Missed Halloween but still feeling spooky? Never fear, you can continue the creepy vibe by celebrating the Mexican Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos. Observed on November 1st and 2nd, this holiday celebrates and honors the lives of the deceased and welcomes them to the new stage in their lives that commences upon death. Several Mexican restaurants across the city are joining in the celebration -- here's where to go and what to eat: more ›

Recently, we learned that the Oaxacan delicacy of chapulines, or dried grasshoppers, hits the shelves in NYC at the end of this month. This news came to us from a diminutive friend who's been bestowed the nickname Chapuline by his fellow line cooks at a Chelsea restaurant. Ever optimistic in our quest for weird foods we hit Mexican groceries in both the Bronx and Queens armed with the question, "Se vende chapulines," only to come up empty-handed. more ›

BarFry: Sumile's Josh DeChellis is bringing New York our first ever tempura bar. Not only will he be perfectly battering and frying fresh veggies, seafood, and meat and serving them up with his signature dipping sauces (wasabi remoulade and pickled jalapeno soy, to name a few), but he'll be offering made-to-order tempura Po Boys. Wash everything down with Gaijin Pale Ale from Oregon's Rogue Brewery, made especially for BarFry. And -- they deliver in the neighborhood. West Village, better buy some elastic-waist pants. 50 Carmine between Bedford and Bleecker Streets, 212-929-5050. more ›

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. more ›