Brooklyn Night Bazaar
If you’re Brooklyn-based, you’ll adore the new Night Bazaar in Williamsburg, modeled after the lively night markets popular throughout Asia. Although an endless supply of quirky arts and crafts deserves more than a second look, this market boasts some of the best eats the borough has to offer, including barbecue from Fort Reno, steamed bun sandwiches from Baohaus, and even an Ethiopian spread from the vegetarian, gluten-free pop-up, Bunna...
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The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are in their 11th season, and we can’t think of a better way to spend the day than by doing lots and lots of Christmas shopping and going for a spin on their ice rink afterwards. Oh wait, yes we can. Build up your strength before strapping on your skates by ordering a plate of Louisiana-style goodness from Daisy’s Grits – we especially love the succulent shrimp and green onions served over silky white...
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The John Dory Oyster Bar
Can Brits really handle the Feast of the Seven Fishes? Absolutely, if you’re talking about April Bloomfield and The John Dory Oyster Bar, her hip seafood mecca in the elegant Ace Hotel. Chef de cuisine Josh Even plans to go global with traditional feast ingredients, offering up a creamy Salt Cod Brandade, Chorizo-Stuffed Squid with Smoked Tomato, and (this is an oyster bar after all) Hog Island Sweetwater Oysters topped with Sea Urchin...
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i Trulli
This rustic, Apulian restaurant will spread their shellfish celebration over not just one, but ten days this year, offering a four-course feast menu from December 17th to the 24th. You might just want to schedule a repeat visit to try all of the under-the-sea options, as there are four different antipasti, primi, and secondi to choose from. Why not order the Fritto Misto, Tonnarelli with Octopus Ragu, and Monkfish Osso Bucco one day, and the Wood-oven Roasted Oysters, Fregola with Clams and Saffron, and Swordfish with Bottarga and Breadcrumbs the...
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Oceana
Where better to celebrate the glory of shellfish than at the glittering midtown hotspot, Oceana? Chef Ben Pollinger’s five-course feast promises to be a seriously high-end affair, featuring Hiramasa Tartare with persimmon and sicilian pistachio, Octopus, Cuttlefish and Calamari Salad with cranberry beans and preserved lemon, and Roast Maine Lobster and Caviar, served with black trumpet mushrooms and caviar...
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Hearth
Marco Canora’s four-course holiday menu at Hearth reads like a greatest hits list of Feast of the Seven Fishes favorites. Clams Oreganata with Roasted Red Pepper, Lemon Zest, and Parsley? Check. Shrimp and Mussel Cacciucco, the classic fish stew from Tuscany? Check. A simple fried fish (in this case, flounder), with a spritz of lemon and aioli? Check. The all-important air-dried salt cod called baccala, reimagined here as a pungent topper for crusty crostini? You better believe...
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Lupa Osteria Romana
It’s no surprise that noted Italian-American restaurateurs Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich pull out all the stops at Lupa for their annual Christmas Eve feast. There are, in fact, more than seven fishes presented over a span of seven courses, including Amberjack (served crudo-style with giardiniera), Lobster (folded into a risotto), Arctic Char (accented with winter truffle), and even Eel (topped with crispy...
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Saul
Chef Saul Bolton will host the feast for the eighth year running at his Michelin-starred Brooklyn restaurant, Saul, as well as at (appropriately), his newly opened Italian-American spot, Red Gravy. But don’t go looking for tomato sauce and deep-fat frying at either place. Instead, guests can expect refined fare like Salt Cod Soup, Main Diver Scallop with White Beans, Squid Ink Spaghetti with Sea Urchin, and for dessert, a velvety Chocolate Budino (shellfish thankfully not...
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Parm’s Thanksgiving Hero
Indiscriminately piling leftovers on a hunk of bread is the average Joe’s answer to Thanksgiving leftovers (and not a bad idea at all), but Parm’s iconic sandwich has made an art of the dish with some surprise flavors and textures. A crusty semolina hero is layered with cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, fried sage leaves, mashed sweet potato puree, hunks of house-roasted honey and garlic turkey breast and a sprinkle of fresh thyme — the perfect accompaniment for a day of football-watching from the confines of your couch or Parm’s counter...
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Dirt Candy’s Corn Grits
Corn is one of summer’s undeniable superstars; picked fresh from the cob and delivered straight from the grill with little more fanfare than a sprinkle of salt and a slathering of butter. It reappears again — albeit briefly — on the Thanksgiving table, taking the form of Native American dishes, like corn bread or corn pudding. Thanks to the veggie-adulating eatery Dirt Candy, however, we can appreciate the sweet starch any time of year. Experience corn in multiple forms in Amanda Cohen’s entree of Stone Ground Grits topped with Corn Cream, Pickled Shitakes, Huitlacoche, and a Tempura Poached...
