Weekend Guide :: 06.11.10

Hurry ! And purchase some of our all time favorite chef’s cookbook :: The Franks, or Frankie’s 457 and more, have come out with “The Frankies Spuntino : Kitchen Companion + Cooking Manual.” We can’t wait to try their simple and delicious Italian at home (their tomato sauce only has 5 ingredients !!).

If you haven’t been yet, embrace summer + try your first Luke’s Lobster Roll this weekend. They’ve long been good, but they were just awarded “Fan Favorite” at Tasting Table’s Claw Off. Sounds like the perfect weekend summer treat.

And don’t forget the 8th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park from 11am to 6pm. Pit Masters from around the world will be there to surprise your bbq palate and keep a smile on your face.

Weekend Guide :: 05.28.10

Photo by Karen Mordechai

Not sure about you guys but we are itching for a nice long weekend of fun and food. Here are some great spots to check out if you're in the city....Happy Holiday Weekend - !!

Openings :

Newly Opening Coffee/Records and Antique shop in Cobble Hill
Black Gold, 461 Court Street, between Fourth Place and Luquer Street, Carroll Gardens (347-227-8227 Opens Saturday; free coffee all day.

Totale Pizza, a new Neapolitan pizza spot owned by the same guy behind 2 Bros. Pizza, and with an Una Pizza Napoletana alum working the ovens. 36 St Marks Place; 212-254-0180.

Markets + Goodies:

Brooklyn Yard : South Brooklyn's seasonal space for live music, barbecues and more is back for the summer. To kick it off, food trucks will gather and park out front to serve up snacks. Food carts and trucks, including Rickshaw Dumpling, Steve’s Key Lime Pie, Cravings NYC and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, will gather on May 31 from noon to 7 p.m. at Bklyn Yard, 388-400 Carroll Street (Bond Street), Gowanus, Brooklyn,

The Fulton Stall Market, a series of storefronts and stands will open again for the season on May 30, operating on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 3. Among the vendors will be Bread Alone Bakery, Lavender by the Bay, Ronnybrook Dairy Farm, Sour Puss Pickles, Cascade Mountain Winery, Yummy Coffee and several farms with produce and eggs.

Weekend Guide :: 05.21.10

Join the new Taste of The Upper West Side, and learn what you’re missing out on up there ! Hear talks by acclaimed Jon Fraser and Bill Telepan and eat goodies from 40 + chefs. Buy your $115 tickets here

This Friday + Saturday, Columbus Avenue @ 77th Street.

Saturday morning go see a demonstration of healthy Mexican cooking at Rosa Mexicana, Union Square. Call (212) 397-0666, extension 17 to make reservations for the 10AM lesson that is free !


There is a fundraiser this Saturday for our seasonal favorite :: The New Amsterdam Market. From 11am to 6pm, visit the New York Marble Cemetery ( East 2nd Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery ) and buy herbs and plants in the morning, and enjoy food and drink in the afternoon. Tickets are $25 for friends of the Market, $35 for non.

Weekend Guide :: 04.23.10

This weekend we are preparing for our Sunday Supper with Peter Berley. We are very excited for this veggie feast and in honor of earth day, tried to go a bit greener , here's a sneak peak of what we're working on! Happy earth week and have a lovely weekend.

Our Weekend Guide

Events:
More than 40 restaurants will participate in the Taste of the Lower East Side on April 29 from 7 to 11 p.m. to benefit the Grand Street Settlement. It will be held at the Puck Building, 293 Lafayette Street (Houston Street): $200 from grandstreet.org.

A dinner featuring Sixpoint Craft Ales will be given on April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Vanderbilt, 570 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; $60 plus tax and tip: (718) 623-0570.

The Hester Street Fair, a pushcart market on the Lower East Side, will be open this weekend, with vendors such as Luke's Lobster, Sigmund Pretzels and Mile End offering their goods. At the corner of Essex and Hester sts. Open April 24-25

Eagle Street Rooftop Farms, will be hosting a lesson on Beekeeping. The farm is also open all day to volunteers. Eagle Street Rooftop Farms, 44 Eagle St. (between Franklin and West sts.), Brooklyn

Restaurant Openings:

Two Sisters have opened a pie shop in Gowanus called Four & Twenty Blackbirds. Featuring all butter crusts, and with names like a double-crust apple and pear scented with rosewater, we are intrigued. Most are by the slice; whole pies must be ordered ahead. They have also started baking savory tarts and, for breakfast, muffins and scones.Four & Twenty Blackbirds, 439 Third Avenue (Eighth Street), Gowanus, Brooklyn, (718) 499-2917.

The Counting Room, a new bi-level neighborhood bar has opened in williamsburg. The space is industrial/rustic, with long wooden communal tables - and the menu of tapas and small plates sounds pretty enticing.44 Berry St., 718-599-1860.

