As the light faded in the fields, the sky flamed bright blues and oranges sweeping across the expansive sky, a late-summer sunset that seemed specially designed to match the bright tablescape. We dined until well after dark, uninterested in the wonderful evening ending too soon, much more inclined to linger in good company, listening to the soundtrack of singing crickets as the stars began to blink on above.

Guests arrived to find a nondescript metal door set into a brick building in the middle of an industrial neighborhood in Queens. Upon opening it, though, they were ushered into another world inside The Foundry. A lush landscape of iron flames built by fire-bright Le Creuset cast iron beautifully staged all around the space, brick alcoves set with vintage braisers glowing in spotlights that caught the light of champagne bubbles sparkling from welcome pours.

In short, it was a perfect Southern California day.

With flowers cascading down the staircases, glowy spritzes sweating in the sun, and pastel cocottes and platters from Le Creuset dotting the table, the Boathouse felt like a jewel box bursting with pastel tones as we celebrated the summer solstice, New York City style.