Pier 57, jutting into the Hudson River between Chelsea Piers and Little Island, has an extensive outdoor public space, though it’s largely a City Winery affair. City Winery has their flagship restaurant and performance space on the main floor, with a wine-bottle lined curving staircase leading up to the second level.

They have grab-and-go vino (decorked, with a pair of branded wine cups) for about $20. They also have an outdoor order counter for takeaway, and “The Rooftop Shack” featuring wine, iced coffee, tastee soft-serve ice cream, and assorted snacks.

Google (where my friend Lois works) has an office space on the north side of the pier. The large indoor market on the main level features close to 20 James Beard Foundation-curated restaurants and shops, with City Winery’s El Bar at the river end featuring 400 tequilas and mezcals. Designed to be community-focused and family friendly, there are a number of educational displays with information about the Hudson River Park and its Estuarine Sanctuary, as well as nearby feeder creeks and rivers.

The Saturday I visited with my crew was that perfect Manhattan August day—the heat wave had abated but the pier seemed almost deserted since many residents have fled the city for cooler pastures.

The lofty, multi-level Pier 57 had the feeling of a deserted battleship, with its spanking-clean floors, stairways, and railings leading up to the magnificent rooftop deck. Quite a contrast to the neighboring Little Island, which always seems to be jam-packed.

Both ends of the rooftop deck have wide bleached-wood steps to sit on and enjoy the spectacular river and city views. Of course we did so with a bottle of the aforementioned grab-and-go rosé. I couldn’t resist pairing it with the yummylicious soft-serve from The Rooftop Shack. If you sense a theme from last month’s column to this one, you’re right! I’ve decided 2025 is the summer of ice cream. I have been indulging myself at every opportunity!

In fact, after we left Pier 57, we wandered back towards my place along West 12th Street and had dinner at Café Cluny, followed by MORE ice cream at my local Van Leeuwen on West 10th Street. It was my second visit there in as many weeks! I hope you, too, were inspired after last month’s paeon to ice cream to indulge in the sweet cool delights of the summer of ice cream. Meet you in the parlor!

This story first appeared in Chelsea News and other papers in the Straus News group.

Style Notes

I paired this luscious popsicle-hued chartreuse double silk georgette blouse by Andrea T New York with a quirky peacock-patterned brocade skirt by Leifsdottir. These Jessica Simpson strappy platform sandals embellished with green glitter fit the peacock theme splendidly.

• Peacock-patterned brocade skirt by Leifsdottir. Gift from my friend Heather.
• Popsicle-toned chartreuse double silk georgette blouse and fuchsia 4-ply silk crepe miniskirt with silk chiffon trim from Andrea T New York at 147 West 35th Street (by appointment only).
• Jessica Simpson “Irbella” black suede 40s-style strappy platform sandals. Embellished with glitter and rhinestones by the author. DSW, 40 E. 14th St.
• Vintage 1920s silver and aquamarine bracelet with a double strand of silver bells. Pippin Vintage Jewelry. 104 West 17th Street.
• Vintage Mexican turquoise and silver earrings. Gift from my father.