What to Do in NYC This Weekend: Holiday Market Time, Beer/Wine Tastings, and a Few Holiday Gifting ideas

With the holidays fast approaching (we still cannot believe it's December already!), we bring you a couple of places to go (and a few gift ideas) for holiday shopping this weekend.  Whether you're looking for homemade gifts or liquid hostess gifts, we show you the Gifted from Brooklyn Flea in Manhattan, Union Square Holiday Market, and a few beer and wine events happening this weekend.

 

Though the Brooklyn Flea Gifted pop-up store has little food items, we did spot these ingredients that would be perfect for the homebrewer on your list.  Brooklyn Brew Shop sells a home brewing kit that features a glass gallon jug, a three-piece air lock, and an auto siphon for pouring the beer into bottles.  The kit also includes your choice of grain, yeast, hops and sugar in a variety of flavors ($40) so you can get started right away.

Other food items at the store (that were so good, they never had a chance to be photographed!) included beautiful mini cupcakes from Kumquat Cupcakes, sweet treats from Liddabit Sweets, spicy garlic pickles from McClure's Pickles.

The Gifted by Brooklyn Flea pop up store is located at 20 E. 4th St. (at Lafayette St.) in NYC.  It continues until Dec 13th, and then runs again from Dec 16-Dec 24.

Then we were off to the Union Square for the Holiday Market.  We spotted these lovely wine carriers ($28) from The Vintage Box (booth #C2) by Advah Shani.  We think these would make lovely hostess gifts and would be beautiful as part of a table centerpiece.  If you are interested in her creations but cannot make it to the market, she can be emailed at advashani@gmail.com. 

 

Holiday shopping can take its toll, so happily there are a few vendors on hand to satisfy our hunger pangs. We were intrigued by the helmet-wearing vendors of Viking Cuisine.  We ordered the aebelskiver ($6, warm danish pastry) with chocolate sauce on top.  It was piping hot and rich because it was made out of buttermilk.  Not the most graceful small bite to eat (yes, we had chocolate syrup all over our mouths), but a good hot quick bite on a cool day.     

Walking around with the crowds, we also spotted Vendy winner Wafels & Dinges, a few coffee spots, a number of German sausage kiosks, a delectable brownie chocolate bar, and this creperie stall which was making both sweet (nutella was on hand, of course!) and savory (sausages were grilling on a nearby pan) crepes.

The Union Square Holiday Market is located at Union Square Park (Broadway to 4th Avenue, East 14th Street to East 17th Street) and runs until Christmas Eve (Dec 24).

Though we found these charms recently at an artisan event, we thought our fellow foodies would appreciate these designs by Californian artist Jack Incherdchai of Chicztudio.  Some of his designs are available online or you can email him at jack@chicztudio.com.

And if you're looking for a liquid gift for a party host or hostess, taste-test the goods beforehand at these events:

All this weekend, Rattle n Hum is celebrating its 1st anniversary with over 20 craft beers (domestic $5, imported $7).  Rattle n Hum is located at 14 E 33rd St (btwn 5th Ave and Madison Ave).

On Sunday, City Winery is hosting an afternoon of New York wines (from more than 35 wineries), New York foods (like cheeses and ice cream) , and live jazz music.  Tickets are $45, which includes a souvenir tasting glass, and are available online.  City Winery is located at 155 Varick Street (between Spring and Vandam Streets).

Things to Do in NYC This Weekend - Nov 20-22

We cannot believe the holiday season is upon us!  This weekend, we will be starting the festivities with a holiday wine-tasting, getting provisions for Thanksgiving dinner at the monthly market, and maybe take in a little free outdoor ice skating.

Thirsty?  On Saturday, we will be heading out to Union Square Wines for the USQ Holiday Hypertasting.  There will be 6 hours of non-stop wine-tasting of over 100 wines.  From 1-4pm, champagne and reds will be poured, while from 4-7pm, a variety of whites ranging from the perennially good Conundrum (by Caymus) to big, bold reds from the Rhone like Chateauneuf du Pape will be on hand.  Admission is free and Union Square Wines is located at 140 Fourth Ave (at 13th St.) in NYC.

Hungry?  On Sunday, the New Amsterdam Market is back!  We had so much fun (and ate so much!) the last time we were there.  We'll be re-visiting old favorites like The Bent Spoon (for ice cream) and checking out new vendors like Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea and Stumptown Coffee Roasters.  Note that if you want a turkey, holiday roast, or pie, you will need to pre-order before Sunday.

