Rainy day lunch yesterday at Jack's Wife Freda. Think the rain will stop all of New York's hippest from lunching at this little restaurant on Lafayette? Think again. This place is jam packed pretty much all day every day. Don't worry about the wait though- the great staff there will have you seated quickly.

You know when you have had a late start to the day and then you go out for lunch, but you really feel like breakfast? Jack's Wife Freda is the answer to that question- they serve breakfast all day. I recommend the Mediterranean Breakfast on a hot day as it is a very cool and refreshing dish, and the Green Shakshuka on a cold, gray day when you are in need of some comfort food. And to drink? A nana tea with fresh mint, please.

Easy and Refreshing Summer Dinner

After a long day at work on a hot and sticky New York City summer day, you want to come home to a delicious, light, and healthy dinner, instead of slaving in the kitchen for two hours making something that only has a slight chance of turning out edible. My new go-to summer dish is this broccoli and arugula soup from Goop. It pairs well with a cannellini bean hummus, also from Goop.

The Other Croissant 
First came Dominique's Ansel famous Cronut, and now there is City Bakery's  pretzel croissant. Like my experience with the Cronut, I was skeptical at first, but after a few bites, pleasantly surprised. I also got a mixed berry scone, which I intended to be my actual breakfast, but I ended up finishing off the speciality croissant and pushing my scone to the side. I enjoyed the pretzel croissant because it is not only delicious, but it also confused me: this pastry has the flaky and buttery texture of a croissant but the saltiness of a pretzel. It tasted like I was eating a pretzel, but felt like I was eating a croissant. Who doesn't want to try that? The pretzel croissant joins the Cronut as a clever and delicious convergence of an American classic with a French one. 

Hail to the Kale... or not
First kale chips take over... and now kale pops? While I am partial to a batch of perfectly salted homemade kale chips, the kale pop is not for me. A mix of kale, spinach, apple, pineapple, ginger, and lemon you'd think it would taste like a delicious and healthy green juice, but alas, this kale creation fails to impress. After wandering around the West Village for an hour, I managed to find Life Thyme Market, home to the kale pop. I eagerly opened the plastic wrapper and took a big lick. Unfortunately, there was too much ginger, which overpowered the other flavors. While I won't be traveling back to this market for one of these health pops, I may try doing at home version... and I do recommend this market for vegan and healthy staples! 

Coconut-everything, gluten-free pancakes from Goop, made with coconut flour, coconut butter, and raw coconut brown sugar. Tip: instead of butter in the pan, melt some cacao butter and pour a bit of that on the pan.

Breakfast done right.

Chunk watermelon cooler:
1. Mix ice and watermelon in a blender.
2. Pour into a glass and serve with a sprig of fresh mint.

Yogurt and fruit bowl: grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, Ronnybrook Farms plain yogurt from the Green Market sprinkled with a mix of sweetened and raw cacao nibs (all cacao products can be found at whole foods)

It's Simple, It's Easy, and It's Green 

Kale from the farmer's market done two ways.

Kale Chips:
1. Wash kale and cut off stems.
2. Spread the kale on a pan and drizzle with olive oil and salt.
3. Put in oven until dark green and crispy, remembering to turn the leaves.

Greens and Rice Bowl:
1. Wash kale and cut off stems.
2. Pour olive oil (however much you like) into hot pan.
3. Put kale in pan and generously drizzle with lemon. Sauté the kale lightly.
4. Mix sautéed kale in a bowl with brown nice and avocados. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Chili flakes would also be good if you like a little spice.

Almond cake with sorbet at Boulud Sud. The service is impeccable, the waiters handsome, and the food artful. Each dish exhibits finesse and a large flavor profile. I recommend the octopus à la plancha.

Lunch at Lafayette in Soho. I had been meaning to go for months, and I'm so glad I finally did because it is a must. If going for lunch or dinner, opt for the frisee salad with lardons and a poached egg. And their creamy, salted French butter is divine. 

This summer plan to stop for lunch at La Esquina in Williamsburg. Opt to sit outside on the patio at a picnic table in the shade under an umbrella. With a ping pong table, fun music, and bright red barstools you feel like you are at the beach! And their spicy salsa is a must. 

Simple, clean, and green. Fresh, homemade spinach pasta from the Greenmarket. Visit the market or make it yourself! 

Dinner at Bubby's  across the street from the Highline. I recommend the kale salad and the lentil burger. And don't miss out on one of their famous sundaes or ice cream sodas for dessert! 

No-cook, vegetarian lasagna. Buy fresh zucchini and tomatoes from your local farmer's market. Cut both thinly. Drizzle the zucchini with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Alternatively layer zucchini, tomatoes, and goat cheese.

Sunday breakfast: farmer's market strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, green grapes, a soft boiled egg, and small whole grain toast rounds. And of course the Sunday Style section.

Iced coffee and hazelnut-almond cake baked with homemade apricot jam at Duane Park Patisserie. The perfect spot to sit and relax on a cool summer day.

Picnic for breakfast in the park: Pellegrino, blood orange juice, watermelon with fresh mint, small French vanilla yogurts (find the nice brand that comes in a jar at whole foods and serve with chestnut cream), and gruyere cheese.

Rainy morning breakfast at Via Quadronno. For breakfast there, I love to order a latte and a croissant- either with powdered sugar or their homemade apricot jam.

Summer salad: cucumber, watermelon, feta, fresh mint, pinch of sea salt, olive oil, dash of balsamic vinegar.

Framboise tart from the Ladurée in Soho, which opened this past winter. Having tea out of pastel china in their formal dining room or garden makes you feel like French royalty.

Homemade madeleines using my French grandfather's secret recipe. Best with some lemon juice and plenty of lemon zest. Top with powdered sugar before serving.

Caramel ice cream sunday at abc kitchen.  Salty popcorn and peanuts balance the sweetness of the ice cream and dollop of whipped cream. 

Passion fruit and raspberry sorbet from Pierre's in Bridgehampton pair well together. 

A Sunday afternoon spent reading the paper and dining on rich chocolate gelato at  Tarallucci e Vino.

Poached eggs, potatoes, and asparagus with pink peppercorns for brunch at Tarallucci e Vino on the Upper West Side.

Homemade pesto on quinoa pasta. To change it up, add kale or white beans to the pesto. 

Elevate a summer picnic by placing your food on a large wood cutting board. Pack baguette, prosciutto or ham, French butter, and fresh figs.

Mercer Kitchen's light-as-air cheesecake with blood orange sorbet. A nice dessert after a summer lunch as it is not at all heavy like most cheesecakes. 

My favorite snack: a cappuccino with dark chocolate. Whole Foods and Green & Black make the best dark, bitter chocolates. Sometimes I also like to get cacao chocolate with cacao nibs, as it is healthier than regular black chocolate. Cacao chocolate can be found at Whole Foods or any local health food store.

A easy and delicious summer grill recipe. Form store bought pizza dough into ovals and grill. Top with a salad of mozzarella, orange and red tomatoes, and arugula. Drizzle with olive oil. Best eaten in the sun.

The go-to summer lunch: whole wheat bread, fresh mozzarella, and baby tomatoes, all topped with olive oil, a dash of balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil. Salt and pepper to taste.

Turn watermelon into a yummy snack by adding some fresh mint. A great way to cool off in the summer heat.

A homemade watermelon cooler makes the perfect afternoon drink or healthy dessert on a hot summer day.

Watermelon
Cucumber (use less cucumber than watermelon)
Honey
Lime juice
Mint
Ice

Cut watermelon into chunks and blend in a food processor. Place a sieve over a medium-seized bowl and pour the watermelon juice into it. Using a spoon press down on the watermelon until all the juice has gone into the bowl. Repeat the same process with the cucumber and combine. Combine lime juice and honey in a separate bowl, then pour this mixture into the bowl with the cucumber and watermelon. Pour into a pitcher and add ice. Serve with mint.

The best gelato cart in the city is L'Arte del Gelato. Locations include outside the Guggenheim, on the Highline, and by Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn.