ny checklist: the summer 2015 edition

Jul 3

Jul 3 ny checklist: the summer 2015 edition

Forget setting yearly resolutions or quarterly goals -- every season I sit down and sketch out everything that I must eat, make, see, and do to take total advantage of the nice (or not so nice) weather, produce, and brooklyn living. And so, Summer 2015 is officially the season of…

margaritas. If there is one thing that screams summer for me, it’s a good old blended lime margarita. I know “on the rocks” is the classy way to go, but the margarita is not a classy drink. It is however, a good time. A delicious time. A brainfreeze with just enough agave to make it oh-so-easy to drink, and a tartness that keeps you going, and that salt! We have multiple blenders expressly for this purpose, and I plan to use all of them immediately.
baking with peaches. Is there anything more delicious or summery than dessert-y gooey peaches soaked in bourbon? Last year we made these bourbon peach hand pies from smitten kitchen, and this year I think we might try whiskeyed peach shortcakes from Root to Leaf. Any other favorites we should get into?
movies in the park. Like many cities, NY hosts all sorts of movie nights throughout the boroughs. This year, I’m determined to make it back to Brooklyn Bridge park for one of their classics, set against the NY skyline. This year’s theme is movies that take place in one day -- anyone up for Clue? Sharknado 2? Or Dazed and Confused?

the new whitney. The Whitney Museum of American Art recently reopened in the meatpacking district. Michelle Obama approves of the new digs, the NYTimes is all over it, the tourists are lining up, and I’m so ready to explore the Calders, Basquiat, Agnes Martin, and the crazy views (ps, especially excited about the rumored-beautiful elevators).
soft-shell crab pasta. and soft-shell crab sandwiches! and soft-shell crab everything! We have a slim window when the little guys come into season late May or early June and we plan to eat them every.single.day. <Ed. note: this happened! read how here>
roberta's in bushwick. The ultimate summer tradition, we gather up a few friends to sit in Roberta’s bombshell backyard drinking boozy slushies, then order up the impeccable appetizers, like coffee roasted beets with sunchokes, and carrots with grilled mussels, and a bunch of pizzas. And, hello summer.

rooftop drinks. Gallow Green, the Lobby at the Ludlow, Refinery Rooftop, The Ides, hell even the top of the Met--really anywhere with height, air, and rose.
wings & slushie beers at pok pok. Every year the man and I wait for a perfectly sunny, only slightly too-hot day to take the long walk down to the Columbia Waterfront on the East River and put our names down at Pok Pok, Andy Richter’s Brookyn outpost. We hop next door to the dive bar of unknown name below Alma, order a beer or margarita, kill an hour and and then go back for our feast. If it’s your first time, order up a bunch of things to try the crazy flavors. If you’ve been before, do as we do and order three plates of the sticky, addictive “freshly killed” chicken wings (recommended: 2 spicy and 1 classic), served with bitter herbs, and a slushy beer, made icy by being spun around and around. It’s the loveliest possible way to spend a summer night.
ice cream. the obvious choice. As someone who considers ice cream to be one of the major food groups (sandwiched somewhere between arugula and cheese), summer is the ultimate excuse to do the NY tour of the best. On this year’s agenda? Morgenstern’s, OddFellows, MilkMade, and of course Big Gay Ice Cream. (Update: serious progress made. See sugar happy reviews here.)

hometown bar-b-que in redhook. because, summer means bbq, and hometown is rumored to be the best right now.
these amazing charred corn crepes with cilantro, lime and cotija, courtesy of deb perelman. A friend introduced us to them last year and I’ve dreamed of having them straight off the stove ever since.
watermelon. the most summery summer fruit of all. I will eat all of the watermelons, in every form possible.