The Best Summer Dishes in NYC
The dog days of summer are officially here, which means you only have a handful of precious weeks left to feast on heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn. That’s why we’re rounding up a selection of scrumptious restaurant dishes that will help you make the most of the fleeting season — from the Burrata with Strawberries at Market Table, to the Sea Scallops over gazpacho at Untitled.
Via Carota
Jody Williams (Buvette) and Rita Sodi (I Sodi) have joined forces on this Italian-accented West Village charmer, currently serving summery small plates, such as Stracchino Cheese Crostini with sun-dried cherry tomatoes, Panzanella Salad with cucumbers and basil, fresh ricotta-stuffed Tortelli flavored with delicate baby leeks, and Grilled Sea Bream paired with smoky leaves of escarole.
Read MoreUntitled
Gramercy Tavern’s venerable Michael Anthony is behind the dazzling dishes at Untitled, which perfectly compliment the modern art on the walls at the newly remodeled Whitney museum in the Meatpacking District. Think Pickle Plates arranged like painters palettes, showcasing the best of the summer season, Sea Scallops set atop ruby-tinted tomato and watermelon gazpacho, Golden Tilefish accompanied by sweet corn and peppers, and artichoke-infused Fettuccine, swirled with black olives and swiss chard.
Read MoreLupulo
Seafood is the primary focus at George Mendes’ Spanish spot, Lupulo, thankfully filling the massive fine dining hole in the area around Penn Station. Weary commuters will be instantly transported to convivial Lisbon, when they feast on Charred Cucumber and Razor Clam Salad, Manila Clams steamed in vinho verde, and Grilled Whole Sardines paired with blistered peppers.
Read MoreFranny’s
Still the crown jewel of Brooklyn’s restaurant scene after all these years, this seasonally-inspired pizza parlor is about so much more than pepperoni. The summer dinner menu includes Crostino spread with squash butter and scattered with wood-roasted corn and peppers, Spalla (cured pork shoulder), coupled with cucumber and melon, as well as pizza topped with zucchini, squash blossoms, and fior di latte cheese.
Read MoreEstela
Even the Obamas have endorsed Ignacio Mattos’ Nolita triumph, Estela, which has also drawn raves from Bon Appetit, New York Magazine, and the New York Times. The menu is abbreviated, all but assuring each and every dish is a winner — think bright, juicy Cherries tossed with onion and basil, fat, orange-yolked Duck Eggs, elevated with truffle and mojama (salted Spanish tuna), and moist, stubby Lamb Ribs, dusted with herbaceous Moroccan charmoula and drizzled with honey.
Read MoreMarket Table
As the name suggests, the ever-changing menu at this West Village favorite is inspired directly by the greenmarket, resulting in options like Brooklyn Burrata with strawberry agrodolce, Heirloom Tomatoes topped with basil and avocado crema, Halibut with English peas and minted crème fraiche, and plump Sea Scallops, teamed with corn risotto and cucumber salsa fresca.
Read MoreConcord Hill
This Williamsburg newcomer may be way more under-the-radar than Franny’s, but it’s just as notable, and more importantly, the extensive menu is a veritable mix-and-match of summer’s most sought-after ingredients! Just try to choose between offerings like Watercress tossed with heirloom cherry tomatoes, feta, grilled corn and mint-jalapeno vinaigrette, Fregola Sarda Pasta strewn with snap peas and kale, and a selection of crunchy Toasts — alternately topped with breakfast radishes and anchovy butter, ricotta and honey, and housemade pate with briny cornichons.
Read MoreLittleneck
Not like we need to wax poetic about shellfish once again, but come on— it’s one of the greatest joys of summer. And Littleneck in Gowanus feels us completely, which is why you’ll find clams of all sorts comprising a large part of the menu; either cooked in a cast-iron pot with compound butter, steamed with Narragansett beer, incorporated in a Portuguese Stew, or fried and piled into a chewy roll, along with tartar sauce, shredded lettuce, and housemade pickles.
Check out My Book – Try This
