Summer Eats Bucket List

Sweet, sweet summer. For an East Coaster, who hates the slightest bit of cool weather, this is the season I want to do everything outside, before hibernating inside again. So naturally my bucket list for these warmer days is endless. I aim to do new things, favorite things I can only do this time of year, and anything and everything that allows me to be outdoors. And of course, almost all on my summer plans consist of food.

Being an event planner, it’s instinctual that I am always looking for events in the area that allow me to eat new food, and discover new places. I’ve known about Eventbrite for some time now, so I was excited about joining their summer food bucket list project. Seriously, if you’re ever bored or looking for something new and different in your area, Eventbrite is the place to find events and get yourself to all these fun things happening right near you! Oh, and if you’re organizing your own event, Eventbrite is also a great way to spread the word about it, manage it and sell tickets!

You guys already know that I love traveling, and although I’ve returned from my getaway to Portugal, there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy. I’m planning on accomplishing a lot of fun things the rest of summer throughout New Jersey and NYC, so with the help of Eventbrite I’ve put together my Summer Food Bucket List and am sharing it with you today…

Have a culinary adventure. NYC Restaurant Week is back until August 14th, and offering culinary specials for some of those restaurants I’ve been dying to dine at. I’ve got lists and lists on my phone of places I want to try from brunch to the best cocktails to overall dining experience, and restaurant week gives J and I the best opportunity to try some of these higher priced spots. With over 360 restaurants offering three-course prefix lunch and dinner specials, at prices you wouldn’t believe, it’s too easy not to have yourself a summer culinary adventure in the Big Apple. For the full list of restaurants participating this year, book your table here. At the top of my list are Narcissa and The Dutch. So grab a seat at one of NYC’s buzz-worthy spots this summer, because who wants to be cooking in a hot kitchen anyway. {photo via Narcissa}
Play outside. With places like Pier 13 in Hoboken and Chelsea Piers in NYC, it’s hard not to play outside as an adult, especially when refreshing cocktails and amazing food is also served. I’ve been to Pier 13 once, and it’s definitely a great spot to enjoy with friends on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. It’s not just an outdoor bar with places to lay and sit overlooking a scenic downtown NYC , it’s got rows of delicious food trucks that change weekly, and even movie and game nights during the week. If that wasn’t all, they now offer yoga/pilates classes, and water sports, like paddle boarding and jet skiing. I, of course go for the varying food trucks, but I’m hoping to give a go at paddle boarding, of course before indulging. For a NYC spot, I recently stumbled upon Pier 66 Maritime and was intrigued by this historic ship turned bar and grill. Not only does the food look delicious, but how do you pass up a perfect summer day cooling off with cocktails aboard an old ship overlooking beautiful NYC views. You can even take part in a tour of this historic NYC water transportation, and then head to lunch at The Frying Pan, which is a floating lighthouse. Pier 66 is located just three blocks from Chelsea Piers, so I’m planning on making this a Sunday trip, and really can’t wait to check it out for myself! {photo via Pier 66 Maritime}

I love being outside, and one of the things I miss about Arizona are the abundance of outdoor restaurants and bars, so after moving back to the East Coast I’m always on the hunt for places around me, especially ones that offer outdoor TV’s for game watching and activities, like giant Jenga. I’ve only been to a few places on this list, but both J and I said we need to make it to all of these before the weather brings us inside again. And the same goes for this or this NYC list of places. La Birreria, the brewpub atop Maria Batallei’s Eataly, with rooftop views of the Empire State Building, is our first choice. When the weather is this perfect, how can you not enjoy amazing food outside!

Take a food tour. Last year I purchased a Livingsocial special for a Craft Beer Tasting Sail around NYC, but with my knee surgery I had to hold off until this year. J and I went last month {you can read about here}, and we had such a great time! I love sailing, and both of us love tastings, it was a win-win, plus we still had plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day in NYC with more food experiences. We loved this so much, that we wanted to take another food and drink tour with Manhattan by Sail. When I saw they were offering a Lobster and Beer Lovers sailing tour aboard their Clipper City Charter, I didn’t hesitate. Especially because the featured lobster rolls will be served by the famous, Luke’s Lobster, which has been on my summer bucket list since I first heard about them! It will be a nighttime event, so we can’t wait for this!! Be on the lookout for a full post of this experience come September.
Indulge in Food Markets. This has been on my summer food bucket list for a while, especially once I heard about Smorgasburg. Although, I haven’t been to the original in Brooklyn, which I’m hoping to soon, I was thrilled when I found out there was a smaller one at the South Street Seaport. I mean seriously this is food heaven, and a must-go if you love good food, like me. Since it was raining, J and I only passed by quickly, but I’m looking forward to returning and savoring some more amazing food.

Take a class. Although, I teach culinary classes, I always wanted to improve my food photography skills and take a class. Thanks to Eventbrite I found this event with Edible Manhattan at the Brooklyn Brewery, with discussions from top food photographers. Definitely something I want to do!

Winery Tour. Coming from a family of wine makers, some of my favorite memories are sitting underneath the vines and drinking homemade wine in the summer. Turns out New Jersey has a lot of wineries, who knew, I didn’t? Most are down south, which is perfect for when J is working down there, and we need something to do one his days off. Even better, I found one that is dog friendly! Can’t wait to bring Marley to a nice walk around the Southwind Vineyard, while J and I taste some of their award-winning wine.

Hope this list inspires you to eat some good food and get out there and enjoy summer!