The Ultimate Guide to New York’s Cider Week 2013
Winter, spring, summer or fall… They all seem appropriate for indulging in a glass of fine wine or a cold pint of malty beer. But as soon as autumn rolls around, nothing fits the bill quite like fruity and effervescent hard apple cider. If you’re not already an aficionado of the fermented beverage, you can quickly become one this week at some of the city’s hottest spots, like Roberta’s and the Wythe Hotel!
Scheduled from October 18th through the 27th this year, NY Cider Week celebrates America’s oldest libation (it’s true) with farm feasts, parties, tastings, classes and more. And with multiple events scheduled throughout each borough — from a Goat and Cider Dinner at L’Apicio in the East Village to an all-day “Cider Takeover” at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and a Five-Course Cider Pairing at The Queens Kickshaw in Astoria, there’s really no excuse not to join in the fun!
The Intoxicating Apple at the Wythe Hotel (10/18)
Kick off your weekend at the chic Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, where James Beard award-winning author, Rowan Jacobsen, will share tales from his forthcoming book, “The Intoxicating Apple.” We’re particularly excited about the accompanying food and drinks, which are being being provided by Reynard, the in-house restaurant from the Marlow & Sons team. Planned pairings include Eden Aperitif Cider with Duck Rillettes on Toasted Sourdough, Orchard Hill Cider with Rabbit Sausage and Sauerkraut, Aaron Burr Cider and Potato Latkes topped with Apple Butter and Crème Fraiche, and Slyboro Ice Cider with Old Chatham Ewe’s Blue Cheese.
Harvest Cider Sessions at Jimmy’s No. 43 (10/19)
This popular East Village brew bar is taking a break from beer this weekend, with a walk-around tasting event that will allow you to try a variety of ciders made exclusively in the Northeast region. There’s the maple syrup-infused “Four Screw” from Harvest Moon Cidery in Cazenovia, the bittersweet “Steampunk” from Leonard Oaks Estate in Medina, the “Naked Flock,” which is fermented with Champagne yeast, from Applewood in Warwick, and the dry and aromatic “Farnum Hill” from Poverty Lane Orchard in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Rest assured, there will be plenty of food samples available as well, so you won’t get too silly on booze!
Cider Fest at Roberta’s (10/20)
The expansive backyard at Roberta’s in Bushwick provides the perfect bucolic backdrop for this all-day garden party. Full pints of cider like “Farnum Hill,” “Night Pasture,” “Naked Flock,” “Bellwether” and “Hudson Valley Farmhouse” will sell for $9, though we suggest going for the $5 four-ounce pours instead, and trying them all. You can also chow down on $12 plates of Smoked Pork, but you just might want to grab a table inside of the restaurant afterwards, for a slice of Roberta’s infamously awesome pizza.
Read MoreCider Dinner at Murray’s Cheese (10/21)
We all know how well wine goes with cheese, but the intriguing nuances of hard cider make it just as well suited to pairing with alternately funky, fruity, grassy and nutty dairy products. New York’s preeminent cheese store, Murray’s, will host a five-course dinner showcasing their artisanal goodies, and cider makers from Foggy Ridge, Aaron Burr and Poverty Lane will also be on hand to provide pours, and discuss what goes into crafting the perfect cider.
Cider Dinner at The Queens Kickshaw (10/23)
While they’re better known for artful grilled cheese sandwiches, this Astoria restaurant is giving chef Youngsun Lee the chance to really strut his stuff during Cider Week. A five-course meal includes Cider Churros with Smoked Apple Butter paired with Castañon Sidra Natural, Frisée Salad with Miso Dressing and Soft Boiled Egg accompanied by Breezy Hill’s French-Style Cask Cider, a Cheese Course with Aaron Burr’s “Elderberry Homestead,” Pot Pie with Spaghetti Squash paired with Eve’s “Sow The Seeds,” and a Quince Tart with Apple Ice Cream and Eden Iced Cider.
Goatober & Cider at L’Apicio (10/24)
Never tasted goat? Let L’Apicio, Gabe Thompson & Joe Campanale’s funky Bowery Italian make the introduction. As part of Heritage Foods’ “No Goat Left Behind” initiative — an effort to introduce the sustainable protein to American diners — the eatery will offer a unique Goat and Cider pairing dinner. Expect Confit Goat Salad with Ravines Dry Riesling, Goat Merguez with Aaron Burr’s “Traminette Cider,” Goat Agnolotti Pasta with St. Feuillen Tripel, Braised Goat and Borlotti Beans with Dittori 2004 Cannonau Magnums, and Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Camillo Donati Malvasia Dulce.
Cider Takeover at Smorgasburg (10/26)
For one day only, cider will be the focal point of Brooklyn’s all-food outdoor market, Smorgasburg. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to graze on deep-fried Anchovies (Bon Chovie), flaky Bastilla’s (Nadia’s Moroccan Kitchen), and Indian-style street snacks (Potpuri). It’s just that you’ll also get to accompany them with stellar cider tastings from Poverty Lane, Applewood, Doc’s Draft, and Eve’s Cidery. Sounds like an ideal way to spend a Saturday!
Applepalooza at the Astor Center (10/27)
There’s only one way to cap off a weeklong celebration of hard cider, and that’s at the “Applepalooza” blowout in NoHo’s Astor Center. Expect all of the cider you can drink, like Valverán Sparkling Cider, Isastegi Sagardo, West County “Belle de Boskoop” and more, plus fall cocktails, apple and pear-infused spirits like Calvados, Applejack and Apple Brandy, fresh-from-the-tree apples, and powdered sugar-dusted Apple Fritters.
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