Neighborhood Watch

The Smith Midtown Debuts a Lunch Menu; Live Cookbook Signing at Neely’s Barbecue Parlor

Chelsea: Catch a showing of “Pig: A Restaurant,” a hilarious one-woman parody by former New York writer Leila Cohan-Miccio, on November 3 or 17 at 307 W. 26th St. The play is brought to you by the Upright Citizens Brigade and features characters with echoes of David Chang, Gael Greene, and a bunch of other NYC food clichés we’re all guilty of — plus tickets are just $5, making it a must-see. [Grub Street]
East Village: On Tuesday, November 8, Amor y Amargo will offer two cocktail-making courses: an introduction to cocktail techniques workshop, perfect for novices looking to learn the basics, and a holiday cocktails class, where students will learn to mix holiday favorites with eggnog, spiced wine, and more. Both classes begin at 7 p.m.; students must be over 21 to participate.
Midtown East: The Smith’s new midtown location debuts a lunch menu this week, featuring sandwiches, steaks, and big salads, offered Monday through Friday; they’ll continue to serve brunch on the weekends. [Grub Street]

Noho: Tickets are on sale for the annual Holiday Spirits Bazaar at the Astor Center, where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails, appetizers, and music by D.J. Kimiko of the Ace Hotel. The Bazaar will take place on Saturday, November 12, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.; tickets ($45) can be purchased here. [Grub Street]
Nolita: On Thursday, November 3, Ellabess will team up with Balcones Distillery to host a four-course whiskey dinner from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The evening will include five spirits selected by distiller Chip Tate and optional cigars to enjoy with dessert. Tickets are $75 per person, and can be purchased here. [Grub Street]
The Pan American is making a strong comeback since its closure last spring, and it will now introduce a new brunch menu that features American favorites with Latin influences. Dishes include a sweet plantain omelette, a Peruvian hash with chorizo (traditional or vegan), eggs, and homemade tomatillo chutney, and gluten-free griddle cakes with sweet plantains and strawberries, to name a few. Stop by over the next two weekends (Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and receive a complimentary Queen Mary cocktail, an interesting twist on the Bloody Mary. [Grub Street]
Times Square: Snack Box, a tiny street-food vendor from Jonathan Morr of Republic that features high-end hot dogs, baked goods, and more, opened today in Times Square. [Midtown Lunch]
Tribeca: Chef Jung Sik Yim continues to reinvent Korean cuisine at his namesake restaurant with a special rice tasting menu, available at the recently opened spot this fall. Diners can select three dishes from a menu that features five options (including a salad, meat, or fish; $80 per person); check out the menu here. [Grub Street]
Upper East Side: Get the chance to meet chefs Pat and Gina Neely at Neely’s Barbecue Parlor on Wednesday, November 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., and get a signed copy of their book, The Neely’s Celebration Cookbook. Plus, stay for dinner and sip a complimentary blood-orange Bellini while you sample chef favorites like the pumpkin and sweet potato bisque. [Grub Street]
Take advantage of the rare opportunity to have pie for breakfast at the Whitney Museum of American Art on Tuesday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, during a farm-to-table breakfast and pie-making demonstration led by Four & Twenty Blackbirds. Tickets ($35 per person) include a full family-style breakfast, pie-making lesson, and ingredients. [Grub Street]
West Village: Starting next Wednesday, November 2, the Windsor will kick off “Bubbles & Burgers,” where you can get any kind of burger with a side of fries, and two glasses of Champagne for $25 on Wednesday evenings. [Grub Street]

The Smith Midtown Debuts a Lunch Menu; Live Cookbook Signing at Neely’s