Unabashedly Prep

  • J.G. Melon

    Culture | Prep Essentials  

    The patronage is meager by the time my friends and I duck in and grab the table in the front corner. It’s usually packed at dinner—the line running out the door. Back when Lee introduced me to J.G. Melon, we skipped the wait in favor of the bar as he nonchalantly pointed out all the somebodies everybody treated just like anybody. In fact, preps have gathered faithfully at the corner of Third and 74th since 1972. Perched on the Upper East Side, J.G. Melon regularly appears on any legitimate survey of New York City’s best burgers. Space is tight and the atmosphere, in more ways than one, resembles that of an actual melon. It is kitschy...unpresumptuous.

    As our conversation winds down, I polish off the famously thick, juicy hamburger ($8.50) dubbed the house’s signature dish—with a side of cottage fries ($3.50) and a Bloody Bull (a bloody Mary with beef broth). Although preppies are often a little short on cash, you will need it to pay your tab. Scramble for an ATM or grab an IOU from your dinner-mates—both of which are completely viable options on any given night.

    Aug 26, 2010 | Permalink | (15) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Ted Roosevelt left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 6:55 PM:

    So much for a door policy. Bobby will let anyone in it would seem.


    Bill Smith left a comment on 8/28/2010 at 4:42 PM:

    I’ll have to check this out the next time I’m in NYC.


    MG left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 6:54 PM:

    I have great memories of JG Melon.  I probably ate there once a week when I lived in New York, in fact, it was the first restaurant my wife and I visited with our infant daughter once she was six weeks old and we were comfortable taking her out in public.

    Now that I have checked your blog my plan to stop by Burger House this evening don’t seem like a good idea.


    KGS left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 1:47 PM:

    F.E., didnt mean to take the post out of context, certainly see your reasoning behind it and its relation to your site’s intent, just wanted to keep you eating good stuff! I’d say none of the others on my site fit into prep lifestyle, outside of whats been already been mentioned, PJ Clarke’s. Although, Peter Luger should get a mention as well.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 4:00 PM:

    @Pat—P.J. Clarkes absolutely meets the criteria. I really enjoy their burger too with the signature onion on the bottom bun. The atmosphere is brilliant too.


    pat left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 12:25 PM:

    @F.E. Castleberry: PJ Clarkes on 3rd and 55th meets your criteria


    Andrea left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 12:16 PM:

    Gorgeous photograph.

    I lived just a few blocks from this place when I first moved to New York.  Can’t believe I never discovered it!


    William left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 11:42 AM:

    One of the best lines uttered at Melon’s in that scene is: “The acid test is whether you take any pleasure in responding to the question, ‘What do you do?’ I can’t bear it.”


    Connetiquette left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 11:12 AM:

    I must also recommend their grilled cheese with tomato, for those of us who prefer an alternative and have burger-loving friends


    joei left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:19 AM:

    I usually dont travel past midtown for food but for a good burger, I might have to make the exception.

    Another area where you may see preps meet up at is meatball shop in the LES. Great motivation there to change my style.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:11 AM:

    @William—I am aware. I do like to leave a little to you guys’ imaginations. Thank you for bringing that gem to the attention of everyone else.

    @KGS—Thank you for pointing me towards your site. I did not claim J.G. Melon’s burger was the best in NYC, simply one of them. And the only reason it is being featured on Unabashedly Prep is because of its relevance to the prep lifestyle…that’s the only reason anything is featured here. Are those are burger joints prep havens? If so, by all means let me know.

    @Laguna Beach Prep—There is always a better burger to be had elsewhere.


    LacrossePlayground left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:01 AM:

    Heard Shake Shack is coming to DC. Getting excited.

    http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/


    William left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:27 AM:

    Of course you may or may not realize that the restaurant plays an important part in one of the ultimate preppy films, i.e. Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan”...


    KGS left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:15 AM:

    Hey F.E., as an avid reader of your site, I feel its my obligation to steer you towards a better burger, seeing as I actually write a burger blog about finding the best burger in NYC. JG Melons is great, but there are a bunch that are better. Id suggest you try Lure (not on the menu), Lugers, Zaitzeff or even Spotted Pig if you havent already. Im still reviewing many more of the favorites of New Yorkers, but check it out if you’d like. www.bestburgernyc.com


    Laguna Beach Prep left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 7:35 AM:

    Nice. Wonderful burgers. But there are better ones to be had elsewhere.


