Eat Cetera: Beer Picnic On Governors Island This Weekend, An Exclusive Roof Opens
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<em>The view from Governors Island. Make sure you wait an hour after eating before swimming home! (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69909442@N00/203361606/sizes/z/in/photostream/">Kira305's Flickr</a>)</em><br/><br/><strong>Brewers' PicNyc: </strong>On this holiday weekend, Governors Island is hosting <a href="http://brewerspicnyc.com/">a two-day beer bash</a> with part of the proceeds benefiting Added Value Farm, a sustainable farm on the island. This is the island's official opening weekend, and on Sunday and Monday you'll be able to salute the unofficial start of summer with the finest of beer goggles. Craft beer selections will be provided by Goose Island, Kelso, Brooklyn Brewery, Two Brothers, Sixpoint, Palm, Blue Point; food is coming at you from Cinnamon Snail, Patacon Pisao, Red Jacket Orchards, Rick's Picks, Jimmy's No. 43, Luke's Lobsters, Fette Sau, Brooklyn Farmacy, and others. Live music and unspecified performance art will tie the whole thing together. <br/><br/><a href="http://brewerspicnyc.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn">Basic admission</a> is $15, but for $25 you get two beers and one food taste. Additional drink tickets will be sold on-site. And for $85, high rollers get early admission at 11 a.m. and unlimited food tastes and beer. The whole shebang lasts until 5 p.m., at which point you're in for a <em>very</em> interesting ferry ride back to Manhattan.
<strong>A60's Roof Opens:</strong> Gothamist has been fans of the private rooftop bar A60 above SoHo's 60 Thompson hotel for ages nowâ<a href="http://gothamist.com/2003/06/07/sneaking_into_a60_at_thom.php">we were sneaking in way back in 2003</a>âand when it isn't insanely crowded we can easily recommend the bar to anyone who enjoys a good view and a strong brew. But A60 carries with it a catch for the average Joe or Janeâhistorically it has only been open to hotel guests and those lucky enough to be given an annual A60 access card. That, however, is apparently no longer the case. A press release today announces that the roof will now be open to non-cardholders "based on availability." Which means on grey days, you'll have no problem! And on other days? We'd recommend calling ahead. <br/><br/><em>60 Thompson Street; 877-431-0400</em>
<strong>Vai Spuntino Bar Brunch:</strong> This cute little <a href="http://www.vairestaurant.com/">small plates restaurant and wine bar</a> is introducing brunch service this weekend. Starting May 31st and happening seven days a week from noon to 4 p.m., talented chef/owner Vincent Chirico (who just relocated his beloved restaurant from the Upper West Side) will serve a revolving menu of 12 dishes that hew savory. We're told these include a Truffle Mushroom Pizzetta, layered in Parmesan cheese and meaty mushroom ragu, drizzled with cream and olive oil; an open-faced Croque Signore, balanced with crispy speck prosciutto, fried egg and melted brie; and the restaurant's signature dish: a tender Hamachi/Tuna Duo with preserved ginger thatâs subtle in nuance and smooth in texture. They're also offering a watermelon rose sangria to wash it down, plus some panini specials. Order off the menu, or choose any 3 plate options for $19. Call ahead for reservations, because this is becoming something of a hotspot, and it's tiny<br/><br/> <em>105 Thompson Street, near Prince; (212) 226-1146</em>