Create a outdoor hotspot is not hard to find in NYC but still, één of the better kept secrets is the Frying Pan; two boats floating at the dock in the Hudson where it starts the first rays of sunshine good (and cheap) stay is from early morning till late evening. With a beautiful view of Brooklyn (and NYU students). Frying pan    

Update: Okay. A few years later, you really (really!) don't want to go there anymore. The well-kept secret has clearly leaked, resulting in a common drunken slob. Don't do that deep fryer in the Hudson.