I love the summer and the effortlessness of dining al fresco. Any excuse to eat outdoors appeals to my Pacific Northwest upbringing and I just love the way NYC expands in the warmer weather months. With windows and gallery doors being flung open, the city takes on new exuberance. So this last weekend, despite the dreary weather forecast, my husband and I stoked the charcoal grill and enticed friends over as the weather cleared Saturday night. We took advantage of Many Kitchens’ numerous offerings for grilling season from Sel Magique’s classic blend to Stuart & Co.’s line of BBQ sauces and rubs as well as to a staple in our home, Baron’s International Kitchen’s Jerk Sauce (though sadly we had already eaten our way through their Caribbean Hot Sauce). It was the easiest meal plan ever. With the addition of some staple sides like lightly steamed green beans, grilled corn on the cob, potato salad and buttermilk biscuits, we were all stuffed.