The holidays may look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the season with your loved ones! Rather than scrambling to distance yourself from your fellow subway passengers or hailing cab after cab after cab throughout the day, round up your established pod of loved ones and let a thoroughly sanitized New York City bus rental transport you to these fan-favorite events this holiday season:
Rockefeller Christmas Tree
The holidays in Manhattan wouldn’t be the same without America’s favorite Christmas tree. You can marvel at all 75 feet of this glittering Norway Spruce both online (through the Rockefeller Building’s live stream) and in-person—with a face covering on, of course.
Have your bus driver drop everyone off near the tree-viewing entrances on 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, and follow the markers on the ground as you wait in line to have your moment with the tree. These social distancing markers can only accommodate up to four people per spot, so large groups will need to split into smaller pods. Once you’ve reached the bedazzled, 11-ton tree, your group will have five minutes to take in the lights and take as many Christmas-card-worthy photos as you please.
Bryant Park Winter Village
If you haven’t already picked out gifts for your loved ones, why not buy local? That’s right, the Winter Village is still up and running! From handmade jewelry to boutique maple syrups, piping hot cocoa to fresh-baked gingerbread, this outdoor market has a little holiday cheer for everyone.
While you’ll find fewer vendors here than in years past, the new layout allows for wider walkways and more room for social distancing while you wander through the stalls. Hand sanitizing stations are available around the village, and many vendors use contactless payment methods. Oh, and all staff will be wearing masks and face coverings—so you should too.
Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah
Though it’s no longer “NYC’s Largest Menorah” (it now shares the title with the display in Central Park), this huge Brooklyn spectacle is still a sight to behold this holiday season. This menorah towers at 32 feet high—the maximum height it can possibly be by Jewish law—and you need a crane to light each candle!
Stop by any night of Chanukah to catch the celebration at the Grand Army Plaza. Many past years’ customs will still be in place, so expect live music, food vendors, and some small gifts for the kids. Social distancing protocols will be used, but if the crowds get to be too much, grab a hot latke to-go and take a walk along some of Prospect Park’s lesser-known trails.
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HolidayMagic at the NYBG
If your merrymakers are lucky enough to be Members, Patrons, Corporate Members, or Bronx Community Partners for the New York Botanical Garden, you’re in for a treat. This year, you’ll have exclusive access to the gardens’ Holiday Train Show! Come by before Jan. 31 to see the model trains zip through miniature replicas of NYC landmarks made from natural materials like birch bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. Besides limiting the number of people allowed into this year’s event, NYBG is also implementing an online-only ticket reservation system, as well as increased cleaning efforts and face-covering requirements for all visitors (including children over the age of 2).
Not a member? Not to worry, there’s always NYBG GLOW: the twinkling light display in the Haupt Conservatory! There should be plenty of space to spread out within the conservatory, and there’s a lot to see outside as well. Your tiny tots and children-at-heart are sure to love the illuminated ice sculptures and tap their feet to pop-up performances by The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Like the train show, tickets for NYBG GLOW must be purchased online and in advance, and entry windows are timed to limit the number of people inside.
The Rink at Brookfield Place
From now until the first week of April, you can show off your skating skills to your loved ones and perfect your triple salchow at this downtown outdoor rink. It costs $15 for an hour time slot on the ice and $5 per skate rental—through private skate sessions are reservable for an extra fee. Skaters and onlookers alike must have their temperature taken every day they stop by, everyone must skate at least 6 feet apart, and visitors must wear masks at all times: while waiting in line, while watching the skaters glide by, and while skating.
The rink itself boasts 7,350 square feet of ice (plenty of room to spread out!), and your skaters can always take a break to stroll along the Hudson if it gets too crowded for your liking. And when you’ve had your fill of ice, everyone can warm back up on your completely climate-controlled bus rental, which can include plush reclining seats for your groups’ comfort.
