A spring day outside O. Henry’s. Photo: Unknown/Photofest

In celebration of New York’s anniversary, our tenth “Yesteryear” issue dives into the social history of the city, told entirely through its restaurants. The haunts and joints here were great not because of what they were but because of who we were and who we became while we were there. Landmarks may fade, but the feeling of ease that comes from finding your place is timeless and universal.

— The Editors 

The café, which was best known for its sandwiches and Italian desserts, became the couple’s regular spot. “They used to come in a few times a week, him more than her,” says Richard Urwand, son of the café’s late owners. “He would sit at the same table in the back garden, write, and draw on napkins. Sometimes he’d order a sfogliatella or cannoli.” 

“It was so busy. At one point, I just set my head down on the edge of the service station and almost cried. I told myself, Okay, you need to just put one foot in front of the other and get through this. I think about that all the time. All the time.”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez