This summer had real potential to suck, and it hasn’t been easy, but I’ve definitely been making the best of it, from trips to Colorado and the shore, to just lots of playing outside time. (I don’t think I’ve played outside this much since I was 12!)
It’s hot and sticky and the city pretty much smells like ass, but those gorgeous pink-y sunsets at 8:30 pm make me feel like I have all the time in the world. (Um, maybe because I do. Anyway…)
Last night after coming back to the city with Sara, I headed right back out to meet her and some of her friends at the Standard Biergarten. Beer + outdoor space = serious, serious win. I was way too busy having fun to take pictures, but if you like fun, beer and cute boys, I recommend going here. (And maybe taking you with me? And playing wingwoman for me? I’m really shy with boys. Thanks.)
After a few drinks, we headed over to Barbuto for dinner.
We started with the zucchine e farro: grilled summer squash, pickled shallots, lollo rosso & farro. (Lollo rosso is apparently the kind of lettuce. Thank you, Google.)
My appetite had been off all day, so I hadn’t had much to eat. At this point, it was after 11pm, and I was finally starving.
I had the gnocchi with tomatoes and sweet corn.
The birthday girl got the chicken, which was actually amazing. (I know. When is restaurant chicken amazing??)
This morning I woke up with a bit of a stomachache and skipped a blogger meetup in favor of a little downtime. Once I’d had enough downtime, I met Shannon for a nice long bike ride. We rode up to the George Washington Bridge and back at a nice, leisurely conversational pace for a total of about 17 miles.
I came back and, in 25 minutes, walked Bailey, showered, got dressed and headed back out to meet a friend who was visiting for lunch. I met her and her cousin at Heartland Brewery. We split a beer sampler, and I got a Harvest Wheat beer.
I also got this chicken sandwich on sourdough with sweet potato fries. I was so hungry that I really don’t know how I waited those extra three seconds to take the picture before chowing down. After this super-late lunch, I walked over to Ashley’s to catch up and walked home in the dusk from there.
This great weekend means a great week. I can feel it in my bones.
i hear you on summer never ending. i’m a teacher and love that my days and weekends during the summer all sort of run together.
i haven’t been to the standard biergarten yet, but have been meaning to… i’ll put it on my summer to-do list 🙂
Clearly it’ll be a great week! 🙂 Yoga, evening social hours, and a triathlon you’ll rock!
I kind of loved your description of what the city smelled like. That was fantastic.
That food looks amazing! Haven’t been there either but it’s definitely on my list too. I’ve been known to be a pretty decent wingwoman if you need some company, just saying 🙂
@Caitlin: Done. Let’s make a beer date 🙂
yes! done!
the standard looks great! … and i’d eat everything you ordered this weekend 🙂
seriously! summer weekends in the city could last foreverrr.
I am oh so jealous of your sweet potato fries intake the last days… man… I want some…
I’m a great wingwoman. Just saying.
ditto to summer never ending. let’s make it happen. and then I’ll use one of our endless summer weekends to trek up to NYC for the weekend and assist Ali in wingwoman duties while sipping on delicious beer.
@Emily: That sounds like a fabulous plan.
wow, kick ass bike ride! I’m glad your enjoying your summer, I find that it seems to be going so fast and I am almost never in the city.I need to stop and soak up NYC. Also, I am always amazed by bloggers who do a killer workout and then somehow have the energy to take their dogs out, clearly a sign I am not ready for a dog!
I know exactly how you feel. I love the summer and everything that goes a long with it. Thanks for the post.