Piano Bar

YS's pick:

Ella (9 Ave A) is a great piano cocktail lounge with Hollywood glamor reminiscent of the roaring 20's and 30's. The high quality music ranges from solo musicians to local DJs. We agree with their website - check out "downtown sexiest cocktail hour" from 6-9pm on Mondays-Fridays. Group reservations are recommended.

Emergency Fixes

You know where you going out tonight but you put on that hot dress and that fabulous necklace...and uh oh, the hem needs sewing and the clasp is broken.

Don't fret - we've got you covered.

MS's pick:

1. New Express Tailor Shop Inc (92 Rivington St) - super fast, not the best quality but perfect for a last minute emergency!

2. Rissin's Jewelery Clinic (2 West 47th St) - located right in the Diamond District and are a family run business that knows what they are doing.

Bogota Latin Bistro & Mojito Bar

SA's pick:

Don't hop on the plane to get to this authentic Latin fusion joint, instead simply hop on the subway to Park Slope!

Bogota Latin Bistro (141 5th Ave at St John's Place) specializes in Central and South American cuisine in a fun funky environment. They have live music on the first 3 Wednesdays of each month and have a happy hour all night on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. If you want to avoid the crowd, head there on a Tuesday but this place is all about the crowd so put on comfy shoes and get ready to dance (better yet, book this place for your next private party).

Oh, they serve brunch on the weekends too!

“The Big CHEAP Lebowski”

SK's pick:

Bowling in the city is not a cheap date...until now! Lucky Strike (42nd St & 12th Ave), the newest bowling alley in the city offers $22 all-you-can-bowl on Mondays from 8pm-close. Combine that with Happy Hour from 5-9pm (1/2 off all well drinks) and you are set for a fun relatively cheap night out.

Hudson River Valley

MS's pick:

Hike the Hudson River Valley - drive or take the train to Cold Spring. Take a short walk down the road to Breakneck Ridge. Then hike the challenging climb up the mountain. Break for lunch with a gorgeous view of the Hudson River Valley. You'll have no idea NYC is only an hour away! Buy a trail guide so you don't get lost.

For more hiking options, click on an earlier Perfect Muse blog post here.

Brunch and then a swim...

all in the West Village!

Start your day off with brunch at Cafe Henri (27 Bedford St), a fabulous hidden gem which specializes in crepes.

Then wait 30 minutes.

Now, walk over to Carmine Street Pool (1 Clarkson St, b/w S 7th Ave & Varick St) which is clean and free! It is open from July 4 to Labor Day. You must bring a lock with a key or they won't let you in and they prefer flip flops (over sneakers).

Pool hours: Monday-Friday, 7 am-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5:30pm.

Yep, This Is True...

Calling all dog owners and those that desperately want one!

Dogs can run through Central Park unleashed within designated portions from 9pm-1am and 6am-9am. Dog owners (and their friends) can play with dogs off-leash in designated areas as long as you have your dog under control, the dog is wearing tags, and you carry proof of the dog's rabies vaccination (though we don't think they'll throw you in doggie jail if you forget your proof at home).

PG's pick:

Ceci-Cela(55 Spring St, just east of Lafayette St, on the North Side) has been around for over 15 years. It is a charming little French coffee house, owned and staffed by French folks. Chef Laurent Dupal's pastries and cakes are a knockout. We especially care for their different croissants, and the the slightly sweet eggy bread one uses to make French Toast.

“After tasting any of Dupal’s delicacies, you'll beg him to adopt you.” -plendora.com

Dear Perfect Muse

I am having an out-of-town guest come visit from California. I want to take him to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and a tour around Battery Park. Any suggestions for where we shall dine?

xo, JP

Dear JP,

Sounds lovely! There are more and more restaurants popping up in Battery Park. Here are our favorites starting from the lowest end of Battery Park:

1. Battery Gardens - call ahead as they are often closed for private parties but the place is gorgeous - you will feel like you are in Miami but still have the fabulous Hudson view.

2. SouthWest - fabulous outdoor seating (both in a lounge area and at tables), basic Latin food, and they serve a bucket filled with bottled beer on ice!

3. Steamer's Landing - great casual American seafood with outdoor seating. Order the catch of the day.

4. The Ritz-Carlton - American bistro in a great setting. Have a drink at the bar, pretend to be a tourist, and talk to the bartender about his favorite spots in the city.

