Posts Tagged ‘brunch’

Join The Magic At Stella 34 Trattoria For A Harry Potter-Themed Drag Brunch

Are you up for a bit of wizardry along with some raucous entertainment? Commemorating the 20th anniversary of J.K. Rowlands hugely popular Harry Potter series, Stella 34 Trattoria, in Macy’s Herald Square, is hosting eight Harry Potter themed drag brunches on February 5, 6, 19 and 20 with two seatings on each date, from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - © Mathew Murphy

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the wizarding world of Harry Potter’s books or the current Harry Potter and the Cursed Child musical on Broadway, all “matriculants” in the house of Hogwarts will enjoy this whimsical and thoroughly entertaining brunch and show along with a delicious brunch that includes bottomless mimosas. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - © Manuel Harlan

You’re invited to dress as your favorite Harry Potter character, be it Moaning Myrtle, Harry Potter, Hermione, or even Professor Dumbledore. But, don’t worry if you’re not in costume, the performers will be, and they’ll be performing “in character” as well.

The show features iconic Shuga Cain of RuPaul’s Drag Race as emcee and performer, along with drag performers Peachez, Thee Suburbia and Androgyny.

Stella 34 Trattoria - © Meryl Pearlstein

You’re invited to come alone and sit at the bar overlooking the “runways.” Or book a table for two, four or six. The menu includes such tasty brunch items as fried calamari, everything pizza with nova and crème fraîche, a chef-curated charcuterie board, Caesar salad, and, of course, a full bar menu. Tickets are priced $22, $44, $88 and $132 depending on seating booked.

© Meryl Pearlstein

Previous drag brunches have featured performers enacting the characters from Schitt’s Creek with Suga Cain as MC and assuming the role of the indomitable Moira Rose.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and a valid photo ID is required of all attendees ages 12+ upon entry. A photo I.D. is also required and  must match a state-issued Covid vaccination card or other form of vaccine proof. Additionally, children must be masked when not eating or drinking throughout the event.

Stella 34 Trattoria - © Meryl Pearlstein

Stella 34 Trattoria is an elegant Italian trattoria and is located on the sixth floor on the Seventh Avenue side of Macy’s.

Say Thanks to Mom on Her Special Day with These Wonderful Mother’s Day Gifts

There’s no shortage of unusual choices filled with New York City style

Courtesy Angelina

Angelina

Paris export Angelina has created a truly fanciful dessert for Mother’s Day. The all-red Confidence pastry has a macaron biscuit base, topped with stewed strawberries, currant, white chocolate cream and fresh raspberries. Mom can choose an individual one or order a larger one to share among four to six people or an even larger one for six to eight people. Given the colors of this confection, this might be the most memorable Mother’s Day Instagram shot you’ll see that day. Dine at the patisserie or order in advance to devour at home.

Courtesy Sweet Generation

Sweet Generation

Sweet Generation is a non-profit artisanal bakery that trains youths aged 16-24 to work in the food industry. Through a program called RISE, students from marginalized or in-need communities receive hands-on job experience and entrepreneurial training. Started in Amy Chasen’s kitchen in Astoria, Queens and now expanded in Bushwick thanks to a multi-million-dollar grant from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Sweet Generation creates handcrafted cakes, cupcakes, pastries, breads and other confections with sales supporting RISE. For Mother’s Day, the bakery’s gift basket is a sweet collection of their most popular desserts including flower-decorated cupcakes, cookies, brownies and blondies. The gift pack is beautifully packaged in a Sweet Generation tote bag with a Mother’s Day card.

Courtesy Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette

Bakery-café Paris Baguette introduces two limited-edition cakes for Mother’s Day. The cream-filled cakes feature the sweet flavors of blueberry and vanilla and are topped with colorful berries. Beyond admiring their artistry and knockout decorations, you have to love the names of these as well:  Mom’s Very Berry Blueberry Chiffon, a blueberry fantasy from inside to out, and the Berry Special Mom Cake, a vanilla cake with sliced strawberries.

