Anjali's Menu
The Menu invites Chic, Conscious Consumers to share their go to products & passions because what’s more curated than a menu? From skincare to soundtracks, here’s what’s on their plate…
Napkin Notes from your Home Chef, Phia
Allow me to introduce you to our newest Guest Chef Anjali Ramanathan …..
Anjali is an internet friend I made earlier this year, for me internet friends are highly regarded. We weren’t brought together by a school district or neighborhood but the all knowing, ever present algorithm. Which brought me to her “Closet Show Stopper Series” that highlights one of a kind fashion pieces. She’s incredibly aromatic, keeping you very present and engaged. She studied law for undergrad and is starting a new chapter as an english teacher this fall. We recently met IRL for the first time and I was in awe of how gravitating she is— every word she said had me leaning in, wishing she’d never run out of things to say. Luckily, she has a Substack Smart Casual where you can get a little bit of her aroma online. Everything she says makes you grateful to the internet for bringing her across your screen.
Without further ado… I serve you Anjali’s Menu
Let’s Digest!
What is your favorite restaurant?
It’s a three-way tie between Saravana Bhavan (South Indian vegetarian restaurant I grew up going to all the time and still love), Nopi (an Ottolenghi restaurant in London that does the best small plates ever), and Cervo’s (seafood spot on the LES where I first tried seafood after growing up vegetarian and fell in love with it!)
Describe yourself in 3 words: Meticulous, Inquisitive, Generous
Describe yourself or what you do using references from Movies, Characters, TV shows, or songs.
I’m an aspiring Elle Woods - I love style, fashion, and dressing up and I studied Law in undergrad. Law and style are both ultimately about understanding people, and that’s why I love them both. Being detail-oriented, which I am, is also valuable and rewarding in both contexts.
Describe your “digital diet”
The biggest chunk of what I consume is global news. I take in my news from as wide a range of sources, and as international a set of sources, as possible. I went to college in the UK, so I keep up with the top outlets there, and I’ve also studied lots of foreign languages (5 of them) and I use news as a way to practice my reading comprehension.
When I’m looking for visual/design inspiration, I actually prefer print over digital. I have Vogue and Architectural Digest subscriptions and I love the experience of looking at beautiful things on glossy paper. Music is also a huge part of my life as a musician myself. A lot of the music I love is from the 70s and 80s, which is definitely something that shows up in my personal style.
Let's start with Aperitivo:
What makes you feel chic?
Having a packed schedule.
What are your 2 favorite perfumes?
Le Labo Another 13 & Diptyque Philosykos. If I can sneak in a third, it would be Margiela’s Whispers in the Library. So sad they discontinued it - it perfectly captures the smell of my college’s libraries, which is what it was inspired by.
What’s your drink of choice?
In the summer, an Aperol Spritz. In the winter, a Negroni. Most of the time, though, I’m drinking matcha.
What is a free beauty tip you live by?
Sleep as much as possible. Master the 20 minute power nap.
Moving on to Starters:
What are your favorite shower products? face, cleansers, body wash, scrubs etc.
It’s not glamorous, but I swear by Hibiclens antibacterial soap. Don’t use it all over your body, but used right it’ll save you $$$ on dry cleaning your sweaters and jackets. Other than that, I keep it pretty simple. I use the Manyo Oil cleanser (courtesy of my wonderful Korean future mother-in-law), which is the absolute best at removing makeup.
What’s your favorite appetizer?
Anything with Burrata.
What’s your favorite piece of content you’ve recently consumed?
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
What’s your favorite song? or song lyrics?
Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide. It’s a song about everything - the passage of time, the way relationships change & how we change with them.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
One of my professors told me that when she reads my writing, it feels like I’m in the room, talking to her. I really value being a clear and concise communicator, so that compliment has stayed with me.
Now for The Main Course
What are your favorite serums, body lotions etc.?
I love the snail mucin serum from cosrx. I have super dry skin and layering this under my moisturizer leaves my skin still feeling hydrated by morning, which isn’t easy to achieve.
One product you’ll repurchase over and over again?'
La Roche Posay Hydrating Sunscreen. It’s the best sunscreen I’ve found for dry skin and I’ve tried quite a few. I haven’t been able to find it in the U.S., so I stock up whenever I get the chance.
What's your most worn fashion piece?
My newspaper-print button-up from Desigual.
What’s your death row meal?
The entire spread that my family makes for our annual vegetarian Thanksgiving. Every dish puts an Indian twist on a Thanksgiving classic — think masala mac and cheese, cranberry chutney, sweet potato casserole seasoned with cardamom. I spend the whole year craving it. Also, obligatory — the death penalty should be abolished.
What’s in your bag?
Give us a fashion tip that helps you be a more chic conscious consumer.
Stop decluttering. Getting rid of things prevents you from seeing how your style has changed over time & how it’s stayed the same. Put things in a box under your bed if you’re sick of seeing them in your closet, but don’t be in a hurry to donate/sell.
What’s a perspective you’ve had that has completely changed overtime?
I grew up in California and always thought I’d hate dressing for the cold, since my idea of a warm coat was a denim jacket. Turns out I love getting to layer & my coat collection is one of my favorite parts of my wardrobe.
What was your favorite item of clothing as a child?
As a kid, I owned two pairs of Merrell Mary Janes, one blue and one pink, and I’d wear them mismatched with one of each.
My love for mismatched shoes remains - my favorites are the Camper Twins loafers and the Tory Burch Patos Slingbacks.
And a final bite for Dessert
What are your favorite lip care products, candles - the things that act as the icing on the cake in your self care and beauty routine.
Nuxe makes the best lip balm on the planet. It’s the one that comes in a little pot. It’s not available very many places in the U.S., but C.O. Bigelow in the West Village does stock it.
What is your favorite dessert or midnight snack?
I almost always prefer savory over sweet, but if I’m craving something sweet it will usually be Haagen Dazs strawberry ice cream.
What’s your favorite thing on your nightstand?
Loop earplugs, which come in very handy on the mornings when my fiancé has to set his alarm for 4:45am.
If you had to curate the guest list for the ultimate “Chic,Conscious Consumer” gathering, who are your three must-invites?
Amal Clooney, London Tipton, Stevie Nicks.
What is a topic you wish someone would ask you about – a quirky interest or something you’re well versed in that you don’t get to talk about enough.
I’m a massive nerd when it comes to legal philosophy. I think it’s fascinating and wish it was a more accessible subject, since it is relevant to all of our lives, and something that everyone has intuitions about, even if they’ve never studied it.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Don’t be afraid to commit — just make sure you commit to the right things and the right people.
This Menu may be finished, but the flavor lingers.
Take Anjali to go by following her work, her words, and her instincts. Some dishes are too good not to share.
Bon appétit, babes. 🍽️
