All Things New York - Concierge Corner: T-Day Edition - So much to be thankful for!
As we approach Thanksgiving week - I come in peace, bearing some treats you should just absolutely gobble up this season. Turkey Day, or Tofurkey Day to some, bring with it events and sales that definitely need pre-planning. Enjoy some good old fashioned New York this week with some new hot-spots, discount shopping deals and even a way to work off the holiday-calories.
As for your Black Friday planning - not all should be lost (like your portfolio). Yes, we are experiencing a second Depression. Yes, your credit cards are near-maxed, but come on people! Prioritize (and if you can’t get out of the funk, check out the BEE SPIRITUAL column this week for some much needed solace). Momma needs a new pair of shoes and Daddy needs a new tool-set . The upside (yes, there is one) is that stores and manufacturers alike, are well aware of your financial woes. Hence, the circulars went around a bit earlier this year. Since you have all behaved so well, and checking out my recommendations - save your precious finger tips (that bring you to me each Friday) the newspaper print. I have a treat for you! If you visit Black Friday Ads you will see upward of 50 circulars. So, eat and then shop your little heart out this next week. You can repent come December. As far as the ‘now’ is concerned, the below tidbits are shopping destinations for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of next week.
- Holiday Market and Gift Festival at The Open Center (Thanksgiving Weekend, Sat. the 29th and Sun. the 30th) from 11 am - 6 pm. Chair massages, discounts on wellness packages, raffles, refreshments and hand-made gifts. What more do you need when coming off of a food-hangover? The Open Center is chock full of goodness and this is pretty much the marshmallow on the Sweet Potato Casserole for me. Fair-trade goods and local artisans present gifts that are sure to charm even the pickiest of relatives, or girlfriends this season. So, plan out the weekend now, and make this a stop on Saturday or Sunday. Take the train to Spring Street, 83 Spring Street to be exact.
- Ikea is having a Black Friday sale. I know, I know…you’ve been dying to go out to the Red Hook location anyway and just needed an excuse. So, go! On Friday, the 29th - they are having a pretty big sale which will continue throughout the weekend - but only this day will you get a FREE BREAKFAST! Yum, more food; Just what we need. Arrive at any location (read: NJ, CT or BK) before 10:30 am, and breakfast and coffee is on them. Check out the sale on this list (but scroll down for Ikea). You can download the PDF for the breakfast coupon. Enjoy!
- Feel like some trips may be too far after trekking all over just for some Turkey? Head down to the Union Square Holiday Market which opens this weekend, Saturday the 22nd. Even though crowds may be of record proportion this year (as everyone steers clear of Saks), this is just the place for special presents. It runs from November 22nd - December 24th, M-F 11 am - 8 pm, Saturdays 10 am - 8pm and Sundays 11 am - 7 pm. 14th Street and Park Ave South. Note: This is for the non-sale seeking, but still economically-minded shoppers of next weekend’s Black Friday and all that follows.
The Week(end) Ahead, Thanksgiving Edition:
- Raising the ‘Bar’ : Sweet and Lowdown, a luxe wine bar in LES is now open. A romantic wooden paradise of sorts comes to us from the same owner of Le Jardin Bistro. A domestic wine-list is offered hailing from the usual suspects - California, Washington and Oregon. Tease your tastebuds with their menu offering mini-cupcakes from the local bakery, strong cheese melts, an assortment of domestically cured meats and oh so much more, it’s overwhelming to look at the menu. 123 Allen Street; 212-228-7746.
- Ya ‘Heard’ it Here: HighLine Ballroom offers us yet another spectacular artist - Thanksgiving weekend, on Sunday the 30th at 9pm. This venue space is great by the way, if you haven’t ever been. Big enough to get down and dirty with some dance moves, two bars and two VIP sections. Jean Grae is her name; Funny rap is her game. She is witty, socially aware and smooth as silk. Having worked with the likes of The Roots and Talib Kweli, her talent is an enormous undersight of the NY music scene. Co-starring next weekend with Derrin Maxwell and Mr. Len, it’s okay if you haven’t heard of them - they are equally as cool. Stand up for your right to hear good music, and head over to hear her tunes 431 W. 16th Street. Tickets are $15. If you don’t believe me that she will take down the house, listen to the hysterical JEAN GRAE for yourself - here.
- What a Night: This Monday, the 24th is no different than other Mondays - but I thought I would put you onto a secret and happening party that happens weekly. 105 RIV hosts my friends Sinclair and DJ Moma’s ‘Unprotected Mondays‘ party. With no cover, a great staff, a dope door-guy named Henri and fabulous mixed drinks - you cannot go wrong. The party starts at 11 pm and goes until 4 am. Who cares work is the next day, it’s Thanksgiving week - not one person will expect you to be productive at work. For any questions, door policy or info - email mo@djmoma.com. 105 Rivington (bet Essex & Ludlow St.)