Courtesy Vesta Chocolate

Vesta Chocolate

Designed from the heart in tribute to the owners’ mothers on Mother’s Day, Vesta Chocolate’s Mother’s Day Jewel Bonbon Collection is a gift to all moms from New York City chocolatier and pastry master husband-wife duo Roger Rodriguez and Julia Choi-Rodriguez. The holiday bonbon collection reflects flavors and family traditions from two countries, the Dominican Republic and South Korea. The ginger tea, vanilla, and “morir soñando” orange creamsicle bonbons are favorites of  Roger’s Mami. Julia’s Umma is the inspiration for the tangy and sweet yuzu, Earl Grey and red bean bonbons.

Courtesy Schmackary’s

Schmackary’s

Cookie-loving moms will feel the passion that’s infused in Schmackary’s oversized cookies. For Mother’s Day, the popular Manhattan bakery, known for its crazy and constantly changing variety of inventive cookies, is also adding a choice of “schmall” … so you can try more than one. Mix the flavors up for a bespoke six-pack with Baker’s Choice, Gourmet Chocolate Chunk, Fan Favorites or Frosted Fantasy, for example. Make the gift even more special with a gift tin. If you purchase these in-store, you’ll get 15% off cookies and drinks.

Courtesy BoujFleaMarket

BoujFleaMarket

BoujFleaMarket wants moms to feel great on their special day. The Harlem e-boutique’s Mother’s Day gift pack is a cheery collection of lavender-scented body scrub and bath bombs, put together by mother-and-daughter co-owners Anastasia Linkpon and Adrian Mack. A shining example of entrepreneurship at any age, New York City native Anastasia is 7 ½  years old, making her one of the youngest recipients of the HOPE One Million New Black Business (1MBB) initiative in conjunction with Shopify.

Courtesy CAMP: Form Reimagined

CAMP: Form Reimagined

Sentimental by definition, moms collect things. Help your mother keep track of her treasures with a  CAMP: Form Reimagined Trinket & Tchotchke Box that’s as individual as she is. Brooklyn-based CAMP upcycles vintage canisters, sugar bowls and spice jars to create “campy” stash boxes to hold precious keepsakes. With each purchase, CAMP makes a donation to a charity for metastatic cancer research.

Courtesy Tipsy Scoop

Tipsy Scoop

New York City’s Tipsy Scoop does it again with another boozy holiday hit. The ice cream parlor’s Mother’s Day Pack features a variety of mom-tested, liquor-infused favorites: Dark Chocolate Whiskey Salted Caramel, Cake Batter Vodka Martini, Strawberry White Sangria Sorbet and Raspberry Limoncello Sorbet. Give your mom an aperitif, too – sign her up for Tipsy Scoop’s live Mother’s Day cocktail making class on May 9. Order a cocktail kit for yourself, too, and tune in to learn how to make two boozy ice cream cocktails. The kit includes boozy sorbet and ice cream, lemonade, candies, fruit and other goodies.

Courtesy Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Cooking Class with Chef Marcus Samuelsson

You can preface your boozy dessert afternoon with a soul food class by New York Chef Marcus Samuelsson on May 7. Celebrating the launch of his new cookbook, “The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food,” Samuelsson’s master class is all about the beauty of Black cooking. Register your mother and she’ll receive a package with the ingredients needed to make  tomato and peach salad, tamarind-glazed salmon and spiced wine cake.

Courtesy Eternal Roses

Eternal Roses

If you’ve ever been frustrated when the gorgeous roses you bought fade into oblivion after just a few days, Eternal Roses solves that problem with their line of “eternal” Mother’s Day flowers. Designed to last for several years, the preserved roses are artfully set in a variety of centerpieces that will beautify any table or nightstand. Pick mom’s favorite colors for a customized arrangement with staying power.

