Becca Knows Best: Your Bi-Coastal Restaurant Guide for Summer 2025

The Becca team has returned for a third dispatch of “Becca Knows Best,” bringing bi-coastal recommendations on the best spots to soak up these last weeks of summer.

Whether you’re looking to take a work meeting outside, celebrate one-on-one with a client, host a summer party, or just hope to cool down with a refreshing drink, the below guide has you covered for any occasion.

The Occasion: You’re hosting a summer party

The Spot: The Yacht Club (NYC)

Hosting media or clients for a summer party in the city? Be the first to welcome them to the newest venue from Crew Hospitality, The Yacht Club. Named NYC’s “restaurant of the summer” by The New York Post,  the refined dining and events destination is spread across 20,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space on the tenth floor of RXR’s Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea. The open-air Lido Deck has two levels of terraces plus reservable cabanas, while the elegant indoor dining room enjoys sweeping views of Manhattan’s westside waterways. If indoors is more your vibe, you can fill the 85-seat dining room or The Captain’s Quarters, a 40-person private dining room and cocktail bar. No matter the size of the event you’re planning, The Yacht Club will have a space to suit.

The Occasion: You need a fun place to sip and eat while you’re in Midtown

The Spot: Pebble Bar at the Rink (NYC)

When a client meeting requires a trip to Midtown, why not use the opportunity to explore a venue that feels quintessentially like New York? Pebble Bar at The Rink is a summer experience set within Rockefeller Center’s iconic rink that brings the bar’s balanced cocktails, seamless service, and a slice of Europe to the heart of New York City. Indulge in a menu of small bites, including arancini with fontina and black pepper; Pierini paninos with gruyere and ham; and pizza bianco with ricotta, prosciutto and figs. Inspired by the courtyards and piazzas of European cities, Pebble Bar at The Rink has the perfect balance of Euro-flair and being locationally convenient to make your meeting out of the office feel almost breezy.

The Occasion: All-day celebrations are in order

The Spot: La Mercerie (NYC)

Celebrating a win (or two) with a client? Venture to La Mercerie for the afternoon, and sit al fresco in a row of gardened seating that stretches along Mercer Street and evokes the feeling of being in Paris—without leaving Soho. The Apéro menu, available from 3-5pm Monday through Friday, invites you to indulge in a mid-afternoon cocktail such as the petit Paris, served with Aperol, sparkling wine, and grapefruit. Pro tip: Extend the celebration through dinner to try the new cake du jour menu. Conceived and baked by newly appointed executive chef Heloise Fischbach, these exquisitely decorated cakes are made with seasonal ingredients; the Charlotte Aux Fraises, prepared with strawberries, lady fingers and cream, is our favorite.

The Occasion: You’re craving a crisp glass of wine (in an upscale setting)

The Spot: Aldo Sohm Wine Bar (NYC)

Beat the heat with a crisp glass of wine at New York City’s finest wine bar. From the highly acclaimed sommelier Aldo Sohm, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar’s menu will impress even the most opinionated wine enthusiast. The bar offers 40 options by the glass, 200 by the bottle, and a monthly flight program, along with nightly 9pm pours from specially selected magnums. Grab a seat under the covered patio situated on a pedestrian-only galleria along 6½ Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets, and enjoy Aldo’s wine list and full menu of light bites outdoors, rain or shine. If you’re hungry after a few drinks, we’ve got great news for you: the wine bar is located just steps away from La Liste’s #1 restaurant in the world, Le Bernardin.

The Occasion: You’re looking to beat the August heat with a frozen drink

The Spot: The Tyger (NYC)

With city summer fully heating up, cool down with The Tyger’s signature drink: a frozen mix of Espolòn tequila, white tea, peach, lemon and activated charcoal. Known as the “Tyger Strype” because of its alternating colors of orange and black, it’s just one of many other delectable beverages to be enjoyed on the restaurant’s lively patio, positioned on a prime Soho corner. The Tyger offers the perfect respite when running between meetings or spontaneously hosting a happy hour downtown. If blended drinks aren’t your cuppa, the seasonal cocktail menu includes many bright, tropical drinks—including Chambers of the Sun and Divine Image: all of which pair perfectly with the restaurant’s bold and layered Southeast Asian flavors.

The Occasion: You’re on the hunt for local seafood

The Spot: Clark’s Oyster Bar Montecito (Los Angeles)

For anyone summering in California, Clark’s Montecito offers the perfect destination to take the seafood enthusiast in your life. A fast favorite amongst locals and visitors alike, Clark’s signature seafood offerings have established it as a staple within the scenic California coastal town. In addition to its flagship menu of lobster rolls, oysters and raw bar, daily catch specials, chowder, and refreshing crudos, the Montecito location features exclusive offerings that draw from the region’s purveyors and natural surroundings. Seasonal bounty from the Pacific Ocean includes Santa Barbara uni, California spot prawns, and rockfish, in addition to the local produce highlighted throughout the menu. Perfect for a working lunch, easy dinner, or happy hour, there’s never a bad time to visit this stylish outpost from Austin-based MML Hospitality.

The Occasion: You’re showing off a neighborhood favorite

The Spot: American Beauty (Los Angeles)

If you’re looking to wow your client with a hearty meal in a relaxed setting, bring them to American Beauty, a cherished staple that reimagines the classic American steakhouse with a laid-back, Southern California approach. Since first opening in Venice in 2019, the restaurant has quickly become a neighborhood favorite known for its almond wood–grilled steaks (including prime and dry-aged cuts from Santa Carota, Creekstone Farms, and Flannery Beef), as well as its pristine seafood and vegetable-forward plates. A second location at The Grove is as beloved in the Fairfax District, too. For a celebratory cocktail, the lively horseshoe bar – a feature at both locations – features a creative cocktail program and a unique wine list of over 200 selections, including a $10 glass of house wine, “filled to the top.” Take advantage of the California summer weather by booking a reservation on their outdoor patio, complete with wood-slatted tables and small firepits to gather around once the evening cools down. A second location at The Grove is as beloved in the Fairfax District too.