Need to work it off?  The Pond at Bryant Park is open for the season and is one of the few places in NYC where you can skate for free (if you have your own skate; if not, rentals are only $12).  And if skating isn't your thing... 

...there's always drinks at temporary bar Celsius (where you might randomly bump into a couple of Mounties like we did a couple years ago) plus retail therapy at the pop-up holiday shops.  Have a great weekend!

 

p.s.  The Holiday Market at Union Square starts on Wednesday, Nov 25.  The holiday season has definitely begun! 

What to do in NYC This Weekend: Nov 13-15

We're back in NYC and are looking forward to all of the sweet events this weekend!  There's free sweet treats from restaurants including Bouchon Bakery, free wine tasting, and an amateur chef chocolate cook-off.

Friday:  Head out to the Time Warner Center this Friday for the lighting of "Holiday Under The Stars" followed by the dessert tasting event, “We Are Sweet On You.”  Look out for sweet treats including double truffle brownies from Porter House New York, nutella profiteroles from Landmarc’s ovens, hot chocolate Italian style from A Voce and Star cookies from Bouchon Bakery.  This free event happens this Friday at 5:30pm at 10 Columbus Circle (at 59th St) in NYC.  Make sure you also join the Circle of Taste for a chance to win exclusive meals at these restaurants.

Saturday:  Union Square Wines hosts its weekly wine tasting this Saturday with EUROVINO.  Over 2 dozen wines from Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain will be available for you to try.  This free event happens this Saturday from 2-5pm at 140 Fourth St (at 13th St) in NYC.

Sunday:  Head out to Brooklyn for the Brooklyn Chocolate Experiment this Sunday.  Cheer on amateur chefs, like our fellow food blogger Shelly, as they create both sweet and savory chocolate dishes. If you want to compete, the deadline for recipe submission is Friday the 13th.  If you want to sample and judge the dishes, online tickets are $20.  There will also be a free after-party in the front lounge with chocolate galore.  This event happens this Sunday from 1-5pm at the Bell House at 149 7th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

High/Low Goes Bi-Coastal This Weekend!

 The High/Low duo is split up this weekend as half the team heads out to San Francisco for the 1st Annual Foodbuzz Blogger Festival, while the other half will stay in New York to cover some fun foodie things to do in the city.  Details for each of our weekend plans after the jump!

High/Low in San Francisco:

• Meet and dine with all our favorite food bloggers
• Re-visit The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market at the Embarcadero with brunch at Primavera, oysters at Hog Island, and crab salad at Ferry Plaza Seafood restaurant
• Olive Oil Tasting with Chef Michael Tuohy, Farm to Table dinner coordinated by Outstanding in the Field, and the Best of San Fran street foods paired with local brews, vino, and spirits.

How to spot me?  I'll be wearing and carrying items from the High/Low store.  Can't wait to meet you!

High/Low in New York:

• Checking out the Cask Ale Festival at The Brazen Head in Brooklyn (Fri-Sun, noon-2am)
• Meeting at least one of the following celebrity chefs signing new cookbooks:

Paula Deen with Micheal Groover (Borders, Columbus Circle, Mon at 7pm)
Thomas Keller for ad hoc at home (Williams Sonoma Columbus Circle, Fri at 6pm)

Jamie Oliver for Jaime's Food Revolution (Borders 461 Park Ave, Fri at 1pm)

Eric Ripert for On the Line - He's also discussing Avec Eric (Whole Foods UWS, Fri at 1pm)

And he'll likely by checking out this morning's celebratory Yankees' World Series Championship parade  along the Canyon of Heroes while I'm in the air heading to sunny California!

What to Do in NYC This Weekend - Oct 30 to Nov 1

Lots of big events will be happening this weekend in NYC - Halloween weekend is made sweeter with the Chocolate Show and ends with the most inspirational event of the year:  the ING New York City Marathon.  Have a sweet, sweaty, and spooky weekend!  

Calling all chocoholics, from today until Sunday, the Chocolate Show is back in town.  This international chocolate exhibition features tons of vendors including Jacques Torres, Brooklyn's Madecase (Madagascar chocolates), and Dubai's Al Nassma (creator of the first camel milk chocolates).  In addition to satisfying your sweet tooth, there will be cooking demonstrations to watch and a beauty pavillion to test chocolate products for the body.  Tickets are $28 online, $30 at door, children under 12 free.  The event will be held at the Metropolitan Pavillion (125 W 18th St. btwn 6th and 7th Ave).

