Eats & drinks to keep you chill

While last week was sweltering, this week is merely muggy, but both are intolerable. And if you're like most of us, eating even your favorite foods is tough. But food is important -- both for your health and for your pleasure -- so we decided to tell you about some of our favorite eats that scream summer but also help you keep your cool.

Corn "Mexican Style" from Habana OutpostOn a hot day, nothing is better than an ear of corn Mexican style, with Cotija cheese, chili powder and lime ($3). And now is almost the height of the corn harvest, so you really can't go wrong with this seasonal, spicy snack. The cheese is nutty and soft, the chili a kick on the tongue, and the lime a bright reminder of the beauty of summer. You can get these all over the city, but we like Habana's the best because they're served out of a food truck in a corner yard in Brooklyn. And it has the best frozen mojitos. 757 Fulton St., Fort Greene, 718-858-9500, habana outpost.comWatermelon, goat cheese and arugula salad from Greenwich ProjectWe can't subsist on ears of corn alone, and this refreshing salad ($10) is a great stand-in for a steak or burger. Sweet watermelon, pungent goat cheese and spicy arugula mingle with salty olive and basil tapenade, creating a harmony found only in the best dishes. 47 W. Eighth St., 212-647-0015, greenwichprojectnyc.comGazpacho with Nova Scotia lobster from AldeaCold soups are a way to eat hearty without thinking you are. Drinking liquids when it's hot is super-soothing, right? So drinking nutrient-rich soups just makes sense for the dog days of summer. At Aldea, your typical gazpacho ($18), made with tomatoes and cucumbers, among other ingredients, becomes fresher and lighter with mint and basil. But the real kicker is the inclusion of everyone's favorite summertime food: lobster. And it won't be drowning in heart-busting butter, either -- another plus, depending on how you look at it. 31 W. 17th St., 212-675-7223, aldearestau rant.comSoft serve from

Momofuku

Milk BarMomofuku, the current king of culinary creativity, struck sweet-tooth gold with Momofuku Milk Bar, led by Christina Tosi. Beyond their famous compost cookies and birthday cakes, there's the incredible soft serve ($4.50), which we consider the antidote to hot NYC summers. All the flavors are worthy, but go for the tried-and-true classic: cereal milk. You know what it tastes like; just think about it. Various locations, 855-333-MILK, milkbar store.com

Foraged cocktails

at Bar Pleiades

The best cocktails to cool off with are made with fresh ingredients. This summer, the cocktails at Daniel Boulud's Bar Pleiades are created with foraged ingredients provided by Tama Matsuoka Wong, the "official forager" for Daniel NYC. Try the Charlemagne ($19), with cognac, Bonal (a French aperitif), bergamot, honey and prairie parsley, which belongs to the carrot family and has a taste reminiscent of dill. 20 E. 76th St., 212-772-2600, barpleiades.com