Most New Yorkers think of the South Street Seaport as a crowded tourist destination, best left to out of towners.  But just behind the seaport are some often, overlooked restaurants worth discovering.  This part of the Seaport is where the real downtown hustle happens.

What's not to love about summer?  Of course, there's the beach and the sun, and more importantly, all of the season's fruits and vegetables.  Summer is practically synonymous with grilled corn, lobster rolls, citrusy ceviches and soft shell crab and the city's filled with great ways to seize the last few weeks of summer.

Red Hook Lobster Pound – Lobster roll

Address: 284 Van Brunt St., nr. Verona St. (Brooklyn)

Phone: (646) 326-7650
It’s hard to imagine that just a few years ago lobster rolls weren’t easy to come by in New York.  Lucky for us, there’s plenty of places serving terrific renditions of this choice seafood sandwich.  Our favorite is made by the Red Hook Lobster Pound, which uses fresh-caught lobster, literally right off the boat.  And it happens to be a bargain at $15, compared to some of the other rolls in the city.  They add a bit of diced celery, spices and your choice of either mayo or butter, but with lobster meat this succulent, you don't really even need condiments.  If you can’t make it out to Brooklyn, the Red Hook Lobster Pound also sells their  rolls at various markets and events around the city.


Tortilleria Nixtamal – Fish tacos

Address: 104-05 47th Ave (Queens)

Phone: (718) 699-2434
This Queens temple of masa is famous for its tamales, but the fish tacos are just as outstanding, especially in the summertime.   This beloved Mexican eatery makes its fish tacos Baja-style, fried to a golden brown and topped with diced vegetables and fresh cilantro.  The best part just might be the corn tortillas they’re wrapped in, made in-house from freshly ground masa.


Yerba Buena Perry – Watermelon and avocado fries

Address: 1 Perry St. nr. Greenwich Avenue

Phone: (212) 620-0808
Chef Julian Medina has a way with bright, light Latin flavors, perfect for summer eats.    The menu features several refreshing ceviches and cocktails, but we love the clever simplicity of the crispy watermelon, hearts of palm and avocado fries served with homemade mate ketchup.
 

Bark Hot Dogs – Beans and frank dog

Address: 474 Bergen St., nr. Flatbush Ave. (Brooklyn)

Phone: (718) 789-1939
Hot dogs go hand in hand with summer cookouts, but Bark's aren't your average backyard, grilled franks.  The dogs at this Park Slope shop are made from a superior blend of pork shoulder, shank, and beef shoulder, which is basted in smoked lard and butter.   All of Bark's hot dogs are marvelously juicy, but we're particularly partial to the dog topped with smoky baked beans studded with pork.


Sigmund Pretzel Shop – Jalapeno cheddar and gruyere paprika pretzels

Address: 29 Avenue B nr. Third Street

Phone Number: (646) 410-0333
Warm, soft pretzels are New York’s most ubiquitous street snack.  But the ones from this East Village shop remind us how they became so popular in the first place.   Pastry chef and Bouley alumni, Lina Kulchinsky, makes yeasty, chewy pretzels that can hold their own among the best breads in town.  She bakes nearly a dozen sweet and savory varieties, including Jalapeno cheddar and Gruyère paprika pretzels.  And don't forget to try one of the many unique dipping sauces, like the beet-horseradish mayonnaise.

Café Habana – Grilled corn

Address: 17 Prince St. nr. Elizabeth St.

Phone: (212) 625-2001   
We look forward to corn on the cob every summer and it doesn’t get much better than the corn served at this cozy, yet bustling Cuban spot in Soho.  Cafe Habana chars its sweet corn on the grill and slathers it in creamy, tangy cotija cheese, followed by a sprinkle of chili powder and splash of lime


Tamarind Tribeca – Sea bass

Address: 99 Hudson St., btwn. Leonard & Franklin Sts.  

Phone: (212) 775-9000
This outpost is new to Tribeca, but the original Tamarind is well known for its exquisite pan-Indian cooking.  During the summer months, it doesn’t get much better or more flavorful than the tandoori sea bass.  The filet is bathed in yogurt, so it comes out of the tandoor oven plenty moist, then topped with a cool, but lively dressing with yogurt, dill, peppercorns and lime zest.


Peppa’s – Jerk chicken

Address: 738 Flatbush Ave. bet. Clarkson and Parkside Aves. (Brooklyn)

Phone: (347) 712-9341
If you can't make it down to the Caribbean (or out of the city) this summer, at least savor some island flavors with Peppa's jerk chicken.  The chicken at this Brooklyn spot is tender, juicy and invigorated with allspice, pepper and cinnamon.   It’s a tiny spot, so plan to take your chicken to-go, perhaps a picnic in Prospect Park, which is just a stones throw away.


Maya - Ceviche                                                                                                       
Address: 1191 1st. Ave., Between 64th & 65th streets

Phone: (212) 585-1818
There’s nothing better in the sweltering summer than an edible cocktail -- silky, cool and refreshingly tart.  Richard Sandoval demonstrates his mastery of un-cooked fish at Maya with a mahi-mahi ceviche in a tomato-citrus broth as well as yellowfin tuna mingled with orange and cucumber.

Choptank – Soft shell crab sandwich

Address: 308-310 Bleecker St., nr. Grove Street

Phone: (212) 675-2009
This West Village newcomer brings Chesapeake-style seafood dishes to Manhattan.  The jumbo-sized Maryland crab cakes are top-notch and the soft shell crab sandwich is even better.  Sadly, soft shell crabs are seasonal, so take advantage of this tasty sandwich before it disappears til next year.  The soft shell crabs are coated in a crispy, golden batter, tucked into a roll and topped with chipotle mayonnaise and pickled onions.  

The dog days of summer are upon us, so we might as well take full advantage of them.  While everyone else is picnicking in the Central Park, why not throw a picnic on the High Line or even Lincoln Center?  Several of the city’s best restaurants and chefs have packed a basket full of homemade treats for you, some of which even include Frisbees or corkscrews to guarantee a fun afternoon outdoors.

RG writer - Sam Dangremond

Blue Ribbon Bakery Market
Address: 14 Bedford Street, nr. Downing Street
Phone: 212-647-0408
This Greenwich Village shop has packed up picnic feasts, designed to feed four. There are two feasts to choose from, including the Westsider ($175,) filled with an assortment of country pate, pork rillette, aged manchego, a choice of house-smoked red trout or smoked salmon, honey banana bread, maple-flavored sheep’s milk yogurt and four drinks.  If you’re really hungry, there’s a Fried Chicken Feast ($200,) which includes Cajun-spiced fried chicken, aged manchego, house-smoked red trout or smoked salmon, fennel slaw, egg shooters, hummus, a couscous salad and four drinks.  Each basket come with plates, utensils, napkins, plastic cups, a Blue Ribbon corkscrew and a picnic knife in a canvas bag. Orders should be placed 24 hours in advance.

Bouchon Bakery
Address: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
Phone: 212-823-9366
Known for The French Laundry in wine country, Thomas Keller is well-versed in the art of the picnic.   Lucky for us, advance notice is not required for any of the offerings at Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Center.  He’s created two, French-inspired picnic totes.  There’s a Breakfast Tote for Two ($30) that comes with two slices of the bakery’s housemade Quiche du Jour and an assortment of pastries, as well as a Lunch Tote for Two ($30) which includes two sandwiches, macarons, and two Gus’ sodas.

Arpeggio
Address: Lincoln Center Plaza, Columbus Avenue at 64th Street
Phone: 212-874-7000
Lincoln Center might not be the first place you’d think to picnic, but Arpeggio is offering some imaginative “picnics to-go.”  Our favorites are the charcuterie and the artisanal cheeses paired with a petite baguette, quince paste, grapes, and maple-spiced pecans.  Then again, there are several delectable sandwiches including ham & fontina on ciabbata or a mezze salad.  All picnic boxes ($19) are available for immediate pickup and come with an heirloom tomato salad, Chocolate Toffee Crisp and San Pellegrino Water. And if you happen to be there on a Friday afternoon between noon and 2 p.m., don’t miss the free coffee from Illy Cafe .  For a cup, just ask him a question about coffee.  The Tisch Illumination Lawn is a great spot to savor your food and free coffee.


