A very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours today and every day. I know some of us are feeling somewhat unsettled this year as we move into the holidays but I invite you to make an active choice and choose joy. Yes, this is a lot more difficult to do than acquiesce into the negative thoughts running in your head, but work that self-talk muscle every day and it will pay off.
I am joyous for all of you. Thank you.
As we do, this past weekend my oldest and dearest friends (a.k.a. The Fab 5) and I gathered with spouses and partners in tow for our annual Thanksgiving fête. Normally, this would be at either Carmine’s or a Chinese restaurant with copious dumplings. It is always fun but also crowded and uncomfortable at times, with missed interactions with people at the other end of the table, and … we have to wear shoes! It was time for a change.
Carmine’s Chicken Scarpariello Credit: (Kysha Harris photos) 
Carmine’s Salad Credit: (Kysha Harris photos) 
The plate: Carmine’s and Lou Malnati’s pizza Credit: (Kysha Harris photos) 
Desserts (clockwise) Kate’s pumpkin loaf, Salt & Straw ice creams, Make My Cake sweet potato pie, Ofner panettone Credit: (Kysha Harris photos)
KATE: What does everyone think about doing a potluck instead of a restaurant? I can host, or if someone else wants to, that works too.
JESSICA: I love the idea of a potluck!!!
RAQUEL: Works for us too! We can also host as well (at the house).
ME: What about an Italian Chinese fusion cocktail party?
Then the menu planning began …
RAQUEL: I was thinking we would actually order Carmines Chicken Scarp as a nod to tradition. Thoughts?
The resounding answer was yes to our favorite Carmine’s dish, chicken scarpariello, plus Carmine’s salad.
JESSICA: I can bring a dumpling assortment. I have discovered a place in Chinatown that is absurdly cheap and absolutely delicious.
NNENNA: We’re going to bring fried chicken!
And the only fried chicken to bring is Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, plus they brought a sweet potato pie from Make My Cake! Harlem, stand up!
This gathering was the perfect opportunity to share the food swag I get to sample — the Chicago OG, Lou Malnati X Mike’s Hot Honey collab, those crazy Thanksgiving ice creams I shared last week from Salt & Straw, a perfect chocolate drop panettone from Ofner, and a delicious Vermont Creamery goat cheese called coupole for the charcuterie board.
Baby, we had a time and a half, laughing, eating, laughing, catching up, laughing, eating, and nary a shoe was on a foot. Thank you Alex and Raquel for hosting and big ups to Jonathon, Doug, and Keith (on FaceTime).
This is the new tradition. It is never too late to make some of your own. CIN CIN!
Happy eating and thanks for reading!
Kysha Harris is a chef, food writer and editor, culinary producer, consultant and owner of
SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for over 22 years. Follow her on Instagram,
@SCHOPnyc and on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc.
Questions, comments, requests, feedback, invitations! Email us at AmNewsFOOD@SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @NYAmNewsFOOD.