Grub Guides

What You Need to Eat and Drink Before Summer Is Really Over

Quick! Before it all melts!
Quick! Before it all melts! Photo: Melissa Hom

Labor Day has come and gone, but, technically, the first day of autumn isn’t until September 23. That means you have exactly 21 days to end your summer on a high note and make the most of late-season corn, stone fruit, and tomatoes — as well as lobster rolls, rosé, and tacos, of course. To make things easy for you, Grub has compiled a checklist of some must-hit New York summer 2014 experiences.

Drink what little rosé is left in New York City.
Perhaps at Bar Sardine, or Barbuto, both of which keep their doors open this time of year. Grub’s visiting wine expert suggests Bar Sardine’s Chateau Pradeaux Bandol rosé, in particular.

Drink what little rosé is left in New York City.
Perhaps at Bar Sardine, or Barbuto, both of which keep their doors open this time of year. Grub’s visiting wine expert suggests Bar Sardine’s Chateau Pradeaux Bandol rosé, in particular.

Bar Sardine lets the air in.Photo: Melissa Hom

Get your fill of chilled noodles.
Here’s a good place to start, or you could head to Ivan Ramen for cold lemon shio ramen, which is only offered at lunchtime.

Sample all of the new fried chicken around the city.
Critic Ryan Sutton claims that Root & Bone “serves New York’s best new fried chicken,” and Wilma Jean’s is getting good buzz, too. Plus: Berg’n serves two different fried-chicken sandwiches (Asia Dog’s Buffalo fried-chicken sandwich; Ramen Burger’s Chicken Karaage sandwich) and Birds & Bubbles opens soon.

Sample all of the new fried chicken around the city.
Critic Ryan Sutton claims that Root & Bone “serves New York’s best new fried chicken,” and Wilma Jean’s is getting good buzz, too. Plus: Berg’n serves two different fried-chicken sandwiches (Asia Dog’s Buffalo fried-chicken sandwich; Ramen Burger’s Chicken Karaage sandwich) and Birds & Bubbles opens soon.

Bar Sardine’s burger comes with smoked cheddar, crispy potatoes, cucumbers, and barbecue mayo.Photo: Melissa Hom

Splurge on one last great lobster roll.
Might we suggest the version served at Grand Banks?

Wait in line for next-level ice cream.
Get thee to Morgenstern’s or Hay Rosie or Ample Hills Creamery’s new 3,600-square-foot ice-cream paradise before it gets cold outside.

Order iced coffee from a charming Australian.
Two Hands, Brunswick, and Bluestone Lane all have pleasant, light, beachy vibes — and some of the friendliest baristas in town, complete with delightful accents.

Order iced coffee from a charming Australian.
Two Hands, Brunswick, and Bluestone Lane all have pleasant, light, beachy vibes — and some of the friendliest baristas in town, complete with delightful accents.

Two Hands serves its iced coffee in Mason jars.Photo: Melissa Hom

Spend exactly $10 on a fantastic burger.
There are plenty of great new burgers that demand your attention — but start by focusing on the ones at Wilma Jean and Bar Sardine, which both cost $10.

Eat all of the tacos.
Grub hears that newly opened Greenpoint Fish & Lobster serves excellent fish tacos, but if you’re looking for a sure bet, take the train to Rockaway Taco.

Eat all of the tacos.
Grub hears that newly opened Greenpoint Fish & Lobster serves excellent fish tacos, but if you’re looking for a sure bet, take the train to Rockaway Taco.

Baja fish tacos, with battered Gloucester pollock, at Greenpoint Fish & Lobster.Photo: Paul Wagtouicz

Make the most of late-season stone fruit.
Try Kierin Baldwin’s peach-and-fig crostata at Locanda Verde, Brooks Headley’s browned-butter panna cotta with roasted plums at Del Posto, Tracy Obolsky’s peach crisp at North End Grill, David Waltuck’s stone-fruit sundae with ginger and tres leches at élan, or one of the many other peach desserts still available.

Extend the feeling of summer by eating somewhere exotic.
Order a Gold Daiquiri and peppered shrimp at the new, Caribbean iteration of Glady’s, or barbecue-roasted pork shoulder at Miss Lily’s 7A in the East Village.

Extend the feeling of summer by eating somewhere exotic.
Order a Gold Daiquiri and peppered shrimp at the new, Caribbean iteration of Glady’s, or barbecue-roasted pork shoulder at Miss Lily’s 7A in the East Village.

Vacation vibes at Miss Lily’s 7A.Photo: Melissa Hom

Take your friends to an old-school soda fountain.
Bubby’s High Line now serves a $100 “Kitchen Sink” sundae, and Hamilton’s Soda Fountain recently opened in the West Village, serving milkshakes, malts, and single scoops of tuna salad.

Get corn stuck between your teeth.
It’s the best time of year to eat corn (as well as tomatoes): Try El Quinto Pino’s new corn soup with chile-cheese pesto (which tastes a bit like pimento cheese); Bar Primi’s campanelle pasta with Jersey corn, maitake mushrooms, and scalogno; or Crimson & Rye’s savory corn pancakes with Scottish-smoked salmon. Also, don’t forget about the classics, like Café Habana’s Mexican corn on the cob.

What You Need to Eat and Drink Before Summer Is Really Over