Courtesy Classic Harbor Line

Classic Harbor Line

Classic Harbor Line’s Around Manhattan Brunch Cruise keeps Mother’s Day spirited and scenic with a three-hour island circumnavigation on an elegant teak-decked yacht. The city’s skyline, bridges and landmarks provide the set for the almost three-hour sail which includes a three-course prix fixe brunch with a smoked salmon platter, house-made quiche and continuous mimosas.

Courtesy Deborah Miller Catering & Events

Deborah Miller Catering & Events

If after all this, you think Mom would just rather wake up to an incredible feast at home (that you don’t need to prepare), NYC’s Deborah Miller Catering & Events will make it special with an array of adorable small dishes like mini waffle sandwiches, honey-drizzled yogurt shots and strawberry shortcake dessert jars. Or, how about a bacon dessert jar? The possibilities are endless.

Plan an Anytime Romantic Celebration at Home with These Great Choices

This year is an especially good time to keep the Valentine’s Day momentum going with romance and love.

Have Brunch in Your Pajamas

Marky’s Caviar - Courtesy Marky’s

Chef Budda Lo presents HUSO’s Champagne Brunch, from the speakeasy hidden behind third-generation caviar purveyor Marky’s Caviar. With a breakfast spread of private stock caviar from the group’s own domestic aqua farm, poached eggs, croissants, elderflower Bellini’s and Valrhona chocolate-covered strawberries, you’ll be motivated to stay in PJ’s the entire day.

Bring on the Aphrodisiacs

Courtesy Grand Army

Your at-home Champagne indulgence doesn’t end there. After a post-brunch interlude and perhaps a nap on the sofa, Grand Army brings on more bubbly and presents the consummate aphrodisiac, oysters. Part of a seafood indulgence, Blue Point oysters come with mignonette sauce, littleneck clams, shrimp cocktail and a pair of lobster rolls. Add a finishing chocolate note with creamy chocolate cremeux for dessert with strawberries. Book in advance but pick up your shellfish during the day so the oysters can be freshly shucked.

Courtesy Red Hook Lobster Pound Facebook

There are no oysters in Red Hook Lobster Pound’s seafood soiree but you’ll get plenty of shellfish love with the Brooklyn seafood shack’s Lovester feast. Expect the full New England treatment with this extravaganza — two cooked lobsters (crackers included), mussels, clams, Dungeness crab, shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes. Add a choice of a crab or shrimp cocktail, a bottle of William Hill Chardonnay and two mini chocolate mousse cakes and you have an instant trip to Maine.

Courtesy Fornino

A “Pizza Love Fest” might be more to your liking, and Fornino in Greenpoint has it ready for your home enjoyment. Pretty and classically Italian, the feast includes a cheese and fruit plate, salad, two mini pizzas, tiramisu, strawberries and a bottle of wine. Brooklyn knows pizza, and Fornino does it right.

Courtesy o.d.o

Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant, o.d.o transports you to Japan with a special, limited-edition Gift Box for two. The creation of talented Chef Hiroko Odo, the box itself is an intricately designed collectible, hand-made from the fibers of mulberry tree bark known for their strength and flexibility. The elaborate kaiseki meal features a selection of A5 Wagyu beef jerky, snow crab, roast beef marinated in sake lees, blowfish and Spanish mackerel in addition to assorted nigiri sushi, futomaki and a sake pastry box. The meal is accompanied by a set of Suntory whiskeys and Murakami × Perrier limited edition bottles. Enhancing the meal’s Japanese sensibility, the box comes with a music playlist curated by Academy Award-winning composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto plus Japanese-designed coasters, incense, incense holder and glass.

Courtesy Sushi Noz

You won’t be lost in translation with Michelin-starred Sushi Noz’s DIY Temaki hand roll kit, even if it doesn’t come with Bill Murray-endorsed Suntory whiskey. Meticulously styled with Japanese attention to detail and precise instructions for preparation, the kit includes seasoned rice and sheets of seaweed served with heart-shaped containers of Japanese uni and house-cured ikura. A long-stemmed rose from a Japanese florist graces the package. To ensure absolute freshness, the kit must be booked in advance on Tock for pick-up in person at the restaurant.