Telepan
Address: 72 W. 69th Street, nr. Columbus Avenue
Phone: 212-580-4300
If you’re looking for a locavore option,  chef Bill Telepan is passionate about creating market fresh baskets for your summer outings.  Telepan’s build-your-own baskets ($21) allow customers to choose a main, including fried chicken, mushroom-fontina foccacia or a Cuban sandwich as well as a dessert, the likes of a blueberry pie crescent, a red velvet cupcake, or fresh-baked cookies.)  All baskets include salt & vinegar cottage fries and your choice of a wax bean salad, spicy coleslaw, farro tabouleh or summer vegetables.  Just remember, orders must be placed by 5 p.m. the day before.

Landmarc
Address: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
Phone: 212-823-6123
Landmarc is well-known for its affordable wine list and the picnic baskets follow suit.  There are plenty of creative options for eaters of all ages, including soups, salads, mini-deli sandwiches, and even child-friendly boxes that come with a sandwich, carrot sticks, a cookie and a Frisbee. Orders can be placed online at landmarc-restaurant.com and are ready for pickup within 30 minutes.

There’s something enchanting about oysters: They’re elegant, sexy and undeniably summery.  Nothing embodies summer, like oysters and a glass of Chablis or rose.  And just like wine, no two oysters taste alike: The flavors vary depending on season and which waters they’re from.  Fortunately, New Yorkers have their pick of oysters from all over the world,  including our own backyard.   With last year’s fish shack trend, there’s never been more places to sample this year’s crop -- everywhere from old school spots, like Grand Central Oyster Bar and excellent newcomers, like Marea and Marlow & Sons, serving up their own unique twist on the oyster.
 
Mermaid Oyster Bar

Address: 79 MacDougal St. btwm. Bleecker & Houston streets

Phone: (212) 260-0100
We’re fans of the first two Mermaid outposts, so we were excited when Mermaid Oyster Bar opened in the West Village.  Like its siblings, the latest Mermaid offers high-end seafood in a laid-back atmosphere.  The restaurant serves oysters from both coasts, most of which cost less than $3 each.  Our favorites are the East Coast oysters, especially the Pemaquid from Maine, with a crisp, smooth texture.  We’ll throw in a few Kumamoto’s just represent the West Coast too. 

Pearl Oyster Bar
Address: 18 Cornelia St. bet. Bleecker & West Fourth Sts.
Phone: (212) 691-8211
New England may be home to a few of New York’s rival sports teams, but there’s no reason we can’t enjoy their cooking.  And at Pearl, the New England seafood menu is as about good as it gets.  The raw oysters, which come six to a plate, are exceedingly fresh, but don’t overlook Rebecca Charles’ fried oysters coated in an addictively crunchy batter.  You can order them as an appetizer, or better yet, on a roll topped with tartar sauce with a side of shoestring fries.

Grand Central Oyster Bar
Address: 89 East 42nd St. at Third Avenue

Phone: (212) 490-6650
Tucked inside Grand Central Station, this dining institution evokes the spirit of Old New York, with its vaulted tile ceiling, checkered tablecloths and cafeteria-style tables.  And the food is just as timeless.  There’s raw oysters, fried oysters and even oysters Rockefeller, which are baked and loaded with cheese and butter.   We highly recommend an order of oysters before you settle into a lobster roll or anything other seafaring option on the menu. 

Blue Ribbon
Address: 97 Sullivan St. bet. Prince and Spring Sts.

Phone: (212) 274-0404
There are eight Blue Ribbon outposts around the city, but when it comes to oysters, you’ll want to head to the Sullivan Street location.   The oysters at this perpetually packed brasserie really are worth the wait for a table.   While it’s hard to pass up an order of fried oysters, there’s a terrific raw bar with a great oyster selection too.

Marea
Address: 240 Central Park South bet. Broadway & Seventh Avenue

Phone: (212) 582-5100

This Italian seafood destination is nothing short of exceptional and their oysters are no exception.  Michael White stays domestic, with oysters from Washington State and... New Brunswick, New Jersey.   There’s six kinds to choose from, all perfectly complemented by a cucumber-lemon vinaigrette and a Morellino (red wine) mignonette -- both much more interesting than your typical tartar and cocktail sauce.

Lure Fishbar
Address: 142 Mercer St. bet. Prince & Houston streets

Phone: (212) 431-7676

This Soho seafood staple has much more going for it than its nautical décor.  We could eat the fried oysters on the half shell all night, which might have something to do with the tartar sauce and julienned vegetable garnish.  It’s one of those few dishes that’s just as attracting as delicious.   Lure’s shellfish platters are also a good deal, considering the small, medium and large options all come with an assortment of oysters, shrimp, crab, claws and clams.

