NEW OPENINGS

LOWLIFE: Chef Alex Leonard, (former chef de cuisine of Blanca), and owner Hugh Crickmore (formerly of Mas (farmhouse)), open Lowlife on the LES. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and Leonard draws inspiration from Japanese culinary techniques. Highlights include the Scallops (with charred romanesco and locally-grown lemongrass) and Yakitori-Style Sasso Chicken (grilled on a Japanese robata over binchotan charcoal and served with charred scallions). Crickmore oversees the extensive wine program which is dominated by wines from France and the U.S. The exposed brick and pine walls in the Tenement-era factory space are adorned with original artwork by local painters and photographers. Enjoy a table in the dining room, wind down with a glass of wine and a bite at the front bar, or gaze into the open kitchen at the 10-seat chef’s counter. View venue details…

MR. PURPLE: This week, Gerber Group opens their first downtown restaurant and bar on the 15th floor at the new Hotel Indigo. The lofty indoor/outdoor Lower East Side space captures the vibrant and artistic spirit of the locale. The menu features a variety of the neighborhood’s iconic dishes by collaborating with local culinary staples such as 2nd Avenue Deli, Russ & Daughters, il laboratorio del gelato, and more, in addition to featuring locally sourced ingredients. The bar menu is a collection of small-batch spirits, regionally brewed craft beers, universal wine offerings and a rotating selection of Gerber Group’s delicious cocktails incorporating market fresh ingredients. Signature sips include refined twists on classic cocktails like the GG Manhattan and cocktails bottled in-house. View venue details…

POP-UP CHRISTMAS BARS

MIRACLE ON 9TH STREET: Yes adults, forget what they told you, there is a Santa and he returns this holiday season bringing Miracles to 9th Street at the ultimate spot for Christmas revelry. From Friday, November 27, through Thursday, December 24, Mace will transform, once again, into a pop-up Christmas themed bar with festive cocktails created by noted bartender Nico de Soto. Decked with Christmas décor that would put the Griswolds to shame, Miracle On Ninth Street will be bursting with tinsel, garlands, Christmas lights, ribbons, candles, Santa mugs, while Christmas songs play. To complete the holiday picture, the pop-up also features a Hanukkah Hideaway where guests can enjoy the glow of blue and silver as they sip cocktails and spin dreidels and drink all night. Try the Bad Santa (Hot Clarified Milk Punch with Jamaican Rum, Trinidad Overproof Rum, Batavia Arrack, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice, Milk, 8 Spices, Coconut Water, Coconut Oil) and enjoy house-made Chex mix… ‘tis the season'. View venue details...

SIPPIN’ SANTA’S SURF SHACK: Santa’s coming to town… in surf shorts and a tropical shirt! From November 30th through December 24th Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack is taking over Boilermaker for a pop-up tropical Christmas bar. With décor galore that will whisk you away to an island paradise in the dead of winter, head bartender Sam Gauthier will create eight specialty tropical cocktails for $14 like the Toboggan Nog (Jamaican Rum in House Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog). Keeping with the theme, they’ll offer holiday-worthy boilermakers like The Gingerbread Man (Schlafly Oatmeal Stout & Gingerbread shot), a perfect combo to wash down their mouthwatering burgers and wings. This place knows how to make a splash! Go have a blast! View venue details…

MORE BOOZE NEWS

THANKSGIVING EVE at GRAND FERRY TAVERN: CelebrateThanksgiving Eve (aka ‘Drinksgiving’) with Oyster Happy Hour until midnight and half-priced bottles of wine all day. Additionally, they’re offering an unbeatable $20 prix fixe menu that includes the Grand Ferry Burger (eight ounce patty of grass-fed beef, topped with Shelburne cheddar, tomato and pickled slaw, served with fries), booze and Bourbon ice cream. View venue details…

BLUES & BUBBLY BRUNCH at BLACK BARN: Beginning this weekend, the new NoMad restaurant is offering a festive and new brunch on Saturday and Sunday, featuring the tunes of gyspy blues band La Pompe and half-priced bottles ($32) of sparkling wine served with quartinos of orange and peach juice for a build-your-own bubbles accompaniment. Black Barn will also offer complimentary pastries on a rotating basis, featuring a selection of croissants, scones, biscuits, and more—to soak up the bubbles, of course! Your morning will be a little bit fuller after indulging in Apple + Almond Filled French Toast with Vermont maple butter or the Fried Chicken with Parmesan-Rosemary Waffles with Vermont maple butter. View venue details...

NEW MENU at BOUNCE SPORTING CLUB: You may know Bounce for its Sunday Funday parties and high energy atmosphere, but what you should also know is that this Flatiron venue now serves seasonal craft cocktails under the direction of head mixologist Spencer Elliott. Bounce’s cool new cocktail menu features signature sips and sporty names, with something for everyone, like the Apple of my Eye, perfect for the amateur, and the Infield Fly Rule fit for those with an adventurous palette. View the new booze menu…

UNVARNISHED WINE by DAVID BURKE GROUP: The David Burke Group is releasing their first ever signature private label wine called “Unvarnished” next week. Created in conjunction with award-winning Brooks Winery (Oregon) and blended by David Burke Group’s own Corporate Director of Wines, Natalie Dulaney, the 2014 Pinot Noir blend, will be sold by the glass or bottle exclusively at New York and Connecticut David Burke Group properties. "Unvarnished" is 100% four Pinot Noir consisting of four clones, including Crannel (60%), Muska (22%), Big Cheese (10%) and Brooks Estate (8%). It is described as having notes of ripe blue and purple fruits (blueberry, dark cherry, blackberry and plum) with a subtle smoky earthiness, hints of turned earth and wood shavings. It is balanced by a nice, bright acidity and comes in at 13.5% ABV. View David Burke restaurants...

(Photos from left: Lowlife interior; Cocktail from Miracle on 9th Street - Photo by Gabi Porter; Mr. Purple interior - Photo by Noah Fecks)