the weekend buzz

“Eat, Drink, Oscar”

We all want a little bit of Hollywood glam. What a better way to feel like Meryl Streep or George Clooney than with a good Oscars party? It's no different this year where the fun should be good whether you're rooting for "Black Swan" or "King's Speech." While the Hollywood A-list may be taking center stage (or strolling the red carpet), you can make an event of it your own this Sunday at a number of restaurants across the city. A glass of bubbly and some good food is perfect for making you feel like a winner. Here are some of recommendations from The Strong Buzz. Enjoy!

-  Bao Ong

Macao Trading Company: The pre-show cocktail party goes from 6 to 8 p.m. with some stylish bartenders mixing your favorite drinks. You can watch the stars walk the red carpet on a 10-by-10 movie screen and sip "The Diva," a concoction from Dushan Zaric that's a recipe of lavender-infused St. Germain with a splash of bubbly. During the event, chef Josh Blakely will send out complimentary bites like grilled shrimp brochettes and duck spring rolls. The entire awards show will be broadcast but come early for the party.

Macao Trading Company is located at 311 Church St., 212-431-8642, http://www.macaonyc.com/.

Lincoln Center: The epicenter of performing arts in New York (perhaps the country) is at Lincoln Center. What a more fitting place for an Oscar viewing party at The David Rubenstein Atrium? Beginning at 8 p.m. the show will be broadcast on the super-sized media wall with some good acoustics to boot. It's free admission and seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can get small plates of food, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and drinks at the 'wichcraft café. There will be a special gourmet popcorn (free to the first 50 guests) and "Best Picture-Themed" cocktail available, too.

The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center is located on Broadway between 62^nd and 63^rd Streets.

Bar Basque: For a splash of Hollywood glitz, an evening at Bar Basque is a great fit. They'll start broadcasting the 83^rd annual Academy Awards on their big outdoor screen beginning at 6 p.m. You can dine in the glass-enclosed terrace or lounge and still hear and see the entire show while ordering from executive chef Yuhi Fujinaga's menu. And FYI, arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. for a free glass of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial. There will also be a "Oscar Noms" special in the lounge that includes a charcuterie board, potato and onion toritlla, spicy friend Spanish olives and some croquetas for $38 (for two).

Bar Basque is located in the Eventi Hotel at 839 Sixth Ave. (between 29^th and 30^th Streets), 646-600-7150.

Bobo: Executive chef Patrick Connolly has turned to this year's Oscar contenders for inspiration. His menu is slated to feature items such as "The Kings Salad" (baby greens, crudités, toasted pumpkin seeds, pecorino) and "Black Swan Chocolate Cake" (with salted caramel and mocha ice cream). The evening starts at 7 p.m. with a red carpet cocktail reception followed by a screening and the four-course dinner ($50 per person). The awards show will be seen on a giant projector screen in the main dining room of this quaint West Village brownstone.

Bobo is located at 181 W. 10^th St., 212-488-2626.

Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten: Have you seen all the contenders? If so, the Loreley on the Lower East Side will be your place to be. Starting at 5 p.m., you can start filling out an Oscar ballot for $20 and the winner with the most correct prediction sweeps the whole pool (if there's tie, the pool is divided equally; all ballots also have to be turned in before the beginning of the show). And even if you don't win the pool, you'll still be entered into a raffle to win a dinner for two with a filled-out ballot. Best yet, you get a complimentary glass of Champagne if you order the apple strudel dessert.

Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten is located at 7 Rivington St.; 212-253-7077, http://www.loreleynyc.com/.

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