United States

New York City 

Deserts

Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Taja Cheek (known by her moniker L'Rain) give us the lowdown on hotspots around Brooklyn, in New York.

L'Rain's experimental sound is a collage of influences, blending genres such as soul and gospel to 90s R&B, free jazz and ambient. Her trajectory today is shaped by her upbringing in the Crown Heights neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Growing up, her father worked in music marketing and her grandfather owned a jazz store in the area.

In 2017, L'Rain released her first self-titled album, which earned her features across several end of year lists across music publications. She followed up with her sophomore LP, 

in 2021 which explores ideas around resilience and weariness in the face of oppressive systemic structures, and global movements such as Black Lives Matter.

which sees her dive into rock music tropes. Describing it as an "anti-break-up" album, it sees the artist lean into the emotional drama of love, loss and heartbreak.

Alongside the recent release, she also takes us around Brooklyn – an area that's shaped her as an artist. Below, she's curated a guide on where you should go in Brooklyn for food and drinks. This is the ultimate guide on where to eat and drink in the NYC borough, featuring speakeasies and restaurants that serve up "ass juice".

Very affordable Indian takeout. Very beloved by New Yorkers.

Former business partners turned rival kosher dim sum restaurant owners.

Lots of delicious flavours including black sesame and pandan.

A speakeasy that requires a call to a pay phone in a Crif Dog spot.

I used to come down to Coney Island Board Walk with my parents on spur of the moment trips in the evenings, and later on as a teenager to watch the weekly firework displays in the summer. Now, I like to go for the music, performances and to sit by the beach in the mornings. I always order frog legs at Nathan’s – a little-known Brooklyn classic!

Continuing with the nostalgic theme: I used to catch horseshoe crabs and run around in torn down buildings, but now this entire area has been developed and the park has expanded into a beautiful place to hang out. My favourite spots from childhood are the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Grimaldi’s Pizza and Jacques Torres – a chocolate shop.

They sell an infamous drink called ‘ass juice’ that is extremely small, but very potent and dangerously delicious. The TVs usually play a medley of vintage, extreme porn.

Jacques Torres Chocolate

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