Of course Saturday's Halloween, which means there are plenty of costume parties and events in the city.  The biggest event is the NY Village Halloween Parade where almost 2 million people watch over 50,000 costumed participants on floats or parading puppets.  To watch the action, you'll have to get there hours before the 7pm start.  The parade goes through 6th Ave from Spring St to 21st St.  For a head start on Halloween night, why not check out the Halloween Candy and Wine/Spirits tasting at Bottlerocket from 2-5pm.  Try pairings like caramels with Bourbon - costumes optional, reservations not required, admission is free.  Bottlerocket is located at 5 W 19th St (btwn 5th and 6th Aves).

And then on Sunday is one of our favorite non-foodie related events in NYC:  the ING New York City Marathon.  It's truly inspiring to watch and cheer on runners from all over the world.  We like to grab a coffee and bagel and watch from Central Park.  If you want to stay inside, you can head to Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Center for a macarons and espresso to watch the end of the race.

Foodie Things To Do in NYC This Weekend Oct 23-25, 2009

If you're in NYC this weekend, you're in for a foodie (trick or) treat!  There's pre-Halloween fun, free international dumpling samples, and every locavore's dream event.  Have a great weekend!  

Enjoy some family fun with pumpkin carving in Central Park this Friday afternoon (today!) from 2:30-4:30 pm.  Pumpkins are available first come, first served - or bring your own!  And then come back on Sunday afternoon from 3:00-6:00pm for free candy, storytelling, and then set your jack-o-lantern creations afloat at the Halloween Pumpkin Sail.   Both events occur at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center located inside the Park at 110th St (btwn Fifth and Lenox Aves).  No reservations are required and admission is free of charge.

Love dumplings?  Come out on Saturday afternoon from noon-5:00pm for the NYC Dumpling Festival.  Watch competitors try to outdo each other during the event's 6th annual dumpling eating contest.  The best part of the event?  Being able to sample dumplings from around the world such as gnocchi (Italy), tamale (Mexico), palitaw (Philippines), kuih koci (Malaysia), idli (India), bao (China), and pierogi (Poland).  The event occurs at the Sara D. Roosevelt Park on E. Houston St (by the Whole Foods).  No reservations are required and admission is free of charge.

Not full yet?  Head out on Sunday to the monthly New Amsterdam Market from 11:00am-4:00pm at South Street Seaport.  Enjoy demonstrations from celebrated local butchers and products from favorite nearby vendors like The Bent Spoon (the best ice cream in NJ!), Luke's Lobster (lobster rolls!), and Porchetta (pork sandwiches!).  The market is on South St (btwn Beekman St and Peck Slip).

Foodie Things to Do This Weekend

Sampling from different vendors all in one spot seems to be the theme for this weekend's great foodie events in NYC.  Basically the best of New York comes to you all in one place!  One event offers cutting-edge French food alongside dishes from famous NYC chefs (including David Chang and Willie Dufresne), another celebrates the best in street eats, and the third highlights the best in local food and drink. 

On Friday and Saturday night, Le Fooding, an French organization that embraces casual, not stuffy, delicious food comes for the first time to NYC.  Noted chefs from both Paris and New York will be on hand to create dishes that mix "food with feeling".  Tickets are $30, and the few that are left will be available at the door.  Le Fooding D'Amour will happen at P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, 22-25 Jackson Ave (at 46th Ave) in Long Island City, Queens.  The event starts at 7pm. 

Celebrate the very best in street vendor fare with the annual Vendy Awards this Saturday.  Each tax-deductible ticket is $80 (advance) or $100 (at the door).  This allows you to eat all you can from finalists including Kwik Meal, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, and Cupcake Stop as well as enjoy the open bar (beer, wine, and soda).  Judges include Jacques Torres, Pichet Ong, and Midtown Lunch's Zach Brooks.  The soon-to-be sold-out Vendy Awards will occur at the Queens Museum of Art near the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 2-7pm.

We love the "Edible" publications - beautiful photos and great insight into local products and resources.  It only seems appropriate that Edible Manhattan would be hosting a Harvest Party to celebrate the best of New York this Saturday.  For $40 (tickets available online), revellers can enjoy treats from local favorites like Doughnut Plant, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Stumptown Coffee, Bedell Winery, Murray's Cheese, and more.  This event happens at South Street Seaport in Manhattan from 4-8pm.

Fun Foodie Things to Do in NYC This Weekend

It's finally Friday and there's lots of events going on this weekend (with some continuing through to the end of next week).  Whether you like craft beer, $24 meals, cheese, or a picnic in the park (by celebrity chefs), there's something going on this weekend in NYC for you!

