Vol 3: Matches I Admire
Like many people, I am a matchbook/matchbox collector. Every time I try a new restaurant or bar, my eyes quickly scan the hostess stand, window or bar seating for a small bowl carrying some matches I can slyly grab on my way out. For some reason I feel like I have to sneak them into my purse…but they’re literally there for the taking. Anyone else?
I recently moved my match collection to a larger glass container, and as did so I took my time going through the many boxes, trying my best to remember each meal I had before grabbing a matchbook. Honestly I remembered a lot, and it reminded me why I collect matchbooks: they look cool and they commemorate a little moment in time after a meal or a drink at a cool restaurant or bar. Maybe I went straight home, or maybe I had a fun rest of the day after, but regardless, it’s cool to reflect and pinpoint a moment in time, simple as that.
I have a few matches that are my favorite because of the memories attached to them, but I also have my design favorites. Below is a fun combination of the two:
Unapologetically Bright
I love a bright color scheme, and these two take the cake.
You’ve heard of the unexpected red theory, but Freemans is all about the unexpected blue theory—even the match tips are blue! I’m obsessed with this hue, it’s not quite baby blue, maybe teenage blue? Either way I love it. What I also love is the location of this restaurant: in an old house at the end of a graffiti-lined street. How cool of a dining setting!
Le Dive’s chosen color scheme for their matchbooks is iconic: orange to pay homage to the orange interior details, and the color pairing with the pink/maybe rusty red makes this combo very retro. The smoke design inside is a fun surprise. It’s whimsical details like that that I a) love to over analyze, and b) know that it’s there because someone out there like to over analyze details too.
Last Great Meal
If you handed me this matchbox before I visited Lure, I’d know exactly what the vibe would be, to a T. Bravo on the branding. Jack and I recently celebrated our anniversary here and it did not disappoint. We were sat in a corner booth that overlooked the whole restaurant, so we were in for a people-watching treat. The interior feels as if you’re seated inside a super cool retro yacht that serves seafood every which way. Pescatarian heaven! We shared everything we ordered–definitely recommend their crispy rice.
The Institution
This is an iconic find on my part as JG Melon does not hand these out willingly. Be kind to your servers and hostess and you might be gifted a melon matchbook. I’d recommend their omelette + martini at any time of day.
Maximized Surface Area
I always appreciate when a match is so well designed that every inch and angle is used for a purpose. Design + utility!
This matchbook from Judith is just the cutest, primarily because the font is so whimsical. This is the one non-NYC restaurant on this list, it recently opened up in Sewanee, TN and has been a huge hit since it opened its doors. I love grabbing a meal here whenever I’m in town.
Gramercy Tavern’s design is all over but un-busy—the perfect balance. On one side you get their address and on the other they list their phone number, both in a hunter green font that tastefully mesh with the black and maroon overall design. The best details are the small icons on the side— a wine bottle, pear, knife, cow and fork.
Left Bank’s matchbook keeps it simple and bold, with the entirety of the surface area being their red and white logo. It’s fun that the design folds in half like a book.
Stay Golden
I love collecting a handful of gold matchbooks, simply because when I add them into my bowl, they add fun glimmers amongst my non-metallic matches. These two from Grand Army (in our neighborhood, fab happy hour) and Holywater (super eclectic interior that I’m obsessed with, I won’t spoil it in case you visit) are simple and similar in design, however the allover gold really speaks to how both spots are fun, funky and serious about their fabulous menus.
Not a Matchbook
In a world full of restaurants with matchbooks, why not give out toothpicks? This pack of toothpicks from Cozy Royal was a fun surprise to discover after leaving a lovely dinner where I caught up with two friends. I’m not the type to keep a toothpick in my teeth, however toothpicks are my version of a monkey wrench, they’re my ultimate handy-woman accessory. I love this design’s combo of green and yellow; it’s cozy, classic with a twist, kind of like a funky adidas shoe color combo that goes with everything.
And now for some art news:
I drew Shenanigans (finally!) DM to preorder the print (either 6x6in or 8x8in).
Lastly, wedding planning is my second job :) I’ll be taking this art business a pretty slow this year until I have more time to pick it up! So basically what I have already been doing, ha.