Established in New York City in 1987, L.A. Burdick Chocolate was largely-inspired by travel to France and Switzerland by founder Larry Burdick. He and wife Paula — a graduate of the Fashion Institute Of Technology — co-founded the company, as known for both its pure chocolate and its hand-made delicacies. Beyond its online and mail-order offerings, L.A. Burdick now has stores in New York, Boston, nearby Cambridge, and Walpole, New Hampshire; its New York operations are now run out of SoHo on 156 Prince Street.
Beyond the quality of its ingredients, one of Burdick’s trademarks is its seasonal and limited-edition items. Not only does L.A. Burdick have specialty chocolates available for Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day, but such is also made special for St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the birthday of Robert Burns each year. More about this was uncovered via Q&A with Michael Klug, Burdick’s Head Chocolatier, and Cathy Watson, the brand’s Chief Operating Officer.
How does your new store in SoHo compare to other L.A. Burdick locations?
Cathy Watson: The new location is set up with the same structure as our other locations. It is a bit more compact as it is the smallest square foot store, but it gives us the opportunity to focus on the chocolates. After all, that is who we are.
Michael Klug: All of our store locations have the same flair of old-world Europe, with warm wooden tones on our displays and a welcoming feeling that I would best describe as “ cozy comfort.” However, our Boston location is our largest store with a very generous display of chocolate products and extensive seating capacity. Our Cambridge location is a favorite institution among college students around Harvard Square. The seating and display is more limited.
The SoHo location is our smallest store location, but reflects the same style as all our other stores. Walpole, where we are headquartered, is similar in size than our Cambridge store, with a little larger display option for products. We also have in Walpole our largest loose bonbon display. The café in Walpole shares its store with a local restaurant/bistro that is similar in furnishing style, but does not belong to our company.
To you, what makes L.A. Burdick different from other chocolatiers?
CW: Integrity. Love. Passion. All the ingredients necessary to stay true to who we are and the commitment to continue to give the customers the freshest, highest-quality product consistently for 30 years.
MK: This is a very wide question, and all other chocolatiers are so different from each other in the first place. We stand out by having an extremely strict commitment to freshness; we give our fresh bonbon assortments a shelf life of two weeks. We don’t use any preservatives, artificial ingredients, food colorings or molds. All of our chocolates are very detailed, garnished, are truly handmade and we use only highest-quality ingredients. Our signature chocolate mouse is present in each bonbon assortment and gives our exquisite elegant look a unique charming touch, that separates us easy from all other chocolatiers.
In addition, we focus on the chocolate flavors in our creations and have them being paired with their individual seasonings but not dominated. You will always be able to taste the finesse of the chocolate that is used in our Fig, Raspberry and Ginger bonbons, for example. At last, our hot drinking chocolate stands out as one of the most decadent, rich, complex hot beverages that can be found.
Where are your chocolates sourced from? Or is that a secret?
MK: We source our chocolate from Central and South America, the Caribbean Islands and Madagascar. We only source chocolate that meets our highest criteria, where we want to taste the quality of the cocoa upfront and not the sugar profile that is added to the cocoa. This is a wide problem with mediocre chocolate, that even in a high cocoa percentage chocolate the sugar flavor can be upfront the cocoa flavor. It is due, in these cases .to the large particle size of the sugar crystals.
Do you have a favorite product from L.A. Burdick?
CW: That is difficult, I don’t believe I do. I have many favorites, and depending on how I am feeling will depend on what I may choose.
MK: I personally love the single-source chocolate bars and our chocolate assortment boxes the most. The variety of different creations in the boxes offer me a quick satisfaction for every type of chocolate mood I am currently in.
Are there any holiday-specific products being offered by L.A. Burdick?
CW: Yes, we make handmade chocolate snowmen. They come in a wood box of nine, tied with ice blue French-wired ribbon and handstamped with a silver wax seal.
