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It’s that time of year again—no, not Christmas, but Santacon. This is when hundreds upon hundreds of people dressed like elves, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, and the big man himself take over Manhattan in a drunken display of holiday cheer.

Normally, if a bar called itself The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, as barman Sean Muldoon has, it wouldn’t be very appetizing. But, since Muldoon is paying homage to the notorious New York gang that used make their way through lower Manhattan in the 1860s, the name actually is quite appealing.

Last week Jason Marcus and Heather Heuser’s second restaurant Xixa opened up in Williamsburg, just a few doors down from their also ironically named joint Traif, which mean “non-kosher.” The paradox of Traif comes from the restaurants proximity to the large Hasidic area of Brooklyn, and while there they make sure to fill its menu with pork-tastic nibbles, at Xixa, which is a play on the word “shiksa,” meaning “non-Jewish girlfriend” in Yiddish, they turn out eclectic Mexican-style fare.

Located right in front of the High Line in the old John Dory space, Chelsea residents can now rejoice over the opening of Willow Road, a brand new “gastrobar” that offers craft cocktails and, as is the food fashion of the day, rustic, seasonal small plates.

Ever since I was a wee girl in Denver, my grandmother always took me to see some version of the Nutcracker, whether it was a classic ballet or a modern take done in black and white. Either way, I loved it, and even as a full-fledged adult I seek out productions. This year, I found three adaptations of George Balanchine’s ballet that give it a fun twist.

Not that Speed Rack founders Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix timed their charity and booze event to ease your guilt for not going out to Staten Island or Queens to volunteer, but it sure works out well. For the second year, these cocktail mavens have whipped together the best women in the drink making business to compete for the title of Miss Speed Rack NYC and subsequently, raise money for breast cancer research.

In April 2012, Texas native Daniel Delaney started Brisketlab, a pop-up shop featuring, what else, smoked brisket. In 48 hours, he sold 2,500 pounds of meat and earned a name for himself and his product. Now, Delaney dishes up brisket at his first brick and mortar shop Delaney Barbecue, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There, you can buy tender, fatty brisket and smoky ribs by the pound, along with a tangy potato salad and coleslaw. Bring your own beer to chase the meat, and lots of friends to share it with.

Two years ago, when the 1930s-styled Cubana Social opened next to Public Assembly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, they had the right idea—bring late night eats to hungry concertgoers. Now, with a new chef, a fresh menu, and cold-weather-inspired cocktails, it’s the perfect time to get acquainted with the winter side of Cuban cuisine.

Latkes are to Hanukkah, as pumpkin pie is to Thanksgiving—you have to have it. Nowadays chefs and home cooks have spruced up the classic potato pancake, and you can find versions of them with horseradish, caviar, and jalapenos. And for the ultimate latke showdown, head to the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Monday, December 10 for the Fourth Annual Latke Festival at 6:30pm.

The communist red booths of the iconic Russian Tea Room mostly remained empty late last week at 10am, save for a gaggle of middle-aged women celebrating a birthday with too many mimosas.