Vintage Babbo Barolo Dinner

I love a good backyard party. The fact is, I have not been throwing nearly enough of them in the past few years ever since my Brooklyn deck turned into a Queens backyard. That is not to place blame as much as it is to publicly say I am bringing them back this summer. If you don’t get an invite or if you prefer the professional chef version of this American past time, I have great news but it’s unfortunately not directions to my house. The two Franks, yes those Frankie Spuntino legacy guys, have just announced their 3rd annual backyard chef series. For those of you who live under a rock (aka. Deep Queens or the Upper West Side) Frank and Frank did some remodeling last year. They closed Prime Meats, their German steak house, and converted it into Franks. Confusing I know. Their reinvented spot is split between a wine bar and a trattoria. They also expanded the Frankie’s Spuntino dining room which allows for a new and improved backyard scene. All this means that this years line up has some new space and some new ingredients, or accouterments, to play with. The guest chefs include some of my favs like Angie Rito from Don Angie’s and Greg Baxtrom of Olmsted. A few out-of-towners are in the mix like the talented Kristian Baumann from Copenhagen’s Restaurant 108. The best part of all this is the entire evening is communal. From the welcome drinks to the long dining table you’ll make new friends at, things will get intimate. The spots at the table will fill up fast so make sure you pick a chef and grab up some seats before your only option is a useless attempt at a remake in your friend backyard alley, a $6.99 Walmart mini- bricket bbq and a 6-pack of canned rose. May 15th thru September 25th in Brooklyn.

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.

Every year one of the grandfathers of the supperclub movement leaves Buenes Aires for the US. When they land, Collectivo Felix complete a multi-city tour popping up dinners in some of the best know pop-ups in the states. One of those stops is always at The Whisk and Ladle. We can’t say enough about these two Gastro-awesome friends so all we’ll say is, get a ticket. The evening will be amazing with every sip and bite BUT more special, you’ll be hosted by one of the originators of the movement in one of the original spaces that supperclubs were reborn. April 30th @ 7pm in Brooklyn.

You read that right. An entire week dedicated to the all-american favorite food indulgence. To be honest, we had no idea this existed. We completely missed the memo for 2015. Not the case for NYC Burger Week 2016. The line up screams for a clogged artery by hump day. If we make it through the whole week you can find us forging Lipitor prescriptions at Duane Reade. Don’t blame us. With nights like Black Iron Burger’s Burger and Beer Civil War AND The Beer Culture Boozy Burger Brunch how are you not going to be sitting at the next table with a half glass of booze and ketchup smeared in the corners of your mouth? May 1-7 @ various location in NYC.