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hot town: summer in the city.
don't have a house in the hamptons? don't worry, there's tons of fun stuff to do here, even if it's hot and sweaty.
29 Places
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Peter’s 5-star review: How can you not love Coney Island? Oh. Maybe it's because it's grimy, crowded, trashy (in many ways), occasionally dangerous, tacky, expensive and cheap, all at the same time. But it's also the Freak Show...both the one you buy a ticket for, and the free one available on the boardwalk and the beach. It's the Cyclone, and the Cyclones. It's sunshine, sand, and sea. It's families camped out in tents on the beach. It's alive. It's a little strip of nature, barely keeping itself from being overrun by the city. It's the Wonder Wheel. It's Totonno's. It's the guitarist on the boardwalk with WAY too many birds. It's Brooklyn. It's a constant tale of rising and falling, moving up and down faster than the Thunderbolt. It's the beach off the F Train. It's the Aquarium, and The Warriors. It's Ruby's. It's people pretending like whatever they are wearing is adequately covering their body. It's Smorgasburg (as of recently). It's the Hot Dog Eating Contest. It's melted ice cream and chili cheese fries. It's warm beer, and fat men passed out in the sun. It's fishing from the pier, and the Mermaid Parade. It's history; our own, and Brooklyn's. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Is this the best beach in New York? No, those are on Long Island. (I mean, the part of Long Island that people refer to as Long Island. Not the part of Long Island that is just part of the long island, but is actually part of NYC.) But you can get here with a swipe of your MetroCard, and then you can spend the day surreptitiously drinking with your friends in the sunshine until it seems like a good idea to eat salami and spreadable cheese off of Pringles. Beware: If you get caught buying beers/wine for all of your friends from one of the boardwalk restaurants, the cops may offer you the choice of throwing out all that alcohol or chugging it in front of them for their amusement. Obviously, you should choose the latter (you paid for that shit), but you should probably put some sunscreen on before you pass out as a result. Just a word to the wise. -
Peter’s 5-star review: There really isn't much better than the Cyclones in the summer. With the sun setting and the Wonder Wheel in the background, if you don't enjoy watching [occasionally terrible] baseball and all the between-inning entertainment, I think there's something wrong with you beyond your hideous taste in clothes. It's cheap, laid-back, family-friendly fun. Go have a good time. A couple pieces of advice: 1. If it's Jersey Night or Bat Day or whatever, make sure to get there early. If you don't make it at least an hour before the game starts, you're not going to be taking home that Daryl Strawberry Bobblehead you always wanted. 2. Don't come in with high expectations of a perfect evening watching men compete at the pinnacle of their sport. This isn't Yankee Stadium. You're going to see a lot of errors made, and there's no sushi for sale here. This is Brooklyn. They've got knishes, and you know you want one. 3. Make sure they've got honey mustard or BBQ sauce before you get yourself some chicken fingers. Those things are essentially edible honey mustard spoons anyway, so when they are out, what's the point? 4. Don't ask them to load you up on the chili for your hot dog. You won't even be able to see the dog itself, and when the chili gets on your girlfriend's dress nobody is going to be happy. Nobody. -
Peter’s 4-star review: This is the bar you go to when you aren't lucky enough to know someone with their own backyard/rooftop. Or when they are out of town, and you can't figure out how to break into their building. They've got a rotating selection of good beer (and bad beer, which also has its time and place) in bottles and cans, as well as a few selections on tap. They've got hot dogs, which, if you're not familiar, are the finest possible product that can be made from the supposedly undesirable parts of a pig. They've got picnic tables to sit at whilst you consume all of these things. It'll cost you more than the backyard barbecue you wish you were having, but not too much more. _____________ P.S. I'm not squeamish, but the bartender last Thursday made me understand why it's supposedly illegal to use your bare hands to garnish drinks. His dirty lime fingers made me not want a lime in my Pacifico. If you know his mom, have her tell him to wash them. -
Peter’s 5-star review: When I was just a little guy, my family lived less than a block from Prospect Park. If you don't know, it's that enormous, beautiful oasis in the middle of Brooklyn. My earliest memories are of summer days spent there, and looking back, every single one of them was sunny. Even after we moved out of the Slope, we still came back annually for Father's Day picnics with our best friends. As a result, the park is inextricably linked to my conceptions of both summer and family. To me, the park means massive, juicy burgers and slightly burnt hot dogs, fantastic roast pork, vats of potato and macaroni salad, and tremendous bowls of fried rice. The park reminds me of playing pick-up soccer and football until it's too dark to see; of tossing a frisbee, flying a kite, and of family baseball games. It awakens memories of lying on the grass, falling asleep in the sun, and playing with dogs - both those you know and those you don't. Now that I'm older, there's a little less running around, and a little* more beer-drinking. Now I'm the one carrying the coolers instead of running beside them. But the feeling hasn't changed. I have nothing but love for Prospect Park; it's my happy place. Spend some time here, and I guarantee that soon you'll feel the same way I do. ________ *OK, a lot. -
