This Saturday the 25th, from 3-6pm, The Tangled Vine Wine Bar & Kitchen is hosting Wine Tasting for a Cause, a fundraiser that will support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Partake in an afternoon tour of more than 20 organic, sustainable, and biodynamic European wines, along with passed Mediterranean bites such as crab croquetas, arancini rice balls and chickpea fritters. There will also be a cheese and charcuterie station. This walking tasting event features tables dedicated to French, Italian, and Spanish wines (tres magnifique). Gift certificates to The Tangled Vine and other NYC restaurants, as well as wine glass sets and other items will also be auctioned off during the event. Tickets are a minimum donation of $50 and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Reservations can be made by calling 646-863-3896.
La Nacional: Although this place may look a little dumpy on the outside, it's what's on your plate that really matters here. The tapas here are the most authentic I've tasted since living in Spain (no joke), and they even carry the elusive tinto de verano ($6). Spaniards - you know what I'm talking about (red wine w/ sparkling lemonade for those who don't). Order up a bunch of small plates or splurge on paella...either way, you'll go home happy.
Luzzo's: Venture into the cozy confines of chef Michele Iuliano's first of three NYC restaurants for some divine snacking. His Neapolitan pizza is deliciously light and won't leave you three sizes bigger post-meal. The joint is small, but gives off a warm vibe as if you were in a small, friendly Italian village. You know this place is the bee's knees when a long time customer thought the food was so good he had to become a part-owner (true story!).
This Sunday, from 11am to 4pm, special guest Chef Ron Eyester, of Atlanta's Rosebud, will be joining forces with Lowcountry's new chef Oliver Gift. They will be offering up an a la carte menu of classic dishes from Rosebud, as well as some special plates developed by both chefs. The guest brunch special will be celebrating the spirit of the lowcountry region with the West Village restaurant, known for its SoCo food and high-quality bourbons.
Modern Indian restaruant, Junoon, is announcing its new Beverage Director, Oliver Dufeu, as well as an exciting addition to their wine program. Junoon has assembled an array of over 300 unique bottles of wine on the restaurant's international wine list and on February 27th at 7pm, the restaurant will hold its first in a series of dinners titled Western Promises. Oliver will lead a tasting of select wines in tandem with chef Vikas Khanna's seasonally inspired four course dinner. He will propose a series of wines for each course and explain the concepts at work in the pairings.
Owners of Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Ben Daitz and Ratha Chaupoly have teamed up with Mario Batali to create a super sandwich that will benefit the Food Bank for New York City and the Cambodian Children's Fund. The sandwich, called the Batali Pang, is comprised of cotcchino sausage, balsamic pickled onions and cacio de Roma cheese, folded into the the traditional Num Pang fixings (chili mayo, pickled carrots, cucumber, and cilantro on toasted semolina flour baguette). The Batali Pang launches today (and lasts for one month) and is available at both Num Pang locations for $9.75 ($6 of every sandwich will go to charity).
Graffiti artist turned fashion designer, Claw Money now designs clothes, footwear, and accessories for some of the biggest names in showbiz, including Kanye West, Rhianna, and Nicki Minaj. Currently, the designer is working on a mural at Andaz 5th Avenue for their TBD art exhibition, which features different artists who will paint their view of New York --today. The project is curated by the SA Studios Artist Collective and each piece will be photographed and turned into limited edition post cards ($5 at bar downstairs). Proceeds will be donated to charity. To view the artists at work and read about their experiences, visit www.andaz5thavenue.tumblr.com. Even more exciting, Andaz 5th Avenue guests will also receive a 15% discount on Claw Money’s entire clothing line during her residency. “Art is an integral part of Andaz 5th Avenue and we strive to find new ways to support art and design,” says Jonathan Frolich, General Manager of Andaz 5th Avenue. “We are excited to welcome Claw Money as our Artist in Residence, building upon our new tbd Art series and offering guests a unique opportunity to interact with this famous artist.”
For one week only, Luzzo's will be serving up their limited edition 7 Sins Pizza (just in time for V-Day)! Master pizzaiolo Michele Luliano is celebrating the restaurant group's 7th Anniversary with this very special pizza. The pizza is inspired by the seven deadly sins, with seven toppings, served on an unusual crust shape called battilocchio (which means to blink).
Japanese SAMBAHour launched on February 1st and is a Japanese inspired happy hour at both Sushisamba locations. The happy hour, which is available on weekdays, takes place from 4-7pm, and features Japanese entertainment and workshops. Enjoy delectable bites such as kuromitsu glazed pork belly buns and spicy scallop gunkan, as well as a selection of Japanese beers and sakes.
But that's not all that's going on this month at the well-known resto. On February 18th, Sushisamba will be hosting a special Carnaval to mark Rio de Janeiro's most noted celebration. Enjoy live performances by shimmering samba dancers, dance to batucada drummers, and pick dishes off of their regular a la carte menu. The celebration will commence at 9pm and (sadly) end at 1am. Both locations will broadcast a live feed of the celebration in Brazil and will be serving up their tasty Carnaval Cocktail ($12, leblon, domaine de canton, fresh kiwi, champagne). There will also be yummy carnval food specials!
Shimmy your way to Sushisamba this month and partake in all of their lively festivities inspired by countries around the world!
Friday, February 10th brings a new and unusual spin to classic burlesque. Storybook Burlesque will be working with the Horse Trade Theater Group to present The Works of Roald Dahl at Kraine Theater at 8pm. Delve into your childhood with adult takes on classic stories like James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, and more.
Dare we even think of how they will interpret The BFG (big friendly giant)? Performers include, but are not limited to, Bitty Bamboo, Cheeky Lane, Iris Explosion, and more. The show promises to bring the fun, frivolous, creepy, dark, and sexy straight to the stage!
Tickets are $20 and are available for purchase here.
If you're dying to know how to decorate your face this spring (we don't believe you, Mr. Groundhog), then listen to style expert Rachel Zoe. She recommends two of Exude's Lipstick colors -- Scarlet Red and Coral-- as the 'it' colors for the season. The brand comes with a revolutionary new crystal applicator, which allows you to release the perfect amount of lipstick each and every time, as well as retain its shape. The lip color is enhanced with a hint of mint scent and a new complex formula, sure to give you a perfect pucker. The lipstick is available for retail at www.exudelipstick.com for $29.