Ask a Regular: Dimepiece's Brynn Wallner

Brynn sporting a watch from the new Rowing Blazers x Seiko collaboration, photographed by Julia Kokernak.

Dine at the West Village’s Moustache with Dimepiece’s Brynn Wallner.

Watches are a girl’s new best friend, according to Brynn Wallner. Creator of the popular blog and Instagram, Dimepiece, the watch aficionado is encouraging women to enter the notoriously male-dominated watch world by creating a fun, open place to talk about, and admire, watches. 

With just a glance at her Instagram you’ll see how easy she’s making it to join the conversation — often featuring celebrity watch spottings and talking about the biggest watches in pop culture. But, you’ll also find vintage throwbacks that both new and seasoned collectors drool over, as well as Cassio G-Shock’s alongside Audemars Piguet Royal Oak’s. And if both those names mean nothing to you, maybe it’s about time you give her a follow. 

What we love about Dimepiece is that Brynn encourages ‘girls, gays and they’s’ to buy what they love, which can actually be considered a somewhat radical concept these days as more and more people buy up popular watches as investment pieces to diversify their portfolios. Yes, really. 

And if dainty, diamond-clad watches just aren’t your thing, don’t fret. Dimepiece isn’t just about featuring typical womens watches, but the whole spectrum of what modern women love to wear. If you’re ever in need of inspiration, on the blog, she talks to real women collectors, from first-dimers to avid collectors. 

Based in New York, Brynn’s gotten the chance to rub elbows with some of the biggest names in the business, and in her free time, seems to have tried and tested all the best, truly local restaurants in her neighborhood. Yet, when we asked her about her favorite, she didn’t hesitate to name Moustache, a lower West side favorite she’d like you to help keep hush-hush. 

 

What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
B: “When I’m looking for a sit-down meal, it’s Moustache in the West Village.”

So why is it your favorite? 
B: “The food is so fresh and yummy, I could eat it every night. The restaurant itself is cozy and comforting. The guys who work there all know me and my bf at this point treat us like real regulars — honey-soaked baklava always arrives on our table at the end of the meal… on the house! They might do this with everyone but it makes us feel special.”

How long have you been coming here?
B: “I’ve always walked past it but never tried it until I moved back to NYC in 2016. Since then it’s been a regular go-to once a month — I intentionally try not to overdo it so it always feels like a special occasion.”

What's the vibe and who do you come here with?
B: “Intimate, warm, charming. I go here with my boyfriend for a little romantic treat. We never plan it… it’s always on some night when the vibe is right and we’ll say, ‘Should we go to Moustache?’ Then we walk over from the East Village – turning onto Bedford street always feels magical.“

What is your favorite dish — or dishes — to order?
B: “We always start with the hummus and pita. The pita comes out fresh from the oven, inflated by the heat like a balloon. Order one pita for each diner… who cares about the carbs. The falafel is the best in the city and my boyfriend always orders the lamb kebab plate. Also, the avocado starter is so fresh and light. I order a side of tahini with the meal – it comes in this big cup and I dip everything in it. And definitely end with the baklava whether or not they give it to you on the house ;)”

Do they have a bar? If so, what are you ordering?
B: “I don’t drink so I just go with classic NYC tap water on ice. But… I think they have a pretty great wine selection. I also love to end the meal with their mint tea.”

Do they take reservations? Or do you have to wait out the queue?
B: “I’ve never reserved a table with them – usually just walk up and they seat you within 15 minutes. Although it has been more popping lately… I’m even selfishly reluctant to share my thoughts here so as not to blow up the spot but, gotta support the local business.”

Anything else we should know?
B: “Their outdoor setup is so charming (and it has essentially doubled the size of the restaurant, haha). If you’re looking for something lowkey and intimate, this is it.”