The Frying pan is one of my favorite summertime spots to dine on the water. It is distinguished by a big black iron skillet near the entrance, off West 26th Street. This historic barge, docked in the Hudson River, is a former Lackawanna railroad flatboat, now a fun restaurant.

I like going late afternoon or very early evening, as later it can become like a frat party toward the back of the barge. A group of us grabbed a meal there recently, trying foods I had yet to sample. I’d recommend their hearty portion of beer-battered cod sprinkled with malt vinegar powder with tartar sauce, coleslaw and their yummy fries ($25).

They also offer Maryland lump crab cakes garnished with pickled Fresno peppers with a salad and a mango tobiko aioli (three for $22).

One friend got their hickory smoked Thai chicken wings ($18) in a sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce for the table, and at their nicely seasoned salmon cioppino (seafood stew) with P.E.I. mussels, cockle clams and shrimp, with corn chunks and potatoes in a buttery-garlic sauce, all garnished with toasted ficelle ($32)

I always recommend a warm-weather visit to the frying pan!

Lightship Frying Pan
Pier 66a (West 26th Street & Hudson River Park)
New York, NY 10069
(212) 989-6363
fryingpan.com/