New Jersey imports Alissa Wagner and Sabrina De Sousa co-own a little piece of culinary perfection called Dimes, tucked away in the crease where Chinatown meets the Lower East Side. OC stopped by the restaurant this week to discuss their taste in fashion (pun intended) and talk about their take on what a New York City café is today. The duo's goal was to create a place that was a home away from home, a place you could go everyday and not get sick of. With locally sourced organic ingredients and dishes like the Spiced Quinoa Bowl or The Big Salad (yes, that's a Seinfeld reference), there's an endless medley of flavors that are insidiously healthy. The environment in Dimes is full-on cozy: Cassie Griffin's pottery is for sale and fills every nook and cranny, as well as Sabrina's homemade rose water spray, lip balm, and salt scrub, alongside weekly floral arrangements by Meta Flora. The 10-plus years of restaurant experience between Alissa and Sabrina is abundantly clear as Dimes is a true breath of freshness, both savory and modern. On a personal note, I'm one of those crazy food allergy people, so I was thrilled to find that Dimes happily accommodated all my very specific dietary needs, so I'll definitely be one of those everyday, home-away-from-home customers.
Photos by James Parker III
Name: Alissa Wagner and Sabrina De Sousa
Hometown:
Alissa: Allendale, NJ
Sabrina: Newark, NJ
What look are you into at the moment?
Alissa: Vintage Levi's and long men's coats.
Sabrina: Keeping it simple: white socks, flats, jeans, and a trench.
What look were you into in high school?
Alissa: Ugh, that emo/riot girl thing.
Sabrina: Aaliyah channeling Shirley Manson.
Most regrettable fashion moment?
Alissa: Raver pants
Sabrina: The Chola brown lip liner and zig-zag hair part look will never resurrect.
Your 3 wardrobe essentials?
Alissa: R.M. Williams boots, vintage Levi's, grey hoodie
Sabrina: Vintage 501s, white T-shirt, sunglasses
Your 3 wardrobe wishes for spring?
Alissa: Suede pants, pony hair loafers, and a perfect pair of cut-offs.
Sabrina: Metallic Prada slingback flats, the perfect 501s, and I'm really loving this OC top!
Most prized piece in your wardrobe?
Alissa: A bizarre sweatshirt with a screenprint of the Moosehead Beer logo in front of a crying harlequin clown on the back.
Sabrina: Vintage Alaïa bodysuit
Favorite spots to shop?
Alissa: Creatures of Comfort, Steven Alan, Opening Ceremony!
Sabrina: Rock Star Crystals and Uniqlo.
Favorite designers?
Alissa: Isabel Marant, Rachel Comey, Unis
Sabrina: Celine, Dries Van Noten, Robert Clergerie
How long have you lived in NYC?
Alissa: 13 years
Sabrina: 12 years
How did you two meet? Sabrina: We worked together at Lovely Day many moons ago.
What does good food mean to you?
Alissa: Clean, bright, balanced, beautiful.
Sabrina: Not to sound trite but, being conscientious of where your food is source