November 22, 2013


In this Edition:
  





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Weekly Snapshot 

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  Decorations are starting to light up the city and you will see more holiday-related events appearing in the calendar  as well as holiday-themed Special Features.  Stay tuned for my annual "Norma's Gift Guide" special edition, featuring unique gifts for the host/hostess, that special someone, kids, and more from shops around the city.

This week's For the Foodie section includes my top 10 picks for a local Thanksgiving dinner if you want to leave the turkey prep to the pros. There is no comparison to the buzz surrounding the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade highlighted in this week's Special Feature.   
    
 
 
  
  


 Norma Knows New York City 
 
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See the below categories for my event picks for the  
General & Holiday Events...      
 

Available Now    

Alexander McQueen
Skull Scarf 10th Anniversary

An exclusive collaboration with Damien Hirst, featuring 30 unique designs exclusively available from Alexander McQueen boutiques and online.

 

November 21  Holiday House   

Tour holiday-inspired rooms created by some of the city's top designers.  Proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.  Thursday evenings will offer wine tastings and music. I plan to go next Thursday! Through December 28th. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through November 23  Park Avenue Garage Sale

Annual charitable event and the ultimate in luxury holiday shopping (10 West 56th Street).  Personal collections from showrooms, and walk-in closets of fashionistas, celebrities, artists, socialites, and interior designers. Benefits The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.    

 

Through November 23  Multi-label Sample Sale to benefit Typhoon Victims

The Archetype Showroom in NoHo (676 Broadway) hosts a sample sale featuring Acne and other noted designers. All proceeds will benefit Waves for Water. A chance to get donned and donate!  

 

November 24  Adriana Trigiani Holiday Walking Tour

Part tour and part shopping experience as you explore some of the hidden wonders to get into the spirit and excitement of the season. Also December 6, 8, and 13.   

   

November 29  

The Plaza and Saks Fifth Avenue  

Celebrate the Holidays

Two NYC shopping giants partner for the holiday season and kick it off with the showcasing of the signature tree at The Plaza (768 5th Avenue). The event benefits Volunteers of America.  

 

Through December 24    

Bronson van Wyck and Celerie Kemble Holiday Workshop

A holiday popup workshop on the Upper East Side (19 East 75th Street) featuring their furniture lines and holiday wares.   A perfect way to get you in the spirit! 

 

Through December 28  Divine Details

A pop up "shop for the extra[ordinary]" at AIGA Gallery (164 5th Avenue).   A curated line of 33 incredibly well-designed common goods for your holiday shopping... from a shatterless crystal wine glass to a fashionable and functional tote.

 

Through December  Story: Home for the Holidays

Story (144 Tenth Avenue) is the most amazing retail space in Chelsea that changes like a gallery and sells things like a store! Their holiday display recently launched. You will find the most unbelievable treasures for those on your list.    

 

CulturalCultural Pursuits...    

 

Through November 22  "The Series"

A popup of works by Hunter and Gatti at The Openhouse Gallery (201 Mulberry Street) in NoLita from 9am-9pm.  Exhibition features highlights of their recent works in both photography and paintings.    

 

November 23 and 24   Pier Antique Show

The largest NYC antique, art and collecting exhibition. At Pier 94 (711 12th Avenue).

 

Through January 5  Robert Indiana: Beyond Love

Best known for his "LOVE" piece, you'll be pleasantly surprised by his many other works of pop art exhibited at The Whitney (945 Madison Avenue).

 

Through January 12  Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, 1926-1938

This retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (11 West 53rd Street) focuses on the years 1926 through 1938 when Magritte developed his iconic style during the uneasy time of the world wars.

 

Through March 9 Jewels by JAR

At the MET (1000 Fifth Avenue), an exquisite exhibit of 400 works  by one of the most acclaimed jewelry designer in the last 35 years. 

 

CurtainCurtain Up...    
 

Opened November 19   What's it All About? Bacharach

The iconic entertainer offers a different approach in his production to capture a younger audience.  New York Theater workshop (79 East 4th Street).

 

November 22 and 23  Mark Morris Dance Company

Special performance by renowned choreographer Mark Morris at David H. Koch Theater (20 Lincoln Center), part of the White Light festival at Lincoln Center. 

 

Opened November 21  MACBETH

Long-awaited show starring Ethan Hawke finally opened. You know the story, you know the star, the reviews are amazing. Get your tickets for the performance at Lincoln Center Theater, I already have mine!

 

November 23 and 24  Stravinsky's Firebird  

The Little Orchestra Society (330 West 42nd Street) presents this magical performance this weekend.