5. Pan Latin Cafe - This female chef serves nutritious, organic, fair-trade Latin food. Though the setting is cute, grab your food to go and sit on the grass.

Puppies Behind Bars

SH's pick:

Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) raises explosive detection canines and service dogs for children and adults (helping them get dresses, turn on lights, etc.). They also have a Dog Tags program, which specifically focuses on providing service dogs to wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

They work with people in six different prison (three of which are women prisons and all are 6 are located in NY, NJ and CT). The prisoners are selected carefully and in order to qualify for the program, prisoners must have a clean disciplinary record for at least two.

How to get involved:

1. Become a Puppy Socializer - take a puppy on monthly overnight outings or bimonthly day excursions so that they can be exposed to varied environments and stress levels. Volunteers must attend a training session and provide three references.

2. Donate to all the various facets of this amazing program from pet food to dog tags here.

3. You can also adopt one of the released Labrador and Golden retrievers. Check the website to download an application.

Lenox Lounge

KL's pick:

Hit Harlem's Lenox Lounge (288 Lenox Avenue) which opened in the late 1930's for great music in the back room, a groovy bar in the front. This place served as a back drop to many jazz legends including Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane.

It is located on Lenox Avenue, which is referenced in Langston Hughes poem The Weary Blues.

It's Already On Your To-Do List...

hopefully this will get you there!

R and B's pick:

The Roosevelt Island Tram holds up to 125 people, makes approximately 115 trips per day, and at its peak climbs to 250 feet above the East River! It runs from 6:00am-2:30am (3:30am on weekends) and you can use your MetroCard for the commute (we were most shocked by this last fact since it is not run by the MTA).

We recommend having an early dinner at Serendipity (225 E 60th St) to beat the restaurant crowd before hopping on the tram to explore the island. Get the Lemon Ice Box Pie for dessert. Serendipity's website has a rolling ticker of celebrity gossip featuring who ate there, when they visited, and what they ordered. Hilarious!

Simple. Perfect. Go.

FG's pick:

For a unique night out try Peasant wine bar (194 Elizabeth St. b/w Spring & Prince Sts.) in Little Italy. We recommend the cheese plate. Then head to Rice to Riches (37 Spring Street b/w Mott and Mulberry St) for pudding.

Water the Trees

Argentine café-restaurant

FG's pick:

El Almacen (557 Driggs Avenue, Williamsburg) is easy to get to from the city and is only one stop on the L train. It opened eight months ago. The two owners worked hard on the decor, and it feels like Pastis though the flavors are so different. Eat at the bar or sit outside on the patio. Their website says it is BYOB, but they now have their liquor license. Cash only.

Secret Adventure Date

R & B's pick:

Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ) opened in 1992 and has over 250 sculptures on 35-acres. The amazing public park is filled with contemporary sculpture art, more than 2,000 rose bushes, and 1,000 trees!

If you eat at the magical restaurant Rat's you get onto the Grounds for Sculpture for free! The restaurant is great so you will want to eat there, or at least grab a drink outside and enjoy the view of a replica of Monet's Bridge.

Bring a camera and a sense of adventure for this date destination!

Recycle a Bicycle

ME's pick:

We've been blogging about where to rent bikes, get bikes for free and the best bike trails but now it is your chance to get involved and do something good for our bike-friendly city. Recycle-a-Bicycle was founded in 1999 and is an organization with multiple missions. They have two bike shop locations (East Village and Dumbo) where bikes are sold for $200-$400. Wednesday is volunteer night where people gather to help repair the 1,200 used bikes that New Yorkers donate each year. They also partner with several New York City public schools where they run a series of bike-maintenance courses for 14-18 year olds. Teens who make their way through these programs can apply to intern at one of Recycle-a-Bicycle's retail locations.

Find out how to support Recycle-a-Bicycle here.

All this talk about bikes reminded us about Car-Free Park Avenue! Check out the last of the three Saturdays on August 22 from 7am-1pm.

Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and You

RR's pick:

Ever since we saw the movie Ghost we've wanted to take a pottery class. Chambers Pottery (153 Chambers Street) offers great classes that will push you to the next level. Most classes meet weekly for two hours and are 10 weeks sessions. The price includes unlimited studio hours!

