5 Fun Things You Can Do in Town this Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us so we've rounded up five of our favorite things to do that include all of the best things in life: burgers, wine, brunch, cocktails and dinner. As restrictions start to life, you can still enjoy the holiday weekend with these 5 options!

1.  Grab a Free Burger at Hole in the Wall Courtesy of Ghost Burger (on Friday 5/22)

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Hole in the Wall's Murray Hill (626 1st Avenue) location is teaming up with Ghost Burger to give away 100 gourmet burgers as a thank you to NYC for staying strong. The first-ever Ghost Burger pop up is happening tomorrow (Friday, 5/22) from 12pm - 6pm.  If you're one of the first 100 people to visit Hole in the Wall in Murray Hill on Friday and purchase a drink, you’ll receive a free mouthwatering burger from Ghost Burger. Drink options include coffee, tea in addition to alcoholic beverages like a Jalapeño Bloody Mary, Aperol Spritz, Mimosa, Blood Orange Negroni and the Espresso Martini. Gourmet burgers include the Fat Boy with 5oz grass-fed beef, double cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, grilled onion, pickles and special sauce, The Herb with an Impossible patty, cheese, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickles and kewpie mayo, and the Char Siu Chook with fried chicken, applewood smoked bacon, cheese, lettuce, pickled carrot, jalapeños and ranch. 

2. Head to the newly reopened location of Fornino at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 

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The Brooklyn Bridge Park Fornino location seasonally opens for takeout on Friday, May 22nd.  If the weather cooperates, bring a book and feast on their Italian specialties from a blanket in the park. The outdoor restaurant will have two pickup windows for socially distanced grab and go wood-fired pizzas, salads, sandwiches and non-alcoholic beverages. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Fornino location will be open on weekdays from 3pm to sunset and on weekends from 12pm to sunset. Patrons will have the ability to order in advance through the Fornino website for pickup or to make purchases on site with contactless payment options available. Delivery will also be provided via Caviar starting May 29th.

3. Go on a drinks crawl in Chelsea.

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Loulou (176 8th Ave) has unbelievable cocktails that can be picked up from their to go window daily from 3pm - 9pm. You could then walk over to Union Square Park. The Loulou Hour from 3-5pm features $10 specialty cocktails, $9 Rosé by Minuty, $8 red and white wine and $6 Sangria. If you're hungry, Menu items from Executive Chef Jarett Brodie include a Niçoise Salad with seared tuna, shaved egg, kalamata olive, haricot verts, potato, watercress and anchovy, Cavatelli with wild mushroom ragu, lacinato kale, crispy artichoke, and Parmesan creme, the Loulou Burger made with grass-fed beef, clothbound cheddar and caramelized onions, Duck Leg Confit with apple rosemary puree and gala chutney, and Steak Frites featuring a 7oz skirt steak and béarnaise.
 

4. Celebrate National Wine Day on Monday, May 25th by getting wine delivered. 

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Sushi Lab at The Sanctuary Hotel in Midtown (132 W. 47th Street) is offering all wine by the bottle at 40% off. Wines include Mud House Sauvignon Blanc, Flor de Campo Pinot Noir, and Whispering Angel Rosé. You can also indulge in 40% off sake, including Suigei “Drunken Whale”, a Tokubetsu Junmai sake with a ricey nose and a crisp clean finish complemented by a rich flavor at the price of $18 (40% discount from $30), Dassai 39 for $27 (40% discount from $45). Head to Seamless, DoorDash, UberEats or Postmates to order. The vegan eatery Beyond Sushi has delicious wines on their delivery menu including an Accuro Malbec from Argentina, Orenia Syrah from France, Casal De Ventozela Rosé from Portugal, Breganze Pinot Grigio from Italy and a California Chardonnay.

