aunt jake’s

Start the year off right with Downtown’s New Year’s Day dining guide. We know you won’t want to cook on New Year’s Day, so we’ve selected some of our favorite places for you to roll out of bed (probably a little later than usual) and chow down at on your day off.

Epistrophy

This all day cafe is one of the cutest spots in Nolita and if it’s not already in your regular rotation add it quick! Epistrophy will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on New Year’s Day, but make sure to stop by for everything from poached eggs with creamy potenta and pancakes to cacio e pepe and hanger steak. Need some booze to get your through the day? You can’t go wrong with their spicy cucumber margarita or any of their spritzes.

886

886 new years menu — Photo by Molly Tavoletti

Nothing screams day off like dining on fried rice, Taiwanese sausage and chicken wings. If St. Mark’s Place is in your neighborhood, you can make a reservation for dinner at 886 on Resy.

If giving up carbs isn’t one of your resolutions (or if you need one last day of indulgence) head to Aunt Jake’s in Little Italy or Greenwich Village. All diners on New Year’s Day will receive a free brunch cocktail with the purchase or any entrée from 11 AM to 4 PM, so get ready to toast to avocado toast.

Egg Shop

Is there anything better than an egg sandwich? Egg Shop in Nolita has perfected them, and if you head in on New Year’s Day you’ll get half-off Bloody Marys and Mimosas plus a can’t miss deal: a Bloody Mary and Pepper Boy Sandwich (MAPLE CURED PEPPER BACON) for $20.

Clinton Hall

Thinking burgers and beer are the best ways to start the year? Clinton Hall agrees. All of their locations, including the original FiDi outpost, will be offering their award winning double smashed burger and a Gigawatt beer for only $20.19.

Ed’s Lobster Bar

Head to Lafayette Street for some cheesy, lobster filled goodness. Get a free Bloody Mary with an order of Ed’s Lobster Bar’s famous lobster mac and cheese or lobster roll all day.

Flex Mussels

Not enough lobster for you? Two words: Lobster Poutine. Pair cheesy, lobster topped fries with a Bloody Mary for only $25. Flex Mussels, whose downtown location is on 13th and 7th, is also offering $1 oysters from 5–7 PM, talk about happy hour!

Bagatelle

Kick off the New Year in the West Village at Downtown favorite Bagatelle! They will be hosting a banging brunch party from 1:00–6:00 PM with family style dishes and music pumping all day long. For reservations email nyerestervations@bistrotbagatelle.com or call 212.488.2110.

Looking to fill up some of those days between Christmas and New Year’s? We’ve got fun holiday activities in New York City for all ages!

Under 10 Years Old:

The Rink at Brookfield Place

Head to the mall for whole family fun! The Rink at Brookfield Place offers open rink time, skating lessons and rentals (including skate aids for the little ones) every day in December.

Sprinkles’s Cupcakes Holiday Flavors

When you’ve worked up your appetite, wander upstairs to Hudson Eats for some festive snacks! Along with their usual delicacies, Sprinkles has a few limited edition holiday flavors including Christmas cookie, chocolate peppermint and gingerbread.

Kids Eat Free at Brother Jimmy’s

Walk under Brookfield Place to the World Trade Center and hop on the 4/5/6 train to Brother Jimmy’s in Murray Hill where kids eat free every day with the purchase of an adult entrée. Play games like skee-ball, cornhole and pop-a-shot basketball and be sure to order the fries, they come on a complimentary frisbee!

10–16 Years Old:

Introductory Class at Gotham Archery in Chinatown

Gotham Archery offers hour long introductory archery courses at their Chinatown location multiple times a day, Tuesday through Sunday, for archers ages ten and up. Be sure to sign up for an intro class online to ensure you get a spot. Don’t forget to brush up on your skills by rewatching The Hunger Games or Robinhood before you go!

Lunch and Julian’s Sundae at Aunt Jake’s

When you finish shooting, take a short walk to Aunt Jake’s for homemade pasta and this show stopping dessert. The menu features individual and family sized portions as well as a make your own pasta section to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Definitely try the Julian Sundae before you leave; it consists of fudgy chocolate ice cream surrounded by a bubble waffle and topped with an obscene amount of whipped cream, fruity pebbles and chocolate sauce all in a glass frosted with Oreos. Good luck finishing it!

16 and Up!

Knife and Axe Throwing Class at Gotham Archery

Archery not thrilling enough for you? Gotham Archery offers 90 minute knife and axe throwing classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Instructors are highly trained and will have you sticking your throws in no time. Make sure you sign up for the class online in advance.

Dinner at Ivan Ramen

Impress watchers of Chef’s Table with a reservation at Ivan Ramen on the Lower East Side. Don’t skip appetizers like the unassuming pickled daikon and be sure to order one of the non-ramen specialties.