Wild Edibles
Address: 535 Third Ave. btwn. 35th & 36th streets

Phone: (212) 213-8552

This Murray Hill spot opened as a retail store, but the owners wisely decided to add a full-service bistro as well.  The oyster bar offerings are excellent, especially the $15 platters, which are paired with wine and beer.  You might want to take advantage of the crisp, clean-tasting Canadian oysters, which aren’t available on many menus in New York.

Oceana
Address: 120 West 49th St. bet. Sixth & Seventh avenues

Phone: (212) 759-5941
Oceana’s new digs boast a casual, front-of-the-house café with an impressive raw bar.  They offer six varieties of oysters and nearly as many accompanying sauces.   Try the piquillo pepper aioli or the passion fruit vinaigrette. If you prefer the main dining room,  we like the spiced & marinated oysters accented with cucumber and apple -- a mix of salty, sweet and spicy flavors that does a number on your tongue.

Marlow & Sons
Address: 81 Broadway btwn. Berry Street & Wythe Avenue (Brooklyn)

Phone: (718) 384-1441
It’s nearly impossible to have a bad meal here at this Brooklyn favorite, an offshoot of Diner, located just next door.    Ever since it opened, locals and foodies alike flock to this cozy spot for rustic, thoughtful and affordable cooking.   Like the rest of the menu, the raw oysters are simple and delicious. 

Balthazar
Address: 80 Spring St. btwn. Broadway & Crosby Street

Phone: (212) 343-1274
Restaurants don’t get much better than Balthazar.  This romantic, perfectly weathered brasserie happens to serve perfectly classic French food.   The only downside is just how difficult it is to get a table, even after thirteen years in business.  I recommend grabbing a spot at the bar and passing your wait with a glass of Champagne and oysters.

Most New Yorkers need their daily dose of caffeine, and nowadays there's so many different drinks to wake us up. But in the summer, that blue & white paper cup of piping hot coffee is too much to bear on a scorching summer day.  This is high season for iced coffee.  The city has a slew of shops that raise the classic iced coffee to new heights. Our favorite newcomers & go-to spots roast internationally sourced beans, use the latest brewing gadgets and even make an espresso-laced drink out of horchata, one of Latin America’s favorite sweet beverages.

Stumptown Coffee
Address: 18 West 29th St., btwn. Broadway & Fifth Ave.
Phone: (212) 679-2222
Stumptown is artisanal coffee at its finest.  This West Coast roaster opened its first New York outpost in the Ace Hotel last year and quickly gained a following of coffee connoisseurs & addicts who admire the skilled baristas and premier ingredients.  Stumptown sources its high quality beans from farms in three continents -- South America, Africa and Asia.  Owner Duane Sorenson wouldn't have it any other way; his mission is to showcase a variety of  beans with a unusual flavors.  The menu at Stumpton features macchiaotos and cappuccinos, but there's nothing more satisfying on a hot summer day than the house blend iced coffee.  It's deliciously complex -- a little sweet, a little nutty, slightly chocolatey and delicious.

Roasting Plant
Address: (Two Locations) 81 Orchard St. btwn. Broome & Grand streets; 75 Greenwich Ave nr. 7th Ave South.
Phone: (212) 775-7755 & (212) 775-7755
Who would have thought cutting-edge technology and coffee would go so well together?  That's exactly what makes Roasting Plant so unique.  Both downtown shops are run by Mike Caswell, a former engineer, who designed a machine that roasts, grinds and brews customized coffee-to-order.  This all-in-one method makes for the ultimate iced coffee experience.  And though it’s far from high tech, complement your drink with one of Roasting Plant's awesome chocolate chip cookies.

Mud Coffee

Address: 307 East 9th St. near 2nd Ave

Phone: (212) 228-9074

Mud Coffee is a tried-and-true grassroots coffee company.  What started as a husband & wife truck business has evolved into a full-fledged East Village eatery that features a full breakfast and lunch menu.  But the coffee is still the real draw, especially the iced mocha and iced caramel cappuccino are two of our favorites.  And when we’re in the mood for something really different, there's a standout mint mochaccino.

