Todd English's Sexy New CrossBar

Dreamy lobster guacamole

Is it sacrilegious to say one of the sexiest new summer spots in the city stands in a former Gothic church? Todd English's ode to pork CrossBar, in Limelight Marketplace, is undeniable seductive from the second you walk through the shiny red doors.

The interiors, with a fireplace rotisserie surrounded by regal reds and dark woods, look like a scene from "The Tudors." Picture Henry VIII gorging on a spit roast pig.

Lil' pulled pork tacos

If that's your fantasy, starting this weekend your dreams can come true. On July 9th, CrossBar is introducing the all day Saturday Backyard BBQ.

A $24 prix fixe menu gets you roast suckling pig, two sides and house made sweet tea or lemonade. If you don't eat pork, you can get BBQ chicken instead.

Summertime action centers around the lavish courtyard that recalls an exotic Moroccan riad. On a recent outing, the steady stream of gorgeous food - much of it sharable - kept heads turning. And the staff graciously identified everything we kept pointing to.on the "global American" menu: pulled pork bites, duck sliders, elotes, giant pork schnitzel.

Score a cabana

The best seats in the house are outdoors. Two seductive cabanas flank the courtyard. These plush daybeds, adorned with cozy cushions and  discreet curtains are perfect for two. Planning a special date? Book one of these beauties and thank me later.

Now that the mood is set, share some nibbles and tipples. The lobster guac ($16) is meaty, decadent and delicious. The lil' crunchy tacos - which come in four options - tuna tartare, fish, chicken or pulled pork - are also popular sharable snacks. The pulled pork taco ($12) is really tasty. Sticky sweet meat comes alive with soft hominy and fresh jalapeno.

Drink this

Was dying to try the puffed pig's ears with smoked paprika ($8), but got vetoed by the table. Is it as good as the addictive spicy pork rind at Chicago's The Publican?, I ask myself, while sipping my thirst quenching One and Don tequila cocktail ($13) with strawberry-jalapeno mash and lime. I'll worry about that next time.

For now, I'm loving my oversized copper mug just as much as the kicky booze inside. (The beverage menu is carefully designed: cask beers, whisky flights, 'Old + New Testament' wines, and cocktails with housemade infusions.)

Sunday brunch begins July 19th. And daily specials including Confessions after Dark on Thursday nights sound very intriguing. It's luring me back already.

47 W 20th St near Sixth Ave

212 359 5550

Whole suckling pig dinners are available.

East Village Trilby's Secret Summer BBQ

Mini short rib sandwiches

The new Trilby in posh Cooper Square Hotel has come up with a great summer concept: the Saturday garden BBQ. And undoubtedly it has one of the best gardens in the East Village. A true hidden urban oasis.

So what's the problem? Getting the service kinks out and getting the grill going.

Secret garden party

We visited on a lazy Saturday afternoon around 5 pm, hoping it wouldn't be mobbed. It wasn't.

Strangely, there's no written menu or promotion of the BBQ specials. The drinks include Pimm's cup ($12), rose ($10), and beer ($5), and rotating meats from the grill. Specials of the day were charcoal grilled burgers ($7) and hot dogs ($4). You can also order from the regular menu, which we were offered. So we opted for some rose, a cheeseburger, and from the regular menu, the mini short rib sandwiches ($12).

Outdoor grilled burger

Service was painfully slow despite the lack of crowds. The grill master was having a hard time keeping the grill going. Lots of smoke and wafts of lighter fluid. The burger took so long it was taken off the bill. It comes picnic-style on a paper plate with a side of potato chips. I'd nix the overly processed slice of cheese.

Otherwise, I'm optimistic they'll find a groove, and the chef will be owning the grill next time.

For a neighborhood summer outing this holiday weekend, the setting is unbeatable. 

25 Cooper Square

Between E 5th + 6th Sts, enter on 5th St

Saturday Summer BBQs, 3-9 pm through Aug

212 475 3400