NYC Weekend Planner: Go Here, Eat This, Drink This

Palace Gate by Gilt

By James Mulcahy

It's weekend time - woot woot! In case you haven't made any plans for your two days off, well, it's time to get started, homie. Check out some last minute suggestions on what you should hit up - these options will almost make you forget that Monday is just a day or two away.

Go Here

The Palace Gate at Gilt
If the weather stays nice, you've got to get some outdoor drinking in. Hit up The Palace Gate by Gilt - the Midtown restaurant's alfresco bar and dining area is one of the swankiest in town (and certainly one of the best drinking venues in this dead area of Midtown East). You'll be in the magical courtyard and garden of the Palace Hotel, which evokes old-school New York, while enjoying some cocktails and fare from decidedly new school chef Justin Bogle. Sounds like a plan to us (455 Madison Ave.; 212-891-8100).

Eat This

Spring Salad at Back Forty West
Back Forty West got some love this week, with NY Times critic dropping in and awarding the farm-to-table eatery two stars. We recently included the restaurant's spring salad on our list of must-try dishes for the season. The mix of veggies is different every day depending on whats available. Sounds like a mighty fine dish to try this weekend (70 Prince St.; 212-219-8570).

Drink This

Refresh Lightly Sparkling Wine 
Say it does start to rain a bit, that doesn't mean you have to spend the weekend sulking in your apartment. You can spend your time drinking and sulking (or, having people over and enjoying life - your call). Hit up the liquor store and see if you can find a bottle of Refresh, a new wine label from Turning Leaf that's lightly carbonated.

We haven't come across a slightly fizzy vino before - this stuff is choice for wine cocktails. Keep it simple and just muddle up some fruit and throw it in, or go crazy and get your favorite mixology book out. Either way, you will end up tipsy. Oh, and just in case you want to go down a certain road, Dr. Ruth's vino isn't the only one that will get you in the mood.