Celebrate the Holidays and Toast the New Year at Favorite New York & Hamptons Hot-Spots

Southhampton Social Club

New York City’s resident foodies are dashing all the way to these fine dining destinations to enjoy the very best in holiday treats and feasts. These New York restaurants are dishing up the holiday spirit from Manhattan to Long Island’s East End. So why not embark on a journey of festive fun and holiday celebrations happening throughout December and into the 2020 New Year.

Here are the gourmet dining establishments that have set their tables to welcome your family and friends for this Holiday Season:

New York City

T-Bar Steak & Lounge

T-Bar redefines the steakhouse experience with masterfully crafted New American entrees on the authentic steakhouse menu and from the raw bar. The sophisticated Upper East Side eatery offers outstanding cuisine in a sleek and comfortable setting, preferred by New York City’s power players and distinguished residents. For those looking for a relaxing dinner before the hustle and bustle of New Year’s Eve, T-Bar and Chef Ben Zwicker will be serving their regular a la carte menu starting at 5:00 pm. As always, the famous Steak Bar features Filet Mignon, Aged NY Strip Steak, Aged Bone-in Ribeye Steak and Black Angus Porterhouse Steak (for two) seasoned with Kosher salt plus black pepper and served with your choice of steak sauce; bearnaise sauce or poivre sauce. (1278 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 212-772-0404, www.tbarnyc.com).

Russian Samovar

For a Russian holiday like none other, Russian Samovar is providing authentic Russian cuisine historically favored by native New Yorkers and members of the ethnic group in Manhattan’s Theater District. Party Like A Russian! at the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve celebration starting at 10:00 pm on Tuesday, December 31st, 2019. The main dining room will feature 6+ hours of partying with an incredible banquet for a seven-course meal, an unlimited liquor package, and live music for an evening of singing and dancing.

Russian Samovar

Russian Samovar’s seasonal menu includes the winter soup Salyanka with beef, smoked sausages, olives, pickles and onions; Vareniki are Russian dumplings served pan-fried with sour cream; and Khachapuri, a traditional Georgian three-cheese pastry. The dessert menu includes the popular Russian layered honey cake Medovik, traditional cheese cake Zapekanka, and Poached Pear served with ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Throughout the holiday season, family and friends can enjoy Russian Samovar’s time-honored history and the exceptional ambiance which embodies a 19th-century feel, complete with Russian folk prints and picturesque green and red shades. If you are in the Theatre District, head to Russian Samovar to experience Russian culture, New York City history and the most-lively musical and performing art shows featuring classical works, show tunes, ​lounge music, jazz, and Russian gypsy folk music.

Open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day: Normal Business Hours; Open New Year’s Eve: noon to 6 pm; open on New Year’s Day: 5-11 pm

Party Like A Russian! NYE 2020 Celebration begins at 10:00 pm on Tuesday, December 31^st, 2019. (256 West 52^nd Street , at 8^th Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212-757-0168, www.russiansamovar.com.

Southampton

Claude’s at the Southampton Inn

The award-winning Claude’s Restaurant, at the Southampton Inn, brings the distinguished taste of the Hamptons all holiday season and year-round for visitors to the Village of Southampton, New York. The beloved restaurant is the epitome of comfort, casual dining and entertainment. Claude’s served breakfast daily, weekend brunch and dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

The fun and festivities roll into the New Year with Southampton Inn’s 22nd New Year’s Eve Gala. The New Year’s Eve package, at $475 for two adults, includes a one-night stay, dinner, dancing, open bar and midnight toast. Guests can add extra nights for $100. The gala is open to all residents and visitors for the ticket price of $125 (without a hotel reservation).

The Freaky Friday Theater/Dining package is perfect for a holiday outing with the family. Enjoy delicious dining at Claude’s and an amazing performance of Freaky Friday: “The Musical” at the Southampton Cultural Center. The theater is just steps away from the Inn at 25 Pond Lane, across from Agawam Park. (Freaky Friday, December 20, 2019 7pm and December 21 2019, 2pm & 7pm, General Admission: $20/adult, General Admission: $15/child; Dinner Package/adult: $60, Dinner Package/child under 12: $30; Brunch Package/adult: $45, Brunch Package/child: $25)

You can also book your own Holiday Party at the Inn. From gatherings in Claude’s Restaurant or their Library, to elegant celebrations in the ballroom, or one of the spacious banquet spaces, make your event unforgettable. Their events team will orchestrate your ideal celebration, from 10 to 200 people.

