August's Food Holidays

August's Food Holidays are Delicious

Here's How to Get in on the Fun

By MELISSA KRAVITZ  

August 4, 2014

It's the hottest month of the year, but it's also full of cool food holidays! There are plenty of places in NYC to celebrate these national occasions. Eat your way through August with our recommendations of where to celebrate. 

August 5: 
National Oyster Day

Oysters are the perfect summer snack! High in protein and cool in temperature, celebrate this national holiday with as many half shells as you can knock back. Stop by Maison Premiere for their $1 oyster happy hour, or learn to shuck and celebrate oyster day at home. Other $1 oyster happy hours include Cull & Pistol in Chelsea Market (4-6), Lobster Joint (4-7pm), BLT Fish Shack (5-7) or the Dead Rabbit (5-7). 

August 6: 
National Root Beer Float Day

Head to The Meatball Shop for their Root Beer Float made with their homemade ice cream. Even better, get the spiked float, with added whiskey and vanilla-orange liqueur.

Brooklyn's Ample Hills Creamery also offers a great float with their unique homemade ice cream flavors.

 

August 9: 
National Rice Pudding Day

Head to the rice pudding capitol of NYC, Rice to Riches to indulge in dozens of rice pudding flavors from chocolate to banana coconut and more.  

August 8: 
Zucchini Day

Celebrate zucchini in its purest form at raw vegetarian restaurant Pure Food and Wine. Their lasagne uses thin, fresh zucchini slices instead of noodles, so you can indulge in the classic dish without the guilt and celebrate zucchini for all its healthiness and flavor. For a slightly less-healthy option, opt for the Zucchini Parm sandwich (topped with barbecue potato chips!) at Number 7 Sub. 

August 10: 
National Smores Day

There are oh so many ways to celebrate the all-American marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker treat. From s'mores french fries to s'mores calzones, we've got you covered.  

August 13: 
National Filet Mignon Day

Head to the 100+ year old steakhouse Delmonico's to treat yourself to some juicy filet mignon for this special holiday. If you can't get a reservation, try its centenarian counterpart Peter Luger, which also serves up a great filet. More casual dining can be found at Angus Club Steakhouse, a new restaurant that brings you back to classic New York with a modern spin. 

August 16: 
Bratwurst Day

Head to Wechsler's in the East Village to celebrate the "wurst" holiday of the year with their classic German currywurst.
For a summery spin, head to Radegast Hall and Biergarten, the massive Williamsburg space that serves up steins of German beer along with freshly grilled bratwurst.

August 19: 
Potato Day

To best celebrate the day dedicated to potatoes, head to a restaurant dedicated to potatoes: Potatopia. Design your perfect baked potato at this West Village eatery. Additional great potato dishes can be found at Carnegie Deli in the form of a knish, Veselka as crispy potato pancakes and as the Pommes Anna, a rich version of scalloped potatoes at Minetta Tavern. 

August 16: 
National Rum Day

Celebrate with a splash at Cuban-themed cocktail bar Cienfuegos. Enjoy a bowl of rum punch to share with 2 - 10 people or opt for a rum cocktail to sip solo. You can also stop by The Rum House, a Midtown bar dedicated to the special beverage of the day.
For an at home celebration, grab a bottle of Owney's NYC, which is distilled in Brooklyn.

August 20: 
Lemonade Day

New York's favorite lemonade stand, Lizzmonade, is the place to visit on this holiday! Enjoy an ice cold, made to order lemonade customized with your choice of sweetener and fresh, local produce. For a special treat, head to Bungalow Baron Rockaway Beach for their spiked Huckleberry lemonade. 

August 24: 
National Waffle Day

Celebrate with breakfast, lunch, and dinner waffle-style at Wafels and Dinges. If you can't make it to their East Village wafel shop, be sure to look for one of their bright yellow trucks-- and order extra speculoos (cookie butter) to celebrate! You can also go for a creative waffle sandwich at Williamsburg's Waffle & Wolf or brunch at Norma's in Le Parker Meridian for the indulgent PB&C Waffle ‘Wich: a chocolate waffle with a peanut butter and toffee crunch filling.

August 25: 
National Whiskey Sour Day

To honor a day dedicated to a very specific cocktail, head to the East Village's North River, which hosts a daily "Sour Hour" from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Enjoy a $6 classic shaken Whiskey Sour with a cherry on top along with $1 smoked deviled eggs, $4 fried pickles and a $13 burger and fries special. You can also venture out to Red Hook where Andy Ricker's Whiskey Soda Lounge serves an excellent tamarind whiskey sour perhaps best enjoyed with their famous fish sauce chicken wings. 

August 31: 

International Bacon Day

For this international holiday, we recommend going all-out. Head to Hell's Kitchen's Bar Bacon, a venue dedicated to that fatty, crispy snack. We recommend going with the Beer and Bacon Flight ($20), which includes four select artisanal bacons along with four craft beers. After your bar experience, head to Crif Dogs for a bacon-wrapped frank, enhanced in the Lil Ma with peanut butter and crushed potato chips. For the ultimate bacon indulgence, visit Traif in Williamsburg to try their dulce de leche and bacon bits doughnuts.

http://www.amny.com/eat-and-drink/food-holidays-where-to-celebrate-national-waffle-day-potato-day-and-more-1.8961186


X