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Where to See the Holiday Displays in NYC This Year

Of course the department stores rock when it comes to showing off the best displays of holiday (and commercial) cheer, but there’s also a fun way to see the light displays that take non-commercial venues almost as much time to put up. Here’s how and where to see both:

Tony Muia’s Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour (yes…. Cannoli as well as lights!)

After you’ve exhausted Rockefeller Center and the displays listed below, this 3 1/2 hour holiday tour takes you to Dyker Heights, the Italian-American section of Brooklyn that acquires the nickname “Dyker Lights” every December. Here you’ll see over-the-top Christmas decorations that even a department store “dresser” couldn’t imagine. Think 15-foot-tall animated Santa’s, animatronic figures, life-sized Nativity Scenes and millions of lights. And the cannoli part? You can’t go to Brooklyn without a stop at an authentic neighborhood pastry shop for dessert and hot chocolate.

You’ll even be entertained on the bus with a multimedia presentation of vintage Christmas variety specials with Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and more. Three or four busses leave nightly through December 31 (excluding December 24 and 25) from Union Square. For more information, www.asliceofbrooklyn.com

And, the best when it comes to department store displays:

Bloomingdale’s – Catch this one soon, as it ends on New Year’s Day. Bloomie’s windows depict shopping around the globe, with music from each country along with recognizable icons. 1000 Third Avenue at 59^th Street.

Barneys New York – Certainly the wildest of the windows, with a behind-the-curtains video fairyland, light shows, live models, and an interactive window-video game set, Barneys in collaboration with Jay Z have outdone themselves. Through January 3. 660 Madison Avenue at 61^st Street.

Bergdorf Goodman – Save this one for last as the breakdown date is January 6. Bergdorf’s doesn’t disappoint with its always-glam windows, this year’s showing the holidays of the year, done up in icy and fashionable renditions. 754 Fifth Ave., btw 57^th and 58^th sts.

Henri Bendel – If you love illustrator Al Hirschfeld, you’ll love these windows on display through January 2. All the classic celebs are there: look for Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Carol Channing among others. 712 Fifth Ave., btw 55^th and 56^th sts.

Lord & Taylor – Ending the soonest of all of the displays, on December 29, Lord & Taylor remains true to its traditional holiday windows with scenes from vintage New York City. 424 Fifth Avenue, btw 38^th and 39^th sts.

Macy’s – The story of a boy’s dreams on Christmas Eve, the windows also feature an interactive display where you create the movement in the background and break icicles. 151 W. 34^th St., at Seventh Avenue. Ends January 2.

Saks Fifth Avenue – Through January 2, enjoy the 3-D light show on the building as well as the story of the SFA Yeti, a fluffy white creature that creates holiday snow. 611 Fifth Ave., btw 51^st and 52^nd sts.

Christmas and New Year’s Dining: Delivered Straight to Your Home (No Cooking Involved)

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are over but Christmas and New Year’s loom ahead. While New Yorkers love to explore the restaurant offerings of the city, these holidays, in particular, represent times to stay at home away from the crowds. And that means creating the perfect dinner or party for friends and family. Fortunately, if you’re not as talented at the Iron Chef or you just don’t have the space or desire to cook up yet another mega-meal, you can pretty much have anything you’d like delivered to you from around the corner or around the globe. From Manhattan dessert treats and traditional ethnic dishes to the finest Alaskan seafood to Spanish wines and oils, you’ll enjoy global treats that will make your Christmas and New Year’s galas a “meal to remember.”