For those with less time, skip making the pottery and just paint it at Color Me Mine (116 Franklin St @ West Broadway or 190 Front Street). Check out ladies night where women get 50% off the studio fees.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns

FG's pick:

When the President and First Lady came to our city for date night, they ate at Blue Hill on Washington Place (you can read all about the date on the hilarious blog Obama Foodorama). The ingredients come from nearby farms including Blue Hill at Stone Barns, which is only 45 minutes away.

Hop a train from Grand Central to Tarrytown and then take a 10 minute cab to Blue Hill at Stone Barns for a great farm/dining experience. They have two dinner seatings - we recommend the earlier one so you can walk around the property, catch the sunset, and be back in the city by 10:30pm. Have a drink on the terrace (get an Old Fashioned - they use a local Bourbon!).

It's prix fixe, but you can go on Sunday and do the 4-course tasting brunch for almost half the price. Bon appetit!

Additional note: We just dined here for my birthday dinner and we highly recommend sharing the 8-course meal (they offer a 3-course and 5-course option as well). We sat at the bar and got to hang with the staff as this is a leisurely evening (it took us 3 and a half hours to complete). The waiter told us if you come in the middle of the week you can often get a seat at the bar without a reservation. Go back often as the menu changes daily!

Dear Perfect Muse

My husband is planning a bachelor party for his bff. He doesn't want to hold it at a stereotypical place like one of the big steakhouses. But he's so busy at work that I have volunteered to find a cool and unusual spot. What do you suggest?

xo, EG

Kudos to you for offering to plan it. Here are a few suggestions to fit all different tastes - you can combine them or use them for inspiration. Either way, keep us posted!

1. For the thrill seeker - Trapeze lessons (outdoors at Pier 40 and indoors at W 30th St) or Sailing lessons (Chelsea Piers and Jersey City).

2. For the thrill seeker that prefers to be closer to the ground - The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers then hit The Chelsea Brewing Company which in addition to the great view has a cigar lounge or the recently opened Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn) which features 16 lanes, grub from Blue Ribbon, local beers, and live music.

3. Seinfeld Reality Tour - we heard Kenny Kramer is hysterical.

4. Unique Spots - Take a tour of City Winery, do a wine and cheese pairing in the private room, and then head upstairs for dinner and live music or check out 675 Bar in the former Level V spot which is exactly the type of venue we image best friends forever hang out.

5. Skip steak, try a tasting menu at one of these restaurants - Bouley, Cru, Morimoto, Spice Market, Bond St, or wd~50. Sit in a private room and indulge.

Still want more options? Check out the other posts on this blog for recommendations including speakeasies and other hidden gems. Happy Planning!

Wilfie & Nell

MS's pick:

The lounge bar Absolutely Fourth Street closed and got an amazing makeover! Wilfie & Nell (228 W 4th St., off of W 10th St.) serves delicious pub fare - we ordered grilled cheese cut into quarters served with one of the following: Irish cheddar, taleggio or Gruyère and fries with malt vinegar. Delicious. The diverse drink and fabulous crowd makes this our new favorite local joint.

Harlem RBI

Harlem RBI, is a nonprofit in East Harlem that helps more than 700 boys and girls annually (ages 6-21) since 1991, when a group of volunteers transformed an abandoned, garbage-strewn lot into two baseball diamonds . They use the power of teams to coach, teach and inspire youth to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. They have succeeded. According to a recent news story on 1010 WINS, 99% of this year's participants graduated high school and 93% are off to college!

Get involved now.

Free Kayaking

With the heatwave upon us, we had to get this up right away.

There are five locations where you can kayak for FREE and they are open from May to October! They are run by the Downtown Boathouse and are available at the following piers: Pier 40 at Houston St, Pier 96 at 56th Street, and 72nd Street in Riverside Park. The other two put-in sites are at Pier 26 between Canal and Chambers Streets and Pier 64 at 24th Street (right next to this amazing new riverfront greenery).

The sites provide all the equipment and they have single and double kayaks. We recommend going solo - you can race your friends and take the time out on the Hudson to breathe and relax- something so hard to do on land.

