This Is TASTE 670: New York’s Brunch Recession on Food Writers Talking About Food Writing with the New York Times Nikita Richardson & Matt Rodbard
Oct 13, 2025
Nikita Richardson, the Food section editor at The New York Times and creator of the 'Where to Eat: New York City' newsletter, dives into the intriguing concept of a 'brunch recession' and its impact on the restaurant scene. She shares insights on her journey to The Times, the newsletter's ambitious expansion, and her vision for diverse food coverage beyond traditional reviews. The conversation also touches on digital tipping, TikTok food trends, and the intersection of food culture with popular media, making for a delightful exploration of contemporary food writing.
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Origin Story Of 'Where To Eat' Newsletter
- Nikita launched The New York Times newsletter 'Where to Eat' to help readers navigate NYC's post-pandemic restaurant landscape.
- She wrote it weekly, then handed writing duties to Luke Fortney and Becky Hughes as it scaled.
Run Newsletters With Consistent Cadence
- Build newsletters with a clear, repeatable cadence and a distinct voice.
- Delegate writing once scale strains capacity and keep an editor to maintain consistency.
Beyond Review-Centric Coverage
- Nikita argues reviews aren't the only credible way to cover a city's restaurants.
- She uses list-based features to tell cultural stories beyond 'best' rankings.