- Rockin Restaurants: When you were growing up, did you have a Sunday Dinner? Why not start one now, and either conjure up old memories - or create a whole set of new ones. Bar Stuzzichini, Chef Paul Di Bari is creating (or re-creating shall we say) “La Famiglia Domenica”; I will give you one guess as to what that translates into. Dinner is served between 4 pm - 10 pm. A three course, family-style meal at $26 a person. Not bad, right? You get a choice of dishes at each serving, and can even add on dessert for $6 in which you get more choices! Sounds too good to be true. I would stop in this Sunday before Thanksgiving. Just saying. 928 Broadway (between 21st /22nd St). Call for reservations: 212-750-8100.
- Wile Wine Events: Folks live out-of-town? Just broke up with the ex? Anti-social and dieting, or at least that is what you told your friend who ‘just learned to cook’? Maybe all of those (yikes, we should talk). Well, if you have no plans yet for T-Day on Thursday November 27th, then consider spending it at a fabulous restaurant named Metrazur. A fabulous wine selection can only complement and act as the cake’s cherry this upcoming Thursday. Charlie and his family would like to welcome you (and your family if you so decide to bring them out of the house) for dinner by their side. And, that is Charlie, as in Mr. Palmer himself. You may have noticed the restaurant in Grand Central one time or two, opposite MJ’s Steakhouse. At only $65 a pop, the menu they are offering up is looking mighty fine. From 12 noon - 8 pm, dinner is yours to enjoy. You don’t even have to go above ground - just journey into GC on a train, and then depart on one as you unbutton your pants and settle into a seat (keep it clean, guys). The following is merely a sample of what is offered that day, so call for full menu: Warm rolls start you off as you make your way to the Chestnut Bizue and Wild Mushroom Risotto. Afterwards, start dinner off with a Wild Striped Bass or Cider Basted Heirloom Turkey. Perhaps you are in the mood for some duck, and the Crisp Confit Potato sounds more appetizing. With sides like Whipped Japanese Yams, Apple Sage Stuffing and Wild Mushroom Ragout - it’s a surprise to us all if you have room for dessert. Seriously, stop and ask yourself how worth it this is? To not have to deal with annoying family members, or maybe dealing with them but not having to deal with their annoying food offerings is more than worth it here at Charlie’s Feast. Alas, if the stomach is stretched enough to hold more, please do enjoy the Walnut and Pear Torte and Heirloom Apple Pie. Maybe not at once. And remember - as you tilt those wine glasses, be sure to conjure up what it is you are thankful for and enjoy the bounty! Psst - if you don’t want to cook and already have wine at home, order by today (meaning they still may honor you if you hurry up and call) off of their To-Go Menu and Thanksgiving will be a breeze - just pick it up by 2 pm on T-day and Walla! Your friends will be trying to get you on Top Chef next season. 212-687-4600 for reservations, or the to-go menu/ordering.
- Cool Culture: When was the last time you were schooled? Humbly take it all in this Saturday, Nov. 22nd at a Holiday Entertaining Cooking Class with Fabio Trabocchi. Fiamma is offering up their Executive Chef for an intimate cooking class (demonstration style) that will cover delicious and realistic dishes a la Chestnut Soup, a Cheesy Pecorino and White Wine Risotto, a Piceno Style Stuffed Turkey and a tasting-menu offering up three-courses. Geez, if that wasn’t enough, be sure to keep your glass filled with the complimentary Prosecco. You can even rest it atop your own cookbook - Cucina De La Marche, courtesy of Mr. Trabocchi himself. Best of all, they are sensitive to the fact that your kitchen is the size of the restaurant’s bathroom, so need not fret. $120 per ticket, the class runs from 11 am - 1:30 pm. 206 Spring Street, 212-653-0100.
- Bee Here: Okay, so it’s almost here - the holidy of eating. Nervous? Need not sweat my dears. Unless you want to sweat and work off the holiday-meal guilt with a $6 - 10 ticket to ride the newest plot of ice in NYC. The American Museum of Natural History has a hot (cold) new spot! The LUTZ Polar Rink , now open on Sun.- Thurs. noon - 8 pm, and on Fri. and Sat. 11 am - 10 pm. Arthur Ross Terrace at The AMNH, 79th St. at Central Park West. 212-769-5200.
And that’s all folks. See you after the break.