Dear Perfect Muse

My brother is coming to visit for a few days. He arrives in two weeks. Where I can find websites with info on what is going on in the city then?

xo, SK

Here are three of my favorites: NewYorkology (click on calendar), NYCgo (click on events), and FreeNYC (you can click on specific dates). Have fun planning!

Tapas in Chelsea

Once you finish exploring the Chelsea art galleries (and the current Iran Inside Out exhibit at the Chelsea Art Museum), you must try one or all three of these fabulous tapas restaurants/bars. Start in the order of the fabulous female chef Alex Raij.

1. Tia Pol (which we blogged about here) opened in 2004 and is always crowded. Grab a seat at the bar or bring a group to sit in the private room in the back. We love the devil eggs and the free fried chickpeas. The secret ingredient on both - smoked paprika.

2. El Quinto Pino opened in 2007 and only has room for a handful of people (there are no tables, just a whole bunch of bar stools). The menu changes frequently but you can't go wrong with their impressive cheese and wine selection. We haven't tried this dessert yet, but hear it is heavenly.

3. Txikito, pronounced chee-KEE-to, was opened by Chef Alex and her husband in 2008. It is a lot less crowded than option one and more comfy than option two. It also has the biggest menu of all three joints. Warning: the food is a bit salty, after all it's Basque.

Governor's Island

WK's pick:

Bring your bikes on the free ferry to Governor's Island or rent them when you arrive. The Bike and Roll kiosk is located behind Building 140, to the left of the ferry landing as you arrive on the Island. They offer bikes for free for one hour on Friday!

Luckily, this place is still underdeveloped so enjoy the bank-free, drugstore-free area. Though they have some food vendors, you're better off packing your own picnic. Go now while it's still not crowded. If you're on twitter, follow Governor's Island for updates on special events.

Dutch Kills

This is our third speakeasy post. Either we're obsessed with hidden bars or the city is....

NG's pick

Dutch Kills (27-24 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City) is right off the first subway stop in Queens. The bar is hard to find - look for the small placard. The mood is set from the moment you walk in. The bartenders wear vests and serve affordable great cocktails! Live music too.

For Theater Lovers

Recession keeping you from seeing shows? Check these websites:

1. Hiptix offers you $20 tickets to all Roundabout Shows. Membership is free for anyone between 18-35, and you buy tickets in advance. Definitely check out the free post-show parties with great goodie bags, music, food and wine.

2. Play-by-Play's annual membership is $99 and gets you $3.50/tickets to Broadway and off Broadway theatre, opera, music concerts, dance performances, children shows, comedy clubs, cabaret, sporting events and much more. Check the site all the time for great last minute finds.

Asian Sangria

We've all eaten or walked by Republic (37 Union Sq West) a million times, but did you know they have Asian Sangria with vodka, white white, lychee Asian pears? Cheers!

Two Good Brunch Options...

near Union Squre, with outdoor seating, and no line!

SK's pick:

1. Petite Abeille (44 W 17th St, plus three other locations) serves $7 bellinis, $7 mimosas, and 7 different types of waffles. Still not tempted? They also have a great beer selection! Then go next door to their sister place, though more like stepsister in energy.

2. Gusto (519 6th Ave @ 14th St) beer and waffles not your thing? Go to the first and only certified organic bar and restaurant in New York (serving food all day). They take reservations. Splurge for the large mug of tea or coffee for only an extra 50 cents.

One of the Best Meals We Ever Had

Everything about Depuy Canal House is amazing. The stone tavern was built in 1797 and the original fireplaces still stand. The chef, who does not limit his cooking to one nationality, can be seen cooking these masterpieces in the kitchen from a window in the main dining room or from the upstairs balcony.

Make the visit an overnight experience by staying at the Inn at Canal House.

Road Trip - Millbrook, NY

PF's pick

Spend a day in Millbrook, NY - a scenic two hour drive on the beautiful Taconic State Parkway. Your first stop should be at the Inisfree Garden, which features stunning Chinese and American design. You walk into a series of episodes or pictures and can enter the sequence wherever you want. Give yourself three hours to explore the grounds.

Before heading back into the city, grab dinner at Cafe Les Baux, brought to you by a husband and wife team. Named for a popular tiny village in the south of France, the restaurant has a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere associated with Parisian bistros. Plus, they have a great wine list!

