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Fruit of the Summer: NYC's Best Watermelon Dishes

Midnights - Watermelon Dish
(Credit: Courtesy Photo)

There is one fruit that epitomizes summertime sweetness. Watermelon is the perfect cool down dish on those dog days of summer and the ideal dessert for barbecues. While summer is coming to an end, it is peak season for restaurants to incorporate this beloved fruit into various options.

Chalk Point Kitchen - Grilled Watermelon Salad
(Credit: Chalk Point Kitchen)

Chalk Point Kitchen

572 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
212-390-0327
www.ChalkPointKitchen.com

More: NYC's Best Farm-To-Table Restaurants

As people step inside Chalk Point Kitchen, they will be taken away from the hustle and bustle of Lower Manhattan into a rustic and homey, farm-fresh restaurant. Offering a market-to-table menu, the restaurant uses locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients to offer two flavorful watermelon dishes. Diners can choose between the grilled watermelon salad with heirloom tomatoes, spiced watermelon seed, crispy feta, mezze watercress and tarragon dressing, or the grilled yellow watermelon -- made with basil vinegar, ricotta salata, and Nasturtium flowers.

Applebee's Grilled Watermelon and Spicy Shrimp Salad
(Credit: Applebees)

Applebee's

Multiple Locations
www.Applebees.com

Grilling fever has reached Applebee's with their new wood-fired grilled watermelon and spicy shrimp salad. Prepared on their new wood-fired grills, this salad puts a smoky and refreshing twist on the favorite summer fruit. The robust salad is made with mixed greens, cucumbers, feta, almonds, grilled shrimp, drizzled with a house-made creamy mint Greek yogurt dressing. Diners that prefer chicken than shrimp can substitute it for their spicy blackened chicken.

Midnights - Watermelon Dish
(Credit: Courtesy Photo)

Midnights

149 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249
718-384-6961
www.MidnightsBK.com

More: Brookyln's Best Outdoor, Garden Restaurants

The flavors of the summer can be found in the heart of Williamsburg at Midnights with their heirloom tomato and watermelon salad. With Executive Chef Marcellus Coleman, formerly of Eleven Madison Park and WD-50, the dish is made with aged Greek feta, Thai basil and white balsamic vinaigrette. This summery dish can be enjoyed while seating in their outdoor patio and sipping on one of their creative cocktails.

Best Watermelon Dishes
(Credit: The Ribbon)

The Ribbon

20 West 72nd Street
New York, NY 10023
12-787-5656
www.TheRibbonNYC.com

Rustic and stylish mesh together in the Upper West Side to create the homey and atmosphere at The Ribbon. Bringing a refreshing twist for a summer dish, The Ribbon offers the Watermelon Salad, topped with feta cheese, arugula, mint, balsamic reduction and lime vinaigrette. With classic dishes and an extensive bar program, this restaurant is quickly becoming a beloved neighborhood spot.

The Rickey -Weekend In Cabo
(Credit: Courtesy Photo)

The Rickey

210 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
646-756-2054
www.TheRickey.com

More: NYC's Best Summer Cocktails 

While watermelon dishes are always a summer favorite, there is no better way to enjoy the fruit than in a cocktail. The Rickey at Dream Midtown has the quintessential summertime cocktail with their Weekend in Cabo. Made with grilled watermelon cubes, lime juice, tequila and cilantro, this cocktail will have people imagining themselves soaking up the sun on Mexico's beaches.

John Friia is a freelance journalist and native New Yorker writing about food, drinks and lifestyle. You can follow his adventures on Instagram.

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