Seeking a refreshing respite from the late summer heat? Get thee some ice cream! Mitchell's is a favorite for frozen delicacies and recently celebrated its 50th birthday. In addition to standard ice cream flavors that you could find anywhere else in the city, Mitchell's offers some creative and exotic delights like French custard vanilla, Mexican chocolate, avocado, buko (baby coconut), lychee, mango and ube (purple yam). The cantelope ice cream is only available for a few more weeks as a seasonal refreshment, so it's on our short list. And all their flavors are homemade, premium, rich and tasty. No wonder Mitchell's has been winning so many awards and hearts for all these years.
Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose Ave., San Francisco | 415-648-2300
Everything old is new again; case in point, Sweetwater. Once a no-holds-barred bar for all things punk rock in the good ole, golden days of counter-culture Williamsburg, Sweetwater has transformed itself into a gastronomic destination. While the stained tin ceilings (from too many cigarettes, no doubt) and long wood bar still remain, the varied wine list and nouveau American menu with nods to the French, Italians and Spanish add a freshness to the Williamsburg dining scene that was sorely needed (as tasty as it is, do we really need another Thai restaurant on Bedford?). Recommended: Spinach, sweet potato and ricotta stuffed cannelloni in a light butter, almond & lemon sage sauce. Cash only.
Your parents are in town. And so are your future in-laws — which mean dinner plans should be fun and festive, but, hey, it's New York, so you want to keep it sleek and chic. Consider Falai located on the Lower East Side's Clinton Street. Iacopo Falai, owner and chef whose resume includes several years at Le Cirque 2000, has created a traditional Italian spot with a varied menu, bright, open space and bread oven which emits fragrances that send endorphins sky-high. Stand out dishes like the spinach and ricotta gnudi in brown butter and pan-seared, pancetta-wrapped tuna will satisfy, but leave a little room for the freshly-baked bread — it's too good to pass up. Reservations recommended.
There are some places that almost look too chic to walk into — the décor is too hip, as are the patrons, dressed in that perfect downtown casual "messiness" that somehow always looks pulled together. That's Brown, a gem of a café on the Lower East Side café, except you won't be able to hold yourself back from entering. Its menu focuses on all things organic, from the greens to the wine, and even its tree stump chairs and wood board plates are eco-friendly. Open for lunch and dinner, but Brown is a place where brunch reigns supreme; try the baked eggs with smoked salmon and herbed ricotta. Yum.
For those of us not schooled in wines, choosing between even just two bottles can prove to be a daunting task—so could you imagine choosing from a list of 100,000? Before you have a nervous breakdown, know about Veritas, a Flatiron wine bar that, yes, lets you choose your poison from a large and impressive collection. Of course you're not expected to go it alone; the sommelier is schooled on all the wines and can help you pick a perfect Burgundy or otherwise, even if you don't really know what you're looking for. Peckish drinkers will enjoy their $76 prix-fixe menu, not surprisingly selected with a range of palates in mind, and which all have a perfect wine complement. A special place to go on a night where you want to mix things up a bit. Reservations recommended.
There are so many things to love about wd-50 on the Lower East Side. First, the name, a moniker that sounds like the next generation of the blue-canned wonder lubricant, but in actuality is the name of the Chef in charge of it all, Wylie Dufresne. The second, third, fourth — well, everything else, — is the menu, cutting edge but completely approachable. So, while you might be puzzled at appetizers such as the fried quail with banana tartare, main dishes like scallops with zucchini in a smoked grape broth, or the fried butterscotch pudding with mango, taro and smoked macadamia dessert, please do yourself a favor and don't ask questions. Just pick up your fork and enjoy.
