It’s so nice to have friends in town who love cocktails even more than I do. Even better is how absolutely deserted most of Manhattan is on July 4th. If only everyday was like this I would stay here forever.

Raines Law Room
Midnight Stinger – Ritthnhouse rye, fernet, simple, muddled lemon, mint

Library Bar at the Nomad
Fresa y Cerveza – Berliner Weisse, yellow chartreuse, strawberry shrub, jalapeño, agave, saline, lemon

Narcissa
The first time I was here I ended up horribly sick from a migraine and remember about 20% of my meal. What I remembered was good, although I wasn’t sure that I could trust my memory. Thank you friends for humoring me and giving me a redo.

Mission Figs, homemade ricotta, mangalista ham, sunflower seeds

Barley risotto, little neck clams, leeks, oregano

English pea tortellini, mushroom bouillon, opal basil

Tuna, cucumber-basil water, burdock, jalapeño relish

Crab salad, navel orange, hearts of palm, hazelnuts

Maine scallops, asparagus, maitake mushrooms, potato purée, lobster butter

Lamb Osso buco, spring pole beans, polenta, Meyer lemon

Lacquered duck breast, parsley root, melted leeks, rhubarb

Baby chicken, broccoli rabe, spiced sausage, brodo

Carrot fries, jalapeño-tofu dip

Super green spinach with potato chips

Sorbets

Warm apricot tart tatin, goats milk ice cream, pepper caramel

Parsnip-carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, golden raisins, poppy seeds

TheThird Man

Sensible Chap – Black Grouse Scotch, Zirbens, ginger, lemon