Eat, Drink and Be Merry
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Cheap Dates
November 21, 2008 - 12:00amIt’s official — winter has arrived in Ithaca. While the snow may have been fun for the first few days, we know that icy sidewalks, numb fingers and months of sub-zero temperatures get old very fast. Don’t let the frigid weather get you down; winter is the perfect season for a little romance and a little snuggling, and, additionally, the holidays are just around the corner. So put down those books, bundle up and head out to celebrate with your sweetheart! This week, Cheap Dates offers three holiday themed ideas that are sure to keep you and your sweetie feeling warm and merry on the inside.
$ — Staying in Ithaca for Thanksgiving? Saddened by the thought of no turkey dinner? If you answered yes to either of these questions, head over to the 21st Annual Traditional Thanksgiving Feast at Robert Purcell Marketplace on Thanksgiving Day. You and your sweetheart can gorge yourselves on a humongous roast turkey with all the fixins’, including mashed potatoes, candied yams, chestnut stuffing and green bean casserole, to name a few. Stick around after for some coffee and conversation, and, of course, pumpkin pie for dessert. Best of all, this decadent Thanksgiving feast only costs $10/person.
$$ — If your idea of holiday cheer starts with a glass of wine (and, of course, you are of age) then the Cayuga Wine Trail has got you covered with events spanning the next few weeks. First, start your holiday shopping early on the 25th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree. Wander through the wine trail while sampling wines and special treats; pick up a souvenir wineglass, wreath and tree ornament from each winery. Join the shopping spree either Nov. 22 and 23, or Dec. 6 and 7. Tickets start at $30 and can be bought at Wegmans. If you want to take a break from your busy day of winery-hopping, dress up for Knapp Vineyard’s Snowflake Soiree on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Enjoy a gourmet five-course holiday meal with Knapp Valley wines. What better way to pamper your honey for the holidays? Reservations are limited so visit knappwine.com for more information. The following weekend visit Americana Vineyards for holiday wine specials, personalized wine bottle labels and homemade fudge. Make sure to end your wine-filled weekend at Swedish Hill Vineyard to celebrate Santa Lucia day, a traditional Swedish holiday, with special treats handed out by Santa Lucia herself! See americanavineyards.com and swedishhill.com, respectively, for more information.
$$$ — Impress the people you love this holiday seasons by making them a special something sweet from scratch. Sarah’s Patisserie in Community Corners offers seasonal pastry classes that teach you the fundamentals of making your favorite desserts. Sign up for a gingerbread cookie class on Nov. 13 to learn how to roll, bake and decorate gingerbread cookies. For the more adventurous chefs, there is a class on Buche de Noel, a traditional French Christmas dessert, offered Dec. 3 and 4. Check out their website at sarahspatisserie.com for prices and times.
From your cheap daters, happy holidays!