WE MET AT JACK’S—KIND OF. IT’S A LONG STORY . . .

Dean and I go way back—years ago, I lived above Schiller’s Liquor Bar on the Lower East Side, where he worked, and it was there that I was first introduced to his hospitality. I was more than happy to follow him when he left to open Jack’s Wife Freda with Maya. Lafayette Street soon became the spot. I came for the food, but I stayed for the people, by far the most inviting, sincere restaurant staff in New York City. Jack’s Wife feels like a community, with familiar faces and memorized menu favorites. I couldn’t go a week without my Jack’s breakfast (over-easy with a side of extra green sauce) and a Nana Tea.

I can’t remember whether I was coming in the door or leaving the day that Dean told me about a “dream girl” he wanted to introduce me to. Dean and Maya are like family, so I was pretty intrigued when he proposed a matchmaking scenario. He sent me dream girl’s contact via text . . . and the rest is history. Courtney and I have been together for almost three years and we’re a perfect match. We’ve since moved to California, though we are fortunate enough to work bicoastal, and every time we’re back in the city, our first stop is Jack’s. We are forever grateful to Dean and Maya for bringing us together, and to be a part of the community. Now, when will Jack’s Wife come to LA?! The West Coast needs some better cantaloupe juice.

—Luke Wessman