Peter’s 5-star review: In all the times I've been here, I don't even think I've ever eaten inside. This place is about squares,* spumoni and summer. Anything else, and you're doing it wrong. __________ *You might know these as Sicilian slices. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I don't ever order lemonade, as I usually prefer to drink either water or alcohol. (One hydrates me, the other gets me drunk...other beverages are largely useless.) But I make an exception for Lizzmonade. The combination of fresh lemonade and ripe, muddled fruit (blackberries and pineapple for me) is perfect in the heat, and drinking it in the sun (as opposed to bourbon) is much better for me and those around me. Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed the game you can play at the end when you try and suck up all the bits of fruit that are left at the bottom, nearly choking yourself whenever you're successful. Throw in excellent musical choices all around ('Pac, Kweli, Biggie, RHCP, Passion Pit, etc.), the Pop-Up Pool, a mini-beach, picnic tables and trivia on Tuesdays...and beer and wine (for the best sangria you ever had)? I'm going to make this a habit. At least until September 30th, when they close for the season...and then I'll be back next summer, just like them. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Our summer soccer league playoffs run the semi-finals and the finals on the same day. Meaning, if we won our semi-final game yesterday, we would have to play in the finals immediately afterward. Technically, we lost. (It went to penalty kicks.) But NOT playing another game in the blazing, 90 degree heat, and instead sitting on Habana Outpost's patio with lips burning from the delicious corn, sipping $2.50 Sixpoints...that tasted like victory. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Seafood + Beach = Win It's simple math. If you're so inclined, a fried clam roll or the fried clam basket with cheezy tots will be everything you ever wanted it to be. But if you've decided that a gigantic fried food gutbomb isn't the best thing for you, the frozen watermelon salad with feta and mint is an excellent beach snack, and the brussels sprouts are my favorite flavor to come out of this stand so far. I'm not really into the corn-nut crusted New England elote, but everyone else was, so do with that what you will. Godspeed. -
Peter’s 5-star review: This is one of the best restaurants in NYC. Now, a lot of restaurants fail for a lot of different reasons. Sometimes the problem is simple math (a business plan that can't work), sometimes the problem is an identity crisis, and sometimes the problem is execution. With regard to Upstate, I can't speak to the first problem because they don't show their books to strangers (weird, I know). But there are no problems with the latter two issues. Upstate knows exactly what it is, and they KILL IT when it comes to execution. This is a seafood and beer establishment, and they offer the freshest and most delicious in both categories (at reasonable prices), as well as friendly, impeccable service. I absolutely love this place, and you will too. Shane, the man behind this fine establishment, is from Utica. Don't hold that against him though, because he's the man. He will most likely be behind the bar, pouring you tastes of beers you'll love, and talking up the fish he got up obscenely early to procure so you could have a tasty meal. Be grateful. When you sit down, order some oysters. Order some specials. Order off the menu. Get the tuna tartare, or the marlin crudo that was caught that morning. Get the mako special. Definitely get the fettuccine with clams. Wash it all down with whatever beer or wine appeals to you, and you'll probably finish the meal very satisfied, kind of drunk, and with a delicious slice of whiskey pound cake on the house. If that doesn't sound good to you, your life makes me sad. -
Peter’s 5-star review: PBR and a shot of Evan Williams: $4. Two delicious pulled pork sandwiches: $5. That means for $10 (including a shitty tip), you can gorge yourself on the messiest, most delicious pork around, AND start yourself down the long road to Drunkenness. Or quickly cross the city limits of Drunkenness. Or set up permanent residence, befriend the townsfolk and eventually become the mayor of Drunkenness. It all depends on what part of your night finds you here. The fact that there's Batman pinball, Buck Hunter and an enormous yard in the back with picnic tables is just gravy. Like a beautiful woman who doesn't find you repulsive, and also happens to know the difference between 'your' and 'you're.' It's a good thing this bar is in Red Hook, or my life would be in danger. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Yes, the ice cream is incredible. The salted crack caramel deserves its name. Every flavor I've had has been the decadent treat that ice cream should be. And I can't wait to try all the other ridiculous fun and tasty-sounding flavors like the Bourbon Street, the Barclays Gridlock, the Gather 'Round the Campfire and more. But the vibe of this place (illustrated in the names of the flavors as well) is what makes it a genuine pleasure to walk through the doors, spend my money, and get just a little bit fatter. Over and over again. Everyone is so happy to be here. There are smiles on the faces of the scoopers, the parents, the kids (even the ugly ones!*), and the regular old adult customers as well. There's a sign on the wall that the owner can lift 10,000 lbs. (right up over his head!) and that he has perfect pitch, and can talk to animals. I believe it because he created this ice cream shop, and it is equally incredible. On a warm and sunny day, there's nothing better than getting your ice cream and eating it on one of the benches situated on the fake grass outside. The only downside would be that I was nearly castrated by the spiked fence as I leapt over to chase the girl with the "Free Hugs" t-shirt who walked by. Otherwise, Ample Hills is perfection. _____________ *Just kidding. Ugly kids don't have the capacity for joy. -
Peter’s 4-star review: If you're trying to keep your beach gut* under control, La Fruteria is basically the healthiest option on the boardwalk. They've got fresh fruit smoothies with actual fresh fruit, a tasty avocado toast on some seriously delicious bread (pretty tiny, but only $5), and they are anti-plastic bottles, which is probably how we should all be. The caprese sandwich was a little weak for the price and tasted a little odd to me, but overall eating at La Fruteria made me feel much better about the giant bag of chips and the Frito Pie I ate later on in the day. I'd do it again. ____________ *A beach gut is like a beach body, but worse. If you're confused, ask me to show you mine next time you see me. -
Peter’s 4-star review: You know how when you're on the beach it's hot and sweaty and the last thing you want is a heavy meal that'll have you feeling bloated and uncomfortable? And if your beach body is not exactly on point (a generous understatement in my case), you don't want to stuff yourself because it's going to make your gut protrude even more prominently? So you should probably just get a juice or a salad or something? Well, I go in the exact opposite direction. When I'm at the beach, I want all the barbecue, and all the fried things. The Fletcher's outpost at the Riis Park Beach Bazaar serves the same great smoked meats that you can grab in Gowanus (and at the new DeKalb Market Hall), and it's everything I ever wanted. Pulled pork or brisket sandwiches on squishy potato rolls, piled high with tender meat, slaw, and topped with a bit of sauce. Perfectly crispy waffle fries virtually covered in fatty brisket (because meat fries are better than just ordinary fries). And of course, ribs (my favorite food). All of it served to me by a nice dude wearing a Meats shirt that looks like a Mets shirt. I regret nothing, and neither will you. (Oh, and if you want, you can pre-order whole briskets or pork butts, and serve you and everyone you know delicious barbecue on the beach.) -
Peter’s 5-star review: Frito Pie, motherfuckers. Excuse my language, but that's apparently all I was thinking after a long (possibly drunken) day at the beach, as it's the only note I wrote myself about Breezy's BBQ. And thinking back on it, that's about right. If you've never had Frito Pie, it's a delicious pile of food that (here) consists of fritos, cheese sauce, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, sour cream, and some chives for color. They don't have calorie counts here, but I'm pretty sure it's great for you. It was also extremely affordable; I think it was only $5 or $6, which is awesome. Frito Pie, motherfuckers. I can't speak to Breezy's BBQ other than the pulled pork on this dish, but I loved the Frito Pie, and I have no regrets at all. Actually, that's not true. I have a couple regrets: 1. I didn't ask the nice folks to throw pickles on it too. 2. I didn't get two beers. 3. This one time in high school I invited a kid nicknamed Latino Heat over, and he spilled jungle juice on my mom's favorite rug. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't invite him over that night. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I make a lot of assumptions. Most of them are erroneous and irrelevant to the North River Lobster Co., but some of them are erroneous and also relevant to the North River Lobster Co. Let's talk about those, because that makes more sense in a review of the North River Lobster Co. Assumption #1. A boat that docks on the west side of Manhattan that serves rosé and lobster will be obnoxiously packed on a gorgeous, sunny Friday evening. I'm shocked I was wrong about this. I was fully prepared to blame my wife for picking this place, as I was sure we'd never get a seat, and I'd be all hangry and bitchy for the rest of the night. But we all walked onto this ship at 6:30 pm, and we immediately sat down at a prime table right by the rail, facing the sunset. I couldn't believe it...but the boat is huge, which helps. Assumption #2. It's a good idea to wear white when you're eating lobster on a boat. This is blatantly untrue, and I actually didn't assume this, I am just an idiot. Assumption #3. There would be hot sauce. You're serving oysters and shrimp po'boys! How can you not have hot sauce aboard the ship? This is insanity, people. Although, if they had hot sauce I wouldn't have asked them to bring me all the condiments they could find, and then I would never have discovered the delight of dipping fries in Caesar dressing. Assumption #4. They would have adequate servers aboard. Unfortunately, our sweetheart of a waitress was hopelessly overworked, and it took entirely too long for her to come back around to serve us all the alcohol that one is obligated to consume on a boat. If you didn't know, a lobster dinner comes with the option of a $25 bottle of rosé. Our table just asked for two at once to avoid the long wait. Anyway, what I'm trying to say in a long, drawn out way, is that as long as you order lots of booze all at once and don't make a bunch of erroneous assumptions before you head over, you should have a good time here. BYOHot sauce. -
Peter’s 3-star review: The Frying Pan is like a backyard BBQ in that when the weather's nice, if you're not having a good time you're either a miserable human being, or your ex-girlfriend is there making everyone uncomfortable. The Frying Pan is NOT like a backyard BBQ in that they overcharge you for everything. If I could bring some potato salad, or some marinated pork, or a case of beer, and then be allowed to partake of all the other goodness around, this would be one of the greatest places in the city. But it's not like that. Yeah, the view is awesome, and when it's sunny and warm, you can't have a bad time. But you're paying for that view, and it's expensive. The Old Bay fries are decently priced at $3 or so, but that's the only thing. It was around $70 for two pitchers of sangria weak enough that the three of us couldn't get a buzz off it. My burger was surprisingly tasty, but $10 without fries isn't the best price around. The calamari was $11 for a small, substandard portion, and a goat cheese salad was $10 for no reason. Oh, and just because other people are getting on and off the boat next to the Frying Pan doesn't mean that you can. It's actually their boat, and they get pissed when you climb on it. -
Peter’s 4-star review: This fairly flat pitch 'n' putt course is as casual as golf gets. No woods, collars, shirts, shoes, or skill required. It really levels the playing field between people that play golf once every couple years (me) and people that are actually good at golf (my friends). It's pretty cheap to play ($18 each), and the course is decently well-maintained considering there's basically nobody around keeping the drunks (my friends and me) from running amok. But for Pete's (me) sake, where is the cart girl/boy? Not having someone riding around with a cooler full of water and beer (and maybe sunscreen) is a missed opportunity. I feel like this would triple your revenues every week. I don't even want a cut, I just don't want to have to run back out to the pizza joint to get a beer when we run out. -
Peter’s 5-star review: When I walk around this park, I hear this song on loop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk0dBZ1meio It's not just because I'm slightly crazy, and I hear voices in my head. Rather, it's because I used to be cruel to my woman; I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved. And also, I suppose, it's because Brooklyn Bridge Park is getting better all the time. Of course, you [should] know that it has the absolute best vantage point for both bridges and Skyscraper National Park (AKA Manhattan). But slowly and surely, the park itself is blossoming to match the view. The long-awaited development actually happening, and you can see it with each visit. Already, you can hit up the dog run; take a kid to the best playground ever; eat delicious Ditch Plains lobster rolls, amazing Blue Marble ice cream, tasty Bark hot dogs, Milk Truck grilled cheeses and Calexico burritos; play regulation beach volleyball; enjoy a glass of wine while you watch the sunset; lie on the lush, green grass everywhere; take obnoxious engagement photos; use CLEAN public restrooms; watch movies under the bridge; take part in dance parties (Celebrate Brooklyn); enjoy the breeze by the water as you stroll over a mile of shoreline, stopping periodically to rest at the wondrously plentiful benches, tables and more. But we only have two of the six piers completed so far. Still to come: three acres of recreational space, a picnic peninsula with a BBQ area and more concession stands, enhancement of the wildlife preserve and much, much more. I'm not sure if it'll ever supplant Prospect as my favorite park; but even without the view, the 85 acres of fun on the Brooklyn waterfront is already one of the best there is, and getting better all the time. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I'm pretty traditional when it comes to my ice cream tastes,* so I was a little skeptical of this newfangled rolled ice cream nonsense...even more so considering there's only the one size at $6.50, while I prefer to order a child's portion at, you know, a reasonable price to pay for ice cream. However, I must admit that Blossom is worth it, mostly because (1) you get unlimited toppings and (2) you're paying for ice cream and a show. I threw numerous children to the ground so I had a better view of the action. The dudes chopping and rolling your ice cream put some serious effort in there; since it'd be the same amount of work, I can understand why they don't do smaller sizes. I shared a Classic Cooler with my wife, which consists of Oreo, banana (actual, fresh banana), and caramel (although you have to ask them to put on later, which I didn't realize so I left without any delicious caramel). The only topping we went for were the mini-peanut butter cups (kind of weak), but overall, the ice cream tastes good. Because ice cream tastes good. Even without the novelty, I'd probably still do it again. Because ice cream tastes good. ____________ *French vanilla, butter pecan, chocolate deluxe...even caramel sundaes is getting touched. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Brooklyn Botanic Garden. By the Numbers. 8: dollars for adult admission. 4: dollars you pay if you carry around your college ID 4 years after graduation. 0: dollars you pay for admission on Tuesdays. 100: percentage of BBG visits I have enjoyed. 13: rough number of bonsai trees that rock my world. 17: pictures of the cherry blossoms I took during my last visit. 2: good pictures of the cherry blossoms I took during my last visit. 1: times my brother has pushed me into the Japanese Pond. 3: total number of times my brother has tried to drown me. 19: years since his last attempt. 97: percentage chance that children like me and my brother are the reason you can no longer walk directly next to the Japanese Pond. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Ah, the Cyclone. I love how I always go on after beers and stomach-unsettling food. I love how jarring and rickety and downright uncomfortable it is. I love how it's so unnecessarily hard to tell how much it costs ($8). I love how it's so absurdly expensive for a roller-coaster. I love how you almost always leave with a few new bruises. I love how each time you ride, you're increasing future chiropractic bills. I love how as soon as you get on, you almost wish it was over. I love how it's so terrifying, not because it's well-designed, but because it's entirely likely that this is going to be the time it falls apart. Actually, none of these sound like reasons to love the Cyclone...and yet, I love it all the same. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I never want to begrudge someone else's success, because I like to think that I'm not a hater. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that whether or not you enjoy The Rusty Knot is entirely dependent on how crowded the place is. When uncrowded, The Rusty Knot feels like the platonic ideal of a beach bar [in Manhattan, where there is no beach]. You can grab a seat in a booth, sip on their namesake drink (basically a tasty blended mojito) and nibble on a pretzel dog as the sun sets and the light coming in the west-facing windows Instagram-filters your life into perfection. But on the lazy summer Saturdays when this is everything you want, oftentimes everyone else has the same idea...and it can ruin the fun. That's when it's wall to wall people, you order a Tecate because beer in a can means there's a chance you could get it this year, you can't get food because they'll never find you, there's nowhere to sit, and a straight woman and her gay best friend fake having sex in the bathroom for god knows what reason (this might not happen to you, but we're all still a little baffled by it). So I'd appreciate it if The Rusty Knot could throw out 70% of their customers before I arrive, from now on. Seriously though, this place is great when it isn't packed. Get over there, but not when I'm going. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Ah, Alma. As soon as the weather starts getting nice, I'm willing to throw people (as long as they are smaller than me) down the stairs to get a spot on your rooftop. Although it's covered, the open air and fantastic view of the waterfront/Manhattan skyline are well worth the angry looks from the people (as long as they are smaller than me) we elbowed to the side so we could get some seats. The bloody marys are good, the micheladas are better, and the margaritas are best (on the rocks, because I'm not a child). The food can be underseasoned but it's overall pretty solid (although I find it odd that the chorizo on the molletes special wasn't Mexican), and I love that you have a dish called Huevos de Gringo...but it's really all about the roof. Save me a seat. Or don't. I'll just take what I want from other people (as long as they are smaller than me). -
Peter’s 4-star review: This is superb pizza that you get to eat on a rooftop in one of the most beautiful parks in the world, with views of the Manhattan skyline. That alone should be enough to get you here, but if you need recommendations, I'm here to indulge your every desire.* I must say that normally, I'm an advocate for simplicity on a pie. And Fornino certainly makes an excellent classic Margherita, and meat-eaters can't go wrong with the Calabrese (essentially a Margherita with sopressata instead of basil). However, they are also the rare joint where the crust doesn't lose anything on their loaded-up specialty pies, and their combinations are uniformly excellent. If you're so inclined, try the Al Roker, which incorporates fontina, caramelized onions, peppers, sopressata and more. White-pie enthusiasts will love the spinach pie topped with ricotta, pine nuts, and a bit of truffle oil as well. Fornino's drink prices are a bit steep, given the tiny plastic cups you are forced to drink from (that blow over quite easily in the wind)...but if you want to eat superb pizza on a rooftop in one of the most beautiful parks in the world, this is the price you pay. _____________ *Except you, Ruggy. Please stop PMing me.
