Clinton Hall's New Hashtag Burger
The newest addition to Clinton Hall's menu is their Hashtag Burger, which debuts on Thursday, March 10th. It'll be served off at a half-off price of $10 on 3/10 for one day only to celebrate Clinton Hall reaching 100,000 followers on Instagram.
It’ll be available at all Clinton Hall locations and will be added to the menu for $20 beginning on 3/11.
And guests who snap a picture of the burger and hashtag #clintonhall will also have a chance to win a $100 dollar gift card!
The Hashtag Burger created by Clinton Hall Executive Chef Darryl Harmon is made with Wagyu beef, American Cheese, Gem Lettuce, Tomato, Bread and Butter Pickles, House Made Ketchup, on a Brioche Roll.
Isla & Co in Williamsburg
Isla & Co in Williamsburg is officially opening today! Australian restaurant group Parched Hospitality Group, the team behind New York City’s wildly popular Hole in the Wall restaurants, The Sentry, Daintree and Ghost Burger, is introducing their latest hospitality concept, Isla & Co. which will be housed adjacent to The William Vale in Williamsburg.
Helming the kitchen will be Executive Chef Matt Foley, formerly of two Michelin-starred Marea in NYC, who is best known for his flavor development and visual plating. Foley has crafted a menu that encapsulates specialty dishes inspired by Australian coastal towns by day and a cocktail driven dinner destination by night, Isla & Co. draws influences from Australia, Europe and SouthEast Asia. The menu encapsulates Australian style cooking - creative brunch dishes and a seasonally driven dinner menu with excellent cuts of meat paired with bright flavors alongside vegetable focussed dishes. Isla & Co. is designed to fit the bill for your morning coffee, a mid-week lunch walk-in, an intimate dinner date or a social gathering spot, providing a convivial eatery boasting healthy, always-fresh, seasonal, high-quality ingredients and dishes, alongside an engaging service.
Isla & Co. also plans to open two new locations in Florida and one in Atlanta this year. Their West Palm Beach location at 14 Clare Avenue, across from the Grandview Public Market, will open this Spring in addition to a Miami Beach location and Atlanta's Isla & Co. opening is slated for July.
Food: Brunch, which will be served until 4pm everyday will include Chili Egg Scramble, Brekkie Roll, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Brioche French Toast, Griddled Banana Bread, Isla Burger, and the Pulled Pork Sandwich with cabbage slaw, pickled onion and served with fries. Dinner items include Spicy Shrimp Vodka Rigatoni, a Signature Isla Burger, Fish & Chips and a Half Chicken with seasonal roasted vegetables.
Coffee: Isla & Co. delivers a specialty coffee program inspired by Australian coffee culture serving Hole in the Wall Espresso. Isla & co will feature two signature house blends suitable for Espresso and drip extraction originating from Ethiopia and the Americas and roasted in Denver Colorado.
Alcohol: Isla & Co will offer an extensive wine list with a large focus on natural and organic wines, craft beers and signature cocktails like the Wizard of Aus - Starward Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, egg white, Shiraz wine float, Isla Old Fashioned -bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, Eucalyptus bitters, and The Taipan - Hiatus Tequila, spicy pepper, yuzu, agave, shiso alongside brunch cocktail favorites like a mimosa and their house blend bloody mary. All beverages are served from brunch through to dusk.
Days and Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday from 8am-11pm with brunch from 8am - 4pm and dinner from 5pm - 11pm.
TOP DECEMBER EVENTS
HOLIDAY HOUSE NYC FALL 2021
‘COMING TOGETHER’ TABLETOP EVENT
What: Holiday House NYC is returning to New York City for a LIVE event, which will showcase their beloved design industry members and talented interior designers as they come together to raise critical funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
A VIP press preview will be held from 5:00pm – 6:00pm prior to the main event to allow the media exclusive access to the designers and conduct interviews with Holiday House founder Iris Dankner.
Who: The event is co-chaired by Amy Lau, Campion Platt, Jean Shafiroff and Andrea Stark.
Over a dozen leading designers will each design their own chic tabletops to showcase cutting edge décor and lifestyle concepts to be viewed by the design industry, Holiday House’s loyal patrons and the affluent NYC community. Designers will include Austin Gray Design Group, Badilla Painters x Rio Hamilton, Beth Donner and Andrea Correale, Eric Haydel, Evan Mason Designs, Kim Seybert, Leeann Lavin, Michele Safra, Mottahedeh, Purvi Padia Design, Sandy Berman, Unlimited Earth Care and Vanessa Deleon Associates. The event will also include interactive experiences including a cocktail making class.
When: Opening Night Preview: December 8, 2021
6pm – 9pm
General Admission: December 9, 2021
11am – 8pm
December 10, 2021
11am -5pm
(Times of events will be announced at a later date)
Where: The Elizabeth Taylor Mansion
10 West 56th Street
New York, NY 10019
Holiday House invites the community to ‘Come Together’ for an evening of beautiful tabletop designs with hors d’oeuvres by Elegant Affairs in celebration of being able to reunite after spending a year apart.
Sponsors for the event include Jiun Ho x Cambria, 41 Madison x Waterford, Top Hat Home Services, The Melissa Cohn Group, FJ Hakimian, Sebastian Capital and Stark. Media Partners include Modern Luxury Manhattan and Hamptons Real Estate Showcase.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). To date, Holiday House has raised almost two million dollars for breast cancer research.
Tickets for the opening night preview are priced at $250 and general admission are priced at $50. Tickets can be purchased here.
The annual exhibition and sale of one-of-a-kind contemporary jewelry returns to New York's Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) for its twenty-first edition.
MAD About Jewelry is open to the public with free admission, December 7 through 11, showcasin more than 40 emerging and acclaimed US-based jewelry artists, including Pamela Love, Of Rare Origin, MoAnA Luu, and Tiffany Vanderhoop.
For collectors, connoisseurs, fashionistas, and all who share an interest in the interplay of art and design, MAD About Jewelry provides an unparalleled opportunity to converse with and acquire pieces from some of the most innovative creators in the field in support of the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
3. Feliz Cocteleria Holiday Pop-Up
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Garret Bars’ immersive holiday pop-up, Feliz Coctelería, is back and more festive than ever!
The uber-popular, seasonal pop-up (which first launched in 2020) returned to The Garret Coctelería (349 Broome Street) on 11/26. Just in time for the holidays, Feliz Coctelería offers much-needed respite and warming drinks. We’d love for you to keep the exciting news in mind for any December openings coverage or holiday-themed guides.
With Latin-inspired holiday decor, twinkling lights, eclectic ornaments, and colorful textiles, Feliz Cocteleria is a celebration of Navidad and the holiday spirit - channeling the merriment of the festive season. Key design elements include:
Large palm trees adorned with Christmas lights will be scattered throughout the pop-up
Traditional snowflake paper chains will be decoratively strung from the ceiling
Christmas trees will line the walls and restaurant booths
Gift-wrapped tables where guests can enjoy their festive libations
Hanukkah-inspired blue and silver adornments & floating dreidels, menorahs and more will offer an all-encompassing holiday experience
A lifesize floating sleigh with a mariachi band to delight restaurant-goers
And the return of the holiday llamas!
