What Was Your Best Summer Vacation?
by Ryan Vlastelica
Our best summer vacation was the time we went to the Outer Hebrides and drank beer in a drafty cottage for ten days eating smoked kippers and shortbread. Soooooo fun.
Matthew
Where he presides: Ruby’s Bar and Grill
, Coney Island
Favorite drink: Jameson
When I was 22 I spent 12 days in Israel. It was a birthright trip. You see, every Jewish kid has the right to a free trip to Israel when you’re between 18 and 26. A variety of organizations fund the trip. It’s all about getting kids to get more in touch with their religion. Every day you go out and see a couple of sights, a little bit of everything. We spent three days in Jerusalem, which was really amazing. We also saw the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean. My favorite was seeing all these ancient ruins and temples. I haven’t been back but I’d definitely love to. It’s just hard because I do grad school during the week then I’m here all the time on the weekends.
BILLY
Where he presides:Fatty’s Café, Astoria
Favorite drink: Blue Moon
Last summer I went to the Dominican Republic for a week. It was on the advice of my boss here. He’s Dominican and he recommended it for my girlfriend and I. We went horseback riding, on this waterfall excursion, to the countryside to see how the locals live, all kinds of sightseeing. Mostly we just chilled on a beach and enjoyed Presidentes and rumrunners. I would like to go back, my vacation time here is limited, and I like to spread it around and go see other places. But I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the Caribbean.
DENNY
Where he presides: Druid's, Hell's Kitchen
Favorite drink: Light Beer
I grew up in L.A. and would spend my summers in McAlester, Oklahoma, visiting my mom’s family. I actually just returned from there two days ago. It’s what I did this summer vacation, too. This was my first time there in a long time, though. When I was a kid we used to play in a graveyard there, even at night. Mostly hide and seek. I also remember we used to go to a prison rodeo to watch my uncle, who rode a bull for the inmates.
SIMON
Where he presides: Nowhere, East Village
Favorite drink: Tequila
I had a house this summer in Spring Lake, on the Jersey Shore. They call Spring Lake “the Irish Riviera.” There are Irish flags everywhere, and even the ice cream place is called the Blarney Cone. You gotta check it out, it’s lovely. I had a four-bedroom house for the summer with a pool. I’ll have it to the end of September! You should come down.
