BBQ BBQ We admit that after spending a few bad ...
We admit that after spending a few bad summers in New York City, the suburbs weren't looking so bad. Private backyards and clean swimming pools were starting to trump jimmied fire hydrants and hot dog stands. But then we remembered that the suburbs otherwise suck, so we dug the portable grill out of storage and hit the park with a cooler of meat, jug of wine and Frisbee.
According to the City Parks & Recreation Dept., as long as you stick to the areas listed below, avoid barbecuing under trees and leave no trash behind, you can tell everyone in Jersey to stick it by having a bbq in what's essentially your own backyard.
The Bronx
Cowgirl
519 Hudson St. (10th St.), 212-633-1133. $$. All major. WA. If you're looking to wax country-western, elbow up to the bar at this campy theme restaurant, order yourself some Frito pie (the Texan-born comfort food of corn chips and chili) and ponder the melancholy twangs of vintage country music as you cry into your mason jar of the absurdly strong hard lemonade.
El Rey del Sol
232 W. 14th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-229-0733. $$. All major. NWA. People coming to this subterranean Mexican joint are looking for trouble. The place reeks of frat-boy debauchery, what with its Animal House trappings (Christmas lights, antlers, religious icons) and college-aged crowd. Order some watermelon fresh squeezed fruit margaritas to the roomy patio in the back, and watch the scene come slowly unhinged.
Tequila's
245 W. 14th St. (betw. 7th & 8th), 212-463-0535. $$. All major. WA. There is nothing ironic about this restaurant and bar-it is not a "theme" place, but one run by actual Mexicans for a mostly Mexican clientele. In a showing of national pride, cocktails with tequila variations-tequila Collins, tequila stinger, tequila sour-dominate the drinks list. Before 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, enjoy $3 frozen margaritas and pina coladas. Check out the live salsa band Thursday through Sunday nights.
Tortilla Flats
767 Washington St., (W. 12th), 212-243-1053. $$. All major. WA. Tinsel-covered ceilings signal the blowing of feeble a/c in this consistently packed Mexican restaurant/bar. Patrons clamor for outdoor seating-which takes up a nice chunk of the sidewalk-as well as the free-flowing margaritas, available in pitchers as large as half a gallon. If you'd like to nurse both your alcohol and gambling problems at once, play a round of bingo on Monday or Tuesday night (rounds of tequila shots are sometimes among the prizes).
Trailer Park
271 W. 23rd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-463-8000. $. No Amex. WA. This theme bar of dubious taste serves 'em up trashy. With items like a $6 grilled cheese sandwich, it may be cheap for Chelsea but not for the folks it mocks so smugly. If you still feel like slumming it, order a frozen margarita pitcher for $36 or a Jim Bob's I.Q., a drink that promises to render you as stupid as its name.
Waikiki Wally's
101 E. 2nd St. (betw. 1st Ave. & Ave. A), 212-673-8908. $$. All major. LWA. This outrageously tacky theme bar conjures the mother of all Hawaiian tourist traps. But no, it's in the East Village, and yes, here you can eat suckling pig to your heart's desire and wear a lai while drinking flaming scorpion bowls until you think you're actually in Hawaii.
Zombie Hut
261 Smith St. (betw. Douglass & Degraw Sts.), Carroll Gardens, 718-875-3433. $. No credit cards. WA. Sure, you're still drinking out of ceramic tiki gods and nearly poking your eye out with three-foot long fluorescent straws, but the décor at this somehow tasteful tiki bar-floral patterned cloth lamp shades, upholstered bar stools, some prints of pretty tanned naked chicks-manages to present a subdued version of a typically garish genre.
DOGS WELCOME
Tabla
11 Madison Ave. (betw. 24th & 25th Sts.), 212-889-0667. Walking your dog in Madison Park is a great excuse to stop at this laboratory of Indian-American fusion cuisine where you and your four-legged friend will be seated at the sidewalk cafe that's part of the restaurant's bread bar. Sip a tart lychee mojito, a truly exceptional cocktail, while Fido nibbles doggie bones on the house (for the dog clientele only).
Veselka
144 2nd Ave. (8th St.), 212-228-9682. Munch on stuffed cabbage and smoked kielbasa at the sidewalk seating of this Ukrainian institution while your dog laps up water graciously provided by the restaurant. Although the human food has gotten a little fancier with items like arugula and goat-cheese pierogis, your dog should be content with whatever falls on the floor.
