Fourth of July Plans? Recommendations for the Perfect Independence Day

The Fourth of July is on a Wednesday this year - wa wahhh. But, hello? We live in New York City meaning there are tons of options to par-tay. True - there isn't an extra day to recover and sloth on the couch, but buck up because these places will make that morning after hangover worth it. Because Baby - you're a fireworkkkkk - let your colors burssttt. By Lauren Saiger

Macondo

Macondo

157 East Houston Street nr. Allen St.

Time:  All day long!

What:    Raise your flags, it's the Fourth of July and Macondo wants us to celebrate. This Latin-tapas fiesta palace will be offering frozen pitchers of coconut mojitos and watermelon margaritas all day to compliment your empanadas and spicy small plates. 

Cost: $20 a pitcher

Why it's special? The laid back, fun environment will make you want to celebrate all day.  Plus the prices are cheap and you can stay as long as you'd like. We wouldn't steer you wrong, the fun factor here exceeds all expectations!

Grey Lady
77 Delancey Street nr. Allen St.
Time:  Dinner

The Grey Lady, Lower East Side

What:  The Grey Lady Shore dinner will be a serious feast consisting of lobster stew, market tomato salad, New Jersey sweet corn with a little Mexican street-style twist, a pound of Maine steamers, 1.5lb Maine lobster and a special dessert! Can you say "let freedom ring!"

Cost: $40 - Reservations recommended.

Why it's special? You may not be taking a weekend getaway, but this place will certainly make you feel like you're on holiday. With the windows open, wind blowing through your hair, cocktail in hand and mounds of seafood, you might as well be in Montauk. Make sure to come with an appetite - this will be a feast to remember. 

The Liberty Belle Spectacular, The Empire Hotel

44 West 63rd Street nr. Broadway

Time:  5pm

The Empire Hotel Rooftop
Photo Credit: The Kong List

View of Fireworks from Press Lounge

What: A vintage Fourth of July rooftop extravaganza. Enjoy live entertainment including burlesque dancing and music as well as fireworks and delicious cocktails under the stars! Don't worry - if you get hungry they'll have some juicy hamburgers and hot dogs to nibble on as you peruse the singles scene. 

Cost: $25 group/$30 advanced purchase/ $35 at the door.  Buy tickets here.

Why it's special? Dress up in your vintage 1920-1950's attire and join the party. The Liberty Belle Spectacular is one of our favorite events in the city. Dance, drink and oohh and ahhh at the fireworks at 9pm. 

Press Lounge
653 11th Avenue nr. 47th St.
Time:  6pm - 2am.
What:  Passed hors d'oeuvres, food platters and desserts from 6-10pm.
Cost: $325 per person, reservations required.
Why it's special? Enjoy some of the best views of the Macy's firework extravaganza that New York has to offer! The prices may seem steep, but trust us - the view, food and drinks will make it worth your while!

Chelsea Brewing Company

Chelsea Brewing Company 

Pier 59 West Side Highway nr. 18th St.

Time:  5-9:30pm

What: Open bar including their award-winning beers along with liquor and wine, passed appetizers, dinner, dessert and brewery tours.    

Cost: $175 

Why it's special? Lots to do and see here including their brewery tours throughout the evening. Once 9:15 strikes, walk down the pier for front row seats to the fireworks.

Pulled pork sliders, Dukes

Dukes
99 E. 19th Street nr. Park Avenue South

Time:  12pm-1am

What:  BBQ & Beer

Cost: $10 pitchers, $25 beer towers, ribs, burgers & all the fixings

Why it's special? Can't leave the city for a BBQ? Duke's will be grilling up all your favorite meat-loving treats all day long. Ribs, burgers, chili - they got it all. And naturally, the sides will runneth over. 

Photo Credit:  New York Street Food

Fireworks and Food Trucks 
The Waterfront at Pier 92

Time:  12pm -12am

What: Enjoy some of NYC's best food trucks while you dance the day away to a live DJ during this all-day beach party on the Hudson with Wyclef Jean and Lil' Jon. Some of our favorite truckie friends like Phil's Steaks, Souvlaki GR, Milk Truck, Valducci's Pizza, Bistro Truck, Crepes Truck, Feed Your Hole, Sweetery, Cupcake Crew and Big D's will be grilling, cooking and baking their signature treats all day long. 

Cost: Tickets range from general admission ($35) to a VIP Terrace table for 6 including vodka, champagne and a rose liqueur for $1,050. If you're feeling baller status this Independence Day, opt for the Magnum Cabana. Details and pricing are here.

Why it's special? It may just be the Hudson, but hey...everything feels better when you're on the water.  An unobstructed view of the Macy's Fireworks show, our favorite food trucks and lots of drinks! Folks - it's Wednesday. This is as good as it gets.

Pera Soho Rooftop Extravaganza
54 Thompson Street nr. Broome St. 

Time:  Three seatings at 1pm, 4:30pm and 8pm

What:   Unlimited food and drinks including platters of meats, heaps of shellfish, a buffet of scrumptious cold cuts, salads and desserts. Sip on watermelon mojitos, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee or tea. 

Cost: 1pm and 4:30pm seating ($55) & 8pm seating ($65) 

Why it's special? If you're holiday-ed out or still broke from that Vegas bachelor party last weekend, this may be the way to go. Grab your favorite friends, book a table and enjoy. 

Rooftop view, 230 Fifth 

230 Fifth

230 Fifth Avenue 20th Floor nr. 27th St.

Time: Opens at 11am

What: Rooftop barbecue - hot dogs, ribs, burgers, corn on the cob and grilled veggies

Cost: Two drink minimum until 9pm. 

