This is just one installment of 37 Things a Man’s Gotta Do This Summer, our annual compendium of everything worth seeing, doing, eating, drinking and generally making time for in your neck of the woods between now and September.
You know the summer drill:
Find al fresco spot that you will anoint your local. Eat. Drink. Be merry. Repeat.
Next question: Where? Find those answers here, in our roundup of N.Y.’s best outdoor dining venues.
A brand new beer terrace overlooking the East River. An oyster bar on a boat. A revamped backyard in the heart of Little Italy.
Dine on and drink well, my friends.
Grand Banks
Pier 25, Hudson River Park
An oyster bar set aboard a historic wooden schooner docked in Hudson River Park is perfect for all things outdoors and aphrodisiac. Kerry Heffernan’s menu is bright, with hits like fried soft shell crab with lemon and a lobster roll made with Maine lobster, herbs, fennel, lemon and boat-made pickles.
Little River Beer Garden
450 E. 29th Street
Adjacent to Riverpark and tucked away on a terrace overlooking the East River lies the newest trick in Tom Colicchio’s bag. Think casual, picnic-style seating and counter service, with easy-to-drink draft beers from Long Island Beer Project, wines on tap and booze-free refreshers like Cucumber Lemonade. For eats, there’s a raw bar with oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp alongside a list of larger snacks like fish tacos, lobster and German pretzels. Our pick, though? The Mango-Rum Popsicles.
Salvation Burger
230 E. 51st Street
You know it. You love it. And it’s back. April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman’s casual burger spot now offers a verdant, multi-storied backyard oasis for burgers, drinks and bar snacks along with a new outdoor courtyard behind the Pod 51 Hotel. Open daily for the season.
Café Altro Paradiso
234 Spring Street
Located in West SoHo, Café Altro Paradiso is a transportive Italian café with a decidedly old-school New York . Their sidewalk seating is now and perfect for people watching with a cocktail in hand. (Unscientific fact: SoHo might be the most region in the entire universe.)
Mulberry Project
149 Mulberry Street
In the heart of Little Italy comes a revamped backyard just in time for the . You’ll indulge in a new seasonal menu with like the Tuna Poke Tostada, Nashville Style “Hot Chicken” Sliders, Thai Style Calamari or The Guac Trio from Chef Carmine DiGiovanni, all while sipping on signature cocktails like the Lullaby (Reyka vodka, apricot, lemon, lavender and prosecco) or the Cajun Lemonade (Tito’s, lemon, vanilla and creole spices).
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