Weekend Guide :: 04.16.10

Photo by Karen Mordechai

Spring has sprung, and this weekend you can learn more about the edibles growing around us, and what to avoid. Join Marc Matsumoto and Lab 24/7 tomorrow (4.17.10) for a park tour and returning to the 24/7 labs to cook up a feast together. Check out details for “ Forage + Feats “ at Lab 24/7

Pizza A Casa is now opened ! Visit Marc Bello at 371 Grand Street and get the most gourmet ingredients for DIY (and restaurant worthy ) pizza. Marc will also hold weekly classes, so you can be sure to produce the perfect pie ( Thursdays, Saturdays AND Sundays ). Check out the schedule here

The Bell House is home to another ingredient contest. This weekend it is “ The Lamb Takedown “ from the folks who brought you “ The Chili Takedown. “ This Sunday you can taste lamb used every which way for $15 from 4 to 9 pm. Purchase tickets here

Weeknd Guide :: 04.09.10

To Market :

The Brooklyn Flea :: Opening Weekend
The outdoor Fort Greene market is back every Saturday, through November. And the Flea at One Hanson moves to Sundays only starting this weekend, (No DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge market this year.) we're excited to check out a bunch of new vendors and lots of yummy food, as always.

The Greenpoint Food Market will be having its Spring Awakening event. Expect a showing of artisanal, Brooklyn-made provisions--including jams from Anarchy in a Jar and Bacon Marmalade--as well as live music. Church of Messiah, 129 Russell St. (between Nassau and Driggs aves.), Brooklyn

Restaurant Openings:

A new neighborhood spot is soon to open in williamsburg, wittily called "traif," it is a celebration of all things bacon and shellfish. Rumors are it will open this weekend. Traif, 229 S. 4th St., nr. Havermeyer St.; 347-844-9578.

Next week, Dos Caminos will be opening in the meatpacking district (taking over the old Vento space). The menu is a bit different from the other locations, Executive chef Ivy Stark is using a barbecue pit to slow-roast meats over mesquite and applewood. Check out the full menu here
Dos Caminos Meatpacking District, 675 Hudson St., nr. 14th St.; 212-699-2400

Weekend Guide :: 04.02.10

Double Crown is offering a great deal of 8 to 12 shareable courses from Malaysia and Singapore every Sunday night for only $35 ! Call 212.254.0350 for reservations and expand your palate at such a reasonable cost.

Some new favorites add brunch to their repertoire this weekend ::
Both Henry Public in Brooklyn Heights and Choptank in the West Village will now be serving their versions of a New Yorker’s favorite weekend meal. Visit Choptank at 308 Bleecker Street and Henry Public at 329 Henry Street.

Next week be sure to check out the opening of restaurant Zengo and a Tequila library below designed by the famous AvroKO ( 40th and 3rd ). The Library will also serve delicious Mexican street food, if you’re looking for something more casual than the Latin American + Asian fusion upstairs. They will open their doors April 6th.

Weekend Guide :: 03.26.10

Brooklyn experiments is back with a brunch experiment ! Visit the Bell House this Sunday from noo to 4pm and check out people’s most creative and delicious interpretations. Tickets are $20.00 in advance, and allow you to taste away. Competitors are out for two Jet Blue tickets anywhere.

Passover begins Monday. Pick up beautiful handmade (round and whole wheat !) matzoh at Le Marais’ retail shop :: 150 West 46th Street. It is handmade in Brooklyn and supervised by Rabbi Avron Keller. It will be available till April 4th for $30.00 per pound.

And speaking of passover, for those of you who are stumped on the sweets- we are loving smitten kitchen's round-up of 17 flourless recipes , genius.

We’re a week behind on this, but if you haven’t checked out the No 7 Sub Shop inside the Ace Hotel it is open and the sandwich selection is downright genius, no matter what your taste. Pick yourself up a hearty lunch this weekend. 29th Street + Broadway

Weekend Guide :: 03.19.10

Say “Macaroon Day !” at a few select bakeries this weekend and get one free made my Francois Payard . If you choose to purchase too, part of the proceeds will benefit City Harvest. Check here for participating bakeries.

Don’t forget that its Brooklyn Restaurant Week . Or that Hamptons Restaurant Week starts Sunday.

Openings:

Check out the Tartinery in Nolita. A perfect brunch spot with a French bistro menu highlighting, yes, the tartine.
209 Mulberry St(at Spring St) New York, NY 10012 212-300-5838

Fatty Cue - (quietly opened a few days before schedule) bbq fare with a southeast asian twist by chef Zak Pelaccio
91 South Sixth Street (at Bedford Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 599-3090; reservations only for parties of six or more.