Finally, catch the sunset on your drive home!

Sunset Sailboat ($50 two options)

NG's pick:

Shearwater Sailing leaves from Battery Park City and offers lots of different sailing options but we recommend the romantic Full Moon Sail (a 1 1/2 hour tour for $50/person). While you're out on the water, the sun sets and the city lights go up. The crew is cool and the price is right (they don't nickle and dime you for a plastic cup of champagne).

For another sailing option, check out FG's pick:

The Schooner Adirondack leaves from Chelsea Piers and sails from May to October. Take the sunset cruise (a 2 hour tour for $50/person) which includes drinks! When you return to land, grab dinner at one of these Chelsea tapas bars that we blogged about.

Bon voyage!

Where to Stay in New Paltz

Option One: Minnewaska Lodge, a contemporary 26-room mountain lodge on 17 secluded acres, with the Shawangunk Mountains directly in your backyard. Rooms start at $135/night and includes breakfast, teas/organic coffee, and homemade (delicious!) cookies every afternoon. Many of the rooms have a private deck or patio with an unforgettable view.

Option Two: Mohonk Mountain House, a historic tranquil resort with 261 rooms built in 1869. Rooms start at $320/night and includes three meals a day, afternoon tea and cookies. Complimentary activities include: 85 miles of hiking with guided hikes; swimming in the indoor heated pool and Lake Mohonk, Yoga and other classes; tennis; golf; and boating. In the winter, they offer complimentary cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow-tubing.

Please Dont Tell: Absinthe and Wylie Dufresne

R & B's pick:

Please Don't Tell (113 St. Mark's Place, b/w First Ave. and A), another recommended speakeasy, is a little bit harder to find. You enter through a phone booth and advance reservations are recommended (call at 3pm to reserve a table). The food comes from next door's Crif Dogs and features Wylie Dufresne's deep-fried hot dog with deep-fried mayo.

Drink recommendation: The Green Deacon (Plymouth Gin, sloe gin, grapefruit juice and St. George Absinthe. The absinthe rinse is applied via two sprays from a squirt bottle into the bottom of a small cocktail glass before the glass is filled).

The whole experience is pricey but worth it.

Good Enough for Sonia Sotomayor

SB's pick:

Blue Ribbon Bakery (35 Downing Street, at Bedford) uses this 135 year old oven to bake its creations. You must order the manchego and honey toast (though we don't know what the honorable Sonia Sotomayor, who often frequents this joint orders). Blue Ribbon Bakery is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Bon appetit!

The Age of Aquarius

SB's pick:

Marie's Crisis (59 Grove St, b/w S 7th Ave & Bleecker St) first opened in 1850 as a prostitutes' den and is now home to an amazing Broadway show tunes sing along bar. Everyone will feel comfortable - male, female, gay, straight, tone deaf, singers....

Recommended drink: Black Russian.

You may want to purchase this before you go.

Reason Alone To Go To Queens

NG's pick:

Kebab Cafe is a tiny Egyptian restaurant in Astoria and is as big as a closet. Chef Ali is a character and tells you exactly what to order (skip looking at a menu). This is a foodie's joint. Check out what the professionals have to say here.

A Rare Movie Experience

R & B's pick:

Check out the Warwick Drive-In in New Jersey. They are open every night and are a first run theater, giving them the right to play the films on the same date they are released in New York City. If you get hot in the car, enjoy the outdoor experience! There's nothing better than watching movies under the stars (something you can't easily see in Manhattan).

Lederhosen Bierhaus

SB's pick:

Experience "genuine German goodness" at this Lederhosen (39 Grove St b/w Bedford & Bleecker Sts) bierhaus in the Village. It opened in 2005 and is old-school, authentic, and serves beer in a two-liter boot. Sit at the indoor picnic tables in the back. Prost!

Half Moon

Rent a convertible and take a beautiful short drive up the Hudson and stop for dinner at the Half Moon (1 High Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY). It is such a romantic spot with great views of the Hudson and Manhattan skyline, plus it's only 40 minutes away from midtown. They have live music outside every Friday night starting at 9:30pm.

Okay, you can skip the convertible and take public transportation....

