New York Dining Deals and Events April 30-May 6

Bites at Luckyrice 

By Leigh Crandall

Monday

Jimmy’s No. 43 concludes its April Sours weekend with a Sour Beer All-Duck Dinner tonight from 6-10 PM. Guest chef Brendan Corr (formerly of City Bakery, Co.) will prepare a family-style menu featuring ingredients from Hudson Valley Duck Farm, like smoked duck breast, duck neck terrine, and duck confit. The $45 ticket also includes six sour beer pairings from around the world.

Tuesday

Learn the tricks of the culinary trade from celeb chef April Bloomfield, who will be hosting a class at the De Gustibus Cooking School tonight from 5:30-8 PM. Bloomfield will prepare dishes from all three of her restaurants (The Spotted Pig, The Breslin, The John Dory) - tickets are $95 per person and can be purchased here.

Wednesday

Travel back to the 12th-century at Midtown eatery Alfama, which hosts a Dine Back in (Portuguese) Time dinner tonight. The four-course menu highlights fare cooked in the ancient convents and monasteries of Portugal, like Sopa da Pedra, a traditional “stone” soup with pork shanks and chouriço. The $75 tab also includes wine pairings and commentary from Chef Francisco Rosa, who will lead guests through the country’s culinary history.

Thursday

Start the weekend early at Skyroom Rooftop (the city’s highest), which throws its Afterwork First Thursday event tonight from 6 PM to midnight. Arrive early and take advantage of happy hour specials like $5 beer and bar food bites.

Friday

The annual Lucky Rice festival highlighting Asian-style cuisine and culture comes to New York City from May 1-6, with special events and dinners happening each day at locations across the city. The festival’s Grand Feast at the Mandarin Oriental takes place tonight, a walk-around tasting event with food prepared by chefs from restaurants including Morimoto, Buddakan, Perry St., and Ember Room. Wash it down with sake and shochu from Japan, premium German wines, Thai beer, and specialty cocktails. Tickets for the evening are $150 - reserve your spot and see the complete list of participating eateries and the dishes they’ll be making here.

Saturday

Between Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate this Saturday. For a sampling of festive, South-of-the-border eats, visit the South Street Seaport’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, featuring Dos Equis beer and Skinnygirl margaritas, chow from more than 15 food trucks, and entertainment including mariachi music and a chili pepper-eating contest. Derby revelers should head to Brooklyn’s Bell House where they’ll be serving Southern fare from Urban Rustic, mint juleps, and sweet treats by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream from 1 PM on. The afternoon also includes hat shopping with Brooklyn milliner La China Loca, square dancing, and a rousing chorus of “My Old Kentucky Home” before post time at 6 PM. Check back later this week for our roundups of where to eat and drink for both occasions.

Sunday

It’s the last day of the weekend’s Food Book Fair at new Williamsburg property the Wythe Hotel. Stop by to browse culinary publications, listen in on panels, and attend book signings throughout the day (see the weekend’s entire schedule here). The fair concludes with a dinner at Parish Hall inspired by Ernest Hemmingway’s The Sun Also Rises, with four-courses prepared by Chef Evan Hanczor. The $150 dinner also features beer from the Brooklyn Brewery and a selection of wine, with proceeds benefiting PS 84 Greenhouse Classroom. Get more info here.