In the summer, there are certain foods that you just have to have. Here are our picks for where to get them…

Lobster rolls

Ditch Plains Celebrity chef Marc Murphy serves his luscious lobster rolls with fresh tarragon and parsley, served on a buttered potato hot dog bun with sweet potato chips on the side. 29 Bedford St. and 100 W. 82nd St., ditch-plains.com

Red Hook Lobster Pound... » more

A bourbon on the rocks is great, but it doesn't exactly scream "summer." Here are our picks for best summer drinks.

Coca Leaf cocktails

New TriBeCa hot spot Los Americanos is mixing up cocktails made with coca leaves. Mixologist Moses Laboy believes he may be the only cocktail master in the city and even the country doing this, and we highly recommend the Cuzco Hummingbird,... » more

It’s almost summer and that can only mean one thing: time to barbecue.

Luckily, the 11th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (bigapplebbq.org) is on June 8 and 9. Pitmasters from as far away as Texas and as close to home as 26th Street will converge on Madison Square Park for a weekend of smoked meats, live music, barbecue seminars, camaraderie and a little friendly competition.

The... » more

Award-winning food magazine Bon Appétit brings its annual foodie event Grub Crawl to Manhattan on Saturday after a successful jaunt in Brooklyn last year.

Ticket holders won’t attend an event with tasting tables, but rather will go on a restaurant “crawl,” hitting up some of the hottest spots to sample delectable bites.

Start at The Biergarten at The Standard and continue on throughout... » more

Orr Shtuhl’s recently published love letter to mixed drinks, “An Illustrated Guide to Cocktails,” is a beautiful compendium on mixed libations. The history of 50 classic cocktails is told alongside illustrations by Elizabeth Graeber and, of course, the recipes.

“A good cocktail has the intrigue of a drama,” Shtuhl writes.

The Serious Eats columnist and Brooklyn resident told us about... » more

Cutlery — forks, knives, spoons — is customary at a table setting. But Filipino “gastropub” Jeepney recently introduced a series that seriously challenges that custom.

Every Thursday night, Jeepney hosts a “Kamayan” night, which features a prix fixe menu designed to be eaten solely with the hands. Sound entertaining, messy and delicious? Well, that’s the point.

“When you’re home amongst... » more

It’s Mother’s Day, when we show mommy dearest how much we care with … flowers? Jewelry? Spa treatments? Sure, but this year, forgo breakfast in bed for a meal at one of the city’s hottest restaurants. Trust us, she won’t miss your “special pancakes.”

The Marrow, 99 Bank St., themarrownyc.com, 212-428-6000 In a nod to his mother’s background, “Top Chef” winner Harold Dieterle will serve an... » more

Cinco de Mayo: While many aren’t entirely sure what it’s really about, (the celebration of the Battle of Puebla, where the Mexicans were victorious over the French forces in 1862, by the way), the day has become a beloved American tradition of margarita drinking and sombrero wearing.

And because we believe in the sanctity of such a holiday, we’re here with your guide to the city’s best celebrations,... » more

Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall Wednesday plays host to an event that’s sure to delight many: the World’s Largest Bake Sale.

The event is hosted by celebrity chef, author and Emmy Award winner Sandra Lee, who will sell her strawberry cupcakes, and will feature baked goods prepared by over 30 restaurants around New York City. The event is co-chaired by Martha Stewart, Mario Batali,... » more

In Catalonia, Spain, the beloved symbol of spring is the calçot, a relative of the spring onion, leek or scallion. SoHo hotspot Back Forty West is hosting the traditional Catalon festival Calçotada. Guests will chomp on grilled baby leeks in honor of the calçot, which are dipped in romesco sauce and eaten with the hands. Back Forty West, 70 Prince St., May 7, 6:30-9 p.m., $100 includes food, rosé,... » more