Feliz Cocteleria’s limited-edition holiday drinks are served in delightfully seasonal glassware (think: snowmen, Santas, and other festive trinkets), curated by Beverage Director Max Stampa-Brown. The pop-up’s holiday cocteles combine vibrant Latin American flavors with holiday season nostalgia.
A few fun beverage highlights include:
Epazote Hot Toddy - Epazote Hot Tea, Ginger, Spiced Apple Cider, Lemon, Guajillo-infused Bourbon
Rocco’s Hot Cocoa - Golden Rice Milk Latte, Powdered Chipotle Powder Blend, Chocolate, Mezcal, Green Chartreuse Marshmallow
A Lump of Coal - Blackberry, Mint, Mango Butter, Black Sesame, Tequila, Lime, Egg White, Chilean Red Wine
Rose & Lenny - Babka infused Slivovitz, Cream of Coconut, Clove & Cardamom, Turmeric, Lime
Fig Tree in Nolita - Mexican Gin, Fig, Ginger, Cacao Nib Sweet Vermouth, Lemon
TOP OCTOBER EVENTS
The Bacon and Beer Classic will head to The Lot (at 107 Morgan Street) in Jersey City on October 9th. The event is ditching sample sizes this year and going straight to full course meals with decadent dishes like Pork Belly Banh Mi and Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes on the menu.
That's in addition to 50+ craft beers to sample to toast and celebrate Oktoberfest with.
2. New York Comic Con 2021
Finally back after the postponement of the 2020 NYCC due to COVID. The New York Comic Con is an annual New York City fan convention dedicated to comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television.
On Tuesday, October 19, 2021, the enCourage Kids Foundation will host Serving Up Smiles, a premier tasting event that will include decadent plates from the hottest chefs and top named restaurants in NYC, VIP Speakeasy Lounge presented by Go Tab featuring Shinju Japanese Whiskey, world-class wines, cocktails, and incredible auction items at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. Red Carpet & VIP Reception 6:00pm-7:00pm and doors 7:00pm-9:30pm.
Taste of the Seaport returns to the Seaport for the 11th year of food, fun, and fundraising. Sponsored by The Howard Hughes Corporation, Downtown’s premier food festival brings together over 30 of the best restaurants in Lower Manhattan and showcases an array of local vendors, artisans, entertainers, and family friendly activities, making it an enjoyable day out for children and adults alike. The annual event benefits the arts and enrichment programs at Public School 397 (The Spruce Street School) and Public School 343 (The Peck Slip School). This year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 16th from 12 p.m.–3 p.m. at Piers 16 and 17.
Ticket packs will be available for purchase at www.tasteoftheseaport.org for $45 for 5 tastes. Guests may also purchase tickets on the day of the festival for $50. VIP tables will also be available for an additional fee, which will provide access to an exclusive seating area complete with table service and complimentary beer, wine and soda.
For more information, please visit www.tasteoftheseaport.org
Planning a party of your own this year or next? The 9th Annual Event Planner Expo presented by EMRG Media returns from October 12th to the 14th.
The expo will have a star-studded lineup of speakers including Shark Tank star and Celebrity Event Planner Colin Cowie. Events will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, SPIN and Nebula Nightclub.
Tickets, which begin at $69, can be purchased by visiting: www.TheEventPlannerExpo2021.com
Off Broadway actor and producer Matt de Rogatis has announced that his non profit theater organization, Ruth Stage, has formed a partnership with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. The two charities have been informally working together since last May on a variety of projects but have only recently finalized a series of fundraising events through early 2022.
As part of their syndicate, an exclusive gala entitled Theater Saves Lives: An Evening of Hope, will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, October the 26th, 2021. The benefit will be held at Cubico in Soho, New York City located at 433 Broadway in “The Cellar” space. This exclusive event is limited to 100 guests and tickets are available on tier levels ranging from $300 to $800 for individuals and $500 to $1500 for couples.
Attendees can expect a full service open bar with specialty cocktails, a high end, southern inspired pass around dinner, dessert, live music, guest speakers from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and a charity auction featuring fine art, sports memorabilia and getaway vacation packages. Proceeds will benefit the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and Ruth Stage.
To purchase tickets to Theater Saves Lives: An Evening of Hope, visit www.ruthstage.org or www.theatersaveslives.eventbrite.com.
7. EXXXOTICA 2021
The largest event in the USA dedicated to love and sex is back! Beginning Oct 22, the three-day run at Edison NJ.
Exxxotica Expo is an annual three-day adult-themed event produced by 3XEvents. Billed as a "Celebration of Sexy", Exxxotica Expo shows are held in several US cities, which currently include Edison, New Jersey, Chicago, Miami and Portland, Oregon.
For more information on stars and schedules please visit https://exxxoticaexpo.com/
Join us for a Swing Dinner Dance on Thursday, October 21st, 2021
7.00PM – Midnight
Metropolitan Club
Purchase Your Tickets
9. Halloween Parties
Get tickets to see the long-awaited New York City return of Tiësto, who will kick off Halloween weekend with a FEARHOUSE NYC headlining show at The New York Expo Center (1110 Oak Point Ave.) in the Bronx on Friday, October 29th. The Chainsmokers will headline a Halloween weekend rave the following night with Surf Mesa, Ship Wrek and Zack Bia on Saturday, October 30th. Tickets are on sale now at www.degpresents.com
10. Cocteleria de los Muertos - Halloween Pop-up
Coctelería de los Muertos – from Den Hospitality (the team behind Bandits and the Garret bars) which just launched 10/5 at The Garret Coctelería (349 Broome Street). With custom-built altars honoring artistic icons we’ve lost (think: Marilyn Monroe, The Notorious B.I.G., Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, and more), over 5,000 feet of marigold flowers, an abundance of candles, string lights, and bright blankets to keep outdoor diners warm, this is the ultimate set-up for spooky season.
You can view the full menu here.
11. Loulou Reopening
@Floratorium
Loulou (176 8th Avenue) in Chelsea will reopen on Tuesday, October 12th following an arson attack in August. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this fabulous French Bistro and Speakeasy will debut a beautifully rebuilt exterior with fall florals from Floratorium. Signature menu items from Executive Chef Jarett Brodie include the Loulou Burger made with grass-fed beef, cheddar and caramelized onions, Duck Leg Confit with apple rosemary puree and gala chutney and Steak Frites featuring a 7oz skirt steak and béarnaise. Pair you lunch, brunch or dinner with a perfectly crafted cocktail and you’ll start your fall right.
11. Slice Out Hunger
Fornino at Brooklyn Bridge Park location is supporting Slice Out Hunger on Sunday, October 17th from 12pm - 4:30pm with an outdoor pizza party featuring some of the NYC area’s top pizza makers. Early bird tickets are $35, which grants you access to Fornino’s pizza patio at Pier 6 for a 90-minute session with all the pizza you can imagine complemented by a cash bar for beer and wine. 100% of proceeds will support local hunger relief. Tickets can be purchased by visiting, sliceouthunger.org.
