I’m holding on to summer like a screaming toddler holds on to the bag of candy that mom just bought at the sweet shop. I’m going to put my fingers in my ears and tell fall to take a hike while I sip a cucumber lemonade chiller from one of the new bars in Lower Manhattan. In this edition of Lights On, we also have a shop that sells miniature baked goods and another branch of a popular Mexican food chain. Can you guess which chain? The lines forming outside their doors every day around noon give them away.
Sit back and enjoy the last dregs of summer. You’ll get a fresh cup soon enough.
Manhattan Proper, 6 Murray Street, (646) 559-4445
This venue, with its black and white décor, multiple flat-screens and a menu that goes beyond typical pub fare, is serving an upscale version of the restaurant/bar to the folks around Murray Street. Executive Chef Rachon Banks has created a menu that mixes cultures and cuisines. Start with a salad, or try an appetizer, such as the chicken wings, the bacon-wrapped dates or Andouille sausage sliders with rosemary creole mustard. Sandwiches include a variety of burgers, such as the truffle burger with manchego and a balsamic reduction, and a chicken club with basil mayo. For dessert, order the sweet potato pie or the triple chocolate brownie. A wide selection of draft beers and wines are available as well as seasonal cocktails, which currently include the Truth Serum (we know this will be strong), signature Proper Peach Tea, and the Cucumber Lemonade Chiller.
Chipotle, 275 Greenwich, (646) 412-3981
Chipotle is a solid, dependable destination for an always-quality burrito. You know what to expect. And fans in Lower Manhattan must be asking for more because Chipotle keeps bringing new restaurants to our district. This outpost may help alleviate long lines at other locations, or Chipotle will just have to open even more restaurants. Either way, west siders can enjoy the build-your-own burrito bar without walking quite as far. This Chipotle marks the fourth location to open south of Chambers Street. We welcome it.
Baked By Melissa, 110 Fulton Street, (212) 842-0220
Teeny-tiny is in. As long as Melissa lets me buy four or five of these miniature cupcakes at a time, all will be well. The treat shop comes to a portion of Fulton that’s looking forward to several new openings, including a Greek restaurant I’ve been anticipating for a while. We have Red Mango for yogurt; now we have Baked By Melissa for treats of a more bite-sized nature. The cupcakes come in a wide variety of flavors, including a flavor of the month, which for August has been the snow-covered pretzel. Other flavors include the chocolate chip pancake, red velvet, cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, tie-die, cookie dough, and peanut butter cup. Choose a flavor from the store or you can create your own flavor for orders of 300 minis or more.
