I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and celebrated another year of America with fireworks and all the good eats. But, did the mid-week break throw anybody else off? Did it trick your brain into thinking one day off should be followed by a second? My brain and body were not happy when that alarm went off on July 5th. It was confused and angry that I had tricked it so well. I think a two day birthday celebration should be government mandated. Someone tell the President.

Anyway, this week was mostly spending time in the park, with a quick day trip to Montauk with the girls to see pretty ocean views and eat lobster (a trip I highly recommend taking). We are now well into July, summer is ours for the taking and everyday feels like a holiday. Here are the places and spaces I spent my time this week.

Let me know if you try them and what you thought!

Food

Duryea’s Lobster Deck: Located in Montauk, this lobster deck is the place where nautical dreams come true. White wooden tables full of lobster eats meet a terraced dock on a sunny day and you have what I’m pretty sure Jesus was describing when he said we all had a place specially made for us in his Father’s house. Heaven on Earth. However, this heaven is on the pricey side. If you go I recommend the lobster salad, it has a high price but can easily feed four people. There are probably cheaper lobster rolls to be found, but the food and the views were an excellent way to kick off our day trip. If you can go early as this place gets busy.

La Fondita: This is an outdoor taco shop in Amagansett. The vibe is beach chic and a little divey, right where I like it. The carnitas taco was delicious the fish taco… not the best I had - disappointing to be sure. But don’t write this place off just because of that. They have some excellent avocado and fresh fruit ice pops that are divine. If you’re in the area get a tray of tacos, a beer and an ice pop and enjoy their outdoor seating as a way to wind down the day.

Sicily’s Best Pizza: If you are ever iin Bushwick and craving pizza, but the wait at Roberta’s is too long or you simply don’t feel like spending your paycheck on pie, head over to Sicily’s Best. Now, I have never been to Sicily and their pizza definitely felt closer to the New York variety than the Italian variety, but it was excellent either way. And what’s better, the guys behind the counter are wonderful and will poke fun at you in the friendliest of ways. Quick tip - these guys are closed on Sundays, I imagine taking a well deserved break. I know I’ll certainly be back or order again if I am ever in the area and the need for pizza strikes. They don’t have a website but you can order via Slice or directly over the phone.

Drink

The Bowery Hotel: The Bowery Hotel is the sort of place you always kind of hope or expect to run into celebrities. I saw Alexa Chung there once. And a model that I couldn’t name but had certainly seen in the magazines. Usually, the riff raff off the street are designated to their own small cocktail bar just off of the lobby so that the rich and famous guests can enjoy the large, quiet lobby to themselves. BUT last week I got lucky. One of my (more fabulous, tbh) friends said she was in town for 24 hours and staying at the Bowery and would I like to join her for a drink in the lobby? You’d better believe I took that offer up quick. This is the sort of place that serves nuts for free with any drink you order. Now, the Bowery is worth a visit even if you aren’t a guest or a friend of a guest - their cocktails are delicious and Gemma, the restaurant attached serves up excellent eats. Be prepared to spend some money, however. A date night or a brunch celebrating with the girls is the kinda vibe for this place.

4th Avenue Pub: This is a somewhat divey beer pub. I’m sure they have more than just beer, but I’ve never ordered anything other than hops. This is potentially one of my low-key favorite bars in Brooklyn. They have a backyard, the atmosphere is always relaxed, they serve up free popcorn and will let me sit at the bar or at a table with my computer for as long as my little heart desires. Great for a quick meet up with friends or a low key evening.

Bar Basic: Park Slope has itself a new bar. Family friendly, as is the norm in Park Slope, with a backyard that includes a very relaxing water feature. The staff are a bit keen - almost too customer service oriented, but you really can’t fault them for that. I ordered a wine and some fries while I read for hours at a table out back. The fries were incredible, gives me hope in their other eats … the Chardonnay, however, i will not order again. I’m sure their other wine is wonderful, i simply chose wrong on this occasion for my tastes. I’ll be back. The friendly staff mixed with the fact that it is still not too busy makes it the perfect summer find.

Berg’n: Let’s talk about beer halls that have food vendors and also a coffee stand. That is Berg’n. It is a huge space with large wooden tables running down its interior and a small outdoor space filled with small round cafe tables. I. Love. Berg’n. First of all, it meets all your consumption desires in one space. Second of all, its massive. Third of all, you can sit at a table all day undisturbed to write, work or do whatever you fancy. It does get busy at nights and especially on Saturdays, so expect a lot of noise and a crowd, but this place is a new favorite.

Montauk Brewery: While in Montauk I had a (small) list of things I wanted to do and see while there. This was on the list. The tasting room is in what looks to be a house, filled with bros, surfers, dads and the occasional frail old lady. It was excellent. Most of the tasting room is on the patio out front, with the indoor space for the bar and selling Montauk merch. I’m a big fan of Montauk beer - i even bought a case of their watermelon ale when I returned home - and I would love it if they had a tasting room here in Brooklyn. If you like beer and are ever in Montauk, add this to your list. And if you aren’t driving home the same day, maybe stay for more than one.

Out and About

Montauk Lighthouse: I’ve been wanting to see the Lighthouse on Long Island since I moved to New York. I’m not sure why - maybe the have excellent marketing, perhaps it represented the surf capital of New York or perhaps I just thought it was interesting - but finally, on Saturday, I took a day trip to Montauk (which is absolutely doable from NYC, by the way) and saw the lighthouse. They charge $8 to park a car and $11 per person to get in - more expensive than I think it needs to be, but I drove all the way there to see it, so I paid it. Beautiful grounds, and you can climb the lighthouse tower. All and all I think we spent an hour there. Recommended if you’re in the area anyway, but not recommended as a destination in itself.