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Peter’s 4-star review: When it's disgustingly hot and sweaty, and you are unable to keep grimy, oblivious and/or obese folk from rubbing their semi-naked bodies against you as you wander down the boardwalk, gelato will help. Rich, creamy, perfect gelato. It may cost too much, and somehow the shop is hotter than being in the sun outside, but this is the sort of gelato that can keep you from getting stabby. -
Peter’s 4-star review: The Good. -Huge, awesome outdoor space. With bocce courts. -Decent food that you can buy in small, cheap portions (LOVE that). -A great beer selection, and heavy pours with the liquor. -Reasonably priced PITCHERS. A rarity around here. -The music is awesome. Biggie, Slick Rick, Outkast, Mase. -I really needed more Harlem World in my life. The Bad. -The music is entirely too loud inside for conversation inside the bar. -I am an old man, and I care about music volume. -It's crazy crowded when it's nice out. -It's not as fun when it's not nice out. -Cash only. The Ugly. -Getting charged a cover last time. I don't like covers. -Finding out later that they were raising money to clean up the cemetery. -Feeling like an asshole for bitching about the cover. -
Peter’s 4-star review: This place is growing on me. My reasons are twofold. First, I was forced to take a step back, and see the place objectively. The reason being, we brought along my friend's stepbrother's kid. It was his first baseball game. He never knew Shea, and has no attachment to the Mets. But he was just so wide-eyed, so amazed by the gorgeous new ballpark (granted, we had AWESOME seats). There was just no chance that he wasn't going to love it, because there really aren't any better ways to spend a beautiful day. He ignored all the great food we offered him and just ate three pretzels. He couldn't care less whether the Mets won or lost. All he really wanted was for us to catch him a foul ball, and for the Mets to hit a home run so he could see the apple rise up. Me too, little buddy. Me too. I think it was Michael McDonald who sang: "...the beauty of their smile; adventurous and wild. Life is kinda gay, but it doesn't seem that way, through the eyes of a child." Or maybe that was South Park. The second, and far more important reason, is that among the cobblestones outside covered with inscriptions from fans, I discovered one that reads: All Your Base Are Belong To Us. That's worth another star. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Guys. You're sleeping on Rooftop Reds. Know how I know this? Because I was here on an absolutely perfect Saturday afternoon, and it was so relaxed and comfortable and uncrowded that I can't believe we were still in NYC. When I told my wife that we were going to a gorgeous rooftop to drink well-curated and surprisingly affordable wines (I'm a big fan of the Silver Thread Pinot Noir rosé) in a hammock on a summer Saturday, she laughed in my face. Not for the usual reasons (me being incompetent, me being stupid, me being naked, etc.), but because she insisted that if there were hammocks at a rooftop bar, they would never be available without fighting some assholes who hogged the hammocks so they could be instagramming their afternoon. But she was so wrong, because at Rooftop Reds, it wasn't overrun with people so WE were the assholes instagramming our afternoon. (Because what's an amazing afternoon if you can't rub it in your friends' faces?) We played cornhole, we sipped wine, we laid in the hammocks, and we chilled at a covered picnic table when the sun got too hot. We ordered delicious pizza. We relaxed to the excellent soundtrack (heavy on A Tribe Called Quest, which I fucking LOVE), and looked out at the gorgeous views in every single direction. Life was good. I only have two complaints, and they are minor: 1. Eventually you're all going to figure out how awesome Rooftop Reds is and it'll get more crowded. I realize me telling a bunch of you is going to make that more likely, but the guys that run this place are awesome and they deserve the business. I'm certainly going to give them more of my business. 2. The faux grass covering the rooftop results in more static electricity than normal, and we were all shocking each other all day. Honestly though, it's kind of funny, and lends a little excitement to the afternoon.
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