the weekend buzz

“Brunch at Elettaria, Cognac School at Brasserie Cognac, Apple Festival on Orchard Street, Vegetarian Supper at Knife and Fork”

Saturday or Sunday: Brunch at Elettaria, 33 W 8th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, (212) 677-3833.

Chef Akhtar Nawab has started serving a great little lunch/brunch menu Saturdays and Sundays (11:30- 2:30) at Elettaria, and it’s the perfect spot to get cozy on a brisk fall afternoon.
His menu includes starters like yogurt with housemade granola and figs ($9), arancini with preserved lemon, fennel and creszenza cheese ($8) and a heavenly burrata bruschetta topped with pesto and a fried egg ($14). Main courses include his inspired riff on eggs Benedict: arctic char with potato blinis, caviar, and poached eggs ($14), as well as more hearty dishes like housemade sausage with pickled onions and fried duck eggs ($15), a tartine with jamon, machego, piquillo pepper piperade ($13), a potato-cauliflower poori topped with scrambled eggs ($12), and a flatbread pizza made from naan topped with mozzarella, marinated white anchovies, and onion jam ($12). Enjoy!

Cognac School at Brasserie Cognac, 1740 Broadway, 212.757.3600

I don’t know about you but I really don’t know all that much about cognac. If you’re inspired to learn, your chance is here. Brasserie Cognac is hosting a special month-long Cognac School, which runs from 5 – 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays beginning October 18th and ending November 8th, that will cover four main topics to highlight the rich history, tradition and versatility of cognac. Each course provides a sampling of some of the most distinctive producers on the restaurant’s 102-bottle cognac menu.  Space is limited and reservations must be made in advance.  The cost is $60 per person for each class, or $100 for two.

The first class, which takes place this Saturday October 18th, functions as a broad-based introduction to cognac. It will be led by noted expert Alain Royer, the 6th generation member of a cognac-producing family, and will clarify cognac basics and offer an opportunity to sample various cognac vintages.

The next class on October 25th will showcase boutique producers of cognac with an emphasis on artisanal houses and lesser-known vintages.  The third class on November 11th will demonstrate how to use cognac as a base for inventive cocktails. You’ll mix your own unique drinks and learn how to create easy and distinctive cocktails for entertaining at home. The final course on November 8th will feature Executive Chef Florian Hugo in a discussion on cooking with cognac. You’ll learn how to create cognac-based sauces and gain insight into the art of flambé (with no eyebrow burning!)

Sunday: Go Green On New York City Apple Day 2008, Outside on Orchard Street Between Broome and Grand Streets

On Sunday from 11:00am – 4:30pm, The Lower East Side Business Improvement District and the Greenmarket along with The Mark Miller Gallery, Tower Brokerage and Two Boots Pizza L.E.S., are presenting New York City Apple Day a free-to-the-public event featuring a sampling of various apple-themed treats, face painting, arts-and-crafts, an old-fashioned apple press, a honey beehive and more family-friendly activities! Participating purveyors include Red Jacket Orchard, Roni Sue’s Chocolate, Little Giant, Jeffries Meats, Cafe Katja, Sonia Rose, Babycakes and Doughnut Plant, among others.

Rabbi Stone from the Chabad of the Lower East Side will be on hand with apples and honey in his sukkah tent, and the NY Historical Society and LES Jewish Conservancy will stir up memories of the historic days of the Lower East Side, particularly Orchard Street’s roots as an Apple Orchard on the DeLancey Farm during the 1700s, through period performances and walking tours. Music will feature salsa and klezmer bands.

Sunday: Vegetarian Dinner at Knife & Fork, 108 East 4th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues, 212-228-4885
If you’re a vegetarian and you’re looking for something to spice up your weekly meal plans, check out the new Vegetarian Tasting Menu offered every Sunday evening at Knife and Fork, beginning this Sunday, October 19th. The four-course tasting menu for will be offered along with a non-vegetarian tasting menu for $38 per person.   The menus will change weekly but this week’s menu will include roast pumpkin soup with salted, toasted pumpkin seeds with chili oil, butternut squash risotto with black trumpet mushrooms and truffle mascarpone, marinated smoked tofu with black bean and ginger served in an autumn vegetable broth with baby bok choy, artichoke and edamame, and Thai panna cotta and lemongrass, orange and ginger crème brulee.

And that’s your Strong (weekend) Buzz for this week! Don’t forget to check in with the Strong Buzz every day for cutting edge news, reviews, events and more! READ IT AND EAT!

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