Over in the Rockaways at Beach 97 they're celebrating the beauty of corn on Saturday, specifically masa, the flour made by grinding up kernels. GrowNYC has partnered with area restaurants for Masa Fest to serve food, host demos and play a few games. Dine on corn-inspired street foods from Rockaway Taco, Caracas Arepa Bar, Cosme NYC, TACO SANTO and other nearby eateries, then learn how to make tortillas in a demo by Hot Bread Kitchen. Later in the evening, attend the MasaFeast dinner of heirloom corn from Mexico with Gabriela Cámara of Mexico City's Contramar and MeroToro and Ignacio Mattos of New York's Estela starting at 6:30 p.m. Early day eats are a la carte and tickets to the dinner run $125.
Coney Island's longtime time Ruby's Bar & Grill may have undergone a little nip and tuck in recent years, but the bar's heart and soul still survive even at 80 years old. To celebrate this milestone birthday, the old gal is throwing a birthday party on Saturday complete with trivia, prizes, promotions, DJs and the whole shebang. Old timers, beachcombers and novice boardwalkers are all welcome to down a few cold ones at the bar before repairing to your spot back on the sand. As summer winds down, this is a great opportunity to toast the good life while acknowledging a legendary watering hole at the same time.
Modern Chinese restaurant Fung Tu put itself on the map with inventive dishes like Chinese Spatzle and Brisket & Rhubarb Fried Rice. Now Chef Jonathan Wu takes the plunge into brunch, introducing a midday menu packed with Chinese-Mexican-American-Everywhere influences. A traditional Congee gets a reinvention with soy-anise egg, shredded beef and house picked ramps and mustard greens. Yucca chips stand in for tortillas in the China-quiles, doused in Sichuan pork sauce and Chinese steamed eggs. If liquid sustenance you crave, try out a Ma La Bloody Mary made with sriracha Sichuan oil; it'll burn the hangover right out of you. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 212-219-8785 or at www.cityeats.com
