Spirits make our spirits bright – Let’s load up! Here’s what’s happening this week in New York City.
Special Events
Wednesday, December 6th – Spike Your Cup of Hot Cocoa With Malibu Rum
This season, give your cup of hot cocoa a summer twist with Malibu Rum. Just heat up some hot chocolate and stir in a little Malibu. Get fancy by frothing it with an immersion blender. Pour condensed milk in a heat-resistant glass and top with your frothy cocktail. Garnish with powdered cocoa.
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Thursday, December 7th – Circa Brewing Co. Hosts MetroTech Tree Lighting After-Party
Downtown Brooklyn’s brewpub Circa Brewing Co. will be hosting the official after-party for the 28th Annual Light Up the Holidays @ MetroTech. Enjoy a complimentary special cocktail or seasonal beer from 6:30PM to 8:00PM with a voucher from the tree lighting event. Listen to the live holiday carol performance from Brooklyn Music School, too.
141 Lawrence St, 718-858-0055, www.circabrewing.co, @circabrewingco
Friday, December 8th – Two-Michelin Sushi Ginza Onodera Hosts U.S. Sake Debut Dinner
The only two Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in the country, celebrates the U.S. release of Manzairaku sakes with a sake pairing dinner. The legendary sakes have been produced in the Ishikawa prefecture in Japan since 1716 and finally arriving stateside. Guests will meet the President of Koburi Brewery and enjoy the sakes paired with Executive Chef Masaki Saito’s exquisite omakase menu.
Seating times are 5:00PM and 8:00PM. The pairing menu is $450 plus tax. Service is included. Gratuity is not accepted at the restaurant.
461 5th Ave., 212-390-0925, www.onodera-group.com/en, @sushiginzaonoderanyc
Saturday, December 9th – Analogue Whiskey Festival
Greenwich Village’s premier craft cocktail bar will be hosting its 3rd Annual Whiskey Festival from 12:30PM to 4:30PM. The upcoming festival will feature an afternoon of tastings and demos from over 20 national and international distilleries, including Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Highland Park, Monkey Shoulder, Wild Turkey, and many more. Along with tastings, vendors will share their extensive whiskey knowledge with guests in this casual, interactive setting. Live music, cocktail specials and complimentary bites will keep the party going all afternoon long.
Early bird tickets to the festival cost $35 and day-of tickets will cost $45. Tickets can be purchased here.
19 West 8th St., 212-432-0200, www.analoguenyc.com, @analoguenyc
Tuesday, December 11th – Carolers and Eggnog at Dante
Head to the century-old café this holiday season for caroling every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:00PM to 6:00PM. While they sing holiday favorites, Christmas decorations will brighten and warm cocktails will be served. Get in the spirit with a classic Hot Toddy or Pumpkin Eggnog, and of course, a big bowl of pasta from Executive Chef Rachael Polhill.
79-81 MacDougal St, 212-982-5275, www.dante-nyc.com, @dantenyc
Now Open
La Contenta Oeste
After much success at the Lower East Side location, Chef Luis Arce Mota and mixologist Alex Valencia opened La Contenta Oeste bringing authentic Mexican cuisine with French accents and alt-agave spirits to Greenwich Village. Situated in the former French Roast space, where Chef Mota began his culinary career, the kitchen delivers Mexican classics with a particular focus on chile peppers from breakfast to dinner – Start with Huevos Rancheros and finish with Pollo en Mole Poblano.
The lengthy bar offers a robust agave cocktail program, highlighting Valencia’s new concept of Bebidas Ancestrales, or ancestral drinks, with traditional pre-Hispanic ingredients such as cactus pear, tepache (fermented pineapple skin), nopal, huitlacoche, as well as more recent ingredients like mole which dates back to the 1500’s.
78 W. 11th St, 212-533-2233, www.lacontentanyc.com, @lacontentanyc
Ward III
One of New York City’s premiere whiskey bars is back after building renovations. The downtown watering hole is known for its exceptional signature and classic cocktails, and nationally-acclaimed whiskey collection. Created by Head Bartender Sarah Akromas, the cocktail menu includes seasonally driven libations made with house infusions and innovative combinations. Cocktails like the “Just Beet It” to ‘balance’ fresh squeezed beet and ginger juice with a mezcal chosen for its tropical and salty notes. The cocktail menu will be accompanied by a number of expertly executed classic bar snacks such as aged cheddar grilled cheese, buttermilk chicken tenders and an assortment of rustic flatbreads.
