Weekly happenings: November 25 - December 1
Ducksgiving is taking over
I’m not American so maybe this has always been a thing and I’ve just been ignorant the last 12 years living here…but everyone is eating duck for Thanksgiving. First it was my friend suggesting it as a Friendsgiving option, then I started to see it across menus. From Tolo doing a whole roasted duck to Francie offering their famous dry-aged duck, turkey is taking a backseat this year and I’m not complaining about it.
Anyway, sending a few highlights and Thanksgiving options this holiday week instead of my day by day curations. Back to regularly scheduled programming next Monday. I firmly commit that this will be my only cop-out week. I can’t even call it that, there’s just really not much happening this week that I’m excited about. And while cheesy events are certainly not off limits, I’m not in the business of recommending you go see the Rockettes. You can find that kind of round up elsewhere.
Some highlights this week
Roebling Rink Opening
Brooklyn Bridge Park | Through Feb 2nd at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn
Skating is one of the cheesy holiday activities I make time for every year. Probably because I’m good at it. I grew up in Canada playing hockey and there’s some very happy nostalgia that comes through when I’m skating. This is my second favorite rink in NYC and it’s opening for the season today. It’s second to Lefrak Center in Prospect Park because of how small it is, but the views and holiday spirit is definitely best here. It costs $10 to skate and they have included rentals.
Made in NYC Holiday Market
Made in NYC | November 30th - December 8th at Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan
The Biltmore Room at Grand Central Terminal is hosting a 10-day holiday market with Made in NYC. Its mostly focused on treats and confections that can be enjoyed on site or bought as gifts. There will be local made hot sauce, cocktail mixes, baking mixes, chocolate, baked goods, and much more. RSVP for free.
Introduction to Gouache Painting
Brooklyn Brainery | Monday November 25th 6-8pm at 190 Underhill Ave, Brooklyn
Diana Kuan, author of Red Hot Kitchen, on cooking with Asian hot sauces, and The Chinese Takeout Cookbook, on Chinese food and culture in America, is teaching this gouache painting class. She’ll cover color mixing, sketching, washes, level of opacity, and adding detail. The class is designed to be beginner friendly. Tickets are $40.
Mini Martini Party
The WonderMart x Quincy | Saturday November 30th 2-5pm at 141 India St, Brooklyn
Celebrate Small Business Saturday at this martini party. You’ll get to shop from local makers while sipping on dirty martinis from Quincy. No RSVP required.
Thanksgiving Day
If you’re not a planner or if plans fell through, here’s some restaurants serving up Thanksgiving set menus that actually look good and that still have reservations available (at least as of Sunday evening). Most of them have discounted options for kids too.
Soogil - 5 course Korean inspired tasting menu at $145pp for something less traditional
Café Carmellini - 3 course menu at $155pp. My money’s on this one being best decorated.
Cecchi’s - 4 course meal at $165pp. Plus you actually get a lot of choices in this menu, unlike some of the others.
The Golden Swan - If you’ve followed along for a while, you know this is one of my favorite spots. A pricier option at $165 for a 3 course menu, but if you go and don’t like it I’ll buy you a coffee where you can explain to me how that’s possible.
Maison Barnes - This feels like the right day to be at a Café Boulud. 3 course manu at $155pp.
Il Buco Alimentari - 4 course family style meal at $125pp.
And if you don’t somehow have a friend who invites you to their Central Park West apartment to watch the parade, here are some of my favorite sports bars. I even went to the effort of including a Manhattan option, you’re welcome.
Luana’s Tavern - Not really a sports bar, but it is a good bar with good food that has a projector. So maybe it’s better than a sports bar.
Finn’s Corner - The most dog friendly bar ever. Like I can guarantee you’ll see a few dogs. Otherwise a classic sports bar. They have a fun projector in the backyard too, though it’ll probably be too cold for that.
B61 Bar - Classic dive. They have a free pool table which is pretty unheard of though.
Sláinte - And if I have to pick to watch sports in lower Manhattan, I’d pick here. It’s an Irish pub with a pretty good espresso martini and a slightly older crowd than most surrounding spots. By slightly older in this context, I mean above 25 here.
As always, message me with any events you try out or any recommendations for next week!