The East Side's Healthiest Brunch
The East Pole
Prices vary
133 East 65th St @ Lexington Ave
Saturday 11:30 AM ? 3PM, Sunday 10:30AM ? 3PM
www.theeastpolenyc.com
The East Pole offers a beautiful, healthy brunch menu at their restaurant on East 65th Street. You can enjoy fresh cocktails like their heirloom tomato Bloody Mary and fresh grapefruit juice mimosa. Their main plates offer selections made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their avocado toast, house-made granola with sheep's milk yogurt, and spring herb risotto are all notable options. ------ Farmer's Market Cooking Class
Greenmarket Cooking Class
$115
Union Square Market
9AM ? 3PM
June 4, June 28, July 11, July 25, August 3, August 23
www.recreational.ice.edu
(800) 522 4610
Learn some fresh food cooking techniques by taking a Greenmarket Cooking course through the Institute of Culinary Education's recreational learning department. The class starts by shopping for fresh-from-the-farm ingredients at the city's largest greenmarket in Union Square. This is a great activity for couples, or a great place to meet other foodies. The menu is true to its title, and varies depending on the class date and what is available at the market. You can sign up on their website, and the class meets at 9 a.m. in front of the Coffee Shop at 16th St and Union Square West. ------ Exploring New York's Sweet Side
The Cupcake Tour of New York
$50.00
Union Square
9AM & 12 PM Tours
June 12, June 26
www.greatnewyorktours.com
Exploring the city isn't just for tourists. You can enjoy this family friendly walking tour to visit the city's best cupcake bakeries. Register online at www.greatnewyorktours.com, and hurry because space is limited. Each group meets at the southwest corner of Union Square on East 14th St and Union Square West. You will visit Baked by Melissa, Crumb's Bake Shop, Amorino, Molly's Cupcakes, Milk & Cookies, and end at the famous (and famously mobbed) Magnolia's Bakery. Each stop includes samples of the bakery's most notable treats, the tour lasts two hours. ------ $1 Oysters in Midtown
Restaurant Thalia
$1 per oyster, Chef's Selection
828 8th Ave @ 50th St
7pm-close
Monday ? Sunday
www.restaurantthalia.com
(212) 399 4444
Thalia Restaurant is a fun Greek restaurant in the heart of the theater district, offering all kinds of great deals including $1 oysters every night from 7 p.m.to closing. If you are there on the weekends you can enjoy their bottomless brunch, or enjoy half-priced drinks Sunday through Friday from 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. It is a great option before going to a show with family or friends. ------ Gut-Busting BBQ in Madison Square Park
Big Apple BBQ Block Party
Free Entry, Prices vary upon Food Truck
Madison Square Park 23rd St ? 26th St btwn Madison Ave and 5th Ave
Opens 11AM
June 7 ? June 8
www.bigapplebbq.org
The barbeque-inspired block party returns for its annual weekend this June 7-8. Event admission is free, with award-winning barbeque and Southern-inspired fare from the country's top grill masters available for $9/plate. Live music is planned for both days to liven up the crowd, and limited outdoor seating is available. To bypass the long lines, you can purchase a Disney-style FastPass, or BigPiggin' Pass, through their website at www.bigapplebbq.org. ------ swank in the park
The Taste of Summer
$400/ ticket
Bethesda Terrace, Central Park
7pm ? 11pm
June 11
www.centralparknyc.org
This luxurious event brings together 800 guests, offering them a distinctive kickoff to summer in New York. One of the Central Park Conservancy's annual benefits, guests will enjoy food prepared by some of the city's most notable chefs, a silent auction, and music at the iconic Bethesda Terrace. All proceeds go to the conservancy's efforts to restore and maintain Central Park.
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Food and Ping Pong
SPiN Galatic
$15/30 minutes or $30/hour
48 East 23rd St @ Park Ave South
www.newyork.spingalatic.com
(212) 982 8802
SPiN Galatic is a great place to try something new, while enjoying a menu full of appealing comfort food. You can come with a group of friends, or take part in their online ping pong social club. While taking a break from the tables, you can eat at their in-house restaurant. The menu offers options for everyone, including a summery wheat berry salad, grass-fed beef sliders, and a seasonal ice cream shop. ------
Thursday Night After-Work Block Party
Hester Nights
Free Admission
The Eventi Hotel
851 6th Ave, Entrances on 29th St and 30th St
Every Thursday Night
5PM ? 10PM
www.hesterstreetfair.com
Start your summer weekends every Thursday night at this food and drink street fair in the Eventi Hotel's outdoor, open-air plaza. You can enjoy street food like Peruvian empanadas, Vietnamese sandwiches from Food Freaks Banh Mi, made-to-order Ludlow Pizza pies, and sweet treats from vendors like Jessy's Pastries. Craft beer, wine, and cocktails are also served throughout the entire food fest, and can be enjoyed under the romantic twinkle lights strung around the space. Starting at 7:30 p.m., you can also enjoy a free movie in the Brighton Theater.