MK: We have for every holiday a large selection of chocolates. Right now we offer chocolate snowmen, German Christmas Stollen, tuxedo penguins for New Year’s, Hanukkah decorated wood boxes for chocolate assortments and chocolate mice assortments. January, we celebrate Robert Burns’ birthday with a wonderful single scotch whisky assortment. We have a special Asian-inspired chocolate assortment for Lunar New Year. Valentine’s-themed chocolate boxes, which included handcut chocolate heart bonbons. Easter chocolates in a very large variety…Mother’s Day features our chocolate bees and a 10-flavored fruity, floral spring bonbon assortment. Hand-dipped chocolate Elephants from April to August to support the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Halloween-based chocolates with chocolate ghosts, bats and chocolate assortments presented in a coffin box. Thanksgiving, we do handmade chocolate turkeys.
How do the current offerings of L.A. Burdick compare to what the store sold decades ago?
CW: The offerings are still to this day made the same way, and we have many of the same offerings, chocolate mice included. Michael has created other bonbons over the years to add to the collection, as well as creating specialty assortments for holidays…Other whimsicals have been added throughout the years. Snowmen, bunnies, ghosts…
MK: We always create new chocolate bonbons and products, but our style of how they are made and what characteristics dominate them is unchanged. We always look for very thin-shelled handmade chocolate products but our variety is more than doubled of what we did 20 years ago. Some products are still the same, like our classic mice and some of our bonbon like the Baton Framboise, Brazilia and Richelieu. But the variety offers so many options that were still not available back then like, turkeys, snowmen, special seasonal assortments, pate de fruit plain and chocolate covered and many many more.
New store aside, what is coming up for L.A. Burdick?
CW: We will continue to grow the company by putting in new stores in strategic locations, also continue to grow our mail-order business. In this business, when you talk about what is coming up, it’s really about continuing to source and making sure you are always getting the best ingredients. From the use of local farms for our cream and butter, to knowing where the beans come from that create the couverture used for our bonbons. There are so many companies that begin taking shortcuts to show a better profit, and we have to continually be certain that the products and ingredients that we purchase are always the best and will not allow ourselves to purchase anything but. This would mean, changing vendors if the vendor cuts corners.
MK: We will be expanding our retail program to Chicago this coming year, celebrating our 30th anniversary with the presentation of some special bonbons and drinks. Probably adding some more single-source options if we find cocoa sources that meet our standards.
Have you always been passionate about chocolate? Where did you work before L.A. Burdick?
CW: I have always had a sweet tooth — it is my downfall — and I have always loved business. So for me, this was a match made in heaven. I was in the restaurant business for many years before coming to Burdick’s. In fact, I bought a restaurant when I turned 21 instead of going to school. I taught myself how to be successful with a lot of hard work early on.
MK: I was passionate about food since my teens and so fascinated with it that in my early 20s gave up law school in Germany and did a formal education in the German cooking apprentice program. I was fortunate to learn 3 years in two-star Michelin restaurant in Cologne. From there I worked as a cook and pastry assistant under Eckart Witzigmann in Munich — if you Google him that will easy tell how special that experience was for me — and then was the pastry chef for Dieter Mueller’s restaurant in Bergisch Gladbach, which also achieved 3-star Michelin.
I moved to New York in 1993 and was pastry chef of Lespinasse under Gray Kunz and pastry Chef of Chanterelle under David Waltuck in 1997. After working for two years at The Mark Hotel in New York, I became Head Chocolatier at L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates in 2002. So my passion for food and chocolate goes hand in hand, but my base from savory food in my early years in the gastronomic world I consider my strongest asset as a Chocolatier. I always see our product as a delicacy and food product, and not as candy .
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
CW: Hmm…This can sometimes be a problem because I am tied so closely with my position. But I love to travel, go antiquing, and just sit and look out at the ocean. Something low-key and calming.