TOP MARCH NYC EVENTS
Young Patrons believe the performing arts can open your hearts and minds. They formed the Young Patrons group to bring together arts-oriented New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds with mixed artistic interests who strive to make arts and culture a more intentional part of their lives.
2. Winter Ball with School of American Ballet
The event kicks off with cocktails at the majestic David H. Koch Theater, followed by dinner and dancing on the Promenade, which is transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful dining room. SAB’s students make Winter Ball an evening you will always remember with their performance of a piece created for the event by an up-and-coming choreographer. Dessert and dancing at the after-party, hosted by SAB’s Young Patrons, keeps the dance floor packed late into the evening.Your participation will make every aspect of SAB’s ballet training program possible — providing scholarships for our students while supporting our world-renowned faculty, maintaining our studios, and offering vital student programs beyond the classroom.Just interested in the Afterparty? Learn More and buy tickets.
3. SCOPE New York 2020
The 20th edition of SCOPE New York returns to its Chelsea location at Metropolitan Pavilion. Known for presenting groundbreaking contemporary work, SCOPE New York will welcome 60 international exhibitors at its centrally-located venue.
The first fair to run concurrent with The Armory Show, SCOPE New York’s spirit of innovation has consistently forged the way for emerging artists and galleries. Attuned to nuances in the market and itself an influential force in the cultural sphere, SCOPE continues to usher in a new vision of the contemporary art fair.
SCOPE New York opens on Thursday, March 5, 2020, with the Platinum First View and VIP & Press Preview, and will run through Sunday, March 8, 2020.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scope-new-york-2020-tickets-88153197587?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) presents the Third Annual Memories Matter Gala.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Doors Open 6:30pm
Dinner to follow
Pier 60
Chelsea Piers
New York City, NY
6. St Jude Gold Gala
Join us for the ninth annual St. Jude Gold Gala: An Evening for St. Jude in New York City, New York.
As a guest at this event, you'll enjoy an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing, along with a special silent auction and raffle.
Since its inaugural year in 2012, the Gold Gala has fundraised $1 million for the children of St. Jude.
https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/find-an-event/dinners-and-galas/gold-gala.html
TOP FEBRUARY NYC EVENTS
DJ, dancing, casino gaming, raffles, open bar and hors d’oeuvres
🍷 Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils
🍷 Olivier Leflaive Frères
🍷 Stéphane Aviron
🍷 Domaine Faiveley
🍷 Château Fuissé
The Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra Gala will be held on February 23, 2020 at Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall. Maestro Iván Fischer will host the all-Dvořák program: Legend; Evening's blessing, from Four Choruses; Slavonic Dance; Violin Concerto, and Symphony No. 8.
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW
The Bronx Letters Foundation Food for Thought Benefit brings some of New York's best chefs together in one place for an incredibly delicious evening.Our foundation supports the UA Bronx Academy of Letters, a 6 to 12 public school located in the South Bronx, our country's poorest congressional district, which is a mere 3 miles from Manhattan's Upper East Side.By supporting our foundation, you are making a difference in the lives of our scholars. You are embracing the chance to help to break the cycle of poverty one kid at a time. Thanks to generous donors like you we are able to offer our 600 at-risk, high-needs students a challenging, inspiring, college preparatory, safe learning environment with life-changing enrichment opportunities.Join us and be a part of the solution!
6. The DREAM Project’s 8th Annual
What: The DREAM Project’s 8th Annual Benefit and Awards: Sueños 2020
When: Thursday, February 27th, 2020 | Red Carpet: 6:30 PM | Main Event: 7:30 -10:00 PM
Where: The Mezzanine, Wall Street (55 Broadway, New York, NY 10006)
Theme: Celebrating Dominican Independence and the Independent Dominican Woman
Why: To raise the funds used to operate programs, impacting 8,000 youth in more than 27 disadvantaged communities, closing the cycle of poverty in the Dominican Republic.
Co-Hosted by: Kathy Romero, Global Entrepreneur and Celebrity Event Planner, Tony Peralta, contemporary artist and community leader, and Michel Zaleski, DREAM Chair and Founder.
Invited Celebrities: Actor Taye Diggs from Rent, Chef Kelvin, Actress Dasha Polanco, Leslie Grace, Misty Copeland and Anthony Ramos
Available for Interviews: Board Members (Pre-Event) . Contact us for Celebrity availability at the event.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suenos-2020-tickets-86122973131
Website: www.dominicandream.org
TOP JANUARY NYC EVENTS
The 10th annual Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival is going to be EPIC! ……It’s a Southern Fried Good Time! Thank You Manhattan for a decade of outrageous fun – we are now going to spread our wings a bit and head across the river to Brooklyn. It’s time for one hellacious day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbeque eatin’. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon.
Each Guest Receives a Souvenir Glass and the first 300 VIP get a Souvenir Bag.
BEAST CAGE: The Beast Cage is Back and Serving Up EXOTIC SMOKED MEATS all day: Alligator, Lamb, Bison, Longhorn Rounds, and much more.
The SHRINE OF SWINE is back! Enjoy whole hogs during each session. Pork worship at its finest!
Enjoy seminars in the Tasting Theater with Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters from the deep South.
Dance Or Rock Out to the DJs playing all your favorite tunes.
Browse brewerania, hot sauces, and BBQ accessories.
Bacon Eating Contest
Aquarius specialty cocktails and water are complementary to all ticket holders. Full meals will be available for purchase. Tickets begin at $95 and can be purchased by visiting: https://www.aquariusnyc.com Guests will also be invited to help save the ocean and the planet by donating $10 to Oceanic Global, AQUARIUS 2020’s official ocean conservation charity and sustainability partner.
The Winter Show is the leading art, antiques, and design fair in America, featuring 70 of the world’s top experts in the fine and decorative arts from ancient times to the present day. The Winter Show is an annual benefit for East Side House Settlement, a community-based organization serving the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. The Winter Show maintains the highest standards of quality in the art market, and each object is vetted for authenticity, date, and condition by a committee of 150 experts from the United States and Europe.
Tickets
Art Party Ticket
$250 ($200 for Whitney Contemporaries members), admits one
Artist Sponsor Ticket
$500 ($450 for Whitney Contemporaries members), admits one
The purchase of an Artist Sponsor ticket allows the Whitney to extend a complimentary ticket to an artist of its choosing.
Art Party proceeds benefit the Independent Study Program and other education initiatives of the Whitney.
The Largest Travel Trade and Consumer Show in North AmericaThe New York Times Travel Show attracts more than 35,000 attendees with over 700 exhibitors from more than 175 countries, making it the largest travel trade and consumer show in North America. Join us for the 2020 show on January 24 – 26 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.GET MORE INFORMATION
Sotheby’s Wine is hosting the annual Union Des Grands Crus De Bordeaux—and we’d like to invite you as our guest! This premier event brings together Bordeaux’s leading producers in celebration of the 2017 vintage, for a lively evening of tastings at Cipriani 42nd Street.
