july 2025 - Wanderlogue

07.2025

Peak summer. When the heat has really settled in (which it did much earlier this year than before). The humidity blanketing the city, slowing things down to the pace of, well, tourists that have descended upon the lower half of Manhattan. It’s July. Like any other July, one that starts out with a holiday that does that Memorial Day weekend fails to do: lure corporate America into real summer. When workdays become shorter, particularly with the long days. When inboxes fill up slower. Slow enough to be answered on a beach perhaps. Or with a chilled glass somewhere al fresco.

upstate tendencies

As it does with so many, I gave into the Hudson Valley’s calls. The promise of more space, more green as relief from the concrete jungle baking in the heat. The month began with a train upstate. Settling into a sunny Airbnb and the familiarity of a energetic Warren Street with weekenders flocking in.

Days are nice here. Beginning with coffee at a bustling Hudson Roastery (it seems the whole town is there). By afternoon, pedestrians fill the sidewalks, popping in and out of the tempting shops of antiques and books and homeware and gifts.

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And of course, we came here to get some fresh air. And so we seek out some easy, less crowded hikes. Trails with light dappling through the leaves. Large rocks as landmarks. And occasionally a vista that reminds our digital minds why these vary trails inspired an entire art movement.

Ah the simple joy of a good picnic. Fresh fruit from a farmstand, rinsed with water from a bottle over the grass. A sandwich and frilled vegetable salad from Talbott & Arding. And an elite combo of egg salad and Issa’s spicy harissa pita chips (this might be my new favorite flavor). And of course, a fun drink. In this case, a hojicha kombucha.

a perfect restaurant: matilda

I found the perfect restaurant. Tucked away in a quiet little inn in a small town in the Catskills. A beautiful space drenched in late evening sun for dinner. A cheffy menu with contemporary comforts and dressed up nods to nostalgic favorites (I mean, a malted chocolate sundae with candied pecans? every meal should end like this).

current obsessions

We’re feeling snacky. The Whole Foods ice cream sale really well timed this year to the heat wave. Went for some tried and true favorites (Ariondack’s Black Raspberry will forever be one of my favorite pints). And tried some new things (Alec’s Culture Cup is the perfect post-work treat in the peak of daily temperatures). Swapped real food for fun snacks, like these not-too-sweet Coco Rolls. And finally got around to trying the Dear Flor gummies. Which, let’s be honest, was much needed these days.

a walk in the park

It’s pretty crazy that I’ve lived in Brooklyn for so many years without having ever gone to Sunset Park. And Green Wood Cemetery, which, as advertised, is perhaps the best kept secret in the city. It’s peaceful. Beautiful. Makes you forget where you are until you get a sudden glimpse of the city from afar.

And then there’s Sunset Park. Which is full of life in a way that other parks perhaps are not. Families, music, barbecues, multigenerational New Yorkers enjoying a beautiful weekend. The Manhattan skyline on the horizon, a safe distance away.

culture fix

It was a good art month. Chelsea. Tribeca. Soho. A wonderful relief. From the heat, with the air conditioning. And from the reality of the headlines. Trying to make sense of it all through the eyes and works of artists.

Finally made my way over to the newly re-opened Frick. And it is everything promised and more. A beautiful mansion filled with beautiful art. Particularly fun having binged the Gilded Age.

And also finally got around to seeing this year’s Met Costume Institute exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. Wonderfully curated, educating visitors with history and celebrating contemporary fashion.

calling it now. this might be my favorite thing of 2025. and it’s only july. haven’t stopped thinking about this show since. everything about it. obsessed.

why why why would you cancel this after greenlighting 2 seasons, amazon??? we love ballet and we love the deep drama of high culture

ok, DC. you might have a chance to turn things around yet.

NEW FIND

Stele. A fragrance destination I can’t get enough of. I could spend hours in here, and neither the Williamsburg nor Soho location are big. It contributes to my continued fragrance obsession. Stocked with some of the perfumes that have been making their rounds on Tiktok. And some niche brands curated from around the world. The source of several on my wishlist.

Bopping around the shops in Ridgewood.

And hiding from a downpour at a very well stocked thrift store benefiting the Opera.

good bites

I always eat well in Hudson.

Back in the city:

An obligatory UES stop at Via Quaddronno to pretend to be in Europe for a moment. A breezy weeknight dinner at the relatively new to the block Gus & Marty’s, fresh Greek food to be walked off with some people and dog watching around McCarren. A delightfully refreshing melon gelato to finish off aperitivo hour at Cafe Chelsea. A spicy meal for a rainy night at Hungry Thirsty, paired with a Thai tea slushy served in kitschy mugs. Another spicy meal, this time at Szechuan Mountain House, on a muggy Friday. And then a perfect sunny brunch at Hellbender, more than worth the trek over to Ridgewood on a day the MTA decided not to function.

Twas a pastry heavy month.

A wonderful cherry pain suisse from Rigor Hill on a weekday afternoon. A perfect heirloom tomato pastry from Radio before work. A pre-dinner cookie and cold brew combo. Breakfasts in Williamsburg: a biscuit sandwich from Ceremonia, a sungold pastry from Birdee. Hojicha latte paired with a hojicha madeleine at Loaf on Paper. A perfect afternoon break at La Cabra, to hide out from a light drizzle. A summer Friday beginning at Miolin. And then a perfect, perfect breakfast at Gem Home, which might be my new comfort happy place in the city.

no cooking this summer

Just fruit. Lots of fruit. I could eat this fruit salad forever. I ate this for a week. Because when it is 95 degrees out, this works as breakfast, lunch or dinner. I love stone fruit and berry season.