This time of year, Southampton Inn and Claude’s Restaurant provide the comforts of home for the holidays. Guests will enjoy holiday stockings stuffed with coupons and gifts from local village merchants, and a complimentary gift-wrapping room for guests after exploring the neighboring Village shops. The Inn is the perfect place to get cozy on a chilly day while enjoying a steaming mug of hot cider or holiday drink.

For the latest packages, deals and rates, call 631-283-6500, or visit http://www.southamptoninn.com. (91 Hill Street, Southampton, NY 11968).

Union Cantina

This time of year, guests can find a Hamptons-style Holiday fiesta at the award-winning Mexican eatery Union Cantina, featuring Live Music, entertaining daily happenings and signature specials. Bringing in the 2020 New Year, Union Cantina will host their Grand Fiesta New Year’s Eve Party featuring a Four-Hour Top Shelf Open Bar, Passed Hors d’oeuvres, A Full Dinner Buffet plus Dessert Table and a Live Musical performance featuring Deep C Revival and DJ Disco Pauly. Guests will also enjoy an assortment of party favors while watching live coverage of the Times Square Ball Drop.  All of this is included and tickets are just $75.00 each! If you’re interested in a la carte dinner service, that is available at our sister restaurant Union Burger Bar, adjacent to Union Cantina.

Award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf, previously featured on Food Network’s Iron Chefs of America, leads the kitchen all year-round, and will craft the contemporary holiday menu for the celebration. The sumptuous dinner buffet includes Tortilla Salad with mixed greens, heirloom tomatoes, avocado, mango vinaigrette; Beef Short Rib with apricot, jalapeño & habanero basted, crispy roasted corn and scallion polenta, charred brussel sprouts, queso fresco; Skillet Baked Salmon with paprika and ancho chili dusted salmon, rice medley of diced tomato, sweet corn, black beans and scallions in a cilantro agave glaze; Mexican Street Corn Pasta with chorizo sausage, sweet corn, asparagus tips and rigatoni finished in chipotle cream and topped with cotija cheese. The famous Deconstructed Chicken Enchilada satisfies a variety of palates, made with rojo chile sauce, queso blanco, asador cheese, pico de gallo, and avocado crema. The dessert table will include Union Churros, Tres Leches Cake and Apple Cinnamon Empanadas for a sweet ending to 2019.

Open Christmas Eve: 11:30 am to 8 pm, CLOSED Christmas Day. Open New Year’s Eve: 11:30 am to 4 pm; Open on New Year’s Day: 11:30 am to 10 pm Grand Fiesta New Year’s Eve Party at Union Cantina: 9 pm to 3 am Union Cantina, 40 Bowden Square, Southampton, NY. For reservations and more information, visit https://www.unioncantina.net/

Southampton Social Club

Heating things up in the Hamptons this holiday season, Southampton Social Club is the vibrant nightlife venue offering world-class fine dining, hip entertainment, private parties, weddings, corporate gatherings, special events and VIP occasions of all kinds. The Hamptons’ premier one-stop destination will host its 9th Annual New Year’s Bash featuring a passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast at Midnight, assorted party favors and live coverage of the Ball Drop live from Times Square. DJ Loki will deliver an exhilarating soundtrack all night long as Southampton Social Club counts down the seconds of 2019, and that’s just the Silver Package Ticket ($95pp)!

The Premium level packages are: The Gold Package ($150pp) which includes all of the Silver Package and…. an exquisite Four-Course Dinner presented by award-winning Chef Scott Kampf featuring delicacies like Fresh Maine Lobster & Filet Mignon.  Please check out the website for the full menu and details. Seatings begin at 7pm. Wine and Cocktails are included throughout dinner service. The Platinum Package ($200pp) includes ALL of the Silver and Gold packages and…. you have your own table to party at all night long including bottle service. One bottle of Liquor and Champagne are included.

Southampton Social Club will re-open for nightly dinner service in early May but is available for private events all year long and of course for The 9th Annual New Year’s Bash Southampton Social Club, 256 Elm St, Southampton, NY. For reservations and more information, visit www.southamptonsocialclub.com or call 631-287-1400.