TOP DECEMBER NYC EVENTS
WINTER WONDERLAND BALL 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. | #WinterBallNYBG
The Best Holiday Gala in New York!
Black Tie
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/11th-annual-latke-festival-tickets-55945999992
11th Annual Latke Festival
About The Event
One of New York City's most unique and delicious holiday tasting events, the Latke Festival is a charity event benefiting The Sylvia Center and organized by Great Performances Catering. This one-night affair celebrates the best and most creative potato pancakes in our city.
For its fourth year in a row, the 11th Annual Latke Festival will be held at the stunning Brooklyn Museum and is already on track to be our biggest celebration of latkes yet.
Join us and our panel of celebrity judges on December 16th to ring in the holidays, enjoy amazing food and drink, dance to our live DJ and vote for the Best Latke of all!
www.latkefestival.com | #LatkeFest | #TheSylviaCenter | @GPFood | @SylviaCenter
3. Big Band Holidays
What To Expect
Soulful, big band versions of holiday classics
Holiday cheer for all ages
Brand-new songs added to the JLCO’s holiday repertoire
It’s the most wonderful time of year in the House of Swing! The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and music director Marcus Printup continue a beloved New York tradition with Big Band Holidays. Featuring soulful, big band versions of classics like “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World,” and “Brazilian Sleigh Ride,” Big Band Holidays is an uplifting holiday program that plays to sold-out audiences every December.
Big Band Holidays is renowned for showcasing some of the most exciting and charismatic vocalists on the scene, with recent editions including Cécile McLorin Salvant, Gregory Porter, René Marie, Vuyo Sotashe, Veronica Swift, and Catherine Russell. This year we welcome back an old favorite, the smooth-as-silk baritone vocalist Denzal Sinclaire. We’re also thrilled to present a Big Band Holidays first-timer: local teenage phenomenon Alexis Morrast, first-place winner of the nationally broadcast Showtime at the Apollo.
4. LuminoCity Festival
LuminoCity Inc. is a multimedia entertainment company that transforms captivating stories into multidimensional experiences. By exploring the intersection of art forms, LuminoCity seeks to blur the lines between virtuality and reality when curating unforgettable experiences for all audiences. In the inaugural year of 2019, LuminoCity proudly presents its signature event LuminoCity Festival, a month-long holiday event with an exhibition of spectacular light art displays, live performances, and a celebration of cultures.
5. New Years Eve Gala at The Metropolitan Opera
New Year’s Eve Gala
STARRING
Anna Netrebko
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
In an unprecedented program to celebrate the new year, Anna Netrebko pulls out all the Puccini stops, starring as Mimì, Tosca, and Turandot in one gala evening. The star soprano will sing Act I of La Bohème, opposite tenor Matthew Polenzani, and Act I of Tosca and Act II of Turandot, opposite tenor Yusif Eyvazov. Conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and featuring an outstanding cast that also includes baritones Quinn Kelsey and Davide Luciano, and bass-baritones Evgeny Nikitin and Christian Van Horn, this will be an evening not to be missed. Each of the acts will be fully staged and costumed in the respective (and spectacular) Zeffirelli and McVicar productions.
6. New Year's Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park
Join Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Prospect Park Alliance for Brooklyn's most spectacular New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration at Prospect Park's iconic Grand Army Plaza. This free event includes live entertainment followed by fireworks at the stroke of midnight. This family-friendly fireworks display, now in its 40th year, attracts tens of thousands of revelers to Prospect Park, making it one of the city's most popular celebrations.
This event is free and open to the public, and will take place rain or shine!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-fireworks-in-prospect-park-tickets-71550955835
Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop- The Perfect Winter Escape
On December 2nd, in the midst of the first snowfall of winter, Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop & Lounge introduced a new winter food and drinks menu designed to warm the body and soul. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with Moet & Chandon champagne and encouraged to try the seasonal cocktails (Margaretha Franklin, Gin Martin, Sweet and Sour Voughan, Nina Cinnamon Old Fashion, Cold Porter, Nut King Cole). The signature drinks featured ingredients such as jalapenos, spiced pear liqueur, cinnamon, spiced rum, and other ingredients known to keep you warm as the temperature drops in NYC. However, if you prefer a more classic drink, Sir Henri has you covered with their Old Fashion, Manhattan, French 75, Cosmopolitan, and select wines and beers.
Cold Porter: Scotch, Elderflower, Luxardo, Passion Fruit
Nut King Cole: Spiced Rum, Frangelico, Fernet Blanca, Amaro, Honey
Old Fashion
French 75
Now of course, what are drinks without food? As guests mingled and took in the cozy ambiance, platters of Sir Henri’s new dishes were brought out for sampling. Chicken and shrimp tacos, barbeque chicken wings, Sir Henri Mini’s sliders, calamari, and a trio of dips (Tzatziki, Hummus, Spicy Feta) with warm pita bread were served and they paired amazingly with the drinks. The chicken wings, calamari, and shrimp tacos are highly recommended!
As the temperature drops, it becomes more difficult to go outdoors, but Sir Henri’s Penthouse Rooftop (37 W 24th Street) is definitely worth the trip. Located on the 18th floor of Hotel Henri, the venue exudes vibes of a Jazz Age speakeasy but brings it back to our time with modern mixology. It is insulated in the winter and open-aired in the summer, making it a great place year-round for views of NYC and good food and drinks.
Areppas Opened its Third Location in NYC, to the Delight of Downtowners
This Wednesday, October 23rd, Areppas, specializing in Venezuelan street food, opened its downtown location in Soho, at 25 Cleveland Place.
Areppas Soho.
Areppas’ third brick-and-mortar eatery, brought to you by husband and wife duo Celestino Diaz and Brooke Carrie Hil, offers fresh, wholesome dishes, which focus on quality artisan grains, punchy proteins and strong seasonal ingredients.
Assorted fillings.
Assorted protein fillings.
Areppas caters to vegans, vegetarians and carnivores with bowls, salads, empanadas, and of course. arepas. If patrons are feeling adventurous, they can custom build their own dishes with the abundance of fillings on offer.
Interior of Areppas Soho.
The new Soho location is 1,000 square feet inside with 16 seats and has plans to open a 1,500 square foot outdoor courtyard next spring. The interior matches the food; casual, colorful and comforting.
Areppas is a fast-growing, fast-casual concept that has a flagship location at 954 3rd Avenue, and recently opened a second eatery in Gramercy at 115 East 23rd Street last month. The eatery aims to introduce fresh, tasty, and cost-effective Latin-based options to the New York City market.
Downtown Arepas.
Keeping in the spirit of the new location, I ordered the Downtown Arepas, filled with melt-in-the mouth short rib and a generous helping of de mano cheese. Other delicious options include the aptly named The Queen, filled with tender shredded chicken, avocado, cilantro and lime and cheese empanadas, which are gooey perfection!
Assorted bowl.
From the Vegan Bowl, with sweet plantains and black beans, to the Pork Supreme Bowl packed full with slowly roasted pork tenderloin, pico de gallo and bean salad, you are sure to find something to your taste. At Areppas, less formal certainly doesn’t mean less flavor!
