THANKSGIVING “I welcome the new identity of an almostMid Westerner, if just for a few brisk days, but I’ve learned that I’m not allowed to leave my New Yorkness far behind. Actually, I have to bring some of it with me.” shut the door when it was stuffed inside, and all ten of us crowded around a tiny table to gobble up dinner. It was fun, but as I finished washing the last dish, I thought: never again. At least not until I have more than one room with which to entertain guests. Every other year, me and my family head up to western New York. Buffalo’s suburbs offer a quintessentially holiday feel that I’ve grown to crave as the wind gets chillier and the leaves crisper. A dusting of snow has usually already fallen on the grass up there by late November and the football fans can be heard from next door as the Bills hopefully deliver a hometown win. We cook all day and don’t have the option to pop out for more beer, even if we wanted to, because the stores are closed – it’s a family day. I welcome the new identity of an almost-Mid Westerner, if just for a few brisk days, but I’ve learned that I’m not allowed to leave my New York-ness far behind. Actually, I have to bring some of it with me. And that’s because my Buffalo family includes a handful of New York transplants and if I arrive with no bagels in tow, I might as well kiss my seat at the adult table goodbye. So, I’ve kept a mental list of some of the sweet spots to hit. If you, too, are headed out of town to see relatives this Thanksgiving, consider bringing one of these travel-friendly Hell’s Kitchen favorites along with you. Your bagel-deprived cousins in Cincinnati will owe you one.
“If I arrive with no bagels in tow, I might as well kiss my seat at the adult table goodbye.”
CANNOLI
I know, I know. The reality show thing is a bit of a turn off, but holy cow, the cannoli at Carlo’s Bakery really are out of this world. It lures in tourists, certainly, so arrive with lots of patience. But it’s worth the wait if you can buy and eat your cannoli with loved ones all in the same day. For maximum cannoli deliciousness (read: crispy, not soggy shells), ask for the cream on the side and fill them yourself later. Keep the cream refrigerated if possible, but it should be alright for a couple of hours at room temperature if you aren’t traveling too far!
BAGELS
Honestly, I fear I would be turned away if I arrived at my sister’s house without two dozen bagels for her to stuff into
Above (clockwise from top): The long road home; Cannoli from Carlo’s; the family celebration table.
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