Private Cooking Class

Looking to hone up on your cooking skills or for a unique gift for your friend the foodie? Look no more! We had so much fun when the chef from Home Cooking New York showed up to our apartment with all the groceries we needed and some cool cooking gadgets we had never used before. We chose the How to Cook Fish menu and the chef threw in lots of other recipes just for fun.

Confession: It was a delicious meal that we shared with friends who came just to eat, but we have never made the recipes again. Still worth it!

Let's Get Climbing

EM's pick:

The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers is by far the best rock climbing wall in the city. It is home to the largest rock climbing wall in the Northeast. If you aren't a member of Chelsea Piers, drop a member's name and it will only cost $25 (instead of $50) for a day pass. The pass gets you access to the sundeck, pool, phenomenal classes, and more.

Naka Naka

For amazing Japanese and sushi check out tiny little gem Naka Naka (458 W 17th St, nr 10th Ave). We prefer to sit at the table, rather than the communal area, so make a reservation in advance. Take home one of the amazing origami pieces that can be found all over the restuarnat - it makes a great souvenier!

Gonzelez y Gonzalez

EM's pick:

Salsa to live music without a cover at Gonzalez y Gonzalez (625 Broadway b/w Bleecker & Houston Sts) Thursday, Friday and Saturday night! This restaurant is brought to you by the same people who run Bryant Park Grill and the Grill Room.

Band Schedule
Thursdays - sets begin at 9:30pm & 11:15pm
Fridays & Saturdays - sets begin at 11:30pm & 1:15am

And there's happy hour! Sunday through Friday from 12pm - 7pm and Saturday 12pm - 9pm. $3 drafts and $5 house margaritas (any flavor, any style). Salud!

Don't Let the Recession Affect Your Social Life

Sign up to be a member of Goldstar for free and receive weekly email updates about live entertainment like theater, comedy, sports, music, performing arts and even things like wine tastings, sushi making classes and rodeos at reduced prices! You can log into the site anytime and sort by date or activity. You may even find an event or two listed for free.

I've been a member since 2007 and have seen great shows including Desir at Spiegeltent and Second City: One Nation under Blog at HighLine Ballroom.

Ride a Bike

MS's pick:

Peddle along the Hudson...ride over the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset...take the bike to Prospect Park.

For a complete New York City bike map by borough, click here.

While there is so much ground to cover, you could start by riding the 32-mile Manhattan Waterfront Greenway which is almost always physically separated from cars. Many sections even separate pedestrians from cyclists.

Don't own a bike? No excuse! Rent one from one of these great places all over Manhattan.

Community Garden

YH's pick:

Next time you're in Hell's Kitchen, stop by Clinton Community Garden (W 48th St, b/w 9-10 Aves). This amazing sanctuary opened in 1978. Technically you need to live or work in the neighborhood to obtain a key (or know someone who does), but the people in this hood are so friendly so just wave at the entrance door and someone will let you in.

La Colmbe Coffee

EM's pick:

We're always looking for the best coffee in the city and the search may finally be over! La Colombe, despite it's French name, has Italian style coffee with fabulous pastries. They are originally from Philadelphia. They have two NYC locations: Soho (270 Lafayette St b/w Prince & Spring Sts) and Tribeca (319 Church St, b/w Lispenard & Walker Sts. The newer one is in SoHo.

Note: They only serve regular milk.

Lehigh Valley Wine Country Bike/Nonbike Tour

EM's pick:

Leave the city and bike (or drive) through a few wine tastings in Eastern PA. There are six wineries in the Lehigh Valley that are in bike riding distance. All six, riding from Allentown, PA would make up a 60+ mile ride each way and the trail (whether in car or bike) is absolutely beautiful. You can take a bus from Port Authority directly to Allentown or drive from Manhattan in less than 2 hours.

The wineries are open at least 12-5 on Sundays and longer on Saturdays. Cheers!

Warning: this bike trail is not for beginners.

