Where to Celebrate New York Cider Week 2015

Have you noticed how hot Cider is nowadays? Just check out how expansive the cider selection has gotten on restaurant menus lately, which is why New York Cider Week only continues to grow in popularity, and luckily, it’s that time of year again!

Taking place from November 6th-15th this year, this 10-day celebration includes an exciting roster of apple-centric events throughout the city, and we’re highlighting some of our favorites, including elegant dinners, convivial tastings, and an all-out Apple-palooza!

Cider Dinner at The Queens Kickshaw (Nov. 10): From the team behind the cider-focused restaurant, Wassail, The Queens Kickshaw is cooking up a five-course meal that highlights the food-friendly qualities of cider.  For $65 per person, patrons can expect Oyster Shooters with Black Duck Spanish Style Cider, Lentil and Parsnip Soup with Eve’s Sow The Seeds, Blue Corn Blinis paired with Aaron Burr Ginger Carrot,
Valencian Paella accompanied by Redbird Dry, and Pumpkin Lumpia serves with South Hill Pommeau.

Applepalooza at the Astor Center (Nov. 11): Back for its 6th year, this eagerly anticipated event celebrates all things apples, including tastings of 40 different pours of hard cider and unique apple spirit selections, such as Calvados, brandies, ice ciders, hopped ciders, sparkling ciders, and everything in between.  $55 tickets also cover a full array of apple-tizers to enjoy alongside tipples from Farnum Hill, Aaron Burr, Cidre de Normandie, Roger Groult and more.

Marlow & Sons Cider Dinner (Nov. 12): Andrew Tarlow’s seminal Brooklyn restaurant, Marlow & Sons, is staging a cider pairing dinner on Thursday in collaboration with two of the Northeast region’s preeminent cider makers, Farnum Hill and Eden Ice.  $65 tickets include four courses from chef Ken Weiss and pastry chef, Neale Holaday, along the lines of Mackerel Salad with grilled mache, Pork Shoulder with broccoli and oregano, Turnip Gratin, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with ginger leaf.

Author Chat at Wassail (Nov. 13): Wassail is NYC’s only bar and restaurant entirely dedicated to cider, so it only stands to reason that they’re getting in on the fermented apple celebrations.  And in addition to special dinners, bottle launches and tap takeovers throughout the week, they’re hosting award-winning author Rowan Jacobsen on Friday, to chat about his recent book, “Apples of Uncommon Character.”  $25 tickets provide access to an evening filled with seriously quirky apple lore, as well as an in-depth cider tasting of course.

Farmer’s Market at Extra Fancy (Nov. 14): On Saturday, the expansive back patio at Extra Fancy in Williamsburg will serve as home base for a harvest festival, with plenty of NY State apples and apple cider donuts on hand, as well as cheese from local cheesemongers, a hard cider tasting from some of the finest area producers, and even an array of mulled cider cocktail specials, spiked with the King’s Ginger Liqueur.

4th Annual Gala Gala (Nov. 15): Close out your Cider Week celebrations with a “Lechon” Filipino-style, whole roasted hog brunch at Jimmy’s No. 43 (the pork pairs perfectly with the selection of local cider’s they’ll be carrying).  Later that evening, head to The Drink in Brooklyn for their “Gala Gala Hey!” Apple Festival, which will feature ciders from all over the world, four kinds of pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds, cheese pairings from Saxelby’s, live music, square dancing, and even apple bobbing!