Here are some of my favorites:

Premier Cru

For all your champagne and other alcoholic beverage needs, the super-knowledgeable folks at Premier Cru will help you decide on the best pairings for your meal. Buy a case and get a discount. Can’t decide between red and white wines? No worries — you can create a mixed case that will satisfy everyone. Champagnes, cavas, proseccos and other bubblys are also available. 1163 Madison Avenue, 212.534.6709. www.premiercruwine.com

Yura

Lovely Yura has been cooking up a storm ever since I can remember at her wonderful takeout food and coffee shop on the Upper East Side. The good news is that her prepared foods can be ordered in advance and delivered directly to your door to create a fine dining meal from soup to dessert. The kids will love the turkey pinwheels, finger food that makes eating turkey fun, and the mini cupcakes that come in a variety of flavors. Personally, I am addicted to Yura’s butternut squash soup, her chicken soup with matzoh balls, her brisket and roast chicken, and her many side dishes. Try the Brussels sprouts with chipped garlic, or the French green beans prepared with slivered almonds. Forget about calories and order a pile of the richest mashed potatoes you’ll find anywhere. Add a delicious cake or a pile of black and white cookies for dessert, and you have a classic New York City meal to warm your soul. 1292 Madison Avenue, 212.860.1707, www.yuraonmadison.com.

Zabar’s

Anyone who visits Manhattan knows that Zabar’s is a must-visit, one-stop shop for all deli items. And now’s the perfect time to order goodies for Christmas, from main courses like roasted turkeys and sides such as honey roasted yams, to typical Zabar’s treats like rugelach, herring in sour cream, smoked salmon and bagels (for your post-Christmas brunch), or their famous coffee beans. For New Year’s Eve, you’ll find a wonderful selection of caviar as well. You can pore through their many holiday baskets at their site at www.zabars.com, visit at 2245 Broadway, or call 800-697-6301 for help in selecting the perfect individualized menu.

Cookie Panache

For sweeter treats to indulge yourself or your friends & family, Cookie Panache is a solid go-to. Its bestsellers include the likes of Dulce de Leche and Red Velvet Vanilla chewy cookies, as well as Brownie and Blondie bites. Perfect for special occasion planning, the website filters results based on the event theme. From birthday gifts, to thank you acknowledgements, to get-well-soon packages, a wide range of sweet snacks are available. Located in Manhattan, this gourmet bakery hits all the right sweet-tooth chords. Order at www.cookiepanache.com.

DeliShop

If you salivate over tapas from Barcelona or olive oils that are some of the freshest in the world (my favorite is the very grassy Arbequina), you’ll want to know about DeliShop. This Spanish food shop features everything from the finest of Spanish cooking oils to essential pastas, sauces, spices and more. Not only does Delishop deliver to your door after just a few online clicks, but it also has an extensive list of traditional recipes for make-it-yourself world cuisine. Some Spanish favorites include a classic paella entrée, típico cocktails and the ever-delicious tres leche cake. Although not limited to those found in Spanish meals, selections largely draw upon an Iberian-based diet of oil, seafood, starch and more oil. DeliShop also offers cooking classes at its four Barcelona locations, a potential vacation activity for the foodies and cravers of a bit of onsite Spanish culture. Check out recipes, locations and food order options at www.delishop.es.

Figi’s

There are no false promises when it comes to Wisconsin’s delivering as the Dairy State, especially when it comes to its selections of meat and cheeses. Figi’s has specialized in this combination of smokehouse favorites since 1944. The variety packs are a definite win if you’re looking for a mix of new and old tastes, combining the best of all flavors into an assortment of snack-sized cuts of Colby-Jack and Cheddar cheeses, Smokehouse Summer Sausages, and buttery Cashew and Mixed Nut Add-ins among others. Try the salami- or bacon-flavored cheese if you’re feeling daring. Order at www.figis.com.

Coal Point Seafood Co.

Sick of the grocery store’s mediocre seafood section of same-old, sad hunks of fish? Alaska wants to change all that. From Halibut to King Crab, Snow Crab, Shrimp, Scallops, Smoked Salmon, Rockfish, Sablefish, Black Cod and more, you’ll love the choices Coal Point Seafood offers. Fare is purchased directly from Alaskan fishermen and shipped to your door. Coal Point even has a same-day-caught-blast-frozen policy! You can choose from individual samplers to variety packs, and different ounce options are available. Halibut is the Alaskan fish of choice, so that is always a good start if you’re not sure what to buy. Order at www.welovefish.com or call 1-800-325-3877 to order direct.

