On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events
December 24: Bûche de Noël Tasting at Payard
Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro will be hosting a Christmas Eve lunch with a Bûche de Noël tasting. Warm Maine crab with oakwood shiitake, Kalijira rice galette and mushroom broth will begin the meal followed by roasted pheasant breast with leg confit, Hokkaido squash, baby brussel sprouts, apples, sage and black truffle jus. Then, it's on to the Bûches de Noël -- in more than one variety! You can taste the Saumur chestnut version with ginger syrup and candied chestnut cream or the Louvre yule log filled with hazelnut and chocolate mousse with hazelnut dacquoise. If neither of those rock your world, try the White Christmas log filled with white chocolate mousse and Mandarin jelly with crispy layers of white chocolate or the Beaux Art with Cassis mousse, passion fruit cream and sablé Breton. $35 per person, 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 212-717-5252 for reservations. Payard Patisserie & Bistro, 1032 Lexington Ave.
December 26: Hanukah Celebration Dinner
No matter how you spell it, Hanukah means latkes. Join Neil Kleinberg of the Clinton Street Baking Company for dinner at the James Beard House. If his potato pancakes are even half as good as his regular ones, we might have to go to this one. Visit the James Beard website for mouthwatering details, including the full menu and wine pairings. 7 pm, Members $90, guests $115, 167 West 12th Street. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
December 26-January 3: Mexican Chanukah at Zocalo
From December 26 to January 3, chef Julian Medina will be offering a Mexican-influenced Chanukah menu at Zocalo, 174 E. 82nd St., 212-717-7772.
Hey, it's the holidays -- go find some family or friends and create your own food event for a change!
