PHOTO CREDIT | Caviar Guacamole @ Casa Bond
HOLIDAY 2023 | WHERE TO EAT ON CHRISