All the best ingredients for great winter dining come together in New York. For starters, there’s variety like nowhere else. From classic New York pizza to exotic fine dining, there’s something to tempt every tastebud.
The settings are just as diverse. You might enjoy hors d’oeuvres at a New York City landmark before a Broadway show, seafood with an ocean view on Long Island, wine and dessert pairing in the Finger Lakes, or dinner by a crackling fire at an Adirondacks mountain resort.
Winter’s also a perfect time to get cozy in the kitchen. Talented chefs teach hands-on courses in top restaurants and culinary schools. Learn to make international holiday treats, a sumptuous winter brunch, or a special dish to serve your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day.
Of course, New York City has some of the world’s best dining and infinite variety. You can sample Lunar New Year specialties in Chinatown or latkes at Katz’s, the city’s oldest deli. Head out to Queens on the 7-Train, called the International Express, to find cuisine from Pakistani to Peruvian.
How about some Siberian-style veal dumplings? The historic Russian Tea Room still attracts actors, dancers and musicians (Carnegie Hall is next door, and Lincoln Center is just down the street) with authentic Russian cuisine and a plush Old World ambiance. Dishes vary from blini with imported black caviar (RTR’s was recently voted Best in New York by New York magazine) to more affordable pre- and post-theater menus, and a new winter special: Children’s High Tea.
In SoHo, students at the French Culinary Institute--that launched the careers of top chefs like Bobby Flay --serve a five-course seasonal menu that’s one of the City’s best deals. Culinary workshops are also on the menu. Tour guides like Savory Sojourns and Foods of New York will lead you to delicious experiences in diverse neighborhoods from Little Italy to Harlem.
In the Hudson Valley, another premier culinary destination, the Culinary Institute of America features a festive lunch and dinner series from January through March. Make reservations to dine in their five award-winning restaurants. Tour the campus, shop for kitchen gadgets in the bookstore, or take a class on international holiday specialties, from Christmas cookies to Irish soda bread. For a culinary vacation you'll never forget, try a CIA Boot Camp. Learn from top chefs and mix with fellow foodies from around the world. You’ll go home all set to show off your culinary skills: Holiday Boot Campers get a chef’s hat, jacket, pants and neckerchief.
Another setting where you can dine like royalty (with the option to spend the night) is the Castle on the Hudson, a 100-year-old medieval-style castle whose dining room has a worldwide reputation for excellence. Sign up for Winter Cooking Weekends there, and at other hotels, with Vintage Hudson Valley.
The New York Wine & Culinary Center in the Finger Lakes celebrates New York’s abundant agriculture with wine and beer tasting and demonstrations by renowned guest chefs. Try the small plates, created with New York ingredients in the Taste of New York Lounge. Winter programs include wine dinners and culinary classes, from French holiday pastries to hearty winter soups. Shop at the Culinary Boutique for New York specialty foods, kitchen tools, and wine accessories.
Wineries across New York host events and tastings year round. From February to late March, the annual Long Island Culture & Wine Winterfest features music, art and tours. Cold winter temperatures along the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario produce excellent ice wines, made from grapes frozen on the vine. Try them in cozy tasting rooms along the Niagara Wine Trail.
Whether you’re a connoisseur or just want to taste some good beers and learn a little more about them, New York’s Brewery Trails have just what you’re thirsting for. Many breweries craft special winter ales. In Syracuse, the Empire Brewing Company uses local ingredients—from herbs to hops—to create an eclectic menu and award-winning beers. The open design lets you watch the brewer and chef at work, earning rave reviews like “Top Twenty Brew Pub in America” from Beer Advocate.
Bon Appétit!