Connoisseur: Randi Sirkin’s Favorite Things

Photography by Jauhien Sasnou

Randi Sirkin has been making magic happen inside Stephen Starr’s restaurants for decades. Here, a few of her favorite things:

Treasures

Left: Ann Demeulemeester combat boots; right: Yvonne Angioletti plate

On my feet: Ann Demeulemeester combat boots. “They go with everything from jeans to dresses. I hope to be buried in them.”
Go-to gadget: Old-school measuring tape. “I’m constantly buying things for the restaurants, and dimensions are useful.”
I collect: “Many things. I like to create stories, so no singles of anything. My custom-made skull plates from Yvonne Angioletti are killer — we used them at the Clocktower in New York.”

Jewelry from Joan Shepp

Everyday accessory: Jewelry from Joan Shepp in Rittenhouse, including a special Miles McNeel chunky ring. “The only other person in the world who has one is Lenny Kravitz.”

At home

Left: Hanging basket chair from Anthropologie; right: Greensgrow in Kensington

Most recent splurge: Decorating her bedroom. “Naomi Stein from Design Manifest has my style down pat.”
On my desk: “Sample tabletop items for upcoming projects, like glassware, silverware and plates, are strewn about everywhere.”
Skin-care essential: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 from Rescue Spa in Rittenhouse.
Way to unwind: “Lounging in my hanging basket chair from Anthropologie and reading a good book. Give me a glass of rosé and I’m in heaven.”
Item I buy in bulk: Artisana Organics cashew butter. “I get four jars at a time from Essene market in Queen Village.”
Weekend activity: Plant-shopping at Greensgrow in Kensington. “I fill my cart with plants and visit Milkshake the pig.”

Out and about

Chai latte at Suraya

Coffee-shop order: Chai latte at Suraya in Fishtown.
Next business trip: Washington, D.C., to open a new location for restaurant St. Anselm.
Boutique I visit often: Bella Turka in Midtown Village. “They have lovely jewelry and accents from Turkey.”
Favorite non-clothing shop: Carré d’artistes in Midtown Village. “You can leave with a painting framed the same day.”

White leather jacket from Joan Shepp

Travel essential: Leather jacket. “I have a white one from Joan Shepp for spring and summer. It’s part of my signature look.”
Next vacation: “I’m dying to go to Morocco. I’ve been traveling since I was young, and my father always took us the non-tourist way — I learned so much about different cultures and hospitality.”

Published as “Connoisseur: Randi Sirkin” in the June 2018 issue of Philadelphia magazine.