August All Year Long

August, in the West Village, is one of my favorite restaurants. The signature cocktails are delicious, I suggest you try "My Best Friends Girlfriend"; just the cocktail! Chef Jordan Frosolone focuses on seasonal and local ingredients to make pan-European cuisine. The majority of seats in the restaurant are in the back which is in an enclosed garden room. It serves for a very romantic atmosphere. My favorite item on the menu is the Tarte Flambe which is a flat bread cooked in their stone oven topped with onion, bacon tart and creme fraiche. If you can't make it for dinner, definitely stop by the bar and have a drink!

L's Cupcakes

Check out L's Cupcakeblog.blogspot.com! L's will be present at the Hyde Park Farmer's Market beginning Oct 2. The Farmer's Market is held in Hyde Park every 1st Sunday of the month. Be sure to stop by and taste one of her delicious samples and you might even decide to take some home!

MAX

My new favorite restaurant, which I can't get enough of! Italian food to die for! I can honestly say that they are the first that has made lasagna better than my Nanna. Very inexpensive, with great drinks, especially if you like prosecco, and an incredibly romantic atmosphere. http://www.max-ny.com/. Max has two locations, one in East Village and one in Tribeca. I have only frequented the Tribeca local but I am sure East Village is just as amazing!

WHO DOESN'T SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM?

Just a hop, skip and a jump over the Brooklyn Bridge and your well on your way to some of the best ice cream in the 5 burrows. Set on a pier overlooking the east river and Manhattan, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is where it's at. Though the flavor choices are slim the ice cream delivers.

NEWS CAFE

I feel as though this picture represents what I enjoy most about ocean drive. Nice cafes where you can eat outside, people watch, and enjoy the weather. News cafe had one of the best atmospheres on the stripe. It has a seating area that is nestled between trees and lit only by candles. If you haven't caught on by now, a nice atmosphere for me encompasses candle light in some shape or form. This is goodbye for Miami for now, welcoming back NYC with open arms!

BEST CUBAN SANDWICH IN THE CITY

Two words. Cafe Habana. Though it is not your traditional Cuban sandwich, it is unquestionably delicious. Cafe Habana is at the corner of Prince and Elizabeth Street. Not only is it a cool area to stroll around by you will find that Cafe Habana is an attraction in itself, and for good reason. The Cuban is not the only good thing...go for the Jarritos, grilled corn Mexican style (with chili powder, lime and cheee, or a good old cafe con leche. There is a sit down restaurant or a take out outpost (and by take out they mean eat it on the curb out front). http://www.cafehabana.com/index.htm