Celebrate Veteran’s Day All Year Long with Harlem Jazz and Soul

Today is Veteran’s Day, so in honor of our country and our veterans, I suggest you travel to Harlem to celebrate with the vets at a place that’s one of the most special in New York City. For an evening of pure, basic food and music, The American Legion Post 398 on 248 West 132nd Street, organized in 1922 by Colonel Charles Young, is your destination. The organization has a mission to honor and serve veterans and their families and their community. It has 200 hundred members today and it still actively attends to its mission of service. http://colchasyoungharlempost398.com

Col. Charles Young Post #398

Why go? “The Post” is run by its members as perhaps the most authentic jazz/blues bar left in Harlem, with live jazz on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and a DJ on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Surprise guests are frequent. Take your chances, and just pick a night to visit.

Travel to Harlem any way you can (take a taxi or take the A, B, C, 2, or 3), “hear” your way to the brownstone with the music, go downstairs, ignore the sign that says “Only Members and their Guests Allowed,” and enter this hidden gem of a place. There is no cover charge, but you must sign the guest book. (If you go regularly, you’ll soon realize that everyone is a guest).

It’s cash only, and the drinks are cheap, and strong: airline mini bottles, neat, or beer or mini wine bottles are the way to go. It’s also a soul food joint. $10 gets you a meal cooked up in the kitchen in the back. Meals vary but you might be lucky and get one of the best, the fish fry, a big piece of whiting, a couple of sides of greens, and mac and cheese. Enough to fill you up and then some.

What’s special is the feeling of community in these tight quarters, the fact that the old timers of the neighborhood and the veterans mingle with the young hipsters who have made the trek from Brooklyn to hear the jam. Everyone’s there for the same reason, to have a good time, together, and listen to some phenomenal music.

They say it’s one of the last great music institutions in New York. The crowd is warm and welcoming and you’ll have an experience you won’t forget.

How to get home? Call for a car from Hi-Class – 212 -926-1111 – and they’ll pick you up in two minutes and take you almost anywhere for about $15 cash. American Legion Post, 248 West 132nd Street , 212 283 9701, http://colchasyoungharlempost398.com

A Thanksgiving Escape to Rhode Island: Ocean House

Thanksgiving in New England has a nice ring to it, especially when your New York City hotel or apartment seems a bit cramped when the family convenes. One of our favorite places to visit is the Ocean House ‎ in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, an easy drive or train ride from the Big Apple. The “new” Ocean House, a 2010 reconstruction of the 1868 original, conveys the sense of a beach resort of a different era, but with decidedly 21^st-century appointments and finish.

Image: oceanhouseri.com

The Ocean House, a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux resort group, sits on a bluff surrounded by mansions of this tony Rhode Island community. A true grand dame resort, the Ocean House caters to guests of all ages. Afternoon hot chocolate and cookies are a favorite among the littlest visitors, while grownups can fill their days with morning Tai Chi and beach walks as well as hours at the resort’s spa, gym, or indoor saltwater swimming pool. Accommodations are family-friendly with oversized suites or guest rooms. Colorful art from the owner’s personal collection adorns the public spaces and guest rooms.

For Thanksgiving Day, November 28, dining takes center stage at the Ocean House, drawing on the resort’s focus on farm-to-table cuisine and New England tradition.

Considerably different from the first spartan Thanksgiving shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians in Plimoth, Massachusetts in 1621, two bountiful Thanksgiving Day meals invite you to enjoy your turkey “by the sea” with Ocean House panache.

Image: oceanhouseevents.com

If buffets are your thing, the all-day brunch in the Ocean House Seaside Ballroom is a dazzler. You could easily make a meal from the copious raw bar with clams, oysters, and jumbo shrimp. But you’ll need to pace yourself as you move through the selection of salads, short ribs stew, pasta, fish, pork, seasonal vegetables and more because you know what awaits at the finish line: carving stations offering roasted turkey, glazed ham and corn bread, and a pastry selection of pies, tarts and miniature crumbles. The buffet is priced at $70 per adult; and $35 per child age 4-12. Children under 4 eat free. Taxes and gratuities are extra. Noon – 5pm. http://www.oceanhouseevents.com/index.php/events/detail/854

The second option is to request a window table at the more formal five-course lunch and dinner in the oceanview Seasons restaurant. Seatings begin at 11:30am and end at 6:30pm. Adults and children each have their own menus with traditional turkey dinners and other dishes to complement. The prix fixe meals are $90 for each adult and child aged 10 and older. Children under 10 order a la carte from the kids’ menu.

