somewhere.

To end the night, dinner at Raf’s. There’s no wrong choice. We indulge here: Bread basket, little gem salad, whole fish, half chicken, pasta or ravioli, and we always split the white chocolate bonino for dessert “iykyk” . That’s a full NYC day for me. Good vibes, great food, and exploring the city on foot or by bike.