What To Do In NYC This Weekend December 1 To 3

Our secret to staying sane during the rush of the holidays? Making room on our weekend calendars for at least one of these 10 food events—including an all-you-can-drink wine fest and a limited-edition brunch at Bobby Flay's restaurant. Here's everything you need to do to start December right in NYC. 

The famed San Francisco chocolate shop will be hosting a pop-up café in Chelsea, complete with all the cups of steaming hot chocolate you can drink and enough treats and gift boxes that will make any stocking envious. 

For one weekend only, Bobby Flay's Noho restaurant is serving brunch, offering Flay's ideal midmorning menu. Start the prix fixe meal off with a trio of Spanish bites before diving into entrées that include charred beef with soft scrambled eggs or a toasted polenta waffle drizzled in fig syrup.

The New York Botanical Garden's holiday train show is anything but child's play. This after-dark, 21-and-over-only viewing of the model railway features seasonal cocktails, live music and fire pits throughout the exhibit. 

There's no such thing as having too many holiday markets in New York City. After you've made it to the end of Fifth Avenue's window displays, cross over to the southwest corner of Central Park and get lost in the sparkly aisles of artisanal crafts, provisions and street food.

Food writer David Lebovitz is joining the Internet's other OG food blogger, Smitten Kitchen's Deb Perelman, to talk about their newly released books. The two culinary titans will be signing copies after the discussion.

Head down to Brooklyn for unlimited tastings of varietals from all over the world. Interactive booths and crash courses offering tips for navigating the wine world mean you could technically classify this festival as an "educational" experience.

Emma Bengtsson, the second female chef to win two Michelin stars in the United States, is paying homage to the restaurant's history through a commemorative dinner—including that famous foie gras ganache.

Massoni, Dale Talde's NoMad restaurant, is hosting a BYOB (bring your own beard) brunch to close out No-Shave November. Aside from the bottomless whiskey, the restaurant is offering guests a complimentary style or shaving, no matter what type of facial hair you're rocking. Part of the proceeds will go toward the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Movember Foundation.

If you didn't get enough chocolate at the pop-up, head to this master class at Murray's Cheese shop. The session includes unlimited wine, a copy of Dandelion's new cookbook and your own bars of homemade chocolate.

True, this event technically falls outside the weekend, but when have you ever had a reason to look forward to a Monday? April Bloomfield's Murray Hill hangout is celebrating its anniversary with a make-your-own margarita bar, a live mariachi band and $5 taco deals.