Areppas new Soho location is open Monday-Sunday 11am-11pm. For more information please visit, Areppas.com.
Photos courtesy of Areppas
Food and Fun at Maker's Mark(et): A Taste of Old New York
On Thursday, October 10th, Maker’s Mark completely took over the new Essex Market in NYC’s Lower Eastside. Maker’s Mark wanted to give back to New Yorkers because the Wall Street Journal put them on the front page when they were just starting out, which contributed to their popularity. New Yorkers were invited to Maker’s Mark(et): A Taste of Old New York, where they got to taste Essex Market’s delicious food stands with Maker’s Mark cocktails in hand. Guests got to choose three perfectly crafted Maker’s cocktails, and then pair them with food from the food stands.
Maker’s Mark(et) was held at the new Essex Market, which is located in the Lower East
Maker’s provided signs next to each bartender that described the drink they were serving and what food it paired well with (this was extremely useful for people like me who just turned 21 and know nothing about whiskey!) My personal favorite was the Second Avenue Penicillin cocktail, which I paired with a savory empanada from the Dominican Cravings food stand and chicken tacos from the Puebla Mexican Food stand. The drink also paired well with Cafe D’Avignon’s outstanding banana chocolate chip bread.
The event was a great way to celebrate Maker’s Mark, as well as support a very important cause. All proceeds from the event benefited the United by Blue company, which is an outdoor clothing brand focused on ocean conservation, and for every ticket purchased, three pounds of trash will be removed from waterways. Guests also left the event with a new reusable copper mug (perfect for Moscow mules) and reusable straws to help guests decrease their plastic usage. I left this event absolutely stuffed, and a new fan of Maker’s Mark bourbon!
Cafe D’Avignon provided pastries and cookies for the event.
Drink pictured: Second Avenue Penicillin
TOP OCTOBER NYC EVENTS
NYCWFF is considered the largest wine and food festival in New York City with more than 100 events and widely recognized for its tastings in celebration of America’s favorite foods, intimate dinners with world-renowned chefs, late night parties, hands-on classes, educational seminars, wine tastings and more. Over 50,000 passionate gourmands and aficionados sip, swirl and savor world-class cuisine, wine and spirits served up by the industry’s finest.
2. New York Comic Con 2019
The New York Comic Con is an annual New York City fan convention dedicated to Western comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, cosplay, toys, movies, and television.
3. American Ballet Theatre – Fall Gala
ABT’s annual fundraising event at the David H. Koch Theater features a performance followed by dinner and dancing. The ABT Fall Gala raises funds for the Company, as well as ABT’s Education and Outreach programs.
Downtown’s premier food festival, Taste of the Seaport, will return for the 10th year of food, fun and fundraising on Saturday, October 19th from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Pier 16 and 17 in the Seaport District of New York City. Taste of the Seaport brings together over 40 of the best restaurants in Lower Manhattan and showcases an array of local vendors, artisans, entertainers and family friendly activities, making it the perfect day out for children and adults alike. The event will be followed by a fun-filled Front Street Block Party from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. to keep the party going.
For more information, please visit www.tasteoftheseaport.org
Event: Bon Appétit’s Hot 10 Party
Venue: Industry City, 238 36th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Date/Time: Oct. 19, 2019 6-10 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $199 (GA)
Website: BABestWeekendEver.com/Hot10
Description:The ultimate ticket to party side-by-side with Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen and the Hot 10—America’s Best New Restaurants.
This October, Bon Appétit will host its annual Hot 10 Party. For one night only, the Hot 10—America’s Best New Restaurants will all be in one place for an over-the-top bash. And we want you there. We’re talking unlimited food and drinks from this year’s Hot 10 restaurants (TBA in September!), hang time with your favorite BA editors, and all the good vibes you can handle.
Tickets for the Hot 10 Party on October 19 in Brooklyn, NY are on sale now atBABestWeekendEver.com/Hot10
6. Angel Ball 2019
As the signature fundraising event of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, the Angel Ball boasts an audience of nearly 1000 high-net-worth supporters, celebrities, influencers, executives and philanthropists at this annual celebration of life, music, and our quest for a cure.
The black-tie benefit hosted by Grammy-nominated songwriter Denise Richand her daughters Daniella Rich Kilstockand Ilona Rich Schachter, is an evening to honor the memory of Gabrielle Rich Aouadand benefits Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, which funds the best and brightest early career scientists whose research focuses on finding less toxic treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other related blood cancers.
Queer Eyehost Karamo Brown emceed the evening, which featured an unforgettable line-up of performances – including an acoustic set by Ashlee Simpson-Rossand Evan Ross; Grammy nominated artist, Julia Michaelswho performed her hits Issues and Heaven. At the end of the night, guests took the dance floor for performances by Daryl “DMC” McDaniels and the legendary Morris Day and The Timeperformed. They then danced the night away to DJ KISS.
Sponsors for the event include celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz,Porsche Cars North America, ALECIA, Casa Noble Tequilaand Pomp & Whimsy. Event décor was provided byBirch Event Designs.
The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, the multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens, will host its annual Fall Benefit Event on October 29, 2019. This year the event is focused on Celebrating a Creative Jamaica, honoring a community that has produced a long and diverse list of important artistic contributors.
The Honorees this year reflect the very best in their fields - Obba Babatunde, actor, producer, director, singer, Emmy Award Winner, Tony Nominee, and NAACP Trailblazer Award recipient; Marilyn F. Booker a Morgan Stanley veteran of over 25-years, she is Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and is head of Morgan Stanley's Urban Markets Group; Jumaane D. Williams is the Public Advocate of the City of New York and previously served on the City Council representing the 45th District.
JCAL provides important arts programming to the immediate community and the great New York City area. It is a rich resource for individuals of all age and sits at a crossroad of international, national and local importance between two of the busiest international airports (JFK & LGA), and a leading center of finance, business, trade, and the arts - New York City.
To Purchase Tickets/Donate -https://www.jcal.org/annualfundraiser
7th Annual NYC Autumn Wine Festival is our most elegant tasting of the year, conveniently located in Manhattan. It’s an awesome opportunity to sample a large variety of wines enhanced by a light menu of hors-d’oeuvres, cheese, crackers, crudité and pasta. And if that’s not enough, artisanal food makers — many local to the NY area — sample their products, including charcuterie, baked goods, sweets, savory items and more.
VIP Rosé & Bubbly Suite: The event offers a VIP experience in a luxurious area with 20+ Rosés and Sparkling wines. The VIP Rosé & Bubbly Suite will feature exclusive wines, a special food menu, gourmet chocolate and more. The menu will spotlight artisanal cheeses and delights not available in the general admission portion of the event. Ticket holders will be able to go between the Suite and the main tasting freely. **VIP ticket purchase is required for access to the Rosé & Bubbly Suite.
