December 7, 2007
It’s getting to feel a lot like the holiday season here in New York City. The streets are lit up and twinkling with snowflakes and stars, the tree is all dressed up at Rockefeller Center, pines-to-go are bundled on sidewalks waiting to be taken home and treated to (most probably) an unfortunate overdose of tinsel, and shop windows are decked out with Christmas cheer (read: Shop Here Now!) For all the commercialization of the holiday season, I really love this time of year in New York. I think there’s something so magical about the first snowfall, when the city is covered in a hush of soft white dew. It makes me feel like a kid again. And for all the small talk and name-dropping that accompanies them, I really love the holiday cocktail parties. How great is it to have an excuse to buy a fabulous new dress, and to get together with friends and eat, drink, and celebrate? It’s pretty nice. Sure, the streets are more crowded. Yes, the traffic is insane, and of course the lines for everything are longer, but it’s all good.
What also makes the holidays special for me is a list of places I make sure to hit every season. These are three New York icons, places that are classics, and they are perfect for ringing in the holidays, whether you need a break from shopping (City Bakery), a place to celebrate at lunch (Artisanal), or a festive spot for drinks and dinner (Gramercy Tavern), these three restaurants make up my Essential Holiday Eating Guide. Next week, I’ll give you my three top choices for the best NEW restaurants to celebrate in. Until then, cheers!
Hot Chocolate at City Bakery
When the temperatures drop and I can see my breath while walking to the subway, I know it’s time for City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate. This stuff is the real deal -- no wimpy watery, tan-toned liquid here. What you’ll find is something akin to drinkable fudge -- a dark, rich, pure chocolate “beverage” so thick that you could almost eat with a spoon. It’s actually made in front of you, with real bars of chocolate melting into milk, and then folded and stirred, and ladled out of a large vat per order, and topped (if you like) with a homemade marshmallow. (Hint: you like.)
