ZENGO

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These last few days of summer are precious so take advantage and do all things summer: enjoy the outdoors, bqq, and cool off with something cool 'n' sweet. Check out all of these New York City restaurants offering up just what you need!

Go On a Picnic:

Folks who want to relax in Washington Square Park should order pizza picnic boxes from Pizza Roma on Bleecker Street in the West Village. These clever carryout containers, named after parks in Rome, are filled with the restaurant’s signature Roman-style pizza al taglio (square pizza by the cut), Paninis, fresh summer salads, and more.

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It's important to go all-out for National Rum Day as it only comes once a year and it's a great excuse to drink in excess.

Try out one of the awesome recipes listed below, or check out some NYC haunts that are serving up rum cocktails in honor of this very special day!

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Today we pay homage to the melon of all melons...watermelon! Restaurants and bars around the city are whipping up dishes and libations made specially from your favorite fruit.

Two very special dishes will be added to Anthony Ricco's menu at Spice Market in celebration of this special day. Try out their Thai-inspired Watermelon Gazpacho ($8.50) with watermelon, Thai chilies, tomatoes, cucumber, and red wine vinegar. They are also serving delectable Chocolate Covered Watermelon Slices ($8) dusted with crushed, spiced almonds.

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In honor of National Daiquiri Day, we've rounded up some of the best rum-soaked 'tails for you to try out around good ol' NYC. From mojitos to martinis, we've got a list sure to get your whistle wet, so get ready to start drinking after work today!

Barrio 47’s Barrio Especial $14
Signature Daiquiri: Mount Gay Barbados rum infused with Lemongrass & Vanilla Bean, Passion Fruit puree & Lemon sugar

Mojito 47 $14

Santa Teresa rum, muddled cucumber, mint, lime, topped with Prosecco

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Just in time for summer entertaining and for the third year in a row, June 28th is honored as National Ceviche Day! Ceviche has existed for over 500 years, bringing a sense of freshness and purity to the palate. Ceviche is a popular seafood dish in the coastal regions of the Americas, particularly in Central and South America. The dish is typically made from fresh fish marinated in citrus juices and spiced with chili peppers. Experience some of NYC's best chefs' creative interpretations of Ceviche at the below venues:


Chef/Owner Cosme Aguilar/Luis Aguilar

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Sweltering heat us upon us New Yorker's and there's only one way to cool off -- and it doesn't involve jumping in the Hudson River. Restaurants and bars are now offering up cooling treats that are perfect for a hot summer's day. Starting June 4th, Spice Market is kicking off the outdoor drinking season with Patio Pitchers. Pitchers of their signature Ginger Margarita of Passion Fruit Sangria, which are normally $48, will be a steal for $24 4-7pm during the week when you sit on the outdooor patio. Highpoint Bar & Bistro will be serving up two very different watermelon-themed treats.

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Scrap the vodka cran this year and whip up some of your own chillingly delicious cocktails, all suited to the costume of your choice this Hallow's Eve. Even if you aren't a cocktail guru, no need to scream...just head to one of the hot spots listed below to try some of these dangerous concoctions.

The Bloody Shine

Ingredients
2 oz Original Moonshine
3 oz tomato juice
1/2 oz fresh lemon
3 dashes worcestershire sauce
2 drops tabasco
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Mix all ingredients and shake. Pour into glass and add ice if you prefer. For all you victims of foul play this Halloween, this will be the perfect pre-game cocktail to try out with your deadly friends. You might not see it on the menu, but you can ask for this hauntingly delicious drink at Lure, Hill Country, Macalleria and Cafe Luxembourg.

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Fusion is back, in the most delicious of forms. Richard Sandoval's Zengo restaurant in midtown is showcasing the serious flavors of both Peru and Japan this month with his Taste of Lima-Tokyo tasting menu. Debuting October 1st, this offering of specialty small plates and cocktails will highlight the similarities in both cuisines ingredients and styles. Expect bold dishes with lots of fish, citrus, and spice. A "Chupe de Mariscos", or seafood stew, is accented with Peruvian purple potatoes and served in a milk-dashi broth. Rainbow Ceviche gets its kick from a Japanese version of "Leche de Tigre", a traditional Peruvian ceviche marinade. "Lomo Saltado", on of the most classic Peruvian dishes, gets revamped with Japanese wok-fried vegetables and ginger sauce. Even dessert reflects the best of both worlds- green tea ice cream covered in traditional Peruvian cajeta (caramel) sauce.

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Lucky Rice Festival
When: Thursday, April 29th-Sunday, May 2nd
Where: Locations vary with event
www.luckyrice.com/festival

Over the past couple years, New York City has enjoyed and enveloped itself within the revitalization of Asian culture and cuisine. In commemoration of the Asian awakening, LUCKYRICE.com hosts a festival of Asian significance, joined by culinary superstars. An aggregate of culinary heavyweights-Daniel Boulud, Anthony Bourdain, Eric Ripert, David Cheng, Masaharu Morimoto, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and others-preside over The Lucky Rice Festival, a weekend long celebration of Asian eats.

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Zengo
622 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 808-8110
www.richardsandoval.com

Cuisine: Latin American/Asian
Price: Moderate

On March 24th, Mexican-born chef and owner Richard Sandoval unveiled Zengo, his Latin-Asian creation in Midtown. While this Zengo is the latest addition to the two that already exist in D.C. and Denver, the New York rendition has a slightly different menu. To execute the updated selection, Sandoval (of Maya and Pampano) recruited Akhtar Nawab (of the fallen Ellettaria) to be his chef de cuisine. Joining two different cultures that both command their own distinct tastes, Sandoval and his team set out to create dishes that employ this union through varying intensities of sauces, spices and seasoning.