Weekend getaway packages are available. For dining reservations or accommodations, visit http://www.oceanhouseri.com/contact-us/.

Ocean House, 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, RI 02891; 401- 584-7000 or 888-552-7000 (reservations), http://www.oceanhouseri.com ‎

More “Mad Men” Bars to Keep You Warm and Cozy – Top Ten Plus Two

Manhattan never lacks for great bars, and our “Mad Men” friends would have felt perfectly comfortable entertaining in any of these in our Part II of classy drinking spots.

Image: The New York Times

P.J. Clarke’s: Nearly 130 years old, P.J. Clarke’s still appeals to the after-work drinking and dining set. The neighborhoody bar serves up ice-cold beers, oysters on the half, and terrific burgers to a crowd of ad execs and locals. It’s the perfect spot for mingling, meeting a blind date, or celebrating a copywriting success as Peggy did. 9015 Third Ave., 212-317-1616. www.pjclarkes.com

Image: Time Out Newyork

King Cole Bar: Once a bastion of cigar-smoking power brokers or account types like Ken Cosgrove and Pete Campbell, the newly reopened King Cole Bar in the elegant St. Regis Hotel is the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, known here as the Red Snapper. This classic bar also is known for its famous and recently refurbished mural, “Old King Cole” by Maxfield Parrish. St. Regis Hotel, 2 E. 55^th St., 212-753-4500. www.kingcolebar.com

21 Club: Infamous for its Prohibition-era speakeasy status, this restaurant has attracted every president since FDR (except George W. Bush) to dine or imbibe. Come for a martini just like James Bond in 007 or try a Southside, the rum and mint cocktail invented here. It’s quiet enough, too, that Ted and Peggy could have shared a drink at the 21 without having had to escape to an afternoon Roman Polanski movie. 21 W. 52^nd St., 212-582-7200. www.21club.com.

Image: Biting the Big Apple

Campbell Apartment: This luxurious lounge in Grand Central Terminal will bring you back to another era. The space, once used as an office for New York financier John Campbell, still exudes the same sleek, refinement with its low lighting, rich woodwork and beamed ceiling. Take a seat on the balcony for extra privacy. We’d recommend the Prohibition Punch for aptly named Pete Campbell. 15 Vanderbilt Ave., 212-953-0409. www.grandcentralterminal.com/store/2137026178

Image: Trip Advisor

The Blue Bar at the Algonquin: Once the hot spot for literary geniuses like Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley, The Blue Bar is filled with Al Hirschfield’s artwork depicting a variety of Broadway shows. The cozy bar with its blue upholstery is known for the Algonquin Cocktail, a mix of whisky, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice. It’s reputed that the literary ghosts of times past will even sit with you to provide inspiration and absorb the black-tie service. The Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44^th St., 212-840-6800. www.algonquinhotel.com/blue-bar

Image: NewYork.com

Sardi’s: Since 1921, this legendary restaurant with celebrity caricatures adorning its walls has served as the spot for before or after theater. It’s also a favorite rendezvous spot for Don Draper and his lady friends (pre-Megan, of course). To behave like a true “mad man,” book a table on Thursdays and Fridays for jazz and cabaret and skip the cocktail: a bottle of Dom Perignon is more in keeping with the mood. 234 W. 44^th St., 212-221-8440. www.sardis.com