MK: I always like to travel and taste the food of the world. Sadly that doesn’t happen too often, but cooking at home, enjoying fantastic wines especially reds from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Piedmont and whites from Germany, Loire, Alsace and Austria. I also enjoy fly fishing and classical music. But most of my time is occupied with my family life — my wife Ann-Michele and son Valentin.
Any upcoming concerts or events for you?
CW: Personally? Unfortunately this time of year comes with no plans except a huge family gathering at my house Christmas Eve. I have had it for the past 15 years ever since my dad passed. I don’t have any concerts or events scheduled, I begin thinking of those things in the spring.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
CW: I personally don’t. When I am there, it is all business and I step out to grab a bite. But I love it when I go with Michael, because he is such a foodie that he always has a great place to go.
MK: I have to say since living in Walpole, New Hampshire since 2002, my exposure to the New York restaurant scene is limited. But I do love my dear friend Anita Lo’s Annisa very much. Also for casual great Germanic/Austrian fare, Erwin Schroettner’s Café Katja, the only place were you get great white asparagus when in season.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
CW: Children that are introduced to our chocolate at a young age learn about “real” chocolate. I know a few that have grown to become chocolate snobs and will not eat any other chocolate. It gives them a taste of a high quality product. They love the mice, penguins and snowmen!
MK: Good chocolate is not about cocoa percentage, only about great cocoa.
As of this article’s writing, both Hanukkah and Christmas are a little over a week away. Since most of the people in my life still haven’t done their holiday shopping for the year, below are 10 last-minute gift ideas:
Soju is a distilled Korean alcohol that is — by volume — the most consumed spirit in the world. TOKKI is the first soju to be made in the U.S., as produced in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Unlike many of its competitors, TOKKI does not add artificial ingredients or flavors. Beyond Astor Wines & Spirits, TOKKI can be found in dozens of New York City restaurants including Cafe Boulud, Hangawi, Barn Joo, and Thursday Kitchen.
Co-founded by Brandy Hoffman and Patricia Santos, Volition is a beauty company known for its innovative anti-aging products. This set is a 3-in-1 system meant for application twice daily, as massaged into the face and neck areas. It contains 60 mL of a Dual Cream Base and 15 mL of both its Day Active and Night Active products. Volition also offers free shipping and free returns on purchases.
Based in Austria, Swarovski is known all around the world for its crystals. Swarovski’s Crystaldust Bangle Doubleis a new signature design, as crafted using the brand’s Crystal Rock technique. It is lavishly-encrusted with silver-toned crystals, which makes it sparkle, and available in eight different colors. Swarovski fans with an interest in chic tech-wear ought to look into the Cardoon Activity Tracker, as part of the Activity Tracking Jewelry Collection.
Not all Christmas sweaters must be ugly, and this officially-licensed Wu-Tang Clan sweater proves that. UglyChristmasSweaters.com lets shoppers add LED lights to any sweater — Wu-Tang threads included — for $9.95. Those seeking something a little more “yuge” have some Donald Trump sweater options from the site.
TOMS first achieved notoriety for its “one for one” policies, in which the company would give away a pair of shoes to a person in need for each pair purchased. Within the past few years, TOMS has become known for much more than its slipper-esque canvas shoes, including sunglasses, bags, backpacks, boots and dress shoes. Its Del Rey sneakers are not just in line with the company’s “one for one” policy, but also manage to be both comfortable and fashionable. The Del Rey can be purchased in Black Teal Tribal, Grey Plaid and Black Dotted Wool. TOMS purists interested in the Grey Plaid version of the Del Rey may want to check out the Red Black Plaid edition of the classic slip-ons.
Shu Uemura is a top Tokyo-based beauty company. Takashi Murakami is one of Japan’s top contemporary artists. Put them together and you have the Shu Uemura x Murakami Limited Edition Holiday Collection. Only available while supplies last, this collection maintains both the quality that Shu Uemura is known for and the colorful artwork of Murakami. Beauty both inside and outside of the packaging.
