Our 10 Best Things to Eat During the Dog Days of Summer in NYC

Rock 'n' rollin' with the Wasabi Arctic Surf Clams

The dog days of summer started barking prematurely this year, as heat and pollution settled on the city last Friday like a filthy shag carpet. What to eat during this difficult period? A thick steak is probably the last thing you want, the warm red juices trickling down your chin, nor do you crave a big plate of scrambled eggs and grits with a side of thick gravy.

No, summer is the time to eat foods that, if not actually served cold, have cooling properties. And not just the obvious ones, like Caesar salads, either, because ultimately salads are unsatisfying when front and center for too many meals. Here, then, are Fork in the Road's top 10 things to eat during the hottest days of the year, and where to find them.

10. Wasabi Arctic Surf Clams at Yi Lan Halal -- The name of this dish would make a great band name, right? Served chilled at the city's first northern Chinese Islamic restaurant, it's also great summer fare, the chewiness and lobster-like richness of the bivalves set off with skin-on cuke shreds and a wasabi dressing the climbs right up your nose, the result of Japanese influence in that part of China. 42-79A Main Street, Flushing, Queens, 718-886-3622

9. Chicken Larb at Qi Bangkok -- Pichet Ong's newest restaurant concentrates on the way Siamese food is served in the capital, including this elegant light version of an Isaan standard. The flavor is vegetal and refreshing, and in the summer, ground chicken proves to be preferable to ground pork in Thai meat salads. 675 Eighth Avenue, 212-247-8991

8. Sardines at St. Anselm -- This trio of grilled sardines (an entirely sustainable fish) lie on the plate like flavor torpedoes about to explode. The flesh rakes away easily from the bones, transporting you to a sunny seaside location in, say, Portugal or Tunisia, and the oddball accompaniment of sweet-pickled lotus root provides a perfect contrast. 355 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-384-5054