Image: NewYork.com

Trouble’s Trust at the New York Palace: New to the scene in 2013, the re-imagined and appropriately named bar in the former Villard Mansion is the modern version of the King Cole Bar. Perfectly hidden away under the lobby’s grand staircase, the bar entices with “vintage specialty” cocktails that Betty and Henry would have enjoyed on a trip into the city. It’s easy to imagine Betty with her blonde updo and stylish attire poised on one of the bar’s sleek leather banquettes. My guess is that she would have chosen The “Queen of Mean” cocktail if she could have fast-forwarded a few decades, a potent mix of whiskey and gin. Henry, being the politician that he is, would have no doubt opted for a turn-of-the-century “Bronx Cocktail.” 455 Madison Ave., 212-888-7000. www.newyorkpalace.com/dining/trouble-s-trust

Top 10 “Mad Men” Bars and Restaurants – Part I

As the weather gets cooler and thoughts of snuggling up in a cozy room take over spending time outdoors, it’s time to pretend, “Let’s Be a Mad Man (or Woman)” and go drinking and eating at some of the show’s favorite locales during its run. The ladies and gentlemen of Mad Men certainly knew where to enjoy the good indoor life. Here’s Part I of the “Top 10 Mad Men Bars and Restaurants.”

Bill’s Food & Drink: It’s not exactly the original Bill’s Gay Nineties, but it’s pretty close. Set in a 19^th-century townhouse, Bill’s was once the site of a Prohibition Era speakeasy. Listen to the pianist in the downstairs bar while you knock back a Scotch, just steps away from many of the original Madison Avenue ad agencies. You can finish the evening upstairs with a Delmonico steak for two and an aptly named Hanky Panky gin cocktail, a clubby setting for consummating a business deal (or other kind of tryst). 57 East 54^th Street, 212-538-2727. www.bills54.com.

Monkey Bar: Across the street from Bill’s, the landmark Hotel Elysée (once known as the “easy lay”) has welcomed guests like Joe DiMaggio and Marlon Brandon. Step inside the bar just off the lobby with its iconic monkey mural. You can just picture Roger downing a Manhattan or two before heading for a room upstairs. Hotel Elysée, 60 East 54^th Street, 212-753-1066. www.elyseehotel.com.

Madison Club Lounge: The historic lounge in the Roosevelt Hotel is classic Mad Men with its mahogany walls, stained glass windows, and leather bar seats. It’s likely Don began and ended his day here during the time he lived at the hotel, pouring vodka into his orange juice. 45 East 45^th Street, 212-66-19600. www.theroosevelthotel.com.

Bemelman’s Bar: Somethings never go out of style. Live piano music, enchanting murals of animals by Ludwig Bemelmans of Eloise fame, plus formally dressed waiters make this an Upper East Side landmark. The perfectly chilled and poured martini comes in a shaker with enough liquor for a potent drink and a half, and the banquettes are perfect for cuddling. The Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76^th Street, 212-744-1500. www.rosewoodhotels/com/en/the-carlyle-new-york

Temple Bar: The glamorous oak bar in NoHo is known for its extensive drink list peppered with all the classics. Imagine yourself witting with Don among the beautiful velvet curtains, sipping an Old Fashioned, or with Joan indulging in a creamy Brandy Alexander. 322 Lafayette Street, 212-925-4242. www.templebarnyc.com

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Author Archive

Where to See the Holiday Displays in NYC This Year

Celebrate Veteran’s Day All Year Long with Harlem Jazz and Soul

A Thanksgiving Escape to Rhode Island: Ocean House

More “Mad Men” Bars to Keep You Warm and Cozy – Top Ten Plus Two

Top 10 “Mad Men” Bars and Restaurants – Part I

Pages

Recent Posts

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About the author

Author Archive

Where to See the Holiday Displays in NYC This Year

Christmas and New Year’s Dining: Delivered Straight to Your Home (No Cooking Involved)

Celebrate Veteran’s Day All Year Long with Harlem Jazz and Soul

A Thanksgiving Escape to Rhode Island: Ocean House

More “Mad Men” Bars to Keep You Warm and Cozy – Top Ten Plus Two

Top 10 “Mad Men” Bars and Restaurants – Part I