Summertime and the Living’s Easy

For better or worse, summertime is one of the few times when things slow down just a bit in NYC.

You can get in at some restaurants you might not otherwise.

Lots of fresh fish is in season.

And it’s the perfect season to go in pursuit of the best lobster roll.

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Last we discussed lobster rolls, I’d tried a roll out in the Hamptons and enjoyed the ambiance of the place but was looking for more from my crustacean on a bun.

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[The word crustacean will always remind me of this fine gentleman.]

And I digress.

The other night, I went on a lovely date to The Mermaid Inn to continue the Great Lobster Roll Hunt of 2K13. This one is on brioche, not a hot dog bun, but other than that, it was damn good. Though I usually love me some French fries–especially ones with Old Bay–the seasoning on these was just a bit too heavy-handed for me.

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Mermaid Inn gives you one free side per table with a Foursquare checkin, so we got kale and asparagus on the side.

Cute touches:

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You get one of those floppy fish fortune tellers at the end of your meal.

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As well as a little chocolate pudding. I honestly think the last time I had chocolate pudding was a Jell-O pudding in high school, and this was just a little bit better than that.

The other great perk to summertime in NYC is that with many people out in the Hamptons, fitness studios are doing some awesome deals.

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Revolve is running discounts on their classes through the end of August.

My lovely lady friends at Uplift are also running a great 1/2 price off deal on all off-peak classes until Labor Day! (Let me know if you want to go together! I haven’t been since I started marathon training but really need to get back!) One of their co-founders, the super-sweet and adorable Leanne, has also started a running class on Monday nights in Central Park. She runs a 3:29 marathon, so she kinda knows what she’s talking about.

NYC friends: favorite lobster roll!? Any other fitness deals we should know about?

Everyone else: favorite summer food? How does summer change your fitness routine/any awesome deals in your town?

26 comments on “Summertime and the Living’s Easy

  1. Kim

    I’m not a New Yorker but I know Luke’s Lobster has a few spots in the city and think they are a nice, quick option to satisfy a lobster roll craving 🙂
    Good luck!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca W.

    I’ve always wanted to try Uplift, especially after all I’ve heard about it on your blog! I just got a Classtivity Passport which gives me 12 fitness classes around the City (including Uplift) for $48. You just need to use the passport within 30 days! I think I might just try an Uplift class with it.

    Reply
  3. Katie H.

    Wow! Although I think it’d be exciting to live in NYC, your post just made me realize how expensive it would be. Those specials are literally double the normal price of fitness studios here in the Midwest–and I live in an expensive part of Kansas City!

    Reply
  4. Rachel @ Eat Learn Discover

    mermaid inn is *fantastic* – I went there once nearly 4 years ago, and have been dying to go back soon!

    awesome fitness deals – NYSC (actually I think all TSI clubs) offers free passes for anyone if it’s over 90 degrees. you just have to say “heat wave promotion” at the door. seems like a sweet deal, I might check it out one of these days!

    Reply
  5. Lacey

    Ugh…loooove Mermaid Inn. On Monday nights they have a Social Media Special. If you follow them on Twitter, you get the secret word for the day, then tell it to the waitress and voila 20% off your total bill!

    Reply
  6. Anna

    I’m visiting NYC until Sunday – do you know how difficult it is to get into an uplift class on short notice? It sounds like something I would try!

    Reply
  7. Laurie

    Just went to Hideaway on Fire Island and had an amazing lobster roll…one of the best! It was on onion focaccia and had basil in it. Delicious!

    Reply
  8. kristin miller

    While I am NOT a seafood fan, my husband loves Luke’s Lobster roll, so typical. The best he’s had is Abbotts in Mystic, CT, in case you’re in the mood for a road trip! Come check out Nike Training Club at the midtown Nike Town, it’s free, DJ spinning, and a great trainer in a boot camp like class! I may have to check out an Uplift class with you, the 1:30 class may be a possibility! I’ll let you know.

    Reply
  9. Sue

    Wow this post makes me miss the north east! So much good seafood. And the idea of the best lobster roll??… Well, you have my attention!

    Reply
  10. Nicole

    I love all the fresh summer produce–berries, melons, beans, peppers, etc.
    I’m on a bit of a self-imposed cooking moratorium and am eating salads full of farmer’s market bounty everyday.

    Reply
  11. liza

    LUKES! east village location is the one i go to. the best, hands down (outside of Reds Eats in Maine). I went to the lobster roll rumble a couple years ago in NY and tasted about 30 different rolls (really) – Lukes won, but it already had my heart before that. I’ve heard Red Hook Lobster is also good. And the roll from the restaurant Lupa was pretty amazing.

    Reply
  12. Shawna

    I’m not a lobster roll kinda gal but I totally dig the Mermaid Inn — their little addition of Goldfish as a bar snack is too cute. And I totally think of Sebastian everytime I hear “crustacean” as well. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Janice Wald

    Easiest and one of the most efficient methods you mentioned above was closing the curtains to the sun. It is amazing how quickly your house gets hot when the windows are left open.

    Reply
  14. lily

    Hello,Their competitor and almost similar lobster roll is from Pearl Oyster Bar!! Definitely try Mary’s! You won’t regret it!!

    Reply
  15. noor

    East village location is the one i go to. the best, hands down (outside of Reds Eats in Maine). I went to the lobster roll rumble a couple years ago in NY and tasted about 30 different rolls (really) – Lukes won, but it already had my heart before that. I’ve heard Red Hook Lobster is also good. And the roll from the restaurant Lupa was pretty amazing.

    Reply

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