ABOUT THE 2019 NYC AUTUMN WINE FESTIVAL:
In its 7th year, the NYC Autumn Wine Festival showcases 100+ wines curated by our experts. Select other beverages and spirits will also be sampled. Wines range from full-bodied reds to crisp whites to intriguing blends. VIP tickets will offer access to a Rosé and Bubbly Suite with 20+ rosés and sparkling wines.
Participating wineries will show selections from the world’s leading wine regions — France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, California, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, and Austria.
A selection of New York State wines will be showcased at the event, with several NY State Farm wineries selling selections by the bottle for guests to take out and enjoy at home. You’ll meet these talented winemakers and hear first-hand about their winemaking process.
Chelsea’s landmark Altman Building will transform into an indoor vineyard, where attendees will taste world-class wine, feast on light hors-d'oeuvres and artisanal snacks.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-autumn-wine-festival-tickets-52897404561?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Buenos Aires, We Meat Again: The Restaurant’s New Steak Menu
I’ve already been to Buenos Aires to taste their brunch menu. And I was genuinely blown away. Can you imagine how I reacted when I first heard that the Argentinian restaurant launched its new beef platters? Curious and hungry, I just rushed to the East Village eatery.
Just like last time, every staff member welcomed me with warm smiles and escorted me to my dining table. It was full of red wine bottles, cheese platters, bread, and crackers (all from Argentina, of course). It looked authentic and exquisite. My taste buds and appetite were already aroused. As soon as I sat down, the waiter poured some wine in my glass and not any wine, but The Susana Balbo Signature wine, an Argentinian classic made only from the finest grapes from the highest vineyards in the country. It is also made with minimal intervention to allow for the purest interpretation of winetasters, and it perfectly accompanied the organic Argentinian cheese.
As I was sipping the wine, I could feel the alcohol kick in. Strangers sitting on the next table turned into friends. Argentina’s conviviality is palpable at Buenos Aires. As we were chatting and laughing, the waiters placed the first main course for the night on the table: sausages. Some were purely done with pork, others were mixed with meat, but all of them were delicious. Yet, the most impressive part of the dinner remains the meat tasting: The steak’s quality is just hea-ven-ly. The texture dissolves in the mouth. The meat is concentrated with flavors. I tried the filet mignon, the rib eye steak, the beef tenderloin, and even meat marinated in milk… I consider all of them, with no exception, a culinary masterpiece. The meat just melts and releases exploding flavors with every bite. There is no need to add salt or even Chimichurri sauce (which is obviously also delicious). And this is no coincidence. Bueno Aires imports all of its ingredients from La Pampa in Argentina. Instead of freezing the meat, the restaurant makes sure to ventilate the local produce while shipping them to New York. The premium meat is also 100% organic, antibiotic and hormones-free, and is grass-fed.
As a meat fanatic who moved to the big city a couple of years ago, I find it very hard to find quality meat in NYC. But Buenos Aires ended that quest of mine. This time, I was not blown away by the restaurant’s new menu. I was beyond that.
Dizzy’s Club: Where Jazz Gets You Drunk
In New Orleans they say “pass a good time” when wishing someone pleasure and fun. When I visited the city of Jazz, I had no glass in my hand but music still got me drunk: The rawness in the artists’ pieces. The emotions in the melody. The joy in the trumpet. And the melancholy in the piano... I’ve passed the best time surrendering to the music. I never thought I would ever get that NOLA feeling again, until I went to The Summer Super & Jazz Evening at Dizzy’s Club at the Jazz Lincoln Center.
There, I got the chance to see Christian McBride Big Band’s performance-and they hypnotized me. Jazz got me drunk for the first time since I visited New Orleans last March, and I was enjoying every second of it. Dizzy’s Club handpicks grand artists and offers the authentic Jazz experience in the midst of Manhattan. The elegant, wooden-interior looks like a violin with its beautifully shaped curves. The club oversees a skyline that changes color as the sun sets. The service is simply impeccable, and the food is varied, sophisticated, and exquisite. Everything tasted delicious. Everything sounded beautiful. Everything looked pretty. All of my senses were pleased. It was easy to surrender to the music.
That night, I didn’t pass a good time. I passed the best time. Thanks to Dizzy’s Club, I relived my New Orleans experience and got drunk on Jazz again.
TOP MAY EVENTS
PARKINSON’S FOUNDATION TO HOST 2019 NEW YORK ANNUAL GALA
WHAT: The Parkinson’s Foundation will host its annual New York Gala, bringing together more than 300 national leaders in Parkinson’s care and research, business, and the media. The celebratory event features entertainment, dancing, signature cocktails, dinner and auction items, all in support of the organization’s mission to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Master of Ceremonies, Willie Geist of NBC, will act as host of the evening’s events, which will honor Johnson & Johnson and Governor Edward G. Rendell, 45th Governor of Pennsylvania and former Mayor of the City of Philadelphia.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, 2019
6:30 p.m. Cocktails
7:30 p.m. Dinner
WHERE: Cipriani 25 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
RSVP: To purchase tickets for$1,250, the public may visit www.parkinson.org/gala
2. Taste of Upper West Side 2019
FRIDAY, MAY 17
7 PM TO 10 PM
Summer in the City kicks off our annual fundraising food event with the exciting debuts of several restaurants and bars, along with longtime local favorites. Come join us for unlimited wine, spirits and great music centered around innovative seasonal food from approximately 40 of the Upper West Side’s most sought-after restaurants. READ MORE
LIMITED QUANTITY TICKETS AVAILABLE WHILE THEY LAST!
Join us at the 3rd Annual WhiskyX event in Brooklyn, New York on May 17th at Duggal Greenhouse.
Come taste 60+ whiskies led by expert brand ambassadors, distillery reps & some of NYC’s well-known bartenders
Be entertained with a LIVE CONCERT from St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Enjoy NYC’s best food trucks & featured chef to be announced serving up delicious samplings
For more info, visit our website: http://www.TheWhiskyX.com
WHISKEY TASTING BRANDS
Some of our participating whiskies across Bourbon, Scotch, American Whiskey, Single Malts and Rye Whiskey.
Previous participants have included: Aberlour • Ardbeg • Balcones •Bruichladdich • Bulleit Bourbon • Cooper & Thief • Clyde May’s • Crown Royal • Dewar’s • Glen Moray • Glenmorangie • George Dickel • Guinness • Highland Park • High West • Johnnie Walker • Limousin Rye • Powers Irish Whiskey • Q Drinks • Russel's Reserve • Scotch Malt Whisky Society • Westland • WhistlePig • Wild Turkey • And More…
~55 Local and Out of State Brewers serving over 100+ Craft Beers ~ Never Before Tasted Beer and some of your favorites, 2 Live Jam Bands and catered by local restaurants ~
~Come Join us on Saturday, May 18, 2019 4pm - 9pm, at The Well, 272 Meserole St. Brookyn~
One Price for entry includes everything. $75.00
Website: http://www.fiveborocraftbeerfest.com/
5. Billion Oyster Party
Billion Oyster Party
Get treated to the ultimate oyster experience as we celebrate the movement to restore NY Harbor and our local marine environment. Mingle with 50 oyster farmers who will be shucking and serving their delicacies and enjoy bites from 25 of NYC’s top restaurants while learning about oyster culture and restoration. Speak to NY Harbor School students about their work on the Billion Oyster Project. Finally, wash it all down with brews, sodas, spirits and wines from local partners while watching the BOP All-Star Shucking Championship!