Verbena
54 Irving Pl. (betw. 16th & 17th Sts.), 212-260-5454. Some restaurants serve dog, others serve dogs. This high-end eatery with a much-praised Asian Mediterranean menu extends its dining privileges to humans and canines alike. At the front patio seats, Verbena offers delicacies such as chicken meatballs and sirloin burgers for your pet's feasting pleasure.
Boat Basin Cafe
W. 79th St. (Hudson River), 212-496-5542. You and your mutt will both be lured by the smells of grilling that waft from this seasonal open-air café in Riverside Park. Get distracted by a strong blender drink and the view of the Hudson while your dog gnaws on the bones left over from your order of ribs.
Pastis
9 9th Ave. (betw. Little W. 12th & 13th Sts.), 212-929-4844. Fifi and her Louis Vuitton carrying case will fit right in at this mother of all Euro scenes. A nice sidewalk cafe is sectioned off by somewhat discreet shrubbery. Share an order of steak frites and count the number of collagen injections, b-list actors and extremely pointy shoes within your immediate line of vision.
Artie's Delicatessen
2290 Broadway (betw. 82nd & 83rd Sts.), 212-579-5959. Dogs, especially New York dogs, love pastrami as much as people do. Nobody knows this better than this Upper West Side deli, which not only allows your dog to accompany you in the outdoor dining section, but may throw him a few scraps if he behaves. Since it can get salty, this snack comes with a bowl of water.
Empire Diner
210 10th Ave. (betw. 21st & 22nd Sts.), 212-924-0011. The Chelsea dogs that make their way through the sidewalk section of this city landmark get a pretty good deal. The waitstaff-not always known as people-friendly-are accommodating to their pets. Biscuits and water are compulsory, and sometimes a little behind-the-ear massage is thrown into the deal.
Bubby's
120 Hudson St. (betw. Franklin & N. Moore Sts.), 212-219-0666. In this city of perpetual self-absorbed youth, witnessing a thriving family-style restaurant in the heart of downtown is something of an anomaly. At this home-style eatery, you can bring the entire household, including the dog (who is welcome outside) to dine on comfort foods such as barbecued brisket and alphabet chicken soup. Kids under 8 eat for free on Saturday and Sunday nights.
The Place
310 W. 4th St. (betw. Perry & Bank Sts.), 212-924-2711. This tiny, moderately priced neighborhood spot will accommodate you and your pet at its outdoor seats, despite the fact that they are few in number and quite coveted in the summer. Consider ordering the most expensive item on the menu-usually the hanger steak-10 percent of this restaurant's revenue is donated to children's charities.
West Side Brewing Company
340 Amsterdam Ave. (W. 76th St.), 212-721-2161. It's not uncommon to see a dog seated (in a chair) with its owners at this Upper West Side pub's outdoor tables. The staff is extremely friendly and will humor your dog's human aspirations by offering a tidbit (usually a milk bone) while you choose your food from the menu that consists mostly of standard American-style fare.
HOT DOGS
Crif Dogs
113 St. Marks (betw. 1st Ave. & Ave. A), 212.614.2728. $. No credit cards. LWA. "The best lips and assholes in NYC" boasts this punk of New York City hot-dog joints. If you feel up to eating after that caveat, you will be aptly rewarded. Retro colas like RC and Diet Rite will remind you of your younger days of rebellion while also doing the job of washing down the tubesteak of your choice.
Dawgs on the Park
178 E. 7th (betw. Aves. A & B), 212-598-0667. $. No credit cards. WA. The obnoxious spelling of dogs notwithstanding, this grab-and-go eatery on the southeastern edge of Tompkins Square Park is well-placed for those who frequent the dog run or who must walk several blocks to the subway. Beef, tofu and turkey franks and quarter-pound corn dogs are among the offerings; Donut Plant donuts and coffee are a nice reward for early-to-rise dog walkers.
F & B
269 W. 23rd (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 646-486-4441. $. No credit cards. LWA.This unconventional fast-food spot has pulled off its "great European street food" (what Americans call "hot dogs") gimmick by offering a quality product at reasonable prices in a trendy setting. Try any of the corny-named varieties and you won't be disappointed, though the Top Dog-beef dog served with sauerkraut, bacon and hot mustard-is the trustiest standby. And don't skip the fries-they may be the best in the city.
