New York's melting pot status means some of the best cuisine from around the world is just a Metrocard swipe away. This week, head to the Lower East Side for Italian wine, Queens for Turkish fare, and the Bronx for everything in between.
Italians drink more wine per capita than any other country in the world (alright technically Vatican City drinks the most but WHATEVER). The point is this level of oenophilia is something to which we should all aspir. A one-way ticket to Rome may not be a possibility, but you can at least indulge in some of the best Italian wine at Murray's Cheese Viva Italia fest on Tuesday. Attendees will sip vino from various wine-making regions including Lambrusco, Pinot, and Brunello, each one paired with fresh Italian cheese. Act fast: tickets are only available until just past 6 p.m. today. Purchase them here.
(sumbul / istockphoto)
If you've been seeking a more intimate bond with baklava, head to the Turkish Cultural Center in Sunnyside on Thursday for a special cooking class. The specific menu is still a mystery, but students at past classes have cooked up Turkish treats like stuffed peppers, coconut cake, and cheese and parsley puff pastries. A $30 ticket covers the cost of the class, utensils, and all the finished goods you can stuff your face with.
Sample some of the Bronx's best food and drink on Friday at the second annual Bronx Food and Wine Festival. The food fest, hosted by Eat nYc, will be hosted at the Bronx Zoo's Crane Pavillion and will feature selections from the borough's finest restaurants, breweries, wineries, and other local cuisine. Best of all, you'll be helping others while feeding yourself: proceeds from each ticket will be donated to Food Bank For New York City, which is capable of turning each dollar into five meals for needy New Yorkers. Tickets are $75, but there's a limited quantity of two-for-one passes available, as well as VIP tickets for $100. Purchase tickets here.
And finally, summer is BBQ season, but it can be a little tricky if you don't have a back yard (or a grill). On Friday, Babeland will be throwing a free BBQ bash at their Brooklyn location. They'll be grilling up hot wieners (sorry, had to), serving ice-cold beer, and giving a few sex tips (independently of the hot dogs and beer). The event is free, but be sure to show up early: the first 10 guests get gift bags. Register here.
