Best NY Apps: Our shortlist

So the Quiksilver Pro NY is getting closer and closer – are you ready?  Here are some of our favorite apps to help you navigate the city and beyond.

Best App Ever In the Whole World*

(*disclaimer: opinions may vary)

Around Me – free

Have you ever been absolutely starving in an unfamiliar town and are all, “Wow, I’d really like some food, but wish I knew what restaurants were AROUND ME”?  Or, “I have a sudden urge to go see The Fast & The Furiouser, I wonder if there’s a movie theater AROUND ME?” You get the idea.  Around Me clues you in to almost everything within walking distance from your location: banks, coffee shops, pharmacies, grocery stores, etc.

Food:

Open Table – free

Try land that 8pm reservation at Lupa with Open Table.

Urban Spoon – free

In the mood for fish tacos but have no idea where the taco spots are? Urban Spoon’s got you covered.

New York Street Food – free

You can check out our suggestions, or you can download this app that tells you where 100 of the best street food vendors are at all times.

Transportation:

CLICK HERE for our suggestions.

General:

Google Maps – free

Duh.

Weather Channel – free

Again, duh.

Sorta fascinating:

Spot Crime NYC – free

It’ll keep you informed…or make you totally paranoid.

Drinking in Manhattan: Réunion

Named after a small volcanic island off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Réunion calls itself a “French surf bar” and the description is pretty spot on, minus the French.  Owner, surfer, and resterauneur Thomas Wilson (of Mas (farmhouse) fame) reunited with some old buddies to bring you things like the Dodo dog and the Shark Fry tacos, along with slushy frozen drinks that’ll have you singing “Tiny Bubbles” in no time.

(image via alwayshungry)

Réunion

630 9^th Avenue (Hell’s Kitchen)

212-582-3200

Drinking in Manhattan: The Frying Pan

So after work we really like to catch a cab over to the far westside and climb aboard the Frying Pan, a 1929 historic lightship-cum-bar docked on a railroad car barge.  We order our burgers and beer at the big bar on the pier, then walk the observation plank to watch the sun set.  NYC rules.

The Frying Pan

Pier 66 at 26^th St and West Side Hwy (Chelsea)

Drinking in Brooklyn: Saint Vitus

As the name implies, Saint Vitus is a straight-up metal bar with live bands, Kill ‘Em All metal karaoke, and a weekly hardcore night.  $3 buns (cheese steak, sausage, bbq tofu and more) sop up booze specials like the Pope: a Coors Banquet tall boy and shot of Tullamore Dew with a Brooklyn Brine pickleback.  If we could live here, we would.  All hail Saint Vitus.

Saint Vitus Bar

1120 Manhattan Avenue (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

Drinking in Manhattan: Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs

Matt Abramcyk has become a well-known name in the city as owner of the (sadly now-defunct) anything-goes Beatrice Inn, West Village speakeasy eatery Employees Only, Smith & Mills, and upscale sports bar Warren 77 (Sean Avery is a co-owner).  He’s expanded his empire with Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs, housed in a Tribeca townhouse.  Go for dinner, stay for many, many drinks.

(image via T Magazine)

Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs

135 W. Broadway (Tribeca)

212-374-1135

Drinking in Manhattan: Smith & Mills

Stepping into Smith & Mills is like stepping back into the 1800s, and not in a weird steampunk kind of way.  The tiny bar sits in an old carriage house, and the bathroom (believe it or not) is something you’ve got to see.  Twists on classic cocktails are the main thing here; the wine list is small but good, and the ricotta cheese with honey pretty much rules when it comes to bar snacks.  They’re also open for lunch and dinner.

Smith & Mills 

71 N Moore Street  (Tribeca)

212-226-2515

We love our Quiksilver Pro partners: Swingbelly’s BBQ

BBQ-lovers, you are in luck with Swingbellys.  Not only is their food delicious, but they have the following specials that you need to pay close attention to:

Mondays – all-you-can-eat Monster wings for $9.99, and $10 pitchers

Tuesday – Fried chicken night, with 5 pieces, a side, and cornbread for $12.95

Thursdays – $1 rib night.  Yes, you heard us – each rib is only ONE DOLLAR.  Seriously?

Plus, they have a live surf cam.

(images courtesy Thomas Brookins)

Swingbelly’s BBQ

909 West Beech Street, Long Beach

516-431-3464

We love our Quiksilver Pro partners: Jimmy Hays Steak House

People claim that Jimmy Hays is the best steakhouse on Long Island, and who are we to argue with the people?  If you love cheese or garlic bread, order the infamous Gorgonzola Garlic Bread appetizer.  And since it IS a steakhouse, you’re pretty much obligated to order beef, like the Brontosaurus-sized porterhouse for two or the ribeye.  Tip: Jimmy Hays is one of the few places on our Long Island list that you can’t roll into right off the beach; shorts, sand, and flip-flops won’t fly at this spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Hays Steak House

4310 Austin Blvd, Island Park NY

516-432-5155

We love our Quiksilver Pro partners: The Beach House

Wanna get your weekend sports fix while taking a break from the beach?  The Beach House is your jam, with plenty of TVs broadcasting every game or match possible (well, maybe not curling)…and buffalo calamari!

The Beach House

906 West Beech Street, Long Beach

516-208-8733

Dining in Long Island: Vito’s

If Vito’s was a person, he’d be a big Italian guy that was all, “Oi mate, how’s about a pint and some chips?  Fuhgeddaboutit!”  ‘Cause see, the big thing about Vito’s is its fish and chips – not pizza, as the name might imply.  Prime location right on the beach side, next to the showers.  Showers!

Vito’s (no website)

5 New York Ave, Long Beach

516-889-4650