Joe The Art of Coffee
Address: (Three locations) 514 Columbus Ave. nr. 85th St.; 141 Waverly Place nr. 6th Ave.; & 9 East 13th St., nr. 6th Ave., 405 West 23rd St. near 9th Ave.
Phone: 212-875-0100; (212) 924-6750; (212) 924-7400; & (212) 206-0669
Skip the Starbuck's frappuccino and opt for an espresso granita from Joe instead. The blend is pretty simple -- just espresso, sugar, milk, and ice -- but surprisingly decadent, especially with a dollop of whipped cream. This one is more than just a sugar rush: The beans are from Ecco Cafe, a lauded roaster, that produces beans with a smooth finish.

Cafe Grumpy
Address: (Three locations) 224 West 20th St. btwn. 7th & 8th avenues; 383 7th Ave., btwn.11th & 12th Sts. (Brooklyn,); & 193 Meserole Ave., at Diamond St. (Brooklyn)
Phone: (212) 255-5511, (718) 499-4404, (718) 349 -7623
It made headlines for its scandalously priced $12 cup of coffee, but Cafe Grumpy is far from outlandish.  In fact, most of the offerings are less than $10 and excellent.  Ground in-house, the iced coffee gets its fragrant smell and flavor from a blend of Guatemalan and Costa Rican cacao beans.  And the best part is, it's only $4.25 -- twice the price of a deli iced coffee, but a steal considering the attention to each drink and the sky high cost of a Café Grumpy cup of hot coffee.

Zibetto Espresso Bar
Address: 102 Fulton St., nr. Williams Street; 1385 6th Ave near 56th St.
Phone: (917) 388-2789‎
Zibetto owner & native of Sweden, Anastasio Nougos, is super serious about his espresso.  He trains every barista for two months before they're allowed to make a cup for the long line of customers that often trail outside the door. Zibetto's must-try cold beverage is the "caffe shakerato," made by shaking up a mixture of espresso, sugar and ice then straining it with a flourish into a glass.  It's chilled, caffeinated perfection.

Think Coffee
Address: (Three locations) 248 Mercer St. btwn. 3rd & 4th streets; 1 Bleecker St., nr. Bowery; 123 4th Ave., btwn. 12th & 12th Sts.
Phone: (212) 228-6226; )(212) 533-3366; & (212) 614-6644
Situated right near NYU, this spot is a godsend for students studying for exams.   What sets Think apart is that it exclusively uses organic, fair-trade beans, so caffeine addicts can actually feel good about their coffee addictions. Their iced coffee is "cold-brew" instead of chilled, so it doesn't leave a bitter aftertaste, unlike when you simply chill hot coffee. Think has got the cold-brew technique down pat, and its iced coffee has hints of chocolate and caramel as a result. There's plenty of sofas in the lofty space to kick back and enjoy your icy brew.

Crop to Cup Cafe
Address: 139 Atlantic Ave., btwn. Clinton & Henry streets
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Not many coffee shops will sell you the couch you're sitting on.  This one-of-a-kind shop in Brooklyn Heights also functions as an antique store that sells chairs, tables and other vintage furniture.  While you're browsing the merchandise, try an iced latte or an iced espresso horchata, a rare treat for caffeine-crazy New Yorkers.  Made from rice, milk and cinnamon, horchata is a traditional Latin American drink that happens to taste delicious with a shot of espresso  That will definitely get you off to a sweet start first thing in the morning.

Dunkin' Donuts

Sure, it’s a chain, but after sixty years in business, Dunkin' Donuts still serves a reliable iced coffee.  Since 1950, they've been using the same blend.  The original blend has enough flavor for us, but if you want something a little sweeter, the vanilla & mocha-flavored iced coffees are both good too. 

Gorilla Coffee

Address: 97 5th Ave. near Park Pl. (Brooklyn)

Phone: (718) 230-3244

This Park Slope shop takes the concept of "a strong cup of coffee" to a new level.  Gorilla Coffee roasts all of its beans by hand everyday and the result is a full-bodied cup.  Their espresso is full-bodied, not too bitter, yet still has a subtle kick to it.  Come summer, we make a habit of the iced latte. There are several types to choose from, but the iced maple latte is unique and excellent.