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Reservations Now Open for NYC Restaurant Week Jan. 21-Feb. 8

Dining at Shalom Japan, one of the uniquely Brooklyn restaurants that combines traditional Jewish and Japanese cuisine. Locals and visitors alike can take advantage of NYC Restaurant Week, Jan. 21-Feb. 8 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

NYC & Company has launched reservations for NYC Restaurant Week and ticket sales for NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week. This is the first year that the programs have all launched reservations and ticket sales at the same time, and will also go live at the same time on January 21, under a new umbrella program titled, NYC Winter Outing.

NYC Restaurant Week reservations are now open at nycgo.com. Now in its 27th year, the highly anticipated program provides the opportunity to:

• Dine 17 days, January 21 through February 8, 2019*
• Enjoy two-course prix-fixe lunches and brunches for $26 and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $42**
• Explore nearly 400 restaurants among 41 distinct neighborhoods, across all five boroughs
• Discover 33 individual cuisines
• View a full list of participants, browse menus and collections, and book reservations now at nycgo.com/restaurantweek

(*Saturdays excluded, Sundays optional; **Beverages, gratuities and taxes not included; brunch optional)

This season’s program features 26 new restaurant participants: 10 Corso Como Restaurant & Café, Bistro Pierre Lapin, Bluebird London, Brooklyn Chop House, Cafe Clover, Fine&Rare, Freemans, Harold’s, Henry at Life Hotel, Il Mulino New York – Tribeca, La Goulue Restaurant, La Sirene UWS, L’Adresse, Ladurée, Le Rivage, Merakia, Morandi, Nonna Beppa, Petite Boucherie, Rahi, STK Rooftop, Tarallucci e Vino East Village, The Eddy, The Loyal, Wallflower, Woo SoHo.

Visitors can browse restaurants based on NYC & Company–created collections, available at nycgo.com, including NYC Classics, Fireside Feasts, Raise the Steaks, Best-Kept Secrets, Squad Goals, Dinner Is the Show, Expense It, Sunday Brunch.

NYC Restaurant Week brand partnerships include booking partner OpenTable and Wine Spectator. For the benefit of wine lovers, NYC & Company has partnered with Wine Spectator to identify participating restaurants that have been honored by Wine Spectator’s prestigious Restaurant Awards program. Wine Spectator wineglass icons on nycgo.com will indicate the level of award the restaurant earned in 2018.

Diners can follow @nycgo and @nycrestaurantweek on Instagram and @nycgo on Facebook and Twitter for NYC Restaurant Week content.

Furthermore, locals and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of NYC & Company’s newest program, NYC Winter Outing^SM, January 21 through February 10, when three of NYC & Company’s signature programs will align for the first time: NYC Restaurant Week (concludes February 8), NYC Broadway Week^SM and NYC Must-See Week^SM. Unique NYC Winter Outing mini-itineraries and sales for all three programs are now live at nycgo.com. Hotel savings are also available as the winter season offers the most attractive rates of the year. For details on NYC Winter Outing and to book experiences, visit nycgo.com/nycwinterouting.

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Saint Lucia Launches Islandwide ‘Summerlicious’ Dining Promotion

Saint Lucia announces a new “Summerlicious” promotion featuring reduced prix fixe lunch and dinner summer menus in restaurants island-wide, through Sept. 30.

Summerlicious includes two course lunch and three course dinner menus ranging in prices from $20 to $55. All meals include a high-quality signature cocktail made with Saint Lucia’s award winning Chairman’s Reserve Rum.

Summerlicious is headed by the Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association (SLHTA) and will feature 21 participating restaurant and hotel partners.

“Summerlicious is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase Saint Lucia’s wide variety of delectable cuisine from our diverse heritage. Saint Lucian dishes are infused with Creole, French, English and African flavors, making Saint Lucia a truly desirable culinary destination” said Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.

Participating restaurants include: Big Chef Steakhouse, Buzz, Charthouse Restaurant, Coal Pot Restaurant, Delirius, Spice of India, The Edge Restaurant & Sushi Bar, The Fire Grill Lounge & Bar, Ti Banane.

Restaurants located at the following hotels: Auberge Seraphine, Bay Gardens Beach Resort Trios restaurant and Hi Tide restaurant, Bay Gardens Hotel, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, Cap Maison, Cotton Bay Village, Hummingbird Beach Resort, Royal by rex resorts and St. Lucian by rex resorts, The Landings, Village Inn & Spa, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa.

For more information about the island of Saint Lucia call 1-800-456-3984, or visit www.saintlucianow.com.

About Saint Lucia

One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago. The “Helen of the West Indies,” Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties.

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