Here are Some Unique Ideas to Try in NYC This Summer

Evelyn's Kitchen has been acclaimed as one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite New York City dining destinations by O Magazine, featured on the Food Network for its delicious pastries and dessert offerings. The East Harlem bakery and cafe was opened in 2009 by pastry chef Ayala Donchin, named in honor of her godmother, Evelyn Satinoff. Visitors can stop in at one of East Harlem's best-kept secrets six days a week and enjoy delectable signature goodies like banana pudding pudgies, salted dulce de leche alfajores, lemon pound cake, and the bakery's famed toffee blondies. A full menu of made-to-order cafe fare is served up at lunch and dinner, including entrees like skirt steak dinners, Jamaican jerk shrimp, homestyle baked ziti, and vegetarian dinner specials.

2317 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10035, Phone: 646-476-7906

UNIX Gallery was originally founded in London in 2003 by gallerists Alex Cesaria and Daniela Mercuri before moving to Miami's vibrant Wynwood neighborhood in 2010. After several successful seasons in Miami, the gallery transferred to New York's elegant Chelsea neighborhood and has become one of the neighborhood's most acclaimed gallery spaces. Exhibitions showcase a rotating roster of internationally-renowned emerging and established artists, including Ellen de Meijer, Hisao Hanafusa, Marcello lo Giudice, and KwangHo Shin. In addition to annual exhibition and art fair programming, the gallery also collaborates with regional nonprofit organizations to craft special exhibitions meant to give back to the community and showcase regional artistic voices.

UNIX Gallery, 513 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, Phone: 212-209-1572

Word Up Community Bookshop was originally opened in 2011 as a pop-up shop at the corner of Manhattan's Broadway and 176th Streets, expanded to a permanent location in Washington Heights in 2013 after a successful fundraising campaign. The volunteer-operated community bookshop and arts space specializes in multilingual works, striving to create an inclusive neighborhood bookstore experience and use books as a reciprocal method of cultural exchange and education. Visitors can peruse the bookshop's diverse collections, which span a range of general interest adult and children's topics. Special events hosted at the bookstore throughout the year include readings, film screenings, art exhibitions, lectures, and live music performances.

2113 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10032, Phone: 347-688-4456

Little Pie Company is a charming bakery in Manhattan's Theater District, owned and operated since 1985 by former Broadway actor Arnold Wilkerson. The inviting bakery features large-format windows along its exterior, showcasing the delicious goodies and pastries inside for visitors walking by. Diners can enjoy a wide selection of delicious homemade pies, cakes, and desserts, including fruit and sweet pies stuffed with fillings like apple, key lime, coconut cream, and Mississippi mud chocolate. Oven-fresh muffins are also available throughout the day, along with savory fare like fresh-baked breads and piping-hot chicken pot pies. Bassett's Ice Cream is served in several flavors by the scoop or in hand-spun homestyle milkshakes.

424 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036, Phone: 212-736-4780