When you purchase a bottle of wine with your lunch or dinner order, you'll receive a complimentary 4oz wheel of organic cashew based cheese. Order on the website and seamless.  Last but not least, Clinton Hall is offering delivery and pickup from their 16 W. 36th St. and 90 Washington St. and you can drink to your heart's delight with their menu of $19.99 bottles of wine, such as Santa Marina Prosecco, Justin Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau Ste Michelle Rosé, Seaglass Chardonnay, Terrazas Altos Del Plata Malbec, and Excelsior Cabernet. Delivery and pickup is available from 12pm - 9pm Monday - Sunday via UberEats, GrubHub or Seamless. 

5 - End the week by ordering from your favorite restaurant for dinner and a movie night in.

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Brooklyn Chop House at 150 Nassau Street in FiDi serves up dim sum and chops giving diners everything from seafood and noodles, to 30 - 35 day dry-aged Prime Steaks and Double Thick Cut Chops. If you’re looking to be a total baller and split a fine dining experience with your quarantine crew, splurge on 32oz Dry-Aged Bone in Tomahawk, a 48oz Dry-Aged Porterhouse for two and Salt & Pepper Lobster Tails. You can also indulge in their delicious dishes and cocktails a la carte by ordering delivery on Monday - Sunday from 4pm - 11pm here, on Postmates, Seamless or Caviar. Segreta Cucina Italiana (55 E 54th Street) offers a wide selection of classic Italian dishes at affordable prices, which can be paired with a varied selection of Italian wines by the bottle.

Executive Chef Moshe Grundman showcases his talent with House Specialties which includes Salmon Oreganata, Calabrian Shrimp, Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Marsala, Veal Milanese, Veal Parmigiana and a Whole Grilled Branzino. They’re also offering a 30% off discount for first time purchases via GrubHub. Order for delivery via Seamless, Grubhub and the website on Monday - Saturday from 5pm - 9pm and on Sunday from 3pm - 8pm. Last but not least, Ghost Burger is delivering fun and flavorful burgers when you need one the most. Ghost Burger keeps things simple with three signature classics: beef, chicken and a veggie. Their Fat Boy 2.0 features a dry age chuck rib patty, Miso onions, mustard special sauce and American cheese on a milk bun. There’s also wings, truffle fries, and sides to choose from. You can even swap out any bun for lettuce, if that’s what you’re into. Order on the website on Friday from 11am - 6pm and Saturday - Sunday from 10am - 3pm. 

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Summer Drinks To Drink This Memorial Day Weekend

If you're planning a little Memorial Day Weekend get together, you've come to the right place. Since we know there's no better way to get the party started than with creative and fruity cocktails or fan favorites, we've put together some of our favorites drinks of the season. Read through to check out some of these delicious summer cocktail recipes.

Our Favorite Beers

Celebrating its Birthday, The Sam Adams Summer ale is now legal, as it enters its 21st Birthday. We have been long fans of this Summer staple and this year Sam Adams is bringing some new friends into the picture. Below are our favorites and the best way to pair your beer.

 Summer Ale – This summer staple is celebrating its 21stbeer-day! What better way to celebrate warmer and longer days than a refreshing beer with lemon peel, Grains of Paradise, and Saaz Noble hops.

Session IPA (NEW!) – With its bright citrus hop aroma and nice bitterness, this beer is an easy-drinking IPA to enjoy at any summertime beach or backyard BBQ.

Golden Hour (NEW!) – Spicy, floral German Noble hops provide a dose of complexity with a light biscuit note from the pilsner malt. The result is a slightly hazy, medium-bodied brew that finishes softly with a hint of crisp, clean bitterness.

Tropic of Yuzu (NEW!) - This exotic beer is infused with rare Japanese fruit for a citrusy punch with hints of tangerine and grapefruit.

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Speaking of Yuzu (This seasons new trend?) Truly Spiked & Sparkling launched its newest style, Truly Spiked & Sparkling Lemon & Yuzu. Truly Spiked & Sparkling has caught fire amongst drinkers and has quickly become the go-to spiked sparkling water, a category poised to be this spring and summer's biggest alcohol trend. The new Lemon & Yuzu style is part of Truly Spiked & Sparkling's growing line of spiked beverages, including Colima Lime, Grapefruit & Pomelo, Pomegranate, and Sicilian Blood Orange. 

Our Favorite Wines

You know we we love a good Rosé and the crowd pleasing Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection Rosé 2016  is on top of our list. With a luminous pale pink, marked by lifted aromas of summer strawberries and subtle florals.

RELATED: It's Official #ReturnofRoseSeason

A blend of Syrah and Tempranillo sourced from the Central Coast of California, its palate has a richness balanced by a refreshing, racy acidity and flavors of pink citrus and orange blossom. A value at $12 a bottle, it’s ideal for your Memorial Day BBQ.

The 2016 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé from France’s Rhone Valley is a favorite among rosé lovers in the know. An excellent example of the French region, it’s a serious rosé wine that is still approachable for everyday enjoyment, and sure to please the palates of those who are discovering the wine this rosé season. Produced in the traditional saignée method from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, this structured, dry rosé is bursting with red fruit flavors and aromas, like raspberry and red currant, balanced with an intriguing minerality on the finish. 

2016 Blindfold California White  – A unique blended white wine created by The Prisoner Wine Company to complement the cult-California producer’s namesake wine. Just like The Prisoner’s red blend, Blindfold marries a number of delicious and interesting white varietals, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Chenin Blanc, to create a bold and intriguing wine that is as striking as the label on the bottle. Inviting aromas of honeysuckle, grilled white peach, and apricot linger harmoniously with a luscious entry of familiar cold weather flavor, toasted hazelnut, making this wine the perfect foil to darker, complex reds for winter sipping.

Our Favorite Cocktails

Pop-Sea-Cle

Pop-Sea-Cle

Nothing beats Memorial Day weekend than a nice refreshing drink. Check our favorites below.

Pop-Sea-Cle - Courtesy of North River Lobster Company at Pier 81

Brut Prosecco, Cordial and Popsicle; Choose from Elderflower, Melon or Aperol

Aperol Spritz

  • 3 Parts Cinzano Prosecco
  • 2 Parts Aperol
  • 1 Dash Soda
  • Ice and a slice of Orange

Method: Add ice and a slice of orange, pour in the Prosecco, the Aperol and add a dash of soda. This avoids the Aperol settling at the bottom.

Red Hot Sangria - Made with Stillhouse Whiskey

  • 1 can - Stillhouse Red Hot
  • 1 bottle - Malbec
  • 12 oz - Mango Juice
  • 24 oz - Ginger Ale
  • Lemon Wheels
  • Orange Wheels
  • Cinnamon Sticks

Hinterland Punch (Serves 6-8) Created by Josh Mazza

  • 12oz Jägermeister
  • 5oz Grenadine
  • 10oz Ruby Red Grapefruit
  • 20oz Roobis tea
  • 1 Bottle (26oz) Sparkling Rosé
  • 8oz raspberries
  • 8oz strawberries

Method

  1. Add edible flowers to tea and freeze in a bread pan
  2. Combine other ingredients in a punch bowl
  3. Add frozen tea/flowers
  4. Cut berries and add into punch

Negroni Sbagliato

  • 1 oz. Campari
  • 1 oz. Cinzano 1757
  • 1 oz. Cinzano Prosecco

Method: Build ingredients over ice in rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice.

Hibiscus Dragon Fruit Margarita

  • 2 oz Patron Reposado Tequila
  • 2 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
  • .75 oz Cinnamon Hibiscus syrup
  • .50 oz Fresh Lemon
  • .25 oz Triple sec
  • Pinch of Sea Salt
  • 2 Dashes Hellfire Bitters

Method: Add all ingredients into a shaking tin and fill half way with ice. Shake for 5 seconds and strain into a hollowed out Dragon Fruit with ice. Garnish with Pineapple Spikes, Mint and flaming lemon half.

New Amsterdam Mango Sunrise

  • 1½ parts New Amsterdam® Mango
  •  2 parts orange juice
  • A splash of lemon-lime soda

Method: Shake the vodka sunrise ingredients together in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Strain this delicious mango vodka drink into a rocks or highball glass filled with ice. Garnish the cocktail with a mango wedge and mint leaf.