Outdoor Lunch in SoHo: Savore

 

I love a good outdoor lunch. People-watching makes a meal more fun, and the energy of the city is contagious. 

I stumbled upon Savore while running some errands in SoHo. A row of small tables under a canopy intrigued me, and a glance at their menu sold me. This is not typical Italian.

  

My favorite pasta dish here is the Agnolotti – heavenly soft pockets stuffed with lamb and drizzled with EVOO and green peas. Don’t let the look fool you – it’s very filling!

  

Being in a hurry, I combined my cocktail and dessert by going for a limoncello. Let me be clear when I say that I’ve had my fair share of these around NYC, and this is the real deal. An Italian grandma would be proud. Sweet, refreshing, and just strong enough to wake you up. A must-have for sure.
Average price is $25 pp for a hearty dish and a drink. Check them out at Spring and Sullivan in SoHo.

Italian Seafood for Lunch: Santina

  

Summer is here and New Yorkers are out looking for bright, sunny places to eat and drink. Santina delivers a perfect mix of outdoor and indoor seating, with a bar that is worth visiting on its own, and inspired dishes to satisfy that fresh pasta craving. Their seafood brings Barcelona to mind, with octopus, cod, black bass, and tartar as mix-ins, appetizers, and sandwiches. 

  

 

I highly recommend one of their pitchers to share. The Spritzer is light and refreshing, with Aperol as the star ingredient. They also have an excellent house punch, with a tequila base and pineapple, served in a ceramic glass.

  
I went for a simple dish; their fish sandwich. Made with cod and a delicious house sauce, this one is light but still filling enough for lunch, and relatively guilt-free.

 
One thing that you just have to try is the Cecina, a chickpea based crepe to share with various dips you can pick from. The spicy tuna tartar goes perfectly with this one.

  

Overall, this place screams GREAT LUNCH. I don’t really recommend skipping the bright, lively daytime experience here for dinner. With a pitcher to share, Cecina and dip, and entrees, price is about $50 pp. And their location right by the High Line is unbeatable on a weekend with nice weather.

Check them out at 820 Washington St, between Gansevoort St and Little West 12th St in the Meatpacking District.

Summer Rooftop Brunch: Hotel Chantelle

  

Summer is here and it’s time for New Yorkers to do what they do best: outdoor Brunch!

One of my all-time favorites is Hotel Chantelle, with a signature Parisian feel, great music, and cocktails on a rooftop.

 

The brunch menu features two cocktails for 92 cents each. One is a strawberry vodka soda of sorts, the other is a champagne-based gimlet called The Passage. Both are great summer choices, and both come in pitchers for $8 if you plan on getting  8 servings.

   
 

The menu mixes classic favorites like a Benedict, French Toast, and Smoked Salmon with innovative creations like the Breakfast Pizza and a Truffle Grilled Cheese (amazing). We tried the Lobster Roll and French Toast, and both were fresh, delicious, and filling  – the lobster being the lighter of the two.

  
As a side, I highly recommend their Truffle Tater Tots. Perfect for two, and goes nicely with most plates.

If you want a cocktail outside their 92 cent options, I recommend the Beach Cruiser. It’s light, flavorful, and screams summer. It’s half-priced on brunch days, too.

  
With plenty of drinks, an entree, and a side, average price is about $35pp. Check them out in the Lower East Side, at 92 Ludlow St, between Broome and Delancey.

  

Sunny Brunch: Hudson River Merchants

I stumbled upon this place while walking the trail around Battery Park on a sunny weekend. I couldn’t help notice the bright blue table cloths and clinking mimosa glasses on a casual open porch.

The staff was quick to greet and seat me, and I had a delicious pepper-infused Bloody Mary in no time. You can customize these with different bases and toppings – just ask your server for whatever you want in/on it!

I really enjoyed the variety of healthy options on the menu. I got a cold shrimp wrap with fresh greens, and it was crisp, delicious, and pretty satisfying as a full brunch.

  

At $20 pp with the view, you can’t beat it.

Check it out on a sunny day at Hudson River Esplanade, 375 South End Ave in Battery Park

Date Night in NoHo: Saxon + Parole

Although NoHo is not the first neighborhood to come to mind for date night, Saxon + Parole proves this neighborhood to be a worthy destination on week nights as well as a weekend brunch. Reservations are reliable, and the cocktail menu is a welcome shift from your typical gin and whiskey craft cocktails that have become monotonous in comparable restaurants.

Starting with a Celery Gimlet, and moving to a crisp Manhattan (on tap), Saxon easily holds its weight as a cocktail hot spot before even trying their innovative dining options.

The most popular appetizer here is the Bone Marrow, served with a broiled top and a cold, crisp arugula citrus salad. This one is shareable, and truly opens up your appetite for a hearty second course.

A house favorite is the mushroom pot, served with crispy baguette wedges.  The savory mousse pairs perfectly. A fun and different dish to share, and a true conversation piece in its presentation.

For my entree, I went for the Hanger Steak, and I was impressed by the generous portion and a diverse flavor profile, with roasted potatoes, sweet sauce, and a crunchy salad. 

The wow factor for this dish is definitely the Marrow Bernaise sauce on the side, served in the bone, adding a silky topping to the meat without taking over.

Overall, a solid choice for date night, at $80 pp from drinks to 2 small plates to an entree each. 

Check it out on 316 Bowery in NoHo.