Almodovar’s Night Pop-Up Dinner

Thanksgiving can be rough if your family lives far from the hustle we call home. Thankfully there’s tons of alternative families available to belly up next to and enjoy a feast that rivals the family back home. In fact, it might even be better given the family drama is organically removed from the equation. One of our favorites is Greenpoint Beer and Ale’s Orphans’ Thanksgiving. Now in it’s fourth year, a meal and a movie are included with every ticket. A dessert potluck is part of the evening so bring a winner. If that wasn’t enough, $10 from each ticket will be donated to The Greenpoint Soup Kitchen. Thursday, November 24, 5PM – 11PM in Brooklyn.

We’ve loved the McKittrick Hotel since our first sneak peek before the fames Sleep No More ever performed once. The Punchdrunk team has now opened up The Attic and invited us to  The Last Supper, a surreal time warp back to the 1960’s that boasts a hypnotic experience. Knowing this theater companies flair for the eerily awesome, there’s no doubt this night will be a head spinner you will remember for a solid decade. A few early reviews are available but leave a lot to the imagination. Our advice is not to click and be completely surprised by the journey that lies up in the attic. The dinner only runs until July 21st so you have to grab tickets as soon as you can. Don’t forget to wear your mid-century best or summon your inner Don Draper. Dressing the part always makes for more immersive fun. Now through August 4th in NYC.

Zoltar has spoken, and your wish has been granted: yes, you can watch ‘Big’ on the patio at Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market while sampling from Horse Thief BBQ’s menu of Texan meats and veggie-centric sides. We promise that the magic of the evening will be restricted to the movie’s storyline, Tom Hank’s performance, and the restaurant’s non-Hollywood dishes like brisket, apple and pomegranate salad – that is, of course, unless you decide to try your luck with an unplugged fortune-telling machine, in which case, see you at FAO Schwartz on the human sized piano. Wednesday, August 3rd at 8pm in Grand Central Market, Downtown LA.

CONTERNO VS. CONTERNO sounds more like a 1920’s boxing match in which two brothers face off in a makeshift ring above a Bensonhurst red sauce joint. It’s not, but it is the next best thing. Batali’s highly knowledgable and uber hospitable caporegimes take you on a tongue punch for tongue punch of masterly cared fro Nebbiolo grapes. The berry that makes world famous, highly discussed barolo. In 1961 brothers Aldo and Giovanni Conterno, sons of one of the best barolo makers, disagreed on their wine making philosophy. The feud that followed created two of the best wines on earth. At this 7-course dinner paired with the vintages, you get to ring the bell and call the winner. Monday, April 25th @ 5:30 to 11:15PM in NYC.