25 Most Stylish Bostonians of 2009 -- Matthew Lishansky
Name: Matthew Lishansky Age: 26
Occupation: Director of operations and private event coordinator at UpStairs on the Square
What’s your favorite thing about your job? Every day it’s a different commentary, it’s a different face looking at you, a different party, a different event. It’s impossible to get bored because there’s always something interesting going on.
You’ve done improv. How do improv skills come in handy working in a restaurant? There’s nothing that we won’t do at the restaurant. No request is too insane, no party is too strange that we won’t book it. We truly are at your service. Whatever someone gives you, you have to say “yes, I’d be more than happy to do that.’’ That’s the truest thing that links my improv life to my current job.
What’s your favorite dish at UpStairs? I love, love, love kooky food. I have beautiful braised beef cheeks and potato gnocchi on the menu right now. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
What are some of your favorite places to shop? I guess I’m a combination of old and new. The only new designer I buy on a regular basis is Ben Sherman. I love all of his prints and patterns. I appreciate the fact that his things don’t ever look the same. Other than that, I’m a vintage shopper. I’m second-hand. I love Artifaktori [in Davis Square]. I love, of course, The Garment District. They’ve been providing me with clothes since I moved here in 2001. I love the new place that opened on Mass. Ave. here, Vintage Revenge. I like Boomerangs.
What are some of your favorite things to shop for? If it has a funky pattern, if polka dots are involved, if stripes are evident, then I’m happy. I like to have at least one piece that’s slightly visceral. It’s kind of nice to have one fairly vicious-looking piece of clothing. But then you contrast it with something. For instance, these shoes that I’m wearing right now, they’re tattered on the edges, but for a reason. There are scrapes in the leather that have been put in there intentionally. I love that because I juxtapose it with something seemingly blasé and it just makes it pop a little more.