Proceeds from the event directly support Billion Oyster Projects restoration and education work. The hands-on science of reef construction and monitoring is executed through community oysters reefs, in-school restoration-based STEM learning opportunities, volunteer programs, community science and research, and restaurant shell collection. Together, we can revive our shared blue space, creating a healthier, happier, and more resilient city—one oyster reef at a time.
On Monday May 20, 2019 at 6:00pm, Harlem Stage, the legendary uptown performing arts venue celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, a period known for a flourishing of art and culture led by Black artists. Guests will be dressed in attire inspired by the roaring ‘20s, to mark the era.
This year in commemoration of the Harlem Renaissance, Harlem Stage’s annual gala celebrates Disrupters: Then, Now, and in the Future; those who shake up the status quo in every field by pushing the boundaries of innovation. The gala is a tribute to artists, activists, and creators, and celebrates Harlem Stage’s more than 35 years as an institution known for commissioning and presenting new, innovative work that reflects and responds to the complex conditions that shape the lives of our audiences, artists, and communities of color.
Zero Food Waste Challenge
** This event is part of the Food Waste Fair, an interactive event connecting the NYC hospitality industry with the resources and knowledge they need to get to #zerofoodwaste. Get your companion ticket here. **
From soup kitchen cooks to Michelin star chefs, New York’s most creative culinary leaders compete at the Zero Food Waste Challenge to fight food waste!
NYC businesses throw away more than 650,000 tons of food annually—but the chefs participating in the Zero Food Waste Challenge know better. Come out to sample dishes from the City’s most creative culinary leaders on May 23rd at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Chefs will make dishes featuring “upcycled” ingredients, ranging from gochujang veggie stem tacos, to cashew & almond milk panna cotta, to cippolini onion dip & chips.
TOP MARCH EVENTS
Staged on Piers 92 & 94, The Armory Show features leading international galleries, innovative artist commissions, and dynamic public programs.
New York Wine Events is pleased to invite you to the NYC Winter Wine Festival, our largest tasting of the year with expansive variety of wines. Join us at The PlayStation Theater in Times Square on Saturday, March 9, 2019 as we savor selections from all over the world, delicious food and amazing music.
Taste hundreds of fine wines, expertly curated by Vintry Fine Wines. Lush reds, crisp whites, intriguing grape blends… and more, from all around the globe.
An array of New York State wines will also be showcased at the event with several NY State Farm wineries selling selections by the bottle for guests to enjoy at home.
See photos and videos from past events.
ABOUT THE 2019 NYC WINTER WINE FESTIVAL:
Discover what satisfied attendees already know: New York Wine Events produces world-class wine festivals!
New York Wine Events is transforming Times Square’s PlayStation Theater into an indoor vineyard. Attendees will taste world class wine, delicious light hors-d’oeuvres and artisanal snacks.
Participating wine importers and wineries source their selections from the world’s finest grape growing regions in France, Italy, Spain, New York State, South Africa, California, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Portugal, Japan, Austria and Germany.
3. Good Spirits
Edible Manhattan and Bowery Collective present Good Spirits 2019. Round out the winter season and warm up with a cocktail prepared by one of the many talented mixologists from celebrated local, national and international spirit brands.
This year Good Spirits will showcase innovation and technology in the spirit world. Come see how the entire drink chain is transforming with tech playing a role in distilling, delivering, creating, paying and consuming. Just want a good drink? We can do that, too!
Participants include:
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey • Don Julio Tequila • Finger Lakes Distilling • Ketel One Vodka
Tickets: https://www.ediblemanhattan.com/event/good-spirits-2019/
If you've been meaning to take a trip to the wineries of the Finger Lakes, Greater Niagara region, North Fork or the Hudson Valley but haven't had the time, consider letting them come to you instead.
The 8th annual NY Drinks NY Grand Tasting will offer over 200 wines from almost 50 wineries across the state at The Rainbow Room, high atop Rockefeller Center. A quintessentially New York institution, the Rainbow Room has welcomed guests for over eight decades in an opulent, glamorous and iconic destination.
In addition to wine, there will also be a spread of New York cheeses and charcuterie with artisan breads and sweet butter.
In addition to Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and Long Island wines, you'll also be able to sample some made as far away as the Niagara Escarpment region of Western New York.
Doughnuts dance, strawberries shimmy and coffee beans catapult into stouts from the best breweries in the world at Pastrytown, a new beer festival by Other Half NYC. Join us on March 16th at Industry City for this adjunct fantasyland of sweet and savory flavors baked into your favorite brews like pastry stouts, barrel-aged barley wines and fruited Berliners. Pastrytown is a brewer-owned and brewer-run festival where we’ve rounded up over 30 of our brewer friends who know how to have fun with adjuncts.
And if this isn’t sweet enough, we’re icing this cake with some professional wrestling. NY Wrestling Connection will be there to entertain (with moonsaults and other moves you wish you could do) while you decide which brew to try next.
Come thirsty and ready to have some fun.
Find all event details at: https://pastrytown.otherhalfbrewing.com/.
Sat, March 16, 2019
11am-4pm (VIP) - Tickets $300
12pm-4pm (General Admission) - Tickets $100
NY Wrestling Connection matches throughout the day
festivals@otherhalfbrewing.com
6. NYC Craft Distillers Festival
This speakeasy event showcases specially-selected, premium craft spirits from incredible craft distilleries.
You’ll sample over 60 craft spirits to your hearts content while a 1920′s style jazz band keeps the party lively during this one of a kind experience.
VIP admission means you’ll gain early access one hour before the crowd, so you’ll have more time to sample and meet distillers face-to-face.
Food available for purchase. Complimentary Coat Check.
Modern-Gatsby Attire Suggested (...but not required).
WHO:
On Air Fest
WHEN:
February 28-March 3, 2019
WHERE:
Wythe Hotel (80 Wythe Ave. at N.11th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
WHO ATTENDS:
Where audio makers, artists and storytellers, the podcast industry and listeners gather to network and be inspired by the art of sound.
TICKETS:
Early bird tickets available until February 1st: $60/day pass $150/three day pass
INFO:
10th Annual Latke Festival
On Monday, December 4th, the highly anticipated 10th Annual Latke Festival returned to NYC. Having consumed lotsa latkes during the festival at the Brooklyn Musuem last night, a panel of 13 judges and 500-plus latke-loving attendees determined the winners of the culinary competition and fundraiser for The Sylvia Center. The judges declared the Hoppin' John Latke, black-eyed peas, rice and potato latke, BBQ brisket, braise collards, crispy onions from Brooklyn’s Benchmark Restaurant their favorite, naming it Best Latke – this is Benchmark’s second consecutive year for that honor, having snagged the Best Latke award at last’s year’s event.