Dessert Any Time

Courtesy Chocolate Fondue Box

One of the prettiest dessert kits offered, Relish Catering’s Chocolate Fondue Box has everything you need for an indulgent and fun fondue experience. You’ll get a fondue pot with long-stemmed strawberries, red-velvet-rose cakes, butterscotch fudge sparkle pops, rice crispy treats, hazelnut-dark chocolate biscotti, candy hearts and other romantic dip-ins.

Courtesy Black Tap Soho

You’ll have a chance to try out your own pastry artistry, too, thanks to Black Tap Soho. In partnership with Magnolia Bakery, the restaurant-soda shop’s Red Velvet Cake Shake Kit includes all the essentials to make two Red Velvet Cake Shakes. The kit includes red velvet cake batter shakes (pre-mixed), cups with vanilla frosting and sprinkles, red and white sprinkles, two slices of red velvet cake, chocolate sauce and cherries. If you’re feeling rather lazy, you can opt for the photo-ready Classic Red Velvet Cake Batter Shake, pre-made with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and a cherry on top. No preparation required.

Courtesy Senza Gluten Cafe & Bakery

Greenwich Village’s Senza Gluten Cafe & Bakery will deliver a gluten-free and equally sensuous basket with heart-shaped shortbread cookies and red velvet cupcakes filled with chocolate ganache. The basket continues the chocolate theme with bakery favorites dairy-free chocolate crinkle cookies, chocolate walnut mini cubbies and classic chocolate chip cookies.

Courtesy MR All Day

You can pick up Pastry Chef Camari Mick’s takeaway treats at MR All Day, the Musket Room’s pop-up cafe operating out of a vintage 1962 International Harvester van. It’s worth the trip to Nolita just to see this – but go early, rising chef Mick’s treats sell out quickly. For the holiday season, he’s offering bonbons, macarons, love potions, Tahitian vanilla and mocha mousse and more.

Courtesy Mochidoki SoHo

Mochidoki SoHo offers a special holiday collection including pretty-in-pink Black Forest made with cherry chocolate mochi, Chantilly cream, dark chocolate gateau and dried Morello cherries. The Japanese mochi range has been further enhanced with hazelnut Rocher, cinnamon mocha, chocolate strawberry and limited-edition cherry chocolate mochi, a delicate and artistic sweet with black cherry and vanilla ice cream swirled with dark chocolate chips.

Courtesy Angelina Paris NYC

With its very-French flair, recent import Angelina Paris NYC offers pure romance in the form of a pastry “Love Letter.” The elegant red-and-white yogurt mousse pastry is shaped like an envelope and includes a creamy vanilla, blackcurrant berry, raspberry, financier biscuit and crispy white chocolate.

Bye, Bye 2016: Let’s Toast with a Hangover Brunch at Little Frog

There’s a new culinary force on the Upper East Side and they’re hoping to make your New Year’s hangover a little sweeter.  Little Frog, the new Parisian bistro, is debuting their New Year’s Day Hangover Frogger Platter on Sunday. The platter is a work of art: Rosti Eggs Benedict, boudin sausage, grilled steak, breakfast sausage, Vermont bacon, truffle egg en cocotte, jalapeño grilled cheese sandwich, papas bravas – yes, that’s all on one platter! And it’s only $20.17. Happy New Year!  Add beer for some ‘hair of the dog’, and the price rises to a whopping $26.17. I know I’ll be there!

Photo by Marzi Daoust (Little Frog)

If a more moderate hangover remedy is in order, Chef Xavier Monge offers you his Frogger Burger, a creation honed after a decade at Minetta Tavern which, in my opinion, still has one of the best burgers in the city with their dry-aged beef Black Label Burger.

