Seasonal Dining: Three Must-Try Summer Menus in NYC

There is no major metropolitan city quite like the Big Apple. Touted as the “greatest city in the world,” New York City offers an abundance of ultra-luxe experiences that is, simply put, incomparable. Summer is arguably the best season to truly enjoy the “city that never sleeps.”

For approximately 13 weeks, one can opt to check out the best parades, outdoor parties, festivals and summer stage performances at Central Park. Every year, located at Rumsey Playfield, which is right off the 5th Avenue and 69th Street entrance to Central Park, the iconic park host approximately 30-35 free-of-charge performing events. Good Morning America also host a number of free concerts. On any given day you may catch your favorite artist like hip-hop’s reigning queen Nicki Minaj.

Although the city is surrounded by steal and concrete, there are a number of ways New Yorkers bring nature to their daily lives. We spend hours soaking up the great outdoors in parks or at rooftop gardens. While the Big Apple has never been praised for its inviting waters, many establishments have mastered the art of combing New Yorkers’ favorite things—a view and public swimming pools.

However, by far, the best aspects of summer are the plethora of local restaurants and their limited-edition summer staples. With the arrival of seasonal fruits (passion fruits, strawberries and melons) and vegetables (cucumbers, arugula and bell peppers), summertime give birth to vibrant flavors. Who can resist dining at the city’s decadent culinary scene?

If you weren’t already enjoying summertime in the city, we’ve rounded up our top three establishments with must-try summer staples to satisfy your taste buds and keep you day dreaming for more.

With an abundance of festivals, museums, boutiques and eateries with outdoor seating and decadent summer staples why would you want to spend your summer anywhere else?

Hakkasan
311 W. 43^rd Street
Hell’s Kitchen

Hakkasan restaurants around the world are celebrating the launch of their new Ling Ling in Mykonos by featuring at taste of its cuisine with a limited edition menu and signature cocktail.

For just $45 per person, the limited edition Ling Ling menu features two options Fish and Vegetables, or Meat and Seafood. The Fish and Vegetables menu includes a crispy pumpkin salad with mountain yam, grilled seabass with Chinese honey, steamed Chinese chive dumplings, stir-fry asparagus with lotus root, and a chef selection of macaroons.

The Meat and Seafood menu, which is our favorite pick, courses includes crispy duck salad with pomegranate, by far our favorite item out, followed by the smoked short rib, stir-fry scallop with XO sauce, spicy prawn with lily bulb and almond, and a chef selection of macaroons. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy while devouring the smoked short rib. Waiters will offer you a finger bowl and warm cloth afterwards.

The special menu will be available nightly from 9:30 p.m. until close in the bar or Ling Ling until August 31. For more information about Ling Ling, please visit Hakkasan.com/lingling.

Industry Kitchen
70 South Street @ Maiden Lane
South Street Seaport

Brand new to the South Street Seaport culinary scene, Industry Kitchen offers unobstructed views of executive chef Marco Arnold creating freshly made pizzas, grilled meats and vegetables from two large custom-made wood burning ovens.

Chef Marco, who has studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and received his master’s in Italian cuisines in Florence, Italy, has created the Passion-fruit Panna Cotta, which is slated to last all summer. This tangy dish is a light and creamy dessert that is very refreshing. Another limited edition is the Chocolate Pizza. Chef Marco takes the pizza dough, cut it into small rectangle and brushes it with butter then sprinkle sugar, coconut and place the item into the oven. Halfway through, he puts white chocolate nibs on top and drizzle white chocolate ganache and top it with powered sugar.

Other top recommendations from Chef Marco is the Shrimp and Grits, which is wrapped in pancetta with creamy grits and savory tomato fondue that is placed in the middle of the grits, and the Cedar Plank Salmon, which is served with barley succotash, ginger and rosemary.

West End Hall Beer Garden
2756 Broadway (corner of 106th street and Broadway)
Upper West Side

New to the Upper West Side neighborhood, West End Hall Beer Garden is exactly what beer connoisseurs has been waiting for. The menu, which is created by executive chef Adolfo Vega, features an assortment of decadent dishes that most beer gardens fail to offer.

Chef Adolfo woos restaurant-goers with staple dishes like our favorite the grilled Mahi fish tacos, served with vinegar slaw and chipotle mayo. By far, the best mussels we’ve had in quite some time is also served at West End Hall. Choose from Maine Mussels with Fries, the House Classic served in garlic, shallots, lemon herb and wheat beer or the Thai served in coconut milk, kafir lime, garlic, Thai chili and ginger.

The Greek salad, a popular summer staple, feature in season veggies likes cucumbers and tomatoes as well as red onions, kalamata onions capers, feta cheese topped with a red wine vinaigrette.

Other top recommendations is the West End Hall Truffle Burger.

As for beer, go for the Bell’s Oarsman, which goes well with the fish tacos or mussels. For a rare brew, try the limited release Ninja vs. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing Co., which only has 18 kegs in the entire state. If you like something with a bit of a kick, try the Mexican Cake, an imperial stout that has a chocolate flavor and brewed with ancho peppers.

Don’t miss out on these tasty dishes, they’re only here for a limited time!