Where to Dine When Hitting the High Line

Our five favorite picks:

1. Tia Pol (205 10th Ave, b/w 22-23) - Basque tapas bar which is always crowded for a reason

2. Cookshop (10th Ave at 20th St) - certified humane meats and fertilizer-free veggies plus outdoor seating

3. Red Cat (227 10th Ave, b/w 23-24) - Med-American menu with a great bar area

4. Don Giovanni (214 10th Ave, b/w 22-23) - outdoor searing and more affordable prices

5. 202 (75 9th Ave, near 15th St) - delicious brunch menu with a few outdoor tables and a trendy story, right in Chelsea Market

2 bar picks just in case you want to drink your meal:

1. The Other Room (143 Perry St b/w Greenwich & Washington Sts) - off the beaten path with a huge wine and beer selection, plus some good appetizers to hold you over

2. Tortilla Flats (767 Washington St b/w 12th & Bethune Sts) - because you're already in the hood - how can you skip this fun spot?

Spanish Winebar in the East Village

EM's pick:

Pata Negra (345 E 12th St b/w 1-2 Aves) like the usual wine and tapas bar has great sangria, delicious Marcona almonds & spiced olives, and an amazing cheese selection from Murray's. Yet this place stands out because of it's bacon delicacy (pata negra), also known as jamon iberico de bellota, is a free-range pig that feeds on acorns in forests along the borders of Spain and Portugal. Priced at around $100/lb., it is the most expensive ham in the world. It taste like a prosciutto but has a distinct flavor.

The wine menu is also great and the staff is so knowledgeable and helpful.

South Street Seaport - It's Not Just for Tourists

We recently rediscovered the neighborhood when we considered moving into one of the newly developed complexes on a quaint cobblestone street with scenic views of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Our two favorite restaurants are Quartino and Barbarini, both Italian with outdoor seating. Barbarini has a store at the entrance with fresh and creative Italian delicacies that you must explore before heading home.

The Bodies exhibit is still up, so if you haven't gone yet - go now!

Take some time to explore the neighborhood, wander into the little shops and grab a coffee at a Jack's. Plus, there's always street performers or live music going on.

The Roxbury

The Roxbury, a trendy little hotel in the Catskills, came recommended to us and then we recommended it to everyone! The themed rooms inspired by 1960s and '70s TV shows, plus the knowledgeable staff makes it truly a unique weekend getaway. This is a great spot anytime of year as you can hike, bike, ski, and even go nighttime snow tubing.

Once you're done playing in the mountains, grab dinner at some amazing restaurants only a short drive from The Roxbury. The chef at Peekamoose honed his skills at Manhattan heavy-hitters like Gramercy Tavern and Le Bernadin. We personally had an amazing dinner at The Emerson Inn. Sadly, the original place built in 1874 was destroyed by fire but has since reopened and we heard it is still equally delicious.

Sexy Dance Classes

There are so many great classes offered in the city but here are my favorites:

1. Belly Dancing

Serena Studio will surely be an experience you will never forget. The place and staff are so chill. Wear what you want, pay in cash, and then shake. Since the classes are ongoing, you can start any time without prior notice.

2. Pole Dancing

For $40 you can take a two hour intro class at the S Factor where they teach you the S Walk, a mini routine, and "Firefly" pole trick (the "Firefly" is much harder than it sounds). They dim the lights and make you feel very comfortable.

I'm hoping to hit these classes next:

3. Hula Dancing

4. Stripperobixxx at Gold's Gym on Saturdays for only $15

Favorite Underground Party

PF's pick:

Check out The Danger which has hosted dozens of events across the city from renegade train parties to all-night festivals. Definitely hit the warehouse parties in Willimsburg.

A Perfect Date in Queens

Here are our three picks for some fun activities in Queens. We picked the order but feel free to mix it up or just pick one or two (and don't forget to pack champagne and catch a sunset).

1. Hop on the subway to Queens and then take the bus to Socrates Sculpture Park. You may not want to tell your date until you leave that this park was an abandoned riverside landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986. Check the website for free movie screenings, Shakespeare productions, and other special events.

2. The Noguchi Museum, only two blocks away from Socrates Sculpture Park, is housed in 13 galleries within a converted factory building and encircles a garden containing major granite and basalt sculptures (see picture). Noguchi died in 1988 and was cremated (half of his remains are buried unmarked near one of the outside sculptures - another thing you may not want to tell your date until you leave!).

PH's pick:

3. Only four more Fridays (August 7, 14, 21, 28) to enjoy Passport Fridays at The Queens Museum. This outdoor festival features dance and music programs starting at 6:30pm followed by the film program at 8pm. In case of rain, program moves inside of museum.