July 4th Dining Deals & Specials for Those Staying Put in NYC
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<p>For July 4th, <a href="http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/bills-bar-burger/">Bill's Bar and Burger</a> is pulling out its super-special secret weapon: the apple pie milkshake. The downtown Manhattan burger joint is known for its simple pleasures, and what could be better than a new one that embodies two characteristics of "all that is American"? (Obesity and diabetes?)<em><p></p>22 9th Avenue, Manhattan; (212) 414-3003</em></p>
<p>This weekend promises to be a scorcher, but there are some delicious ways to beat the heat. <a href="http://nycfoodguy.com/2010/07/02/hester-street-fair-exclusive/">According to NYCFoodGuy,</a> the Hester Street Fair on Saturday will see the debut of two frozen treats. La Newyorkina, makers of the artisanal Mexican ice pops known as <em>paletas</em>, will be introducing their watermelon flavorâwhich sounds like it could very well be better than the real thingâis made with simple syrup, a hint of lime juice, and a puree of the rind to recreate the appearance of a watermelon slice. </p><p></p>Meanwhile, politically-themed ice cream maker Guerilla Ice Cream will be serving up two flavors known as Redcoat (spicy cranberry shaved ice with pop rocks) and Chinatown tea party (Steel Buddha tea sorbet with Chinese walnut cookies and dragonfruit). All this really puts the icing on the fair's collaboration with Santos Party House this weekend.<p></p><em>The Hester Street Fair; Hester and Essex Street, Lower East Side; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday; http://www.hesterstreetfair.com</em>
<p>Yakitori restaurant <a href="http://www.izakayaten.com">Izakaya Ten</a>, located on the west side of Manhattan, offers a keen opportunity for fun on July 4th. With $1 sake by the glass all day until midnight, you can imbibe and enjoy the walking-distance fireworks over the nearby Hudson River as well. It's a great sake, tooâa Hoyo Genji "Shining Prince" Junmai from Miyagi, which is usually $9 per glass. It's a special treat that won't hurt your wallet this weekend.</p><p></p><em>207 10th Ave, Manhattan; (212) 627-7777</em>
<em>Hongos ($4.50): Mixed mushrooms and seasonal vegetables with lime-pickled onions.</em><p></p>New Jersey's popular <a href="http://thetacotruck.com/">Taco Truck</a>, which has long offered simple, sustainable Mexican cuisine in the California spirit, will be opening up its first brick-and-mortar location just in time for July 4th weekend, and it will provide the opportunity for a bit of adventure, some good food, and a perfect perch from which to watch the Hudson River fireworks. Diners can pick up tacos, tortas and tamales, along with authentic aguas frescas and Mexican sodas, then walk one block to the river and watch the celebrations unfolding against the Manhattan skyline.<p></p><em>62 Newark St, Hoboken, New Jersey; (201) 850-1400</em>
<a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/10/22/new_restaurants_on_the_radar_the_va.php">The Vanderbilt</a> is offering a sweet holiday prix fixe on Sunday, when rocking chef <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/07/23/saul_interview.php">Saul Bolton</a>'s Prospect Heights restaurant will dish out a three course dinner with all you can eat sides for just $25. The menu [<a href="http://www.thevanderbiltnyc.com/pdf/TheVanderbilt_FourthOfJuly.pdf">pdf</a>] starts with a Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad with Purslane, jerez vinegar; followed by a choice of Southern fried chicken with Aleppo pepper OR Smoked Hampshire pork cheeks with peach BBQ sauce. Dessert is Seasonal Fruit Cobbler with Evens Farmhouse buttermilk ice cream. AND for an extra $10 you can get unlimited pints of SixPoint Brewery's two custom brews, Sweet Action or Uncle Sam's Lager. Uncle Sam wants YOU to get loaded!<p></p>
<p>The <em>Sex In The City</em>-famous <a href="http://www.magnoliabakery.com/">Magnolia Bakery</a> is celebrating in colors this weekend. This season's blueberries are the star of the show, filling the bakery's delicious blueberry pies and topping off its red-and-white red velvet cupcakes. Though this is sure to be a busy weekend for the bakery, especially with such tempting goodness, the July 4th goodies are available at all four of its locations, and it is still taking last-minute orders.</p><p></p><em>401 Bleecker St, (212) 462-2572; 200 Columbus Ave, (212) 724-8101; Rockefeller Center (1240 6th Ave), (212) 767-1123; Grand Central, (212) 682-3588; all in Manhattan</em>
<em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tienmao/4650955322/">Tien Mao's Flickr</a></em><p></p>And of course, there are hot dogs, the quintessential July 4th indulgence, which you can consume competitively or at your leisure at Nathan's Famous on Coney Island this weekend, and every weekend.