In case your White Party Pinterest board didn't pan out the way that you planned, you can always keep it local this Labor Day weekend and celebrate with the great New York City tradition of dining out. Here are some city spots offering specials to finish the summer up strong to folks bound to the five boroughs:
Manhattan By Sail is kicking your Sunday up a nautical notch by hosting brunch out on a sailboat. Leaving port at 11 a.m., the Shearwater schooner glides 40 brunchers out on the Hudson for a full buffet and open champagne bar. The cost is steep—$95 dollars for adults—but it might be worth all the mimosas you can drink in your nautically-themed pashmina afghan. Sails depart from North Cove Yacht Harbor
Back on shore, the West Side Country Fair is heading to Riverside Park on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Along with carnival rides, live music, and aerial acts, you can nosh on the local spots of the Upper West Side, including Greek fare from Anthi's, wood-fired pizzas from Carmello's, Andy's Ices and more. 66th to 70th Streets, in Riverside Park
(Narcissa)
If you're missing your Southern roots during the long weekend, head over to Narcissa, inside the Standard Hotel in the East Village. On Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., they're serving up a Lowcountry boil and picnic on their garden terrace. Gorge on blue crab and shrimp, hush puppies, and cream cheese-frosted carrot cake for $45 a person, with draft beers running $5 per pint and $20 per pitcher. 25 Cooper Square, call (212) 228-3344 for reservations
Belgian restaurant Resto is putting on a Thai Crab Boil this Labor Day Monday. For $50, guests can dine on green coconut curry crab, sticky rice, sausage spring rolls, and finish it off with mango tapioca pudding. Admission also includes select draft beer and wine; you're on staycation, after all. 111 E 29th Street, call 212-685-5585 or use OpenTable for reservations
For the super-charged animals out at Electric Zoo—which throws down on Randalls Island on Labor Day weekend—don't miss the new-and-improved food spread they're pimping out this year. Check out the full list here, but highlights include Kimchi Taco, Luke’s Lobster, and Melt Bakery. And Brooklyn Baked & Fried. Aaaand that handmade cheese place. You know what, don't even see the music acts. Just eat the food. Individual tickets are still on sale for the three-day festival
Don't forget the Queens outpost of gastro-extravaganza Smorgasburg out in Long Island City. Nothing says summer like getting BBQ sauce and ramen burger all over your Nantucket-red knee-length shorts.
If you're looking to celebrate outside without laboring a hole in your pocket, check out Bro-Mexican staple Blockheads. For the entire Labor Day weekend (including Friday night), every location is offering Bulldogs (a margarita with a Corona stuck upside down in the middle) for 50% off. Chug a few of those and you're guaranteed a hangover-induced Netflix binge the following day. Blockheads has seven locations in NYC
