The New York Times

ACROSS

1 Important skill in an awkward interaction

5 Pearly _ _ _ (entrance to heaven)

10 Org. overseeing Rx’s

13 “Here comes trouble …”

14 Cured slice on a deli tray

15 Place to lay a napkin

16 Ice cream dessert served in a boat

18 Address ending in .com or .edu, e.g.

19 Vegan version of a classic brunch dish

21 Basic country dance

24 Bird symbolizing the arrival of spring

25 Vietnam’s capital

26 “M*A*S*H” eatery

29 “Peeper” that makes no sound

30 Podcasting partner, e.g.

33 Pushing the envelope, so to speak

34 Citrusy cocktail garnish

36 Lofty spot for K-IS-S-I-N-G, in a schoolyard taunt

39 “Count me in!”

40 What the fish said when it swam into a concrete wall, per an old joke

43 Witty banter

45 Euphemism for an expletive, with “the”

47 Love to bits

48 Neighbors of flutists, in an orchestra

50 Sweet spiral pastry topped with icing

54 Hit the _ _ _ (go to bed)

55 Not pay for a meal at a restaurant ... or a hint to each half of 16-, 19-, 34and 50-Across

59 Durable wood that’s softer than oak

60 Numerous beyond calculation

61 Big name in dryerase markers

62 Stubborn animal

63 Lowly workers

64 Cut the crop?

DOWN

1 Big ice cream container

2 “Eureka!”

3 Pro’s opposite

4 “Oh, really?”

5 Fill one’s tank

6 Mountains where St. Bernards were originally bred

7 Soft mineral powder

8 Kuwaiti ruler

9 Instruments for Ravi and Anoushka Shankar

10 Misspoke a line, e.g.

11 “Honey” or “sugar” alternative

12 Galore

14 Out of danger

17 Catch sight of

20 Quintessential Route 66 lodging

21 With 23-Down, a person’s soul mate

22 Method

23 See 21-Down

26 World, in French

27 Bruins legend Phil, to fans

28 Fume (over)

31 Skip over

32 Catcher’s spot, in baseball

34 Get educated (about)

35 Surround completely

36 Windpipe

37 Tries to call again

38 Ones after whom others are named

40 Fancy hairstyles, informally

41 Museum hangings

42 Physicians, for short

44 Get educated (on)

46 Harder to tame

48 Tests taken verbally

49 Connect as pals

51 “It’s ___, all ___!”

52 Not hoodwinked by

53 Like glow paint colors

56 Lumberjack’s implement

57 Me-day destination

58 Partner of skip and jump