For beer lovers, Friday (today!) is the start of a week-long celebration of craft beers.  NY Craft Beer Week is in its second year - we went to a few events last year and they were very popular!  Many microbreweries from NY and beyond will be showcasing their beers.  Highlights include the Zagat's House Specials (beer paired dinners ranging from $40 at a few restaurants to $350 at PerSe); Beer Passport ($35) which lets you grab a pint at any of the 83 participating bars for only $2; and the Gotham Cask Festival (this weekend only!) showcasing great cask beers at three locations around Manhattan.

It's been 400 years since Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson river.  As part of the celebrations, Taste of New Amsterdam is featuring $24 meals at various restaurants (including BondSt Sushi and Petite Abeille).  The deals continue until the end of next week. 

Head up to Central Park - East Meadow this Saturday for Le Bal NYC, an event featuring French dancing as well as food by Omnivore New York (a collaboration between chefs from NYC and France).  Celebrity chefs including wd~50's Wylie Dufresne and Momofuku's David Chang have contributed to the Bento Boxes that will be handed out to the public.  Sounds like one terrific picnic in the park!  The event runs on Sat, from 2-6pm in Central Park-East Meadow (enter at 5th Ave and E 99th St).

If you like cheese and/or beer, head out to this Sunday's Brooklyn Cheese Experiment where amateur chefs and home brewers showcase their cheese-based dishes and home-brewed beers.  Early-bird tickets are only $20 ($25 at the door) and gives you the opportunity to taste and vote for your favorites.  The festivities happen this Sun, from 1-5pm at The Bell House (149 7th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn). 

Lazy Sunday Afternoon at the New Amsterdam Market

My husband checked out this past weekend's New Amsterdam Market. While I was at my friend's bachelorette brunch, he took over as photographer and writes about his experience at the market.

 

Despite the drizzle and humidity, a big crowd still trekked out to the New Amsterdam Market yesterday in downtown Manhattan.  Many were there for the local Ice Cream Fair and Tomato Fest.  The ice cream vendors were quite busy due to the warm weather and amazing flavors from The Bent Spoon, Early Bird Cookery, Marlow & Daughters, MilkMade Ice Cream,  Roberta's, and Van Leeuwen.

There were the common, mouth-watering flavors like Currants, Pistachio and Chocolate (the flavor we've enjoyed before from Van Leeuwen), Chocolate PB cookie (MilkMade Ice Cream), and Hudson Valley Bourbon ice cream (a tasty flavor we've had before from The Bent Spoon) . 

And then there were the unusual ones:  Beet and Hay flavors (Early Bird Cookery), Grange Sorrel and Duck Egg ice creams (Roberta's).  I didn't get tickets to either tasting (my wife's the one with the sweet tooth), but I did manage to take a photo of an ice cream sample (right by the arrow)!  (wife's note:  If anyone tried these ice cream flavors, especially the unusual ones, at the market, please leave a comment! I'd love to hear how they tasted!)

Instead, I chose to try the juicy pulled pork slider from Marlow & Daughters (we also like to have lunch at their restaurant, Marlow and Sons in Brooklyn).  It was so good, with a cabbage slaw and Carolina BBQ sauce (vinegar based) on a soft brioche bun. 

Local wines were available from Brooklyn Oenology (we discussed their upcoming tasting room that should be opening in September) and Benmarl Winery from the mid-Hudson Valley (their grapes come from both their own vineyards and purchased from the Finger Lakes).  Also, I sampled some Kombucha, a non-alcoholic fermented tea from Kombucha Brooklyn, for the first time, which reminded me of sweet tea.

We're looking forward to the weekly New Amsterdam Market starting Sunday, September 26th.  The market is located at the old Fulton Fish Market by South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan.  (For my wife's posts on past markets, see here and here)

Fun Foodie Things to Do in NYC This Weekend

It's finally the weekend and after to all of our recent travel foodie adventures (Utah, New Orleans, and soon-to-be-posted Chicago), we're always happy to be home in New York City. So here are a few free/cheap things to do in NYC that looked good to us...As always, we'd love to hear what you think! What do you think of our picks? What are your plans for this weekend?
Every weekend until Halloween, the Red Hook Food Vendors offer fantastic tacos, ceviche, and huaraches from their trucks. Vendors set up at the Red Hook fields, near the corner of Bay and Clinton streets for most of the day. Take the free Ikea ferry or shuttle bus out to the soccer fields and enjoy a tasty lunch. If the trek out to Red Hook seems too daunting, head out to the Brooklyn Flea market on Saturday and line up at the Red Hook vendors' table for a great sampling of their popular food.

