We first took one of Myra Alperson’s food tours nearly a decade ago–we spent a day snacking around Astoria, in Queens–and were instantly impressed by her knowledge of city eats and streets. Alperson puts out a great printed newsletter of her finds called NoshNews (which would make a great last-minute gift) and also gives guided walk-about tours called Noshwalks of the city’s most interesting food neighborhoods.
The last one of 2011, tomorrow night, is holiday-centric and one we highly recommend. It’s a tour of the Christmas lights of Dyker Heights, the outer Brooklyn neighborhood where a few streets go all out for the season, the houses literally covered from top to bottom with lights, 20-foot-tall nutcrackers, enormous reindeer and plenty of Santas. The area is also home to plenty of great Italian-American bakeries, groceries and restaurants, and Alperson’s tour includes stops at a few before and after you tour the lights.
It’s a schlep and then some to get out to the area from Manhattan, but trust us, the food, the company and the amazing amazing lights will be well worth it. Here’s where to buy tickets, and below is more information from Alperson on the tour and where to meet.
****
Special Dyker Heights Evening Holiday Tour: Friday, December 23 • 6:30 PM
Combine a visit to the unique holiday decorations in Dyker Heights with gourmet treats before and after the lights!
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: Meet at Caffe Mona Lisa, 1476 86th Street.
Directions: Take D train to 18th Ave. (near 86th St.) & either walk west on 86th Street to the café (10-15 minutes) as the numbers of street addresses descend, or take the B1 bus on 86th Street marked Bay Ridge. If you prefer just to walk, you can also get out at the 79th Street stop at 17th Avenue and walk to the cafe by following 79th Street to 15th Avenue and then turn left to walk 7 short blocks to the café (which is on the other side of 86th Street – it’s very big so you can’t miss it!)