  • Social Primer

    Culture | Prep Essentials | Top Drawer  

    For those of you that have been reading Unabashedly Prep, I can only hope that up until now you have been aware of SocialPrimer.com, an etiquette blog authored by K. Cooper Ray. If not, please do yourself (and your lady) a favor by getting familiar. When he’s not answering reader’s questions, he’s dishing on manners, handling your liquor and where exactly to stitch that monogram. He’s one of the most well-spoken gentlemen in the prep blogoshpere, with a passion to instill civility into an uncivilized world.

    Ray recently collaborated with Brooks Brothers to launch a bow tie collection just in time for summer. “Bow ties have become increasingly popular and Cooper’s sense of style and his interpretation of an iconic, classic item have brought new dimension to the Brooks Brothers bow tie assortment,” says Jeff Blee, Brooks Brothers Divisional Merchandise Manager for Men’s Furnishings. Offered in 16 reversible styles that alternate from nautical flags to Repp stripes to polka dots and the summer-must have madras plaid reversing to seersucker. There aren’t too many opportunities for a man to wear anything remotely considered whimsical when dressing up. And with that said, these ties are the perfect touch to any gentleman’s wardrobe.

    They are available for purchase ($59.50) online at brooksbrothers.com and select Brooks Brothers retail stores nationwide accompanied by a second collection for fall 2010. The ties are shown here contrasting sides to illustrate the reversibility, but you can wear them as conservatively (straight on with only a hint of the reverse) or eccentrically as you like.

    May 31, 2010 | Permalink | (6) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Charlize left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 2:55 PM:

    I’m not a guy but I found this blog to be an interesting read. Is there a a female version of it?


    Wrecked Stellar left a comment on 6/2/2010 at 4:44 AM:

    These are all great, esp. loving the color combo in the 1st one!


    Sunday Ibok left a comment on 6/1/2010 at 1:08 PM:

    Very smart, thank you for the introduction. Perfect accessory.


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 6/1/2010 at 3:29 AM:

    These are great! you guys should all definitly check out http://thecordialchurchman.bigcartel.com/ for custom affordable bow ties


    C M Griffiths left a comment on 5/31/2010 at 11:45 AM:

    Loving the bow ties, especially bottom right. Are they going to sell them over in London?


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 5/31/2010 at 9:16 AM:

    Love the bow ties! Very colorful smile


  • Dog Days of Summer

    Culture  

    Lucky dogs...I can’t get out to Amagansett this summer quick enough.

    Image via Walter Iooss Jr.

    May 26, 2010 | Permalink | (15) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    anthony left a comment on 6/6/2010 at 3:53 AM:

    duly noted.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/5/2010 at 9:13 AM:

    @Anthony—This photograph embodies the lifestyle (summering in the Hamptons) and the accessories (dogs, houses, etc) that go along with that, as opposed to one’s personal style and accessories.  Plus the guys want eye candy every now and then.


    anthony left a comment on 6/5/2010 at 7:01 AM:

    the photo is great and the chick is attractive, but it doesn’t convey much insight regarding style.


    Paul left a comment on 5/27/2010 at 6:45 PM:

    man… look at those puppies!


    martina left a comment on 5/27/2010 at 2:47 PM:

    I love your blog! Just wanted to say I really enjoy your photos + Czech preppies could learn a lot from your blog. Love from Prague!


    WIsco left a comment on 5/27/2010 at 11:08 AM:

    Tanned brunette in a bikini like that SCREAMS summer… and other things I won’t repeat on this family show.


    Keith left a comment on 5/27/2010 at 9:57 AM:

    Great post.  I quite enjoy checking out your blog.  You do a fantastic job with it.  I hope you’ve been having a wonderful week.


    Katie ROBINSON left a comment on 5/27/2010 at 8:15 AM:

    Really interesting post u have here. It would be nice to read a bit more concerning such matter. Thank you for posting this information.


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 8:23 PM:

    Holy shit, what an outstanding filly! Great photo.


    pve design left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 2:30 PM:

    living the life of riley…those dog gone dogs.


    old polo left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 1:22 PM:

    O…M…G!