Why it's special? 360 degree views of Manhattan which makes for the perfect venue to sip on cocktails while enjoying the fireworks. There's no cover and two drinks seams like a pittance compared to last year when you guzzled that jungle juice faster then the frat guys that invaded your share house. This my friends, is a step up in the world. 

Photo Credit: TONY Offers and Experiences

Tipsy Parson

156 9th Avenue nr. 20th St.

Time:  12-8pm

What:   Before heading west to see the fireworks, make a reservation for an exclusive July 4th BBQ at Tipsy Parson brought to you by our friends at TONY Offers and Experiences.

Cost: $50 per person which will get you a family-style feast and two drinks.  

Why it's special?  Perhaps one of the best deals around? What screams Fourth of July more than eating and drinking your way through the day with their Southern plates and sumptuous sides? wEE recommend their Carolina BBQ pork ribs and their catfish po' boy!

Let Freedom Ring from your friends at Eatery Expert! And don't forget; Write us for free, personalized restaurant recommendations. It's what we do best.  

Featured Request of the Day!

Request:  Group birthday dinner for 15 people. Cheap and yummy!


EE's Recommendations:

1.  Mercadito 179 Avenue B nr. 12th Street I love Mercadito for large groups because they have a menu that is just for sharing for parties of 7 or more! You can pick a price point of $30-$45 per person and you get all different types of their delicious Mexican food. Everything from their guacamoles to their ceviches and tacos are unreal.

2.  Macondo 157 East Houston Street nr. Allen St. Amazing latin small plates with delicious Latin cocktails for all to enjoy. Order a bunch of latin small plates and enjoy! They also offer a prix fixe dinner for $40 a person and there's more food than you could ever imagine!  wEE recommend ordering the their infamous drink, porron to begin the night!


3.  Rubirosa 235 Mulberry Street nr. Prince St. If you are a lover of Italian comfort food, you've come to the right place.Our favorite pie? The pizza with vodka sauce.  They offer an Italian family style meal for $35 a person!

Recommendations for: Graduation Dinner in NYC

Mid May is a time of celebration for the high school and college crowds. Finals are coming to an end and graduates are busting out their cap and gown. Oh yes - it's graduation time in the N-Y-C. Exciting, yet scary at the same time. The best way to celebrate and ease the post-grad anxiety is of course, over a scrumptious meal. Whether you're looking for something casual or fancy, below are some delicious options that are sure to be crowd pleasers for your friends and fam:

Yummy pizza for the table!

Rubirosa 235 Mulberry Street nr. Prince St.  NYU grads, we know you've already tried calling Otto with no luck. Probably because it's just so conveniently located. Yes, that's correct, but have you tried Rubirosa? It's probably one of my favorite spots for pizza, lasagna, antipasti, you name it. It's about a ten minute walk from campus, but trust me it's worth every step. They offer a family-style Italiano menu and for $30 per person (excluding tip, tax and booze), you'll get 5 different apps including meatballs that are better than my grandma can make, two different types of pasta, three different pizzas and I can't even get started on dessert - I'm getting too hungry!

wEE recommend asking for the large table in the back!

Atlantic Grill 1341 Third Avenue nr. 77th St.  Family dinners to me mean trying to accommodate my vegan cousin, my Grandma that only eats salmon, and my brother that eats sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's why Atlantic Grill is perfect for the occasion.  They serve every type of fish in the ocean, including a full-fledged raw bar, meaty options for the carnivores in the group and a wood-burning grill that just makes everything taste better.

wEE recommend starting with the Atlantic Grill crunchy spicy tuna roll.

Community Food & Juice 2893 Broadway nr. 113th St.  Farm to table has become the new trend, and this place started it!  It sounds super healthy, and it is, but only because they only use the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms.  The menu is seasonally driven down to their cocktails - a crowd pleaser for one and all.

wEE recommend starting with the Community Food & Juice grilled heritage lamb chops: with fresh shelled peas, parsnip puree, rosemary baby carrots, and fresh mint sauce.

Imperial No. Nine 9 Crosby Street nr. Grand St.  This restaurant fits the bill if you're looking for great food in a very fun, trendy atmosphere.  Located in the Mondrian hotel, it'll feel like a special night.  Before dinner, enjoy drinks at their bar and continue the party in the main dining room that looks like a beautifully decorated greenhouse!

wEE recommend sitting in the garden room.

Telepan 72 W. 69th Street nr. Columbus Ave.  If your family is as picky as mine, this restaurant will please everyone. It's located in a charming, understated yet very elegant townhouse on the Upper West Side.  Bill Telepan is a legend among NYC chefs for many reasons, but his local, farm-to-table dishes are really something to talk about.

wEE recommend the four course tasting menu for $69 (dependent on entire table participation).

DBGB Kitchen & Bar 299 Bowery nr. Houston St. I could honestly recommend all of Daniel Boulud's restaurants as being fit for a graduation dinner, but DBGB stands out as the perfect place for such an occasion.  However, it's probably not the best place for the vegan graduate, but if you are a meat lover, this is the place for you. They offer 14 varieties of sausage and words can't describe how insanely yummy the Boulud burgers are. For dessert, enjoy one of their ice cream sundaes.

wEE recommend the menage a trois: three DBGB burgers with the works - perfect for the indecisive foodie that wants to try everything! 

Ask to sit in the Macondo green room!

Macondo 157 E. Houston nr. Allen St.  Family gone and want to celebrate with friends?  Choose from a variety of Macondo's yummy Spanish tapas and cocktails. They offer a group rate - 10 people for $280 or 15 people for $420 ($28 per person!).

wEE recommend their specialty drink, pouron.