For the two new awards at the 2018 edition of the festival, the judges cited the Falafel Latke from Kulushkat, the Brooklyn-based Middle Eastern eatery as Best Creative Latke and Dima’s Sweet & Savory Short Rib Latke, slow braised short ribs, prune reduction and micro greens from Manhattan’s venerable Veselka got the nod for Best Traditional Latke, its foundation being the 64- year-old Ukrainian restaurant’s traditional homemade latke. In a festival first, Veselka’s entry was a double winner, also named the People’s Choice Best Latke!
One of most deliciously fun and eagerly anticipated events on New York City’s Holiday Season calendar, the Latke Festival – celebrating the scrumptious versatility of the potato pancake – was presented by Great Performances, the highly-acclaimed New York-based catering and events company, as a benefit for The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching nutrition and cooking in underserved communities through hands-on experiences on the farm and in the kitchen. The evening showcased 24 latke creations, from the classic to the decadently imaginative, by chefs from such establishments as: Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola; FONDA; FryGuys; Korso; Mama O’s; The Norm; Riss’s Knishes; and White Tiger. See complete list of participants here.
The judging panel of influencers and food experts included: actress Debi Mazar and her celebrity chef husband Gabriele Corcos, hosts of Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin; Dana Cowin, host of Heritage Radio’s Speaking Broadly (formerly long-time editor of Food & Wine); Alex Mayyasi, editor-in-chief of Gastro Obscura; David Berliner, president and COO of the Brooklyn Musuem; Tine Redwine, host of News12 CT’s “Chef’s Quick Tips;” Lee Schrager, director of the South Beach and New York City Wine & Food Festivals, and Howard Axel, CEO of Four Freedoms Park. The full list of all 13 judges can be seen here.
“We’re so grateful to the participants who brought their culinary creativity to our event. It’s very gratifying all the winners have been long time supporters of the festival and The Sylvia Center. In fact Veselka has been part of the Latke Festival all ten years of its existence,” notes Liz Neumark, the founder and CEO of Great Performances, which produces the event annually, and who also established The Sylvia Center. “It’s so intriguing how different the winning latkes were, demonstrating, once again, the myriad ways chefs can work with potato pancakes.”
# # #
ABOUT THE SYLVIA CENTER
A nutrition education and youth development organization that works in high-need, high-potential communities to show young people and their families how to establish healthy habits that lead to happier and more productive lives. The nonprofit works with more than 2,500 young people annually across New York City’s five boroughs and in Columbia County, N.Y. Through hands-on experiences in the kitchen and at on a farm in upstate New York, students learn to prepare and enjoy healthy food made fresh, whole ingredients.
Ten students from The Sylvia Center’s “Cooks for Health” program at the Williamsburg Community Center in Brooklyn are competing in the Latke Festival this year. For more information about The Sylvia Center, please visit www.sylviacenter.org.
ABOUT GREAT PERFORMANCES:
Established in 1980 as a waitress service that provided flexible part-time employment to women pursuing careers in the arts, Great Performances (GP) has grown to become New York City’s largest privately-held full-service catering, events production and retail hospitality company. GP is particularly distinguished by a propensity for innovation, a commitment to sustainability—GP was the first and remains the only catering concern in the U.S. to own and operate an organic farm*-- and a dedication to building communities around food. GP’s roots in the arts are reflected by its exclusive partnerships with such prestigious cultural institutions as the Brooklyn Museum, BAM, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Apollo Theater and Asia Society. For more information about GP, please visit greatperformances.com.
Photo Credit: Eric Vitale Photography
Areppas 1st Anniversary Celebration
Creative areppas that are fresh, delicious and fairly priced. Areppas, a Venezuelan fast-casual eatery in NYC celebrated its 1st anniversary by showcasing new menu items, including healthy bowl and salad options. Areppas is known for serving fresh, wholesome dishes with the best quality artisan grains, proteins and seasonal ingredients. The Midtown East restaurant and its food carts around town offer signature arepas and the option to create your own.
Owner Celestino Diaz, was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1987 and came to America with his family in 2004 to escape the country’s hardships. Together with his wife, Brooke Carrie Hil, Diaz set out to open a restaurant that would pay homage to his background.
The couple is also committed to giving back by feeding a hungry child in Latin America with every meal sold at Areppas through the UNA X UNA nonprofit. As a result of the initiative, over 40,000 kids have received meals thus far.
The full menu can be found here.
Zio's Monday Night Meatball
On a warm and cozy Wednesday evening, Zio Ristorante presented its new event introducing Monday Night Meatball. The meatball celebration is about to make your Mondays better.
Beginning on September 17, 2018, every Monday night at Zio Ristorante, you will be able to enjoy three meatball sliders for just $10. Each guest is allowed to choose from five different styles of meatballs, including vegetarian options. The first meatball is prepared out of Zio’s signature veal and combined with mozzarella cheese. If you are not a fan of veal, there are also choices of lamb meatballs with ricotta cheese and red onion marmalade, as well as seasoned chicken meatballs with fontina cheese. If you would like to add some spice to your Monday nights, try a spicy pork meatball covered in hot cherry pepper sauce. And of course, if you are a vegetarian, a veggie meatball with homemade pesto sauce is about to make your night.
Zio Ristorante, which offers a variety of delicious Italian dishes such as Fettuccine pasta with baby shrimps and fresh tomato sauce, as well as Petto di Pollo, which includes grilled pounded chicken breast, wild mushrooms and mashed potatoes, guarantees to become your NYC go-to restaurant during any time of the week. The restaurant offers a variety of finger-licking dishes that will be worth a try on any day of the week.
But if you are looking for a comfort level food for an amazing price, Monday Night Meatball is the event for you. Exclusively available every Monday night and only at Zio.
Grand Opening of RFTP at the POD BK Hotel
On Wednesday, July 11, POD BK Hotel presented its guests and visitors with a new bar in town: RFTP. The bar is a lounge located on the rooftop of the POD BK Hotel.
RFTP is the perfect spot for an after-work hangout or a weekend meetup. It features an extensive terrace with a comfy lounging area and a large bar, which offers delicious drinks such as Frosé, Modelo and Pacifico. To complement the drinks, RFTP presents “Vegetable Garden,” which is a mixture of seasonal vegetables served on quinoa with a touch of black olive and burnt leek powder to resemble edible soil, all accompanied by a buttermilk ranch dip. The “Artichoke Dip,” which is a delightful mix of cauliflower, garlic confit, seared fontina, is served with pita chips and guarantees a perfect match to any drink from the bar. RFTP also provides classic side appetizers, such as a charcuterie board and paratha flatbread, which consists of feta, figs, arugula and balsamic.
Extend your visit to RFTP by also staying at the POD BK Hotel, which features a clean and minimalist design with splashes of color. The hotel, which opened in October of 2017, features cozy rooms with bunk beds and queen-size beds, while also emphasizing comfort in a close-knit space. Each hotel room is small, but as one of the staff members pointed out, “You come to New York to be outside of your hotel room.” Indeed, the hotel is a perfect place to rest and re-energize before heading to the city.
247 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Photos courtesy of RFTP