NYC Weekend Planner: Eat This, Do This, Read This

Governors Island

By James Mulcahy

It's a three-day weekend, and those of you staying in the city will surely want to get in a lot of eating and drinking action. Preferably outdoors. Check out the below for the best the city has to offer this weekend, including some options if it ends up being not so nice out:

Eat This

Oysters at The Frying Pan
The go-to place for city dwellers who can't get out of town is this bar on a barge in the Hudson River. Always packed, Memorial Day weekend is sure to fill this ship to the brim with tipsy revelers looking for a little sun and some Coronas (which can and should be ordered by the bucket). While the food isn't stellar, no one cares since the vibe more than makes up for it. Order a plate of oysters at the counter and then head over to a table on the ship's upper deck, which offers gorgeous views of the river. Just be careful not to fall over the railing, once the tide comes in the Frying Pan starts to rock.

Do This

Lavo's Beach Party
Midtown restaurant Lavo is hosting a beach-themed party for their Riviera Sunday dinner series, which takes over the main dining room and features performances from dancers and magicians. The full menu will be served, but we think folks will be more focused on the music and dancing on their chairs. Reservations are a must - 212-750-5588.

5 Boro Picnyc on Governors Island
If you can't make it to the beach, head to Governor's Island for the annual 5 Boro Picnyc. Vendors like Luke's Lobster and Peels will be on hand to dish out grub, while Six Point will provide a large selection of brewskis. Tickets for the event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM, are $25 and available here.

Read This

Apron Anxiety
If it ends up raining out, you can curl up with a beach worthy read. Grub Street's Alyssa Shelasky just released a new book dubbed Apron Anxiety that chronicles her love affairs with chefs and pratfalls in the kitchen. A few recipes for dishes like "Life Altering Lemon Cake" and "Forgive-Me Berry Muffins" are also thrown into the mix, but we know you really want to read it for the salacious details of chef love. Get it here.