It’s bad enough that the holidays are now all run together, Christmas layaway ads started in early October and by the time the Halloween candy was on the shelves in stores so where turkey shaped candles, cornucopias and Christmas wreaths.
But more than that, the final three months of the year are now a constant binge fest of eating and drinking.
At least now all the Halloween party pics on Facebook should stop. Back in the day it was only La Griglia that threw a big restaurant bash for All Hollow’s Eve, but this year it seems every other restaurant was luring in costumed clients for a night of food and cocktails. Triniti, Americas and Hugo’s joined the fray among others.
And as you recover from eating and drinking far too much (while dressed in a really skimpy and unforgiving Miley Cyrus getup) you still have to deal with leftover candy. Butterfinger cake recipe anyone?
Up next: A real turkey
But before you get into cozy sweatpants and start promising to hit the gym more often, it’s already time to start tasting Thanksgiving recipes. If you are cooking for family and friends you’ve probably already got a lot of traditional recipes but as new ones pop up you’ll want to test drive them before the big day. And for those of us in the business there are always restaurant and grocery store tastings of turkey and stuffing and wine offerings.
And speaking of wine, even before Thanksgiving you’re hit with the Beaujolais Nouveau madness from restaurants, bars and Francophiles.
And then comes the big day. I have only ever once in my life cooked a traditional Thanksgiving Day feast. I grew up as a child eating the meal in military messes, and later dining at my mother’s table and then eating out a lot. Lately I’ve taken to buying precooked items from fancy grocers but this year I’m leaning towards going out again. No fuss, no muss, no dishes.
And there are plenty of restaurants to choose from; from hotel dining rooms to fine dining places, steakhouses and everything in between. I’m leaning towards Sorrell Urban Bistro, which is offering a brunch with shaved turkey breast Benedict with poached egg and sumac hollandaise or that old standby Red Lion Pub, open 364 days a year and always into the holidays with traditional American and British fare.
Although I know I’ll have to have some pumpkin pie and stuffing with gravy in the house for the day after. Nothing better than cold pumpkin pie and coffee for breakfast on November 29.
Invites keep coming
By now you’re thinking you can’t eat another bite.
But wait! Already the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Festivus invites are rolling in. And don’t forget that Dec. 5 is Repeal Day, the day to celebrate the repeal of the 18th Amendment so drink up!
December also boasts National Cotton Candy Day, National Brownie Day, National Pastry Day, National Chocolate Day and National Pumpkin Pie Day (which may be a month late).
It’s all just too much, a three-month long blur of food, drink and expanding elastic waistbands.
And then it’s New Year’s Eve.
If you can squeeze into that ballgown/tuxedo you’ll be out the door for yet another night of decadent dining and gallons of champagne.
No wonder so many New Year’s resolutions are about losing weight. After three months of feasting and drinking almost nonstop we finally decide we need to cut back and dry out.
Oh, but wait. January 5 is National Whipped Cream Day and January 27 is National Chocolate Cake Day and … and before you know it it’s Easter and you’ll be nibbling on chocolate bunny ears while you’re waiting for the ham to brown.
By the time the Halloween candy was on the shelves in stores, so were turkey-shaped candles, cornucopias and Christmas wreaths.