Photo by Marzi Daoust (Little Frog)

Stayed out too late saying good riddance to 2016? Don’t worry if you’re not up early. Brunch will be served from 11:30-3:30pm. Bring the kids, too. There’s a special menu for them plus an à la carte menu for you so you can sample some of the other bistro fare.

Photo by Marzi Daoust (Little Frog)

Little Frog Bistro & Bar, 322 East 86th Street, 347-537-5786, www.littlefrognyc.com.

More Manhattan Cocktail Madness – May 19-21

Foodie alert!

Manhattan Cocktail Classic has announced three more exciting events for the next week:

Smokin’ Boozy Bacon-Loaded Brunch with Top Chef Dave Martin – 2 sessions:

Sunday, May 19, 11:00am-1:00pm (Session 1) and 2:00pm-4:00pm (Session 2)

Top Chef alum Dave Martin shows how eclectic brunch can be, pairing sweet and savory brunch specialties with his signature cocktails. Quirky concoctions spiked with The Perfect Puree and Double Cross Vodka accompany bite-sized versions of Martin’s classic brunch dishes. The treats at this event are meat-based for the most part, featuring Nueske’s smoked meats, so carnivores are in luck. But a few meatless options are available for all the vegetarians out there. Full menu:

Cocktails:

Smokin’ Mary: Dave’s Homemade Spicy Mary Mix, The Perfect Purée Chipotle Sour, Double Cross Vodka and Nueske’s Pepper Bacon

Spring Thyme & Lime Cooler: Fresh Squeezed Limeade, The Perfect Purée Thyme & Citrus, and Crushed Ice

The Bruised Pineapple: The Perfect Purée Carmelized Pineapple, Double Cross Vodka and Orange Agave Nectar

Food pairings:

Monte Cristo’s Nueske’s Smoked Ham & Smoked Turkey, Gruyere inside Malted French Toast and Blackberry Sauce for dipping

Mini Veggie Frittatas: Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Tomatoes, Wild Mushrooms & Goat Cheese

Duck Quesadillas: Nueske’s Smoked Duck Breast, Apricot & Mango Chutney and Asiago Cheese

Hanger Steak Bites: Smokey Rubbed CAB Hanger Steak with Groovy Gorgonzola for dipping

Nueske’s Wild Cherrywood Bacon & Dried Cherry Shortbread Cookies: Bacon, Tart Cherries & buttery goodness

Chocolate Truffle Cakes: Mini versions of the classic with Dave’s Salted Caramel Sauce

Location:

Guggenheim Studio, 250 West 54th #405 between 8th Avenue and Broadway, Manhattan

Tickets: $65

“An Afternoon of Chocolate and Cocktails”:

Sunday, May 19, 3:00pm-5:00pm

Celebrate the best of both indulgences at a walk-around tasting sponsored by Valrhona Chocolates. Nibble on delectable desserts, courtesy of NYC’s premier chocolatiers and pastry chefs. Then head to the bar for a glimpse into how chocolate-friendly spirits are made, all while tasting your way through Valrhona’s signature line of chocolates. Once you narrow down your favorite dessert, the mixologists will make a custom drink for a decadent pairing.

Location:

Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street at East 4th Street, http://www.astorcenternyc.com/

Tickets: $45 (purchase directly on the Astor Center website: http://www.astorcenternyc.com/class-an-afternoon-of-chocolate-and-cocktails.ac

Perfect Pairings:

Tuesday, May 21, 6:00pm-10:00pm

Want to indulge for a charitable cause? Enjoy an evening of cocktails and food pairings to boot at The Bowery Hotel, located in Manhattan’s trendy Lower East Side neighborhood. At the end of the evening, you’ll leave with a full stomach and the good feeling that comes from knowing that your money is going to a great cause. Tickets will be available soon, with proceeds benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Location: The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery between Great Jones and Bond Streets, www.theboweryhotel.com

Tickets: Check the Manhattan Cocktail Classics website for updates: tickets.manhattancocktailclassic.com

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