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Like every fashion enthusiast, I love the energy and style of New York City. One of my first stops was the Anna Wintour Costume Center to check out the final days of the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” exhibition.
Afterward, there was the question of where to eat, and I headed to the West Village to check out “Jack’s Wife Freda”, because I love its marriage of trendiness and a good, old-fashioned love story.
It’s an immigrants love story of Jack and Freda, who met and married in Johannesburg in the 1930s. Their grandson Dean, who owns the restaurant with his wife Maya, never forgot the sense of belonging, love and hospitality of his grandparents home, where Freda was a gracious and warm hostess who always put a lot of food on the table. So when it came time to name the restaurant he opened in 2011, he chose to honor his grandparents. Their portrait hangs on one of the restaurant’s brick walls.
The restaurant is a lively all-day bistro packed with 20- to 30somethings who enjoy its American-Mediterranean cuisine, classic cocktails and reasonable prices.
While there I enjoyed dishes of tuna salad, sesame-glazed fish a la plancha, and peri-peri marinated chicken kebabs served over couscous with a side salad, and my girls ordered mini burgers and mac+cheese from the children’s menu.
I also enjoyed one of their art lattes and fresh cantaloupe juice. It’s always such a treat to enjoy great food in one of my favorite cities in the world 
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Jack’s Wife Freda is at 50 Carmine St. New York, NY 10014 Call (646) 669-9888, 2nd location at 224 Lafayette St. Call (212) 510-8550.
Fun sayings on their sugar packages are always instagram worthy. Also wearing on thumb, our Celeste Wrap ring and Peahi Wave ring.
You’re guaranteed a good time with friends.
Try the “Fish a la Plancha.” A sesame soy glazed with sautéed kale and radish.
Love chicken? The “Chicken Kebab” is a fulfilling meal to try including Peri-Peri marinated chicken with couscous + chopped salad.
Dessert favorite of the late Nelson Mandela and Oprah, “Malva Pudding” is moist, sweet and served in just the right portion.
A photo of the owner’s Grandparents, “Jack” and “Freda” is placed by the front entrance. A lovely touch to the restaurant’s name.