The Sweet Stack: November Edition
Your Guide to NYC Eats, November Fun, and Novembers Cookbook Club!
Beginnings are hard.
Honestly, I’m still figuring out the best format for these newsletters, but this is a start! My goal is to bring you biweekly recommendations for food, culture, and a few personal life updates. Let me know what you think—and let’s dive in!
1. Food Reviews – A Place to Hit & A Place to Skip
Hit: Grand Brasserie – Why it’s Worth Your Time
This new spot in Grand Central, yes, I know, is making waves with its stunning ambiance and great French Classics. The place itself is HUGE, with over 400 seats, and a wine list exceeding 400 bottles, it’s an experience for sure. What’s even better? It’s open 5am-2am. Crazy hours for such a nice place.
I tried their caviar service as well as their French Dip, and let me tell you – it’s a flavor bomb worth every bite. As someone who doesn’t gravitate towards French food in general, I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this meal. The Mac and Cheese is also worth noting, it was a great bite.
With great service and the ambiance of a gossip girl episode, this is the kind of place that feels special from the moment you walk in. Perfect for date nights, post-work drinks, or a nice dinner. I’d say it’s worth snagging a reservation sooner rather than later! The full video review is HERE.
Skip: The Corner Bar – Why It Didn’t Make the Cut
Sometimes, even the most hyped spots don’t hit the mark. The Corner Store had a lot of potential with its overall concept and vibe, but unfortunately, it fell short on its food, a bit underwhelming, and for the price, you’re better off trying out a new opening instead, like Kellogs Diner! (nowhere near the same vibe, but its worth checking out if you’re looking to try a buzzy new spot) If I had to describe The Corner Bar, it is like an upscale Cheesecake Factory, with some fun food, but nothing you haven’t had flavor-wise before. Also, any place that does not take walk-ins is not one I will recommend!!!
2. Fun Things to Do in NYC This Month
November is one of my favorite months in New York City, with the weather getting crisper outside, and the city preparing for the holiday fun, it’s such a nice time in the city before the chaos of tourist madness takes over. It is ALSO my birthday month :) Here are a few things to keep on your radar this month.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, or Central Parl – Nothing says New York winter quite like lacing up your skates and taking a few spins at an iconic rink. I suggest you do it before December when the lines get crazy. I personally am biased to the rink in Central Park which opened this past weekend. Bryant Park’s Winter Village rink is free (with skate rentals available), while Rockefeller Center offers the quintessential NYC skating experience with the famous holiday tree lighting up at the end of the month (also Glace has an outpost there and what’s better than fresh hot chocolate and ice skating!)
Visit a Forgotten Art Festival at the Shed — Personally, I am really excited about this one. It’s coming to New York on November 20, and is going to have a BUNCH of old-time, art installations of carnival/fair pieces. Seems like a really fun and unique experience, the perfect daytime activity or date night out.
Eat a Donut at Wildair before they DISSAPEAR — I am devastated that the weekly Saturday donuts will be ending in December, but good things never last, so take this as your sign to make it down to the Lower East Side one Saturday morning and get these donuts!!! They’re so damn good.
3. Cookbook Club Updates!
Shoutout to everyone who made it to my cookbook club with Sarah Fennel of Broma Bakery last month. These have gotten a little bit harder and harder to plan each month, but seeing the love y’all have for these makes it worth it.
I am SO ecstatic to announce that this month’s cookbook club will be co-hosted with my friend Erika aka PancakePrincess who does some of the BEST bake-offs. I truly look at all of her posts when deciding which recipe to use before baking. It is going to be held on November 17th, along with the esteemed pastry chef, and New York City Icon, Dominque Ansel. I want to thank you for being a subscriber, so you have first dibs on spots HERE. We are going to be cooking from Dominiques new book, Life’s Sweetest Moments which can be bought, and is on SALE, here. I'm especially excited for this one; as a native New Yorker who grew up stopping by Dominique’s bakery evrey so often on a Friday in high school for the famous Cronut, this feels extra special.
4. Things I am Loving Lately
Shopping: My manager is a skinfluencer and so I get the added perk of trying some great skincare every once in a while. Recently my skin has been LOVING this toner from The Ordinary, its linked here. Sephora also has their sale rn so go crazy!
Reading: I am currently back into reading now that midterms are finally over. I just started this realistic fiction book called Lie With Me. It is a beautifully written book that had quite the buzz in France. It’s about loss, first love, and the pain and shame of hiding ones true self. So far it is GREAT.
Cooking: I am also really into cooking (savory) lately. It’s not something I am usually the most fond of but this fall, I’ve been just really coming into it. I’ve been enjoying almost any recipe that has butternut squash in it, and this recipe I had last week along with some roasted chicken was fantastic.
And that’s all folks, I would love some feedback on what you enjoyed from this, didn’t enjoy, and what you want to see more of. Other than that, I will see you guys in two weeks! Thanks for reading :)