Urban Cowboy
Looking for a more authentic Big Apple stay than a chain hotel can provide? You'll find it at Urban Cowboy Bed & Breakfast. Designed to offer guests the feeling of staying in a modern Brooklyn townhouse, this unique accommodation offers four bedrooms in the freestanding townhouse as well as a rustic cabin the backyard and an open parlor floor that combines both modern and rustic elements — just like the rest of the property — and offers a place for guests to meet and mingle, possibly with native Brooklynites on nights when the owner is throwing a dinner party.
Boerum House & Home
If you're outfitting an abode in Boerum Hill, you need to make a trip to Boerum House & Home. This new shop is set in an open, two-story space, and offers home goods, accessories, kitchen supplies, books, sundries, jewelry, and other knick-knacks from over 130 local designers, makers, and artists. With such an eclectic selection, you're sure to find something that suits your taste, and if supporting local talent wasn't enough for you, the store's proceeds will be donated to a number of local charities — making it a win-win-win proposition all the way around.
Grand Banks
There are plenty of great places to eat outside in New York — but few offer the unique views of Grand Banks. This seasonal oyster bar is located on the deck of a 142-foot sailboat docked in Tribeca at Hudson River Park's Pier 25. The menu is seafood-heavy, with fresh oysters, a collection of small plates, and some terrific summer cocktails. And should you somehow tire of the views of Manhattan (unlikely), you can always head downstairs to check out the on-board museum.
The Thing
It might look messy, but what it lacks in organization, The Thing makes up for in sheer volume. One of the oldest second-hand stores in Greenpoint, its ground floor offers kitchenware, furniture, camera equipment, books, clothing, and, according to the store, "assorted bric-a-brac." But head to the back and down the stairs, and you'll find the shop's true treasure: over a hundred thousand vintage records, all selling for bargain-basement prices. Just remember to clear your schedule before you go, because the store has been known to swallow shoppers for hours at a time.
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
There's more than enough BBQ joints in New York to fill a weekend, but if you're looking for the best of the best, you'd better plan on being at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. Scheduled for June 7th & 8th in Madison Square Park, the event will feature barbecue and other foods from pitmasters hailing from all over the country, as well as informative seminars and live music from rock, blues, and soul artists.
Los Tacos No. 1
What do you get when three friends from Tijuana and California decide to open up a taco shop on the East Coast? Los Tacos No. 1, that's what. Located in Chelsea Market, this handsome stand offers up tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, and mulas filled/topped with steak, chicken, pork, or grilled cactus, along with chips and salsa, chips and guacamole, and a range of drinks that includes both aguas frescas and Mexican Coke. That's pretty much it, but when you're hungry and looking for some tasty, quick Mexican, that's really all you need.
Calexico
Okay, so it's more of a cart — or carts, actually — than a truck, but that doesn't make Calexico any less tasty. Named for the northern side of a border town between California and Mexico, this beloved cart serves up all the tacos, quesadillas, burritos, bowls, nachos, sandwiches, and enchiladas you'd expect, with a extra helping of their chipotle crack sauce if you want. Not feeling the food cart scene? Luckily for you, they've also opened up full-on restaurants in Greenpoint, Red Hook, the Barclays Center, and the Lower East Side, as well.
Brooklyn Bowl
Most venues consist of a big room, a stage, some restrooms (or porta-johns), and, if you're lucky, a bar. Hence why Brooklyn Bowl is such a terrific place to catch a show. In addition to functioning as a venue for performances, this Williamsburg spot takes its "Bowl" designnation seriously, with 16 lanes available, all within earshot of the stage. The LEED-certified space — the first bowling alley in the world to earn the honor — is also home to multiple bars serving up local craft brews and a restaurant serving up food by Blue Ribbon.
Miomia
It's not strictly for men, but the selection at Miomia is so outstanding that it simply doesn't matter. The owner, Katie, wrote her Master's thesis on men's grooming — so there's no doubt she knows her stuff — and has assembled a knowledgeable staff to help things run smoothly. Whether you're looking for help with your face or skin, shaving gear, hair product, or even some smell-good liquid, they have you covered with a hand-curated selection of goods that features a good mix of old favorites and more specialized brands.
No. 8
Named after the infamous bungalow No. 8 at the Beverly Hills Hotel — home to many a late-night forbidden tryst — No. 8 exudes some of the same style, and we assume serves as the site for some discrete hookups, as well. Located in the Chelsea arts district, this two-floor affair features a ballroom-like atmosphere on the main floor, with banquet tables, a lounge area, and a U-shaped bar, and a vinyl lounge upstairs boasting a curated collection of over 8,000 albums. Terrific small plates account for the food, but the cocktails are the real star, with excellently paired ingredients and a slightly different menu on each floor.
Pilgrim Surf + Supply
Okay, so it's not really close to any surfing — unless you're thinking of throwing your board in the East River — but that doesn't stop Pilgrim Surf + Supply from being worth a visit. This Williamsburg shop stocks a surprisingly robust selection of boards, as well as trunks, hoodies, shirts, pants, jackets, bags, and other essential gear. And should you feel like a bit of spontaneous shopping when you're closer to the shore, stop by their new shop in Amagansett, which offers just as impressive a selection with an even beach-ier vibe.
Fish and Rose
It's rare that we write about a restaurant we don't expect to be around long, but then again, it's not too often you see places pop up that plan to only be open for a month. Presented by Beetlebung Farm of Martha's Vineyard, Fish and Rose is a pop-up eatery helmed by Chefs Chris Fischer and Lee Desrosiers, and is serving up simple but tasty creations made primarily from meats, greens, and other ingredients taken from the aforementioned Farm, as well as fresh oysters from the nearby New England waters. Open through December 30th.
