Home JOURNAL Vanity Fair's NYC Summer Guide 2012

Vanity Fair's NYC Summer Guide 2012

The concerts in the grass, sailboats in Central Park and rooftop parties all mean that summertime in New York City is in full swing. Vanity Fair's Annual Summer Guide continually unearths some of the City's best offerings, and the 2012 Edition is no exception. We pulled out some of our favorite VF recommendations - have a look!

The concerts in the grass, sailboats in Central Park and rooftop parties all mean that summertime in New York City is in full swing. Vanity Fair's Annual Summer Guide continually unearths some of the City's best offerings, and the 2012 Edition is no exception. We pulled out some of our favorite VF recommendations - have a look!

New and Notable

The Wren

The Wren, a bi-level, country-cabin-looking gastropub, arrives in the Bowery thanks to the folks behind Wil?e & Nell. The cozy environment, mostly British menu (the oxtail marmalade is a must try), and specialty cocktails?we recommend The Great Jones, a concoction of scotch, walnut butters, and maple syrup?are just what the Lower East Side ordered. 334 BOWERY, NEW YORK, NY 10012; 212.388.0148. (Image: The Wren)

Outdoor Dining

Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club at the South Street Seaport

What was once the Water Taxi Beach has been renovated yet again and transformed into the Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club. An outdoor bar offering yummy pub fare, Beekman has all of the summer essentials: craft beers, live music, a pool, ping pong, and a menu of beer-garden favorites such as bratwurst, burgers, and pretzels. 89 South Street, New York, NY 10038; 212.896.4600. (Image: Beekman Beer Garden)

Cool Cocktails

Jimmy at the James Hotel

STATS: 15 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10013; 212.201.9118
NOM DE BOOZE: The Kitty Hawk
THE MIX: Hendrick?s gin, Luxardo Marichino liquor, cr?me de violet, lemon juice, tonic water
WHY WE LOVE: We love to soak up Jimmy?s 360-degree view whilst enjoying this refreshing take on a summer gin and tonic. Swim suit optional.

(Image: Jimmy)

Outdoor Fun

Celebrate Brooklyn! at Prospect Park | June 5-August 11

This year marks the 34th season of ?Celebrate Brooklyn!? free performances at the Prospect Park Bandshell, which features an eclectic mix of iconic artists from Brooklyn and beyond. Our favorites this year: Balkan Beat Box (6/16), Ballet Hispanico (6/28), Dirty Projectors (7/10), Hot Chip (7/18), Wilco (7/23, 7/24) and Franco Zef?relli?s Romeo and Juliet (8/2). Prospect Park West and Ninth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215. (Image: OffMetro)

Shakespeare in the Park | June 5?30 and July 23?August 25

Shall we compare thee to a summer?s day? Well, if that summer?s day includes Will Shakespeare and Stephen Sondheim, then we?ll allow it. This year?s beloved Shakespeare in the Park?which celebrates its 50th anniversary?breaks with tradition and presents works from The Bard and The Great White Way legend, and honestly, who are we to complain? Nothing makes us giddier than some free theater in the park: As You Like It features Oliver Platt and Lily Rabe, and Into The Woods stars Amy Adams and Donna Murphy. Bra-vo. Delacorte Theater, Central Park, 81st Street and Central Park West or 79th Street and Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10024; 212.539.8750. (Image: National Geographic)

On Our Agenda

Brooklyn Flea

Since 2008, this popular outdoor market has featured more than 150 local and regional vendors of antiques, vintage clothing, handmade items, jewelry, food, bicycles, records, and more. We love any excuse to stroll outdoors and peruse vintage wears and handmade jewelry?and you can always ?nd a great gift for someone else or a new trinket for yourself. But let?s be honest, when we?re not scouting vintage china and cake platters, we head straight for the lineup of food vendors. Our favorites include Pizza Moto (fresh pizzas prepared in a wood-?red oven-on-wheels); Porchetta (perfectly seasoned savory roasted pork); and People?s Pops (where they turn delicious combinations?such as red plum and basil?into delish frozen treats on a stick). Saturdays: 176 Lafayette Avenue (between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenues), Fort Greene; Sundays: East River Waterfront (between North Sixth and Seventh Streets), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11238. (Image: Bushwick Daily)

?Ellsworth Kelly Plant Drawings? at the Met | June 5?September 3

Minimalist artist Ellsworth Kelly, best known for his hard-edge, abstract, and color-?eld paintings, has made ?gurative drawings throughout the six decades of his career. Now through Labor Day, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is exhibiting the ?rst major show of approximately 80 of his plant drawings, from his time in Paris in the 1940s to more recent work he created in upstate New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 6 E. 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028; 212.731.1400. (Image: Editioned Art Magazine)

The Hole Foods Pop-Up Restaurant

The Hole is a relatively new arts collective run by Kathy Grayson, a former director at the legendary Deitch Projects. Not content to sit on their laurels and exhibit experimental art, The Hole is opening an artist-designed restaurant-pop-up called ?Hole Foods? in the East Village this summer (now through August 5). Artist Joe Grillo has transformed the restaurant into one incredible ?oor-to-ceiling neon mural. Sounds fun, crazy, and tasty. 231 Second Avenue, New York, NY10021; 212.260.8015. (Image: The Hole)

Beyond the Boroughs

Ditch Plains Beach

Known as the ?surfer?s beach? because of the awesome surf and the number of people in wet suits, Ditch Plains Beach is considered Montauk?s secret spot for those seasoned pros just looking for some waves. The view alone is worth the trip?and we?re not just talking about the surfers: the pristine, blue water and cliffs are gorgeous. Stop for sustenance at the Ditch Witch food truck that parks right at the entrance to the beach. (Note: An East Hampton parking permit is required.) Ditch Plains Road, Montauk, NY 11954; 631.324.4142. (Image: Gordon Grant)

If you're still looking for some things to do, check out some more of L-atitude's guides to New York:

City Secrets | Montauk - all of our favorite spots in the beachy chic surf town
City Secrets | NYC Shopping - a guide to New York's secret treasure troves
New York City Zip Code Guide - even more of our NYC shopping recommendations