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Chuko’s Brussels Sprouts
It’s no secret that Brussels sprouts are experiencing a serious renaissance in New York City’s food scene. We’re particularly partial to the Asian-inflected mini-cabbages found at the Brooklyn ramen house, Chuko. Not your traditional sprouts, these are halved and deep fried before being tossed in a flavorful bath of fish sauce and soy, and liberally sprinkled with a salty/sweet combo of honey roasted peanuts and pickled...
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Good’s Crispy Turkey Scallopine
The comfort food is pretty darn good at this all-American spot in the West Village so we’re excited to see what they do with the flavors of our beloved, turkey-centric holiday. Post Thanksgiving, we’re still craving the bird, which gets an elegant update with their spin on a Classic Veal Scallopine. It’s made with Turkey instead, which is pounded, sauteed, and topped with Ricotta Salata and fresh pea shoots, in a zesty, lemon and brown butter...
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Barbuto’s Lamb Ribs with Cranberries
If your idea of cranberries is limited to muffins and jellified sauce that holds its shape in a can, be sure to pay a visit to Jonathan Waxman’s rustic, West Village eatery to experience cranberries as they should be. While the menu changes frequently, his current obsession with the tart, jewel-like fruit is yielding delicious results. We’re particularly intrigued by a current special of Costini Di Agnello, juicy Lamb Ribs cooked in the wood-fire oven and anointed with Cranberries and...
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North End Grill
It’s hard to believe Danny Meyer’s Modern American Grill opened a year ago right around this time. You could celebrate Thanksgiving or the fact that Chef Floyd Cardoz has been back on the dining scene and as creative as ever. Either way, you’re in for a great meal. Chef Cardoz is offering Pumpkin Soup with crabmeat, and a very un-Thanksgiving (and delicious sounding) Lobster Egg Custard with sea urchin and bonito flakes. And those are only two of the appetizers. You’ll have plenty of entrees to choose from, including Heritage Turkey with corn bread stuffing and gravy, and Quinoa Mustard Pilaf with mushrooms and chestnuts, communal sides included. And last but not least, a choice between four holiday inspired desserts including Chestnut Doughnuts with chocolate dipping sauce. Prix Fixe menu, $85/person, 11:30am –...
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Back Forty
A farm-to-table locavore Thanksgiving dinner may not be what you’re used to at home because it’s so much better. Peter Hoffman crafts a locally sourced, holiday menu at both Back Forty outposts where his large-format, laidback dinner is perfect for a group of family and friends. The menus vary depending on location, but both offer up a three-course meal, served family-style. For the first course, you’ll be enjoying either a rich Autumn Vegetable Minestrone with ricotta dumplings, or Chicken Liver Mousse with house pickles. Second course includes Pumpkin Ravioli, Grass Fed Steak, Salmon, or Turkey Breast. And for dessert, plan on enjoying a slice of Pumpkin Cheesecake, Apple Pie, or Pecan Tart. 3-course family style, $60/person (East Village) $65/person (SoHo), 2pm –...
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Craft
If you’re looking for a truly traditional Thanksgiving meal that you don’t have to cook yourself, consider making a reservation at Craft this holiday. This Tom Colicchio original is known for its simple, seasonal and flavorful fare, and their holiday menu follows suit. Start with a first course of Crisp Bacon with apples, followed by a Roasted Free-Range Turkey, a side of Sweet Potato Puree, and end with a slice of Sugar Pumpkin Pie. And that’s just one of the options from the American nouveau crafted menu. Prix Fixe menu, $135/person, 2pm –...
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No. 7
Sure, Tyler Kord’s sandwich shops (No. 7 Subs) are all the rage these days and rightfully so, but it all started with this teeny Brooklyn joint and some serious talent. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to revisit or experience it for the first, not to mention what a great deal it is. It’s not every day that $85 will get you a three-course family style dinner, including wine, beer, and leftovers. And remember: there’s always the extra beer and wine to be grateful for. 3-course family style (includes wine & beer), $85/person, 3pm & 6pm...
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Bar Boulud
The great thing about living in America is eating just about anything is patriotic, including French food. That’s right. I said it. Why not have apple tarte tatin instead of apple pie? Or coq au vin instead of turkey? If you’re going to do it, do it right. Daniel Boulud has always set the standard for French in New York, so we suggest you head to Bar Boulud for their three-course, Thanksgiving menu. Just how do the French celebrate? Here, they start with a Peekytoe Crab Salad, or Beef Tartare . As an entrée, Chef Olivier is cooking Roasted Turkey, Ravioli de Champignons, Mediterranean Sea Bass, or Steak Roti. And there’s desserts aplenty, including a selection of glaces, sorbets, and fromage. Not to mention, they’ve got an innovative and expansive wine list, so it won’t be hard...
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