 

November 29  G. Balanchine's The Nutcracker

The yearly anticipated Nutcracker by Tschaikovsky opens at the David H. Koch Theater (20 Lincoln Center). I see the New York City Ballet's performance each year and this one will be no exception! Through January 4th.   


November 23 and 24 Jane Monheit

Jazz vocalist, Jane Monheit, performs at the Blue Note (131 West 3rd Street). I've heard her perform with one of my favorite singers, Michael Buble.

  

DiningFor the Foodie...   
   
NEW: Winter Warmers

A hot chocolate and s'mores bar has just opened in Park Slope, Brooklyn.  They serve hot chocolate, apple cider, s'mores, and other cold weather snacks.

 

 

If you're entertaining this year for Thanksgiving, Provisions by FOOD 52 has everything you need for that special holiday dinner. 

 

If you're looking to cut back on the hard work of a home-cooked meal but still want a delicious feast, here are my top 10 picks for eating out locally. Make your reservations. 

 

A Voce (Italian)

10 Columbus Circle

3 Course Prix Fixe Menu for $75, 4 Course Prix Fixe Menu for $95. Menu Highlight:  Ravioli Di Castagne (chestnut filled pasta, mushrooms, pantaleo, marjoram).   

 

 

(Contemporary American)

24 East 81st Street

3 Course Prix Fixe Menu for $75.Menu Highlight: Pumpkin & Bourbon Pecan Tarts. 

 

 

East 12th Osteria (Italian)

197 First Avenue

A la carte pricing. Menu Highlight: Fresh gnocchetti with pumpkin and Gorgonzola sauce with toasted almonds, sage and crispy pancetta.  

 

Il Buco Alimentari (Italian)

53 Great Jones Street

4-course prix fixe menu for $85. Menu Highlight: The Pumpkin Gelato for dessert. 

 

Il Gattopardo (Italian)

13-15 West 54th Street

Thanksgiving specials available. Menu Highlights: Country legumes & chestnut soup and Traditional roasted turkey filled with chestnuts and bread crumbs, served with gravy, cranberry sauce, and oven baked potato.

 

Lafayette (French)

380 Lafayette Street

3-course prix fixe menu for $90. Menu Highlights: Lentil & Braised Apple Soup and Pear Walnut Celery Root & Brie Agnolotti.

 

Lambs Club (Contemporary American)

132 West 44th Street

3-course prix fixe Traditional Fireside Dinner for $85. Menu Highlight: Roasted Heritage Turkey Breast (Leg Confit, Truffled Pain Perdu, Roasted Sweet Carrots, Chestnut Puree, Pomegranate Jus).

 

The Leopard at des Artistes (French)

1 West 67th Street

3-course prix fixe meal for $70. Menu Highlights: Butternut Squash Soup, Chestnut Gnocchi, and Mom's Apple Pie.

 

 

Rosemary's (Italian)

18 Greenwich Avenue

3-course prixe fixe for $55. Menu Highlight:  Rosemary's Thanksgiving Turkey.

   

 

 

 

The Dutch (American)

131 Sullivan Street

3-course Thanksgiving menu for $90. Menu Highlight: Andouille Sausage-Cornbread Stuffing. 

 

Special Thanksgiving Feature...Feature

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
It's hard to talk about Thanksgiving without mentioning of this annual tradition. I have watched the parade front and center a number of times and it's even more magical than you can imagine. 

Line up early! 
The start: 9am: 77th & Central Park West 
The route:  Travels down Central Park West from 77th Street, then turns onto Central Park South on 59th Street (Columbus Circle).  The parade then takes a right to travel south on 6th Avenue and makes it's final right turn onto 34th Street to end right in front of Macy's!

Can't make the parade?  
Watch on TV... but if you're in town the night before, head uptown to watch the inflation of the balloons! Between 77th & 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue - public viewing is from 3 pm until 8 pm; after 5pm is the best time to see the balloons take shape.

Balloons and floats to watch for:

75th Anniversary Balloon - The Wizard of Oz

AFLAC Duck

Spinning Dreidel - to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah

The Dreamseeker by Cirque du Soleil 

My favorites:  Papa Smurf, The New York Daily News, and (of course) Santa Claus

 


GET YOUR THANKSGIVING DAY PIE 
Top Bakery picks for your dessert:
Bouchon Bakery  (10 Columbus Circle)
The City Bakery (3 West 18th Street)
Clinton Street Baking Company (4 Clinton Street)
Dominique Ansel Bakery (189 Spring Street) 
   
HELP THOSE IN NEED
Here are a few local charities - donate time, food or make monetary donations over Thanksgiving weekend. Visit NYC Service to find other volunteer opportunities year round.

 
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