Neubau Eyewear is a popular Vienna-based brand known for its chic yet ergonomic pairs of glasses. Its Heinz line is unisex and light, made of lightweight polymer. While the Black Coal Matte caught my eye, Heinz is also available in five other colors. On the Neubau website, shoppers can easily sort models by color, material and gender; 13 colors, two materials and two genders lead to plenty of options.
Tipsy Elves is one of the top sites to purchase ugly Christmas sweaters from, but the San Diego-based e-tailer offers something for everyone. Halloween-ready jumpsuits, Thanksgiving-themed t-shirts, St. Patrick’s Day gear, Hawaiian shirts, patriotic clothing, officially-licensed college sweaters, fanny packs, neck warmers…fun attire and then some. I personally had a hard time deciding between the the American flag sweater and a Hanukkah sweater. Free shipping for orders over $75.
MOO is helping to make business cards cool again, although it also sells postcards, holiday cards, letterhead and stickers. The brand recently partnered with Baron Von Fancy to create limited-edition business cards. But for those who don’t need business cards, MOO has great a hardcover notebook to offer. Sized at 5.12″ x 8.15″, the notebook comes in dark grey with 160 lined pages and 16 unlined pages. Sturdy, professional and fashionable all at once.
Based in the Port Morris section of the South Bronx, The Bronx Brewery has becoming one of New York’s leading craft breweries in only five years. The Bronx Brewery’s No Name IPA is a special collaboration brew only available at Whole Foods Market locations in the Northeast region. The beer is currently nameless and is looking for a name — submissions can be submitted at www.namethisbeerwfm.com. In turn, you have not only given a loved one the gift of great beer, but also the chance to be the person that gives that great beer a proper name.
With Christmas and Hanukkah just a bit over two weeks away, there is still time to do some gift-planning for this holiday season. Below are 10 recommendations to keep a friend or loved one warm, cozy and/or clean:
Recently launched in the New York market, Wine & Whiskey carries an annual subscription fee of $175. In turn, members are invited to secret, exclusive pop-up events with quality-oriented food and rinks. Wine & Whiskey NYC promises that no two of its events are ever the same, and attendees can partake in an interactive system to earn future rewards.
Ragstock is a Minneapolis-based clothing chain, but fortunately, it sells its goods online and will ship internationally. Ugly Christmas sweaters are one of Ragstock’s specialties, and the company has over 25,000 vintage sweaters in-stock; some are priced near the $200 mark. Ragstock also sells Hawaiian shirts, Hanukkah wares — see above — and all sorts of throwback fashion.
Allen Brothers meat is a staple of Halls Chophouse, Gallagher’s Steakhouse, Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, and the Hillstone Restaurant Group. In turn, it is surprising that Allen Brothers meat and seafood can simply be purchased over the web. The company, which started in 1893, is currently running 12 days of exclusive offers; day 8 was 20% off on 4 x 9 oz. bacon wrapped filets. Surprisingly affordable when considering how top-notch Allen Brothers is known to be; subscription gift plans, including the Burger Of The Month plan, are now available.
Known as Mr. Chocolate, Jacques Torres Chocolate first opened in the DUMBO neighborhood in 2000; Jacques had spent more than a decade honing his craft with Le Cirque and the Ritz Carlton. Beyond Jacques’ nine New York City locations, his website offers timely holiday-themed chocolates; gelt is only one of the Hanukkah offerings. The “Gifts and Favors” section includes sets of all flavors and themes; the Chocolate All Year set, priced at $585, truly has something for everyone. Gluten-free and kosher options are also available from Jacques Torres.
I have never seen a cheese board this beautiful, and I have never seen a cheese board this practical. Part wood and part marble, it also acts as a serving tray. On top of that, it was handcrafted and produced sustainably.
