Thrillist New York
Emailed in a LIST on: Friday April 21, 2006The List
Gorging: Xing Brunch
Saturday and Sunday, this pan-Asian joint's giving away free brunch to the first 50 customers through the door. Options range from duck egg omelets to Dim Sum. If you can't stomach tasty mystery dumplings sober, mention Thrillist for a gratis mimosa. If you can't stomach mimosas, you don't deserve free brunch.
Drinking: PJ Clarke's on the Hudson
It took PJ Clarke's over 120 years to open a 2nd location downtown, but only a few subsequent months to unveil a breezy, 275-seat riverside patio overlooking the Statue of Liberty. Along with too many beers, you can take down oysters, crab cakes, or a legendary PJ burger -- perfect if your huddled masses are yearning to be fat.
The Rest: Father of the Home Video Game
On Saturday, Rockstar Games will honor 83-year old visionary Ralph Baer, without whom "Pong" wouldn't exist, much less Grand Theft Auto. After Baer speaks, top designers will discuss gaming's future, followed by a reception -- at which a tipsy Baer will announce that before Vice City and its winsome hookers, he "hadn't gotten so hot since Sega's Jennifer Capriati Tennis".
Drinking: Michael Chiarello Wine Tasting
Wines from this TV chef's family vineyard are all limited releases and sell out fast, so this might be your best shot at over-sampling them. Plus the event's free, so there's no excuse not to drink of Chiarello's juices.
Steakhouse Update: AJ Maxwell's
Hot steakhouse gossip: we hear the owner of this just-opened Midtown carnivore Mecca is the brother of the founder of Bobby Van's -- the very same spot AJ's seduced their chef and bar manager away from. That's one prime cut of Sibling Rivalry! Our prediction: when this meat war boils over, the creamed spinach will hit the fan.
