This week in NYC, marked

Spots on my radar that just opened – or are already accepting reservations.

• El Califa de León (opened 8/6): The Mexico City taqueria that became the world’s first Michelin-starred taco stand in 2024 (but lost its star this spring) just opened its first NYC location in Flatiron.

• Frenzie (opened 8/13): The team behind Confidant in Brooklyn Heights opened a late night wine and pizza bar next door. They’ve got sourdough pies until midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends, plus wine and small plates.

• Recente (opened 8/13): A coastal Italian aperitivo bar in the East Village from Dante alums, with spritzes and a courtyard garden.

• Pony’s (opens Saturday, 8/22): A new cocktail bar in Red Hook. The furniture’s all handmade, and horse and meadow motifs turn up in unexpected spots.

• Ugly Baby (opens Thursday, 8/27): The beloved Thai spot that closed in Carroll Gardens is now open again, this time in Williamsburg. Reservations are already booked through August, but September just opened up.

My favorite things to do between 8/17 – 8/23.

• Bar Kabawa x Win Son (8/18-8/20): Each month a different NYC kitchen gets one week to put its own spin on a Caribbean patty at Bar Kabawa. This round it’s Win Son Bakery, with a Taiwanese pork and fermented black bean patty.

• A Night at Nonna’s Table at L’Artusi (8/21): A four-course, family-style dinner of Italian Sunday classics at L’Artusi’s supper club location.

• Brooklyn & Bronx Summer Streets (8/22): One more Saturday for Brooklyn & the Bronx – Eastern Parkway and the Grand Concourse close to cars for biking and walking, 9am to 5pm.

• MSG box office tickets for Olivia Dean (8/17, 8/18): Resale sites have tickets going for $800+, but you can get them for a fraction of the cost at the Box Office. I first heard about this from Emily’s TikTok, and people on Reddit have posted having the same experience, walking away with face-value $150 tickets.

Another week of highs in the 80s, so let’s eat our way through it.

This is pulled from my cold treats guide – the full list also covers frozen cocktails, soft serve, and ice cream sandwiches, if you want the rest of the lineup.

• Matcha strawberry slushie at Gem Home: The café and homewares shop on Mott Street in Nolita does a matcha slushie with strawberries for summer. I’ve seen them make it with both Harry’s Berries and local ones.

• Pineapple lemonade slushie at Slik: The Copenhagen-inspired candy and soft serve shop in the East Village, from the Smør team. They’re also serving up slushies for the summer.

• Tahini coffee slushie at Edith’s: Officially the Iced Café Slushie – cold brew blended with tahini and oat milk – from the Williamsburg and West Village sandwich counter. I loved it as much as I thought I would.

• Frozen cold brew at Cafe Bureau: The concept store in Williamsburg is a clothing shop with both a coffee bar and wine list. Their frozen cold brew is strong and refreshing, and they have wifi if you want to work, or a backyard pool table if you don’t.

• Strawberry slushie at the McCarren Farmers Market: Farmers market strawberries, blended, by Williams Fruit Farm at the McCarren Park farmers market in Greenpoint. Also at Grand Army.

• Maple freeze at Culture Espresso: The Midtown coffee shop known for its molten chocolate chip cookie also blends a maple freeze in summer – essentially a maple coffee slushie.

The recurring weeknight experiences that get you out of the apartment without wrecking your bedtime.

This section is sponsored by Helix. I upgraded my mattress to their Midnight Luxe a few months ago and have been loving it. Their Labor Day sale is live now.

• Mondays: Trivia at Montague Diner (Brooklyn Heights), 8pm. Categories rotate weekly, and you’re playing over a milkshake or a drink instead of at a bar. Wraps by 9:30.

• Tuesdays: British Movie Night at Jones Wood Foundry (Upper East Side). Dinner at 6:30, film starts at 7:45. This week’s screening is Snatch.

• Wednesdays: Sunset yoga at Bryant Park, free, on the lawn, Wednesday evenings through mid-September.

• Thursdays: Dinner and a burlesque show at Seventy Seven Alley (Tribeca). A chef tasting menu from Chef London Chase, then a reserved table next door at Saint Tuesday for jazz and burlesque.

• Fridays: Hot Dog Day at Elbow Bread (Lower East Side). The one day a week the Dimes Square bakery makes hot dogs in addition to baked goods. Already on my summer bucket list, so this is your excuse to finally cross it off.

Elizabeth Street Garden is saved for good. After years of fighting a plan to demolish it for affordable housing, the city struck a deal to keep Elizabeth Street Garden alive. The garden will stay a public space, and the affordable housing developer will build on an alternate site nearby instead.

Outdoor dining is coming back year-round. The City Council passed a bill to end the seasonal rule that made restaurants tear down and rebuild their outdoor dining sheds every winter.

If you run a restaurant, bar, hotel, or brand and think there’s a good fit for something together in Marked, email me at team@markedbymorgan.com.