NYC Life: Late Summer Escapes You’ll Love

We’re heading to the stunning vineyards of Long Island’s North Fork for a day of wine, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Grab your ticket now.  Whether you’re craving timeless melodies, experimental soundscapes, or dance-worthy grooves, Bryant Park’s free summer performances offer something unforgettable for every music lover. There’s a new nautical restaurant in Chelsea that everyone’s buzzing about. Klimt’s immersive art show is back, and our roving photographer takes us to the Ripped Bodice bookstore. Summer’s not over—let’s celebrate every last moment!

Sip, Savor & Celebrate on the North Fork!

This all-inclusive adventure features round-trip transportation (with pickups in NYC and Hicksville), tastings at three top vineyards plus a picnic lunch, live music, and gift bags. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just wine-curious, you’ll meet other fabulous, fun-loving “Tomatoes” (and yes, guys are welcome too!). Spots are limited—grab your ticket now and join us for a delicious escape! GET THE DETAILS.

 For the Love of Dogs

Andrea Peponokis pays tribute to her beloved dog, Jayda, who had to say goodbye to earlier this week. In the new silence of her home with no loyal shadow following here, she reflected on the many lessons we learn from our dogs, which she shares today along with beautiful photos of Jayda at some of Long Island’s wonderful dog friendly beaches. Read more.

Summer’s Final Musical Performances at Bryant Park  

August and September close out with a dynamic mix of performances at Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America, the free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture —from Dez Duron’s smooth crooner vibes from Carnegie City Hall to Bryant Park’s genre-bending Picnic Performances featuring Vicky Chow, Jessica Pavone, and Joy Guidry. The Town Hall turns up the funk with New York Loves Sly! led by Steven Bernstein and a star-studded lineup, while ACCORDIONS AROUND THE WORLD celebrates global rhythms with artists from Brazil to the borderlands.

Friday, August 8 – Dez Duron at Carnegie City Hall Park StageNBC’s The Voice alum and Broadway breakout Dez Duron brings his signature blend of classic crooner charm and modern pop to Carnegie City Hall’s outdoor stage. With smooth vocals and magnetic presence, Duron delivers timeless standards and heartfelt originals in a performance that promises soulful storytelling and unforgettable melodies.

Just Announced! Thursday, September 11 – Bryant Park Picnic Performances Finale
Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America wraps its summer 2025 season with a genre-defying evening curated by Roulette.
🎹 Pianist Vicky Chow performs Surface Image, an evening-length solo piano work by Tristan Perich.
🎻 Composer Jessica Pavone presents new material with her String Ensemble.
🎶 Bassoonist and performance artist Joy Guidry opens with a solo set that blends experimental sound and emotional depth.
This free performance marks the launch of Roulette’s Fall 2025 Season—don’t miss it!

Saturday, August 30 – The Town Hall: New York Loves Sly! Feat. Steven Bernstein
Get ready to groove! Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra pays tribute to funk legend Sly Stone with a powerhouse lineup of NYC artists including Joan as Policewoman, Vernon Reid, and Corey Glover. Expect soul, R&B, and funk reimagined with bold energy and iconic flair.

Friday, August 29 – ACCORDIONS AROUND THE WORLD: Full Lineup Announced!
Celebrate the global sounds of the squeezebox with a vibrant lineup:
🇧🇷 Livia Mattos (Brazil)
🎺 David Wax Museum
🎶 Santiago Jimenez, Jr.
🎉 La Banda Chusk
This eclectic performance brings accordion artistry center stage in a joyful, cross-cultural celebration.




NYC’s Latest Rooftop Restaurant

Perched atop Chelsea’s Starrett-Lehigh Building, The Yacht Club is the latest—and most ambitious—venture from the Grand Banks crew, offering a 20,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor dining experience that channels vintage maritime elegance with panoramic Hudson River views2. Chef Andrés Grundy (formerly of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Raoul’s) delivers a seafood-forward menu that’s both refined and playful: think Seared Montauk Golden Tilefish, Atlantic Skate Wing meunière, and a Lobster Roll à la Minute made from a whole 1½-pound Maine lobster. The terrace menu adds flair with pizzettes, Wagyu-and-Foie-Gras sliders, and Black Angus kebabs, while oysters—especially the custom-grown Sailor Baby from Peconic Bay—are a standout, curated by an in-house oyster sommelier1.

The cocktail program is equally thoughtful, featuring rum-forward creations like the Eclipse and Delphine, plus a trio of martinis and Negroni variations. The wine list, curated by Anthony Gochal, balances easy-drinking options with cellar-worthy splurges. With walnut booths, Art Deco sconces, rope-wrapped columns, and reservable cabanas, the ambiance evokes a luxe yacht club from a bygone era—without feeling stuffy2.

Located at 212 Twelfth Avenue and open daily from 11am to 11pm, The Yacht Club is more than a rooftop—it’s a full-on celebration of New York’s maritime spirit, perfect for sunset cocktails, seafood towers, and summer escapism. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW.

Gustav Klimt: The Immersive Experience Returns to NYC!

If you missed it last time, now’s your chance—Gustav Klimt: The Immersive Experience is back at the stunning Hall des Lumières in Lower Manhattan, running from July 15 to August 31, 2025. This multisensory exhibit transforms Klimt’s iconic works into breathtaking 360º digital projections, accompanied by music and architectural grandeur.

What to Expect

  • Masterpieces Reimagined: See The Kiss, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, and more come alive on walls, floors, and ceilings.
  • Immersive Setting: Hosted in a historic Beaux-Arts bank building, the venue adds elegance and depth to the experience.
  • Multi-Experience Ticket: Admission also includes access to Hundertwasser: In the Wake of the Vienna Secession and 5 Movements.

Venue Details

  • Location: Hall des Lumières, 49 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
  • Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
  • Duration: ~1 hour
  • Accessibility: ADA compliant
  • Age Suitability: Best for ages 5+, not recommended for children under 2

Get the details.

The Ripped Bodice

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

For the love of books and romance, I finally made it to The Ripped Bodice bookstore.

The founders are two sisters from Los Angeles, where they opened their original romance-focused bookstore in 2016. In 2023, they branched out into Park Slope, fitting in perfectly amidst a plethora of adorable Brooklyn boutiques. The Ripped Bodice stands out with its pretty in pink storefront and hand-painted floral floors. The walls are lined with endless shelves and where there are no shelves, there are pages and pages from books, wallpapering the background. Surrounded by words on the page are plenty of perfectly curated kitschy gift items for sale, supporting other women-owned businesses and craftspeople.

This store brings happiness to all who enter, whether for a good recommendation, a book club event or a gift-wrapped surprise novel.  Literature and love are in the air there!

~Nicole is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath”

The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato

Cheryl Benton

The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes. Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.