Gowanus Yacht Club
323 Smith St. (President St.), Carroll Gardens, 718-246-1321. $. No credit cards. WA. This tongue-in-cheek establishment is not quite a sidewalk, not quite a garden and definitely not a yacht club. A haven for those with backyard envy, this impromptu summer hangout in a Carroll Gardens sidelot invites passersby to grab a seat, order a sausage or two, a couple of $1 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and participate in the age-old summertime ritual of grilling and boozing.
Gray's Papaya
402 6th Ave. (8th St.), 212-260-3532. 2090 Broadway (72nd St.), 212-799-0243. $. No credit cards. NWA. While you stand in line at this legendary hot dog joint, read the labels on the many drums of exotic juices and learn the "health benefits" of such curiosities as Coconut Champagne or the Gray's Papaya Drink. The Recession Special-$2.45 for two hot dogs and a beverage-may leave you feeling over-salted and bloated, but that never stops customers from coming back.
Gregory and Paul's
1001 Boardwalk, Coney Island, 718-449-4252. $. No credit cards. WA. One of the last morsels of authenticity on Coney Island apart from the Cyclone, this boardwalk snack shack offers an alarming array of goodies-from corn dogs to cotton candy to fried chicken. Original co-owner Paul Georgoulakos still presides; when you see the plaster statue of a Big Boy look-alike, you'll know you have arrived.
Nathan's
1310 Surf Ave. (Stillwell Ave.), Coney Island, 718-946-2202. $. No credit cards. WA. This hot dog hall-of-famer should be called "Nathan's Hot Dog Museum"-the Coney Island relic flashes blaring neon signs that hearken back to the amusement park's glory days. Fare ranges from the classic all-beef dogs to the questionable cheese fries (French fried potatoes covered in yellow industrial ooze).
Rudy's Bar and Grill
627 9th Ave. (betw. 44th & 45th Sts.) 212-974-9169. $. No credit cards. WA.This dive among dives wouldn't dare charge you for their oily little dogs-they're free, and you can go back for seconds and thirds. Grab a cheap draft, sit on a wooden bench in the accommodating but run-down back patio and marvel at how much better food tastes when you don't have to pay.
Schnack
122 Union St. (betw. Hicks & Columbia Sts.), Carroll Gardens, 718-855-2879. $. No credit cards. WA. You're as likely to find a pair of junior high-schoolers on their first date as you would a townie downing hot dogs and beers at this back-to-basics joint. Unwind with an import and a couple of Schnackies-the signature mini-burgers with special sauce-and try to figure out if the kids will make it to first base.
Sparky's American Food
135-A N. 5th St. (betw. Bedford Ave. & Berry St.), Williamsburg, 718-302-5151. $. No credit cards. WA. There isn't a better time to be American than right now (that is, if you're in America). This Williamsburg snack joint takes the historical moment by the horns by offering some of the highest quality domestic eats-hormone-free Niman Ranch hot dogs, milkshakes made with upstate dairy Ronnybrook Farm's products and homemade condiments-at poor economy prices. Up with patriotism, we say. At least when it comes to hot dogs.
ICE CREAM
BenFaremo Lemon Ice King of Corona
52-02 108th St. (betw. 52nd & 53rd Aves.), Corona, 718-699-5133. $. No credit cards. WA. This seasonal operation in a semi-mafiosa section of Queens serves up dozens of flavors of handmade ices to locals and visiting members of its vast cult following. While lemon is the perennial favorite, try the watermelon-bits of pits included. After you order, stroll over to the nearby bacci court and watch competing elders curse one other in their native tongues.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
Fulton Ferry Landing (betw. Old Fulton & Water Sts.), Dumbo, 718-246-3963. $. No credit cards. WA. At the end of your next stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge, swing under for a bit of premium ice cream at this waterfront shop. The half-dozen or so flavors are all made by hand and utilize natural and, when possible, local ingredients. Hot fudge made with bittersweet chocolate and the ultra-tasty caramel sauce both border on the obscene, as does the ice cream itself, which rivals pure butter in its richness.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard St. (betw. Bowery & Elizabeth), 212-608-4170. $. No credit cards. NWA. Though lore tells us that ice cream was first invented in China, Chinatown isn't the first place you'd go looking for a taste. This below-Canal take on an American scoop shop will change that; the uncanny flavor of the lychee ice cream paired with its lovely creaminess leaves an indelible print on the senses. If you're seeking a twosome, try it with the almond cookie.
