The Wood
Indoor Garden in Greenwich Village

Now that summer is drawing to a close—yeah, OK, it's gone—you have two options: lament that you're nine months away from another summer, or say calendar-be-damned and keep the spirit of summer alive.

We strongly suggest option two. Ergo: Kingswood, which opens to the public tonight in Greenwich Village.

Presented by Australian-born Nick Mathers (owner of Nolita café Ruby's), Kingswood has all the scenic tranquility of an outdoor garden...moved indoors. Taking the cue of the Jefferson Market Garden across the street—and running with it, Aussie-style—Kingswood will keep your eyes busy with a doesn't-sound-like-it-would-work-but-trust-us-it-does arrangement of: butterflies on the ceiling, skylit ivy hanging off the bar, ferns and birds contained in mesh wiring and, finally, Gorgeous George, a seven-foot stuffed India Blue peacock.

You'll take all this in from either a leather banquette or a seat at the two-sided copper-finished bar, where you can look across from your date as you sample Australian/English coastal region items like Cured Duck Breast with Fig Chutney or a Prosciutto Pappardelli, and sip a Spiced Fig Rob Roy (Glenfiddich massaged with spiced fig and sweet vermouth).

And coming in late October, Kingswood will open a downstairs lounge that promises a sexier, darker, more modern feel.

Should be the perfect setting to keep autumn alive.