Weekend Guide :: 02.1910

This Sunday begins a series of dinners at Hearth Restaurant which will feature three course red sauce dinners for $39. Help them kick of the first :: 403 East 12th Street. 646.602.1300

Support Feed Foundation’s “Hungry in America” Sunday night with delicious food and drinks at Tom Colicchio’s Colicchio + Sons hosted by Tom himself and Natalie Portman. General admission is $250, but if you spring for $750 more you can show up an hour before other guests (6pm) where Tom will be cooking front and center. 85 10th Avenue. Check it out at the feed foundation’s site.


It’s cold outside, but the Tea and Coffee Festival will warm you up this Saturday and Sunday. There is chocolate to be enjoyed as well as tea and coffee tastings, ceremonies, how-to brewing classes, and cooking demonstrations. Held at 7W – 7 west 34th Street from 11am to 5pm. Admission is $20.

Weekend Guide :: 02.05.10

Photo by Karen Mordechai

Chelsea wine vault is well known for their educational wine tastings, but they seem to be spicing things up a bit with Mezcal spirits—a dear friend of Tequila. Warm up with this Mexican spirit, and learn about it too. Friday night from 6:30 to 7:30. It costs $45, and you can sign up through their site.

If you’re not into the Superbowl, but are into good causes and critically acclaimed chefs, purchase a $350 ticket to visit David Chang’s Ma Peche, where he and Alice Waters will be hosting a cocktail party to benefit and launch the east coast branch of her foundation, Edible School Yard New York. Both Chang and Waters will be there and the hefty price tag will support a great cause. 6:30 to 8:30 Sunday February 7th at Ma Peche, 15 W 56th Street.


Monday February 8th join a slew of the most current and talked about chefs for the debut of a new dining experience : ELEMENTS. ELEMENTS is described as “a ground-breaking, interactive dining experience open to the public where top chefs, winemakers, coffee roasters, and master mixologists will display and explain the physical and chemical changes that occur in food when exposed to the natural elements of fire, water, air, and ice.” The first experience will be held at The Great Performances Kitchen, 304 Hudson Street, at 7pm. Tickets are $150 and must be purchased in advance, click here for more info.

And even though this is a weekend guide, we thought it important to mention that Clinton Street Baking Co, is underway with a delicious pancake month from Mondays through Fridays. From chocolate + blood orange to brown sugar pecans… We’ll at least be drooling about them over the weekend.

Weekend Guide :: 12.22.10

The Savoy, a longtime locavore favorite and pioneer, is serving up a warm winter lunch – cassoulet style. Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 you can taste seven different French bean stews, slow cooked, all for $65. Visit them in Soho at 70 Prince Street to warm up your soul and fill your belly. Reservation is required ! So call ahead : 212.219.8570.

Come taste some pies (or show of yours) at the 3rd annual BK Farmyards Pie contest. For just five dollars you can taste numerous pies alongside famous foodie judges and contribute to a worthy cause. This Saturday – 5:30 at K&M Bar at 225 N 8th Street in Brooklyn. A perfect dessert course to your 7 cassoulets !

Edible Manhattan wants you to join them for a cocktail party this Monday from 6 to 9pm, at Almond (12 E 22nd Street). “Good Spirits” will present 7 different meals by 7 different chefs with 7 different drink pairings. All you have to do is eat, drink, and tell them your favorite (for only $40).

Locanda Verde (337 Greenwich Street), a recent Tribeca favorite, is hosting a black truffle dinner this Monday January 25th. For just $49.95 savor 3 courses of amazing truffle goodness. Make your reservation now : 212.925.3797

* And don't forget -- restaurant week starts this coming Monday. Take some time this weekend to decide what to treat yourself to !

Weekend Guide :: 12.04.09

We like to have to have a Sunday activity for those of you who couldn’t sign up for our winter dinner—we’re sorry it sold out so quickly! This Sunday City Winery is hosting Uncork! - a chance to “sip, savor, and shop” for the holidays. Visit them at 155 Varick Street at 2pm, and for $45 you can sip and buy New York wines, enjoy live jazz, snack on food from local restaurants and buy great foodie gifts from New York vendors. Support local businesses, check off your gift list all while eating and drinking deliciousness.

Just like last week, Gifted is up and running in Manhattan, brought to you by the ever creative Brooklyn Flea Market. Some full time, some rotating vendors will be there bringing you impeccable products of all sorts. Visit them from noon till seven, today through Sunday on east 4th and Lafayette Street.

What Sunday Suppers has been anxiously awaiting for weeks now : The Martha Stewart Craft Sale. This Saturday from noon till six, you’re invited to visit the Starrett-Lehigh Studio, 601 W 26th Street, 9th floor. There you will find dozens of Martha picked crafters selling their wares. In fact the adorable Jewels of New York, our guest chefs this Sunday, will be among the tables of talent selling their cookies.

Wishing you all a merry weekend.