Thursday, November 23, 2017 marks the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It begins at 9am and travels down Central Park West from 77th Street to Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street. The fun begins the evening before on Wednesday, November 22. Between 3pm and 10pm spectators can watch the fun, festive balloons get inflated near the American Museum of Natural History—just off Central Park West between 77th and 81st Streets. Whether you crave a bite to eat, a warm cup of coffee, or a craft cocktail, here are some places to go before or after the festivities.
Amsterdam Ale House
Amsterdam Ale House taps into the warm, familial environment of its predecessor—an old-school pub that was once called Sweeney’s that was around in the 1930s. The retro space boasts old-school accents such as a tin ceiling and Tiffany windows. The traditional American menu features pub fare and more modern, health-conscious dishes. Everything from hummus to grass-fed organic bison burgers, and a mix of salads are on the menu. The establishment supports the craft beer movement and offers a selection of 30 drafts, more than 40 bottles, and cask-conditioned ale, which is unfiltered, unpasteurized beer. The ale house also offers a full bar with a curated wine selection. For the little ones, there’s a kid's menu. 212-362-7260, 340 Amsterdam Ave., amsterdamalehouse.nyc
Good Enough to Eat
American home cooking is the focus of Good Enough to Eat—a family-friendly restaurant in a farmhouse setting. The lunch menu offers health conscious items such as the avocado and cheddar sandwich or smoked salmon. Breakfast items, which debut on the dinner menu include the Asian vegan tofu scramble with sesame soy veggies served with brown rice or salad and a choice of whole wheat toast or pita pocket. Old staples include macaroni and cheese and for those who like to kick it up a notch, try the chipotle shrimp. 212-496-0163, 520 Columbus Ave., goodenoughtoeat.com
Irving Farm Coffee Roasters
This trendy local coffee house serves light fare and drinks made from house-roasted beans. While in New York City, indulge in the Gotham Blend, which is full of dark menacing flavors that are enveloped in a soft smoke and slightly spicy finish. The Ethiopia Yrgacheffe Ambassa offers bright clean citrus notes with winy fruit, spice, and chocolate notes. There’s also some refreshing orange, lime and honeysuckle notes. Founded in 1996 in Gramercy Park, the visionaries behind Irving Farm Coffee Roasters were offering “handcrafted,” “organic,” and “fair-trade” long before these became buzz words. The brand boasts its own roaster upstate in New York’s rural Dutchess County. A light food menu is also offered and is prepared using seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. 212-874.7979, 224 W 79th St., irvingfarm.com
Manhattan Cricket Club
Upper West Side speakeasy Manhattan Cricket Club is an ideal destination to pre-game or have some evening cocktails after watching the Thanksgiving floats get inflated. Just in time for winter, this swanky destination unveils its seasonal cocktails, which include the Hidden Fortress (Plymouth gin, dry curacao, lemon, egg white, Thai basil, and matcha) and the Seven Long Years (Olmeca Altos Tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde, lime, pineapple, and sesame). Although the menu has expanded significantly, old faves such as the martini service have remained. 646-823-9252, 226 W. 79th St., mccnewyork.com
Storico
The New-York Historical Society’s airy café Storico offers up seasonally-inspired Venetian comfort food, including handcrafted pastas and small plates such as beet tartine (cherry-onion jam and goat cheese) and tuna carpaccio (sea urchin crostini). For light bites, try the “boards for sharing.” These include the cured meat board (olive tapenade, homemade beer mustard, pickled veggies, and baguette) and another which includes preserved walnuts, seasonal jam, olive oil poached grapes, honeycomb, charred country bread, and marcona almonds. Ingredients are sourced regionally. 212-485-9211, 170 Central Park West, storicorestaurant.com
