(Illustration by Leah Tiscione)
This French bike carousel was built for the 1889 World’s Fair. (Tamara Beckwith/New York Post)
(Brian Zak/NY Post)
“Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” is this summer’s “Sleep No More.” (Chad Barka)
(Eilon Paz)
(Elizabeth Lippman)
(Anne Wermiel/NY Post)
HAVE A BOOZY DESSERT
With summer cut short due to a criminally early Labor Day this year, there’s a lot of ground to cover. That’s where Havana Central comes in — offering three times the booze to squeeze into one sitting. Now that’s what we call multitasking!
The Cuban throwback’s famed “Frozen Mojito Sorbet Trio” (inset right) has found a rabid fan base since its summer launch last year. The decadent dessert, perfect for humid days in Havana, is the brainchild of CEO Jeremy Merrin: “We love the idea of ‘adult desserts,’ ” says Merrin, who built upon his previous hit, the boozy empanada. Using the three most popular mojito flavors — classic, mango and guava — it’s made in small batches “to ensure the sorbets have the same flavor profile as the cocktails,” says Merrin. Hand-made with fresh mint, lime, sugar, rum and tropical fruit pulp, you’ll need friends to help polish it off. A few sips and you’ll swear you’re in old Havana. $10.50 apiece.
Two Manhattan locations: 2911 Broadway (between 113th & 114th streets); 212-662-8830
151 West 46th St. (between 6th and 7th avenues); 212-398-7440
HAVE A LUNCHTIME DANCE PARTY
Bored of your lunchtime Chipotle rut? Take the energy of a nightclub and the psychology of weekday lunch-break ennui and smush them together between two slices of bread. Add a little DJ Questlove and serve chilled. “Absolut Lunch Break,” a daytime dance party running on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. at hot venues such as Marquee and Avenue, has been the smash hit of the summer for worker bees who need to blow off some summertime steam or just get an early start on their weekend. Free lunch with PB&J sandwiches, fruit and granola bars are included. Hosted by Flavorpill Media. Always held in a secret location.
Next event Sept. 6, location secret — but check the site for updates: thehookup.flavorpill.com/lunchbreak_landing. Free. Through Sept. 20.
FRENCH IT UP AT FÉTE PARADISO
Francophiles (or just plain fun-o-philes) should hop on the ferry to Governors Island, which is the staging ground for Fête Paradiso, a vintage French fair, with some rides dating back to the 19th century.
The main attraction is the bicycle carousel (above): Built for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, it’s one of only two left in the world. To set the romantic scene, actors serenade visitors with “La Vie en Rose” and French fare from Robert Arbor of Brooklyn eatery Le Gamin is served. And while the rides are $3 each, the ambience is free.
Fête Paradiso runs every weekend through Sept. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER
It’s battle of the bands meets New York chic. “The W Hotel: Gangs of New York” is a free summer night concert series featuring the hottest NYC-based performers squaring off. The musical sound clash was inspired by the cult classic New York film “The Warriors.” DJ Grandmaster Flash, Yeasayer and the Virgins have all made appearances. Catch the final battle royale when it ends on Wednesday for the showdown in Times Square, where finalists go head-to-head. The series even has its own fashion collection: eight branded denim jackets (above) and vests festooned with studs, collars and the like.
Final event Wednesday, free with RSVP. 1567 Broadway; 212-930-7400
PARTY AT THE PLAYLAND MOTEL
There’s no need to head to Montauk for a hipster party when Rockaway is purveying its very own neon tank top-laced debauchery at Playland Motel (below). The rooms at the boutique hotel were designed by 12 separate artists who conjured up such motifs as a murder scene, a teepee and a surf theme. The outside bar is rocking with a DJ, attractive revelers and inflatable pools. Take the A train to Beach, 98 stop.
97-20 Rockaway Blvd.; 718-318-1035; playlandmotel.com
DRINK BOURBON DOWN BY THE RIVER
Take in the last breath of summer while watching the rippling waves on the East River at Watermark Bar and Lounge, the new outdoor, waterfront bar perched on the edge of super-modern Pier 15. After snagging one of the 100 outdoor seats, treat yourself to a Bourbon Palmer and a lobster roll (below).
Pier 15, 78 South St., 212-742-8200, watermarkny.com
YOU’LL BE RUSSIAN TO THIS MUST-SEE SHOW
On Sept. 2, “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” — the electro-pop opera-cum-dinner theater housed in a pop-up tent next to the High Line — will come to an end. Get a ticket as fast as you can to the “War and Peace”-inspired Russian spectacle, complete with all the cabaret, borscht and vodka you could desire. Produced by one of the creators of “Sleep No More,” the show is guaranteed to be a summer highlight. Don’t have enough for the $150-plus tickets because you already blew all your dough on Cronuts? Stop by during off-hours, when the space, known as Kazino, will be open to the public for libations and not-too-racy performances by contortionists, among other specialists.
Entrance is on 13th Street between Washington Street and 10th Avenue/West Side Highway; kazinonyc.com
CHOW DOWN ON THE ‘IT’ PATTY: THE RAMEN BURGER
You might as well have great weather while you wait in the line for the one-of-a-kind Ramen Burger at Smorgasburg. The cult delicacy from Keizo Shimamoto is giving the Cronut a run for its money with its mouth-wateringly moist burger sandwiched between two “buns” made of fried ramen noodles (above). If that doesn’t whet your appetite, the bragging rights to having scored the treat ought to.
Line up today at the Williamsburg Smorgasburg, open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (runs Saturdays through Nov. 23). East River State Park (90 Kent Ave., at North Seventh Street); smorgasburg.com
SEEK SHELTER AT SUNSET BEACH
weekends of the summer and relax — with the beautiful people, of course. Do some shopping at the new pop-up Brooklyn Bird boutique there and, if you’re craving a bit of a scene, grab some brunch (and cocktails) at André Balazs’ Sunset Beach.
Sunset Beach, 35 Shore Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-2001. Bird, open through Labor Day. 183 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island Heights, shopbird.com
WAIT IN LINE FOR A CRONUT
It’s the pastry that has launched a thousand knockoffs and a worldwide culinary frenzy. But who wants a fauxnut when you can have a Cronut from renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel’s eponymous Soho shop? And who wants to wait in line as the weather turns as cruel as an empty Cronut stash? While the queue reaches down Spring and curves all the way to the middle point of Thompson Street, arriving before 6 a.m. will virtually guarantee a coveted confection (above). While passing the time, mingle with European tourists, NYU students and pastry mules paid to stand on line. After all, is there anything that screams “summer of 2013” more than the fluffy Cronut?
189 Spring St. (between Thompson and Sullivan streets); 212-219-2773