Where should we go? Whether you're looking for a first date destination or just a romantic evening with your longtime flame, you can't help but scour local mags and websites for the perfect answer. Well, here it is — B Flat in TriBeCa. Owned and operated by ex-Angel's Share bartenders, this subterranean Tokyo-style lounge is at once both elegant and friendly, with an astonishing array of liquors and drinks that are not just poured, they're crafted — and strong. Their small plate menu will stave off your hunger pangs and buzz though, and shouldn't be passed up. Recommended: the succulent deep-fried spring rolls, tasty grilled pork in garlic sauce and the Scenes in the City specialty cocktail, a blend of citron, lychee and grapefruit.
Unwrap. Microwave on high. Eat. While it's easy to fall into the trap of convenience, especially if you're not a whiz around the kitchen, there's no denying that it leaves your morale a little low. So it's no surprise that when someone takes the time to prepare a meal with the utmost care and attention, you can almost taste the love. That's what the Pink Tea Cup has been doing for over 50 years, serving homemade southern-style soul food from a cozy little setting in the West Village. Menu stand-outs include tangy barbecue pork ribs, creamy macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings, and a sweet potato pie you'll dream about later on. Cash only.
While the lazy days of summer are almost over, the hazy ones are going to stick around for at least a few more weeks, keeping the boom of new frozen yogurt eateries packed. For those who haven't hopped on the Pinkberry wagon yet, now's the time. Offering two tasty two-flavor sensations daily, their yogurt is made without preservatives, additives or excess sugar — dessert reinvented, as they like to call it. With toppings that include everything from fresh berries to Fruity Pebbles, we predict this winter is going to be busy for Pinkberry, too.
It's that wonderful time of year again — cool nighttime breezes hint at a crisp upcoming Fall, the city, almost empty due to vacation-goers, seems like it's almost yours and yours alone to explore, and the Barney's Warehouse Sale is in full effect. Now through September 3rd you can save up to 75% off their regular prices of designer clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women, children and home; downtown-chic Mayle sweaters originally $350 are now $119, sweet Rebecca Taylor dresses are $159, and for all you Carrie Bradshaw hopefuls, this year's selection of marked-down Manolos is abundant. After scavenging through the racks, celebrate your booty at neighboring Bar Veloce for well-crafted panini and full-bodied wines that come in at less than $10 a glass.
If there's one thing even the most jaded New Yorkers don't get sick of, it's a good city view. And Stone Rose Lounge's got that in spades. Nightlife impresario Rande Gerber's 6,000-square-foot lounge of dark wood, soft leather and large windows overlooks Central Park from the east, making the city itself feel a part of your intimate soiree, albeit from four floors up. Refreshingly calm and cozy despite its location in the Time Warner Center, Stone Rose Lounge is perfect for most any occasion — first dates, pre-theater, or reminiscing with old friends. A menu of light nibbles keeps tiny appetites sated, but for a real meal, head to Bar Masa, one of the notable restaurants located in the building that won't drain your bank account.
Do you feel like you're on auto-pilot come lunchtime during the workweek? Day after day, do you hit the same old make-your-own-salad joint or overpriced sandwich shop, never really enjoying it? Tiffin Wallah, the latest addition to the East Side's "Curry Hill" is the antidote to bland, boring lunches. Named and modeled after the Indian tradition of bringing home-cooked food to the workplace, Tiffin Wallah's $6 lunch buffet is a steal, and delicious. Similar to owner Pradeep Shinde's other Indian eatery, Chennai Garden, Tiffin Wallah's cheery décor and delish vegetarian menu also features a selection of curries and dosas like its sister restaurant, just a little more wallet friendly. Open for lunch and dinner. Delivery coming soon.
Britney's meltdown. Lindsay's relapse. Tom-Kat's newfound love. If those are the stories that have piqued your interest as of late, spend an evening making up for it by getting acquainted with some real literature at KGB Bar's legendary Nonfiction Reading Series, every Tuesday night at 7pm. Once home to a Ukrainian socialist party in the 1940s, KGB bar now serves its special selection of over a dozen types of vodka to a much broader group, though its dramatic décor and propaganda posters might inspire those with Marxist leanings. August 7th's reading features award-winning writers John Domini and Colette Inez. Cash only.