Ciao Bella
227 Sullivan St. (betw. Bleecker & W. 3rd), 212-505-7100. 27 E. 92nd St. (betw. Madison & 5th Aves.), 212-831-5555. 285 Mott St. (betw. Houston & Prince), 212-431-3591. $. No credit cards. NWA. Although the lines here can get tiresomely long, your patience will be rewarded with silky, sometimes transporting gelato. The deep-colored and relentlessly intense Valhrona chocolate is seductive and overbearing all at once; the fresh mint, though outstanding on its own, pleasantly offsets the latter.
Cones
272 Bleecker St. (betw. Jones & Morton Sts.), 212-414-1795. $. No credit cards. WA. The Argentinean brothers who run this store put out a first-rate product that, with its soft, even, consistency, is more evocative of gelato than of ice cream. Flavors such as banana skillfully mimic the taste of fresh fruit, while the zabaglione (an Italian egg and marsala custard)-a difficult flavor to pull off-is executed brilliantly here.
Eddie's Sweet Shop
2105-29 Metropolitan Ave. (72nd Rd.), Forest Hills, 718-520-8514. $. No credit cards. WA. Not much has changed at this mom-and-pop soda fountain. Traditional flavors like tutti frutti are still churned out, as are classics like banana splits or hot fudge sundaes with a cherry on top. Some of the other antique options ("wet nuts or dry?") prove educational to newcomers and nostalgic to the older patrons.
Emack & Bolio
389 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. W. 78th & W. 79th), 212-362-2747. 56 7th Ave. (betw. W. 13th & W. 14th), 212-727-1198. $. No credit cards. WA. One of the first ice-creameries to kick off the "gourmet" ice-cream trend, this Boston pioneer has staying power. The signature Chocolate Moose, like the gummy bracelet, is a blast from the 80s past, as is Original Oreo, the ubiquitous flavor of the era that these guys created in 1975.
Fauchon
575 Madison Ave. (betw. E. 86th and E. 87th Sts.), 212-605-0130. $. All major. WA. Sorbet and ice cream flavor combinations such as mango curry and lavender honey might have you scratching your head at this high-end Parisian patisserie, but have faith-the flavors work. While you're there, pick up some excellent macaroons, moist almond meringue sandwiches in a variety of flavors-try the lemon, a sunshine-colored puck filled with lemon curd.
Il Laboratorio del Gelato
95 Orchard St. (betw. Broome & Delancey Sts.), 212-343-9922. $. No credit cards. LWA. This relative newcomer has won over Lower East Siders and foodies alike with mercilessly rich hand-made gelatos and fresh sorbets. Sophisticated flavors like meringue and toasted sesame elevate ice cream consumption to new heights, while the less adventurous can pick up a pint of vanilla or chocolate and be equally pleased.
Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker St. (W. 11th), 212-462-2572. $$. All major. LWA. The odd sight of watching scenesters greedily devouring pastel-frosted cupcakes can be avoided by visiting the ice cream cart parked outside of this trendy American-style bakery. Homemade scoops are best eaten at a comfortable distance in the small park across the street.
NYC ICY
21 Avenue B (2nd St.), 212-979-9877. $. No credit cards. WA. Hipsters and punks alike grow docile when contemplating the flavors at Manhattan's premier maker of Italian ice. Unbelievably flavorful with a texture that's impossibly creamy for something made mostly of water, NYC ICY is a master of its trade. Try the apricot ginger, an ice made with zesty bits of candied ginger.
Ronnybrook Farm Dairy
75 9th Ave. (betw. W. 15th and W. 16th Sts.), 212-741-6455. $. No credit cards. WA. Enter the cooling environs of Chelsea Market to sample the wares of this upstate dairy farm. The ice cream as well as the entire dairy line is a product of a herd of well-cared-for Holstein cows. Try the ginger ice cream or the Coconut to Die For, a mild coconut ice cream (that doesn't taste like tanning oil) studded with chocolate covered almonds.