I haven't been posting because I've been too busy. Summer is my favorite time of the year and when the sun's out, usually I am too. I can't help it. I love maximizing my time. Most days, I get home between 10 pm and midnight. On top of all this, I've been planning my upcoming trip to Greece, which takes up my free time if I'm not working, at the gym, or out with friends.
So what have I been doing with all my time since I got back from Nova Scotia?
- Checked out a farm: Space on Ryder Farm. I was invited to participate in a farm-to-table dinner and learn more the writer's retreat SPACE that Ryder Farm provides. It was fascinating, they basically host anyone who needs a place to work on their creative project for x amount of weeks. It's a non-profit, they were seeking people to join the board to help them grow and expand.
- Fattening up: I highly recommend all the following culinary darlings (I am definitely not mentioning places I did not like, i.e. new pizza place in West Village which was a bit disappointing)
- Egg Shop - Delicious brunch place in LES. Afforable, organic, fresh, and interesting brunch options.
- Carbone - Italian joint in Greenwich Village. Hard to get prime time rsvps so stalk the earlier seatings at 6 pm. The best caprese salad I've ever had in my life (super fresh heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella cheese), great pasta dishes, bread, etc.
- Zadie's Oyster Bar - Pricey oyster place in LES, but their poached oyster dish was phenomenal. Ordered it twice.
- Ruby's Cafe - Australian cafe, with two locations. Affordable menu and great tasting food with healthy options (especially brunch).
- Saigon Shack - For years, I've been wondering why pho in NYC has been underwhelming (always thought the best pho I've had was in Asian-centric neighborhoods in Europe). Not anymore! This place has the best pho in Manhattan. Not salty, heavy, or fatty. Amazing broth. Very casual place that gets crowded but tables turn over quickly.
- Beaching: I love the beach. Luckily, there's a beach bus that will take you from Union Square to Jacob Riis in the Far Rockaway for $15 roundtrip and also get a can of beer. Definitely buy tickets ahead before the weekend. Jacob Riis is not the nicest beach, but it's nice enough with decent facilities.
- Enjoying cocktails on rooftops: My fave is Mr. Purple, I've gone multiple times this summer, which I hardly ever do so yes, I love it there. Good mature crowd, fashionable people, no fratty-type guys (yet, at least), amazing views of downtown, and great drinks.
- Rocking Out: Friends and I went to the Panorama Music Festival, which had its very first spectacle on Randall's Island in NYC. It was thrown by the organizers of California-based Coachella. Anyway, I've been to a few music festivals and this was one of the best ones. It was organized, had great acts, good food and drink options, and most importantly, luxury porta potties!!!! That really makes a difference. Loved Arcade Fire, Alabama Shakes, Sia, and LCD Soundsystem. Was the funnest weekend I've had all summer and yes, we went all three days back to back in 90 degree weather, and then work the following Monday.
With only a few weeks of summer left, I just really want to enjoy NYC. August is the first month all year that I haven't gone out of state. The city is quieter and I plan to continue to take advantage of it!
Drinks at Mr. Purple
Dancing with All of My Friends at the LCD Soundsystem concert