    Andy left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 11:51 AM:

    That’s frame-worthy.


    fsp left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 11:19 AM:

    … wanna be your dog …
    Is it part of the look?


    abc left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 9:04 AM:

    very lucky dogs…
    Stunning…


    NWR left a comment on 5/26/2010 at 8:39 AM:

    Now that’s a look I can get behind!


  • Garden Party

    Culture  

    Image via Slim Aarons

    One of many elegant Miami garden parties in the 1970’s.

    Apr 15, 2010 | Permalink | (8) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    mjl left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 3:26 PM:

    i’ve been to miami lots of times, during different times of the year, and i just can’t remember a time that it would have been remotely comfortable to wear that much clothing there.  so hot and stuffy.

    nonetheless, that type of party still looks awesome.  sign me up.


    S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 3:23 PM:

    I’m a fan of Slim Aarons work, and this is no exception. Loving the pastel colors, and of course the string quartet milling about.


    M left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 1:07 PM:

    The Dude just doesn’t get it.


    CLG23 left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 12:06 PM:

    ...one day i’ll achieve this status, this isnt the life of a college student.


    dude left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 12:04 PM:

    would you really want to be at one of those? looks like a bunch of stuffy old hags and impotent rich men. the real party was going down behind the scenes involving copious amounts of cocaine, champagne and all kinds of debauchery only boat loads of money can buy.

    “Hey guys let’s all dress up and fart around for the day and talk about our old money!”

    no thanks.


    SouthernSort left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 11:38 AM:

    I hope I have enough time to have one at my home while the Azaleas are still in bloom. It is the perfect weather in south Mississippi for a garden party.


    The Boss left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 9:50 AM:

    LBT—Amen.


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 4/15/2010 at 8:33 AM:

    Thankfully garden parties are still in style, and not just in Miami in the 1970s.


  • Having A Topping Time

    Style | Culture  

    Image via Slim Aarons

    Socialite Alice Topping poolside in Palm Beach proves that some WASPs do indulge in the art of the recline (ca. 1959).

    Mar 15, 2010 | Permalink | (11) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    aron left a comment on 3/29/2010 at 9:03 AM:

    i love the color of the pool. jump right in!


    CLG23 left a comment on 3/16/2010 at 1:59 PM:

    So glad women in Palm beach dont dress like this by the pool these days. I miss being home!


    Davitta left a comment on 3/16/2010 at 11:59 AM:

    A Privileged Life is one of my all time favorite Assouline books, and this is one of my favorite photographs from that book! White bikini bottoms with a gray cashmere sweater, stunning.


    JFD left a comment on 3/16/2010 at 11:29 AM:

    Hey, it’s 1959. All bathing suits from then looked kinda funny to contemporary eyes. And it wasn’t meant to be a pinup picture, I don’t believe. The picture (except for that, which isn’t that bad) is remarkably contemporary looking, that’s why we forget it was taken in 1959. And has that fabulous vibe.


    abc left a comment on 3/16/2010 at 7:35 AM:

    The bathing suit is horrible - like most have said…it looks like a diaper. Great pool though…


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 3/16/2010 at 12:18 AM:

    The dog’s pose is fantastic!


    EdoubleM.blogspot.com left a comment on 3/15/2010 at 7:44 PM:

    I like the pic a lot too! I mentioned that before its just the white bathing suit bottoms demand a lot of attention and it seems from my observation that they look padded in the back. I do get the reason behind your post I love the palm tree scenery in the background and her relaxing demeanor. The little dog is the cherry on top! Believe me I get it. Keep up the good work my friend!


    The Boss left a comment on 3/15/2010 at 2:16 PM:

    Fred—Just to be clear, I dig the photograph and most importantly the calm, relaxing demeanor she possesses. It just threw me for a loop when my eyes gravitated to her bottom.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 3/15/2010 at 1:35 PM:

    Gentleman, that’s a bathing suit bottom—but beside the point.  Focus on the overall vibe of the photograph…the details like her sweater, the toy dog, the pool (I could really go for a swim right now).


    EdoubleM.blogspot.com left a comment on 3/15/2010 at 1:31 PM:

    Yeah what is she wearing down there?! Wonderful pic besides the Depends that she has on.


    The Boss left a comment on 3/15/2010 at 10:38 AM:

    It appears she’s wearing a diaper. Gross.


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