Summer in the City: Hither and Thither

This week on Summer in the City, we’re featuring Ashley and Aron of the blog, Hither and Thither. If you haven’t read it before, their blog immediately welcomes you into their family as they share their adventures at home and away. I admire how genuine they are, and Ashley’s gift of writing. They currently live in NYC, but will be moving back to California in just a few short weeks. We’re so happy they’ve generously shared some local favorites with us before they go!

1. Favorite restaurant? There’s a seasonal restaurant called Diner, tucked below the Williamsburg bridge, where the ever-changing menu is scribbled on your table every night. The only constant is the burger (which happens to the best in the city). Well, that and fantastic food. Everything seems to be on that precipice between scruffy and styled–with votives reflecting around the arch of an old rail car–that Brooklyn excels at. Aron first went in 2001 and talked it up until we moved to New York in 2007; it made quite an impression and it still does.

2. Favorite savory dish? Summer salads, like one with corn (fresh from the greenmarket), Sungold tomatoes, and basil, tossed in olive oil and sea salt. It’s almost cheating to call it savory; the result is most definitely sweet.  

3. Favorite sweet? Strawberries, at the start of summer, with fresh whipped cream and angel food cake never disappoints. So light. So refreshing. So delicious.

4. Drink of choice? Having been pregnant last summer, it has been sort of fun to return to some of my favorite hot-weather cocktails this year. Crisp Rosé,Vermouth blanc on ice, and Amaro with blood orange soda are all in rotation lately. If not choosing beer, Aron mixes a sparkling grapefruit juice with gin or has a glass of Pastis, and I steal sips. 

5. Favorite New York summer activity? The walkways and bike paths along the Hudson River are a great retreat within the city, with cooling breezes and beautiful sunsets. There’s an area just south of Riverside park where the boardwalk-style plank paths meander among tall sea grasses. You can almost pretend you’ve escaped to the shore. We also look forward to visiting the roof deck atop the Met every summer. 

6. Favorite NYC memories? Almost every day in New York seems memorable in some way. There are the grand adventures, and then there’s just that great little such-and-such that you pass by on any given day. And there’s also that day that you feel beaten down by the crowds, the noise, and the rat that just ran underfoot. But some top memories might include: walking over the Brooklyn Bridge at sundown, riding ferries across the East River,picnic’ing in a park and watching the grass light up with fireflies, seeing the city from atop its tallest building, and meeting our baby boy one hot summer night in midtown. 

Thanks Ashley and Aron! You’ve definitely managed to become true New Yorkers in a short period of time. I know there are good things to come.

All photos courtesy of Hither and Thither