111 Reade St, 212-240-9194, www.ward3.com, @ward_iii_
Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists
This non-snobby coffee laboratory, yet welcoming enclave of enthusiasts opened in Gowanus. More than just another Aussie coffee company, Abbotsford Road is a roasting plant, educational space café, and specialty wholesaler providing café owners and restaurateurs with both expertise and excellent coffee.
Located in a large industrial loft (that screams “Brooklyn’), there is a tile coffee bar complete with a brew station for drip coffee, two espresso machines, a glass display showcasing baked goods from local purveyors, and a bean dispensary that will showcase the three initial blends – Forza; full bodied and strong with hints of dark chocolate, hazelnut and caramel, Crema; balanced and smooth with hints of butterscotch, malt and nuts, and Vivo; fruity and sweet with hints of cherry, honey and toffee. Also offered will be distinct single origin roasted beans and a single origin estate green bean program where customers can choose their own roasts, and a bean subscription service.
573 Sackett St, 646-983 0448 www.abbotsfordroad.com, @abbotsford_road
New Menus
‘Apéro Hour’ at Brigitte
Two Bridges’ new French restaurant with unique Brazilian flair brings us cuisine crafted by Chef Thomas Besnard. In addition to precise yet delicate plates prepared with seasonal ingredients, Brigitte offers a festive, European-inspired Apéro Hour from 5:30PM to 7:30PM on weeknights, transporting guests to the South of France even amidst the bitter cold outside.
The delightful (and inexpensive) combinations include:
- Six oysters and a sparkling rose for $15
- House Negroni and olives for $9
- Two house cocktails and a flourless Socca for $20
37 Canal St, 646-649-3378, www.brigitteles.com, @brigitte_nyc
Prosecco Bar at Old Monk
The contemporary Indian restaurant nestled in the East Village launched brunch. Instead of Eggs Benedict, savor traditional Indian staples and riffs on classic dishes like Mini Dosas, Naan French Toast stuffed with cream cheese and topped with fresh berries and mango chutney, and Kuttu Parotta – India’s answer to chilaquiles. Concoct your own brunch ‘tails with the customizable Prosecco Bar featuring fresh fruit purees, seasonal berries, lychee and more.
175 Avenue B, 646-559-2922, www.oldmonknyc.com, @oldmonknyc
‘12 Days of Christmas’ at Adoro Lei
Adoro Lei debuted its new winter menu – ‘12 days of Christmas’ – with twelve imaginative dishes and specialty cocktails to coincide with the best time of year. Drink up with the Maple Mixer made with Michter’s Bourbon, maple syrup and lemon juice. Indulge in seasonally plates like Chicken Amaretto – That’s fall dry-rub chicken breast with farro figs, prosciutto, caramelized onions, spinach and light amaretto sauce.
287 Hudson St, 646-666-5096, www.adorolei.com, @adorolei
Burger Brunch at BL Burger Bar
The Nolita hotspot kicked off brunch service from featuring all-star dishes from Michelin-starred chef Wayne Nish. Available weekends from noon to 3:00PM, brunch goers a variety of egg dishes including various omelets, decadent torrijas, and their signature build-your-own burger menu. Brunch-goers can choose a six-ounce patty of beef, chicken, fish, or lamb and select accouterments – cheese, meat, LTO, condiments. Accompanied by shoestring frites, stewed greens and mac and cheese.
Complement your burger creation with handcrafted cocktails. Mixologist Miguel Aranda delivers with more than a dozen options including Rosemary Gimlet with rosemary-infused gin, lemon balm, agave; Prince Smash with Bourbon, citrus and thyme reduction, lime and sugar cane; Sicario with basil infused tequila, pineapple, agave, lime, basil salt and hibiscus tincture, and more.
20 Prince St, 212-966-8886, www.blburgerbar.com, @blburgerbar
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