Rooftop Cinema Club
Photo Courtesy of Michael Tulipan
Summer is here and that means patio season is upon us. While New York City has countless sidewalk cafés and secret gardens, there are some new spaces that have upped the alfresco ante. Enjoy a welcome break from the city’s buzz at one of these fresh spots.
La Sirena at The Maritime Hotel
Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich (the duo behind NYC classics like Babbo and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Del Posto) are back with La Sirena, their first new restaurant in New York in nearly a decade. La Sirena is a modern take on a traditional Italian trattoria. The menu ranges from old-school classics like beef braciole to modern options such as lamb chops with chickpea-flour fritters. But have no fear, carb lovers, pasta is still the signature dish — and indecisive tables can even do a tasting of two pastas.
Located in Chelsea’s The Maritime Hotel, the restaurant provides a spacious patio for dining or drinks. In fact, La Sirena has a serious cocktail program featuring an extensive list of Italian spirits. Opt for a classic like a refreshing Aperol spritz. Prego!
Fish Bar, Photo Courtesy of Noah Fecks
Fish Bar
Upgrade your typical alfresco affair and dine aboard a 10,000-square-foot yacht at Pier 81 on the Hudson. The new three-story seafood lounge and restaurant features a 3,000-square-foot top deck and a seafood-centric menu of small bites and sharable plates with a Mediterranean feel.
And don’t forget about fresh farm-to-cocktail drinks like the Summer in Greece, made with rum, grapes, strawberry and fresh mint.
Unlike its sister restaurant, North River Lobster Company, Fish Bar is a more formal, sit-down affair. The new restaurant also offers two short sailings on the Hudson River daily.
Salon de Ning
Salon de Ning’s rooftop bar and terrace, located on the 23rd floor of Five-Star The Peninsula New York, is debuting a fresh new look just in time for summer. Inspired by Madame Ning, a fictional Shanghai socialite, the space boasts a Hamptons-chic vibe, glittering views of the New York skyline and the exclusivity of a speakeasy.
The seating areas allow for a relaxing lounge experience among a lush landscape of plants and colorful floral arrangements. Light bites are available, including the exclusive, locally farmed Salon de Ning Oscietre Gold Caviar, created specifically for the space and individually packaged in a Salon de Ning tin.
And don’t leave without tasting the signature Ning Sling, renowned for its tart, high-spirited kick.
Jue Lan Club
Jue Lan Club’s Imperial Garden is an urban escape from the city’s commotion. Relax underneath the clouds while enjoying a rebellious take on classic Chinese cuisine.
Nibble on small plates like the braised oxtail sloppy bao buns or the chicken satay while you sip cocktails amid rich greenery and twinkling lights.
There is also a secret speakeasy outside for private parties. Shhh, you didn’t hear about Graffiti Alley from us.
Llama Inn’s Dolly Llama, Photo Courtesy of Eric Medsker
Llama Inn
Chef Erik Ramirez (formerly of the Five-Star Eleven Madison Park) opened this Peruvian hot spot in Williamsburg in November. The Llama Inn’s rooftop will open just in time for summer and will feature a lighthearted cocktail program. We recommend the Dolly Llama, a wine slushy made with Singani 63, quinoa orgeat and Tempranillo grapes.
Cantina Rooftop
When the venue opened in May 2015, it was only seasonal, but it reopened in April 2016 as a year-round gathering spot.
Cantina Rooftop offers a modern Mexican menu featuring a selection of ceviches, guacamoles and house specialties like pollo campestre (roasted free-range chicken, epazote rice, grilled cornlettes and mole negro) and barbacoa de rabo (braised oxtail taco with charred poblano pepper and pico de gallo).
Social Drink & Food
Social Drink & Food is located on the fourth floor of Yotel, a hotel in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. The sprawling rooftop oasis serves globally inspired street food and cocktails that are ripe with fragrant fruit guaranteed to get you ready for summer.
Take in city views and cool breezes amid exotic plants, vibrant furniture and eye-catching art installations. Bring the squad and share the tiki-inspired Tropical Triple, made with Flor de Caña rum, pineapple and coconut syrup served in a hollowed-out pineapple.
Come for “Tappy Hour” (served from 3 to 5 p.m. daily), where two draft beers and four wines on tap are two-for-one. Social Drink & Food also hosts outdoor events, including an eclectic variety of movies screened by the Rooftop Cinema Club (Sundays to Wednesdays through September). Tickets are $30 and come with admission to the film and have a food component, which changes monthly.