Check out the NYC Japan Street Fair this Sunday for tons of Japanese treats including Misoyaki (miso-marinated beef), Okonomiyaki (savory pancake), ramen salad, salmon rolls, shaved ice, pastries, Japanese curry and of course, sushi. While you're savoring the food, enjoy the free performances and shop for some fun Japanese products. The NYC Japan Street Fair runs on Madison Ave btwn 43rd and 44th Sts between 11am - 6pm.

If pulled pork and sticky ribs are more your style, check out the Blues BBQ at Hudson River Park this Sunday. From 2pm-9pm, enjoy live blues performances and BBQ offered by Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Dallas Jones Bar-B-Q, Dinosaur Bar Be Que, and Mara's Homemade. The Blues BBQ will be happening at Pier 54 at W14th St.

Fun free things to do in NYC This Weekend

This weekend in New York City we are looking forward to these free events - especially two that are focused on free wine! Cheers!

Friday (today!): Enjoy a warm summer's night at the White Party. From 6-8 pm, wine producer Georges DuBoeuf will be hosting a party at High Bar, a beautiful rooftop bar on the west side. Wear all-white and score a free glass of its Macon-Villages, a 2007 burgundy blanc. High Bar is located at 251 W 48th St (btwn Broadway and Eighth Ave).

Saturday: Work up an appetite by taking advantage of the first Summer Streets Saturday this weekend. For all Saturdays in August, Park Ave (and connecting streets from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge) will be shut down to motorized traffic from 7AM to 1PM. Free music, free skate/bikes rentals, and multiple rest stops along the way. Click here for the route map.

Saturday: Free wine tasting of rieslings, zweigelts, blaufränkisch, and grüner veltliners (oh my!). From 2-5pm, Union Square Wines will have various wine producers on hand to uncork these wines for you to sample. Union Square Wines is located at 140 Fourth Avenue (at 13th Street).

What to do in New York this weekend

Salud! Enjoy a free Spanish wine tasting and tapas this Saturday at Union Square Wines (140 Fourth Avenue @ 13th Street). Reknowned writer and importer Jorge Ordonez will be presenting his favorite wines from Rioja, Basque country, and more. Get there early as the event runs from 2-5pm. Admission is free and no reservations are required.

Come out to celebrate Belgian National Day this Sunday at The Frying Pan (Pier 66, W 26th St & the West Side Highway). One of our favorite Belgian restaurants (and event sponsor) Petite Abeille, will be serving burgers ($5), mussels ($10), and pommes frites ($3). Street vendor Wafels & Dinges will be serving waffles ($4). There will be live music, a great raffle (prizes include a pair of round-trip tickets from AA), and the Miss Belgium USA contest. The event runs from 2-9:30 pm. Adult admission is $15 (kids are free) and no reservations are required. All proceeds go towards Foster Pride.

Who can resist a whole pig roast in the summer? Get out to the 2nd Annual Pig Roast & Dance Party this Sunday in Brooklyn (3rd Ward, 195 Morgan Ave at Stagg St). Chef Eric Sherman will be on hand to turn 200 lbs of whole hog into pork tacos ($3 each). Cold drinks, live music, and roasted pork - what could be better? The party runs from 4-9pm. Admission is free. RSVP to events@3rdward.com.

Fun Food/Drink Things to do in NYC this Weekend

It's Friday and thoughts turn to what we want to do this weekend in New York City. From beer to street fairs, we've got it all covered!

Thirsty? Why not head out to a brewery? Sign up at Rattle 'N' Hum for this Saturday's all-day Victory and Weyerbacher Breweries tour. Or contact Pony Bar for this Sunday afternoon's Captain Lawrence tour.

In the mood for French food? There's the Bastille Day on 60th street fair on Sunday that runs from 60th street between Lexington and Fifth Aves. With performers (like cancan dancers), French wine/cheese ($12) and beer tastings ($6), and Citroen cars on hand, this celebration promises to be one grande fete!

Finally, there's the Target High Line Street Festival this Sunday to celebrate the opening of the first section of the High Line. If you haven't checked it out yet, the High Line (from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street) is the city's new park atop of the elevated historic railroad tracks on the west side. Look out for healthy goodies from the special green market and have a free drink from the World's Largest Lemonade stand.

Have a great weekend!