HOLIDAY CHOICES IN NYC

HOLIDAY CHOICES 2021: Part One. 

Please turn your attention to the holidays because it’s that time again. You have to be careful because COVID-19 is spiking, so mask up and do whatever you know that you need to do, to be safe, do it. 

While attending Broadway shows, I have the great opportunity to stroll around a vibrant, bustling Times Square, and the big question that always looms over my thoughts, is where should I eat?

My good friends at the Times Square Alliance provided an amazing selection of some very yummy options. Allow me to share the wealth. 

Fireman Hospitality Group has a list of amazing, iconic restaurants that are located in high-traffic entertainment destinations and cultural centers including Broadway, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center. 

These include Bond 45 New York (221 West 46^th Street), Café Fiorello (1900 Broadway at Lincoln Center), Brooklyn Delicatessen opened in late 2020 (200 West 57^th Street), Brooklyn Diner (155 West 43^rd Street & 212 West 57^th Street), Redeye Grill (890 7^th Avenue), and Trattoria Dell’Arte (900 7^th Avenue.)

 

Yearning for an amazing holiday experience? Me too. Take a look at some interesting suggestions. 

• Return of the Burlesque Show, SPEAKEASY at Bond 45 (Friday & Saturday Nights) – Due to popular demand from a previous sold-out summer engagement, and available now through 12/22, SPEAKEASY returns as NYC’s hottest underground burlesque show and entertainment-mixology experience at Bond 45. Produced/created by award-winning Broadway director Holly-Anne Devlin, SPEAKEASY is an all-in-one immersive mixology experience that combines the worlds of burlesque, cirque, illusionists, contortionists, and musical theater with a decadent cocktail, dining, and nightclub experience. The show is 1 hour, 15 minutes. Starting at $85 for General Admission, this includes the live performance, 5-cocktail flights, and an appetizer. 

• GRAMMY Award Winner Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks Live at BOND 45 (Monday & Tuesday Nights) – Produced by Steve Garrin, guests can enjoy dinner and dancing to iconic big band scores of the 1920s and ’30s every Monday and Tuesday nights at Bond 45. Vince and the Nighthawks have appeared in films including The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, HBO's Boardwalk Empire, as well as Town Hall, Jazz At Lincoln Center, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the 92^nd St Y for the past four decades. Vince is the quintessential “entertainers‘ entertainer.” Doors open at 7:30 pm with performances from 8 to 11 pm. $25 cash music charge at the door, $25 F&B minimum at the venue.

• Roaring 20’s Themed New Year’s Eve Celebration with Champagne Toast, Live Big Band, Dancing and Views of Times Square Ball Drop & Central Park Fireworks – Available at Redeye Grill, across from Carnegie Hall, New Year’s Eve revelers will be available to ring in 2022 with a roaring 20’s themed celebration, complete with live tunes performed by the 16-piece band Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, a three-course prix-fixe menu inclusive of a Champagne Toast at midnight, and views of the Times Square ball drop and Central Park’s fireworks. The celebration will go from 8:30 pm to 12:30 pm and starts at $250 per person for bar and upstairs seating and $400 per person for premium seating. To book, email newyearseve@thefiremangroup.com.

 Bronx Little Italy - https://bit.ly/3p7gqYQ  

Little Italy in the Bronx has its own pasta sauce and products, which are distributed nationally and is also available on Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds of Little Italy Bronx pasta sauces and products go towards the Belmont Business Improvement District to help preserve the neighborhood and traditions for generations to come.

Mike’s Deli Gift Basket

Mike’s Deli – https://arthuravenue.com/ 

Located in the historic Arthur Avenue Retail Market, Mike’s Deli offers customized gift baskets/boxes that can include Italian meats (sausage, pepperoni, Soppressata); Italian cheese (Provolone, Locatelli Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano); homemade sauce and pasta; Italian crackers and cookies; Panettone; and specialty food items such as Italian olives and Italian Green peas. Call to customize at 718-295-5033. Prices range from $65 to $395. https://arthuravenue.com/product-category/specialty-gifts/

Joe’s Italian Deli Gift Basket

Joe’s Italian Deli – https://bit.ly/32QuAq9 

For over 40 years, Joe’s Italian Deli has been serving some of the neighborhood’s finest imported cheese, Italian meats, oils and vinegars, pastas, and homemade mozzarella. They offer a variety of customized, gourmet gift baskets with authentic Italian products including Italian dry sausage, imported cheese, Italian chocolates, figs, Torrone, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pesto, pasta, Taralli, biscotti, and more. Call to customize. Pricing options $150 & $250. 718-367-7979 https://joesitaliandeli.com/gift-baskets/

Tino’s Delicatessen – http://www.tinosdeli.com/  

Operating for over 50 years on Arthur Avenue, Tino’s customized gift baskets include favorites such as imported Monograno Felicetti Kamut pasta, Cacciocavallo semisoft cheese from Campania, Gianfranco Becchina Olio Verde Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Cavalli Balsamic Vinegar aged for a minimum of 12 years, fine Italian chocolates, biscotti, Albertengo Panettone, and many other treats. Shipping via mercato.com. Price Ranges from $50-$1,000. 718-733-9879 http://www.tinosdeli.com/Gift-Baskets.html

Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles -  https://bit.ly/3llH3IL 

Operating since 1935, Borgatti’s is a neighborhood staple and offers a variety of gifts that can include specialty items like pasta, ravioli, and manicotti. Try flavors like spinach, basil, mushroom, and lemon pepper fettuccine. Ravioli flavors include spinach & ricotta, meat & spinach, and porcini & ricotta. The Family Style Box includes ravioli, fettuccine, marinara sauce, and seeded breadsticks from Addeo Bakers. Must be purchased online. Price range from $35-$100. https://borgattis.com/gifts/

Calabria Pork Store - https://bit.ly/2ZEgsyX  

Offering the gift of Italian meat and cheese, Calabria Pork Store is known for their homemade dry sausage (and Instagram-worthy sausage chandelier ceiling), patrons can purchase a variety of sausage including hot, sweet, with fennel seeds, garlic, and wine, peppers, and onion, or liver. Don’t forget the Soppressata ranging from sweet to extra hot. Other meats include prosciutto, pancetta and capocollo. The Calabrese Cheese is a local favorite. Online pricing starts at $9.99. https://calabriapork.com/

Marie’s Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans & Gifts -  https://bit.ly/3D8WLN6  

Owned and operated by the same family for the past 70 years, Marie’s offers the freshest roasted Arabica coffee beans, along with gift baskets that can be customized with Panettone, Italian Chocolate, dishware, ceramic coffee and espresso cups, coffee makers, and espresso and/or cappuccino machines. Call to create your custom basket, which can be picked up in-store or shipped. 718-295-0514. www.mariescoffeeandgifts.com