The week has an umbrella. The weekend has a tan.<br /> <br />
This week, Perks brings you the essentials of summer: mouth-watering morsels of food and a quick getaway. We've got scalper-price tickets to the James Beard Awards and a handful of free two-night stays in the Clevelander Hotel. Which is conveniently in Miami and not Cleveland.
Yes, you read that right. We can't remember the last time we set foot in this madhouse, but a night of pantsless partying could be just the thing to lure us back. It's not every day you get the chance to see a Brazilian dancer dropping trou in the coat check line.
Our favorite tucked-away patio in the West Village just got untucked as it opens for patio season. We predict warm breezes, resplendent greenery and a pleasantly sunny crowd. (We hear there's food too.)
When half the city's racing for the same Central Park hilltop, it pays to have a pre-packed picnic basket on your hands, especially when it comes from Marcus Samuelsson. He'll even throw in a gratis Frisbee, in case you forget your petanque set.
Sure, the idea of whispering a password at a place called Strip House sounds a bit champagne room-y. But trust us: find your way to the bar at Village steak kingpin Strip House, let loose the magic word "Truman" to the master barkeep, and you'll get 30 percent off some of their strongest cocktails. And another fine chapter of presidential history is written...
Suit hunting is always better with a drink in your hand, so Southern gentleman and man's man tailor Billy Reid is throwing a soiree with whiskey, a few bites, live music and 25 percent off all the non-sale, non-custom gear in the shop. Of course, if you mention UD, you'll get the same discount through the weekend following the event—in case you aren't the punctual type.
