In the Summer, In the City

Treats & Eats

1. After this week's heatwave, a refreshing cocktail to quench one's thirst is much needed. The place to do it?  The Up and Up located at 116 Macdougal. This subterranean bar looks more divey than dashing from the outside, but upon arrival you're transported to a 1930s, post-Prohibition cocktail den. We haven't tasted anything but deliciousness from these guys (and gals), but our current favorites are the Taste of Chez Juan and the Strunk Text. Come here with business colleagues or on a first date and don't forget to take the postcards, with book excerpts on them, as a little reminder to visit this gem whenever you're in Greenwich Village.
2. Dominique Ansel's long awaited tasting table at Dominique Ansel Kitchen had its first seating this past weekend. U.P. seats twice a night, Fridays-Sundays, and books 7 weeks in advance, on Mondays at noon. For those of you wondering why there's a seven week wait for desserts, chef Ansel is the wizard behind the cronut and the milk-and-cookie shot, and his bakery in Soho still has people queued up down Spring St every morning. For those of you who are too impatient, you can walk into both DA Kitchen and Bakery daily to buy any one of chef Ansel's treats, including my personal favorite - the DKA.

Sights & Sounds

1. It being Summer in the City, I always like to catch a free outdoor movie. Hands down my favorite location is Brooklyn Bridge Park. There tends to be a nice evening breeze off the East River and you can't beat the view of the city. This year my top pick would be "Attack The Block" on Thursday, July 23rd. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 90% and being a Brit, I've got a soft spot for a genuinely funny and scary sci-fi movie! Movies start around 8pm (or when the sun goes down), but I would try to get there early with a picnic and procure a decent spot.
2. The second Shakespeare in the Park production 'Cymbeline' starts on Thursday, July 23rd at 8pm at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park and runs through August 23rd. There are so many ways to get the free tickets this year, it's probably best to check out the Public Theater website for details. (If you don't feel like standing in line or taking your chances on the online lottery, you can ensure a free ticket by becoming a Summer supporter for a minimum $200 donation.) 'Cymbeline' promises "Cross-dressing girls and cross-dressing boys, poisons and sword fights and dastardly villains all take the stage in this enchanting romp about the conquering power of love". There's nothing more magical than watching Shakespeare outdoors whilst sipping on a glass of wine as the sun goes down at this historic Theater. Just don't forget the bug spray!

As always, if you need to book tickets or want a reservation, let us help!

** You can now subscribe to our weekly blog posts by visiting our About deVivre or Meet Us page. Get your weekly dose of joie deVivre sent directly to you!