In a New York City winter, you need to keep your head warm, but odds are that also want to listen some music while outside. Instead of wearing earbuds under a wool cap, this bass-heavy item from Free People kills two birds with one stone, as headphones are built into earmuffs. Compatible with most smartphones — it has a standard headphone jack — and one size fits all. The earmuffs come in black and grey and, for those concerned, the fur is faux.
Another winner available via Free People, the To Go Tea Steeping Mug is handmade in the U.S., as produced by Victoria Smith Ceramics. It features a tea strainer and lid, making it easy for tea on-the-go. Beyond its functionality, its design is also commendable, both handpainted and glazed.
For those looking for the experience of a trend-setting lounge within the comfort of their own home, Cocktail Courier is both upscale and economical. A monthly subscription service, Cocktail Courier brings you a kit full of the ingredients needed — between 4 and 12 — to prepare a specialty craft drink helmed by a top bartender. This month’s cocktail is The Code, which includes both D’USSE and Disaronno, and is available through Jan. 1; DJ Khaled recently posted about the drink on social media. Priced at $63.92, that comes out to $7.99 per cocktail.
Since launching in 2000, REN Clean Skincare is known to follow the three P’s: performance, purity, and pleasure. Its ingredients are 100% plant and mineral-derived, whether you are talking about one of their body washes, shampoos or hand creams. REN’s Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial is a three-phase product, serving as a exfoliator, then a revitalizing massager, and finally a hydrating mask. It is safe to use up to five nights a week and can be applied under a serum or moisturizer or on its own.
Adidas’ Jaysor aD20 sunglasses are not only fashionable and sporty, but also functional and lightweight. It has a rectangular shape with a single bridge, and features a full rim frame, as made of plastic. The aD20 sunglasses are unisex and come in five color varieties: black/grey, grey matte, blue matte, grey/chrome, and transparent/blue.
It’s the most wonderful shopping time of the year! The holidays are here and to us at Downtown that means spending time with our loved ones, joyful holiday parties and finding the perfect gifts for everyone on our lists.
From beauty to experiences and picks for the family, our holiday gift guides have all of Downtown‘s favorites for the season, here to help and inspire you. Let the shopping commence!
Looking to host the snazziest holiday party or just trying to find a great hostess gift? Check out these suggestions sure to impress:
What to get for the woman who has it all? With a great mix of stylish options and key accessories this list has a wide set of options for every occasion:
While the holiday season is a joyous time, it can also be stressful. Spoil yourself — or someone you love — with these wonder products and look radiant all season long:
Here’s a little bit for everyone in the family; special treats for the puppy, experimenting in the kitchen or just sprucing up the home decor a little — this list has you covered:
Make the holidays even more magical for the children with some of these choices. There’s everything from winter gear to fun games that will bring fun, happiness and excitement:
Today, Nov. 25, brings the launch of two holiday pop-up bars, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack. The launch of these two spots — which will both be open through Dec. 24 — is not the only thing special about this news story, as both bars now have additional locations around the world.
Miracle features a drinks list created by Nico de Soto of Mace and Danico, one such example being the Christmas-politan: a twist on the Cosmopolitan, as made with vodka, fig and spiced cranberry sauce. Miracle’s drinks are served in some of the Cocktail Kingdom’s finest custom vessels — because yes, sipping a cocktail from Santa’s head does make it taste better!
Photo: Gabi Porter
This year Miracle will appear at the following list of bars around the world:
Sippin Santa’s Surf Shack has a menu created by legendary tiki cocktail experts from across the country, including Beach Bum Berry of New Orleans’ Latitude 29 and his head bartender Brad Smith, Paul McGee of Chicago’s Lost Lake and partner Shelby Allison, and the beverage director of Sippin’s original location, Sam Gauthier. A holiday tiki paradise, Sippin’ Santa’s whisks you away to a tiki wonderland amidst the snowfall with a stunning list of Polynesian cocktails with a holiday twist. The Sippin’ Santa menu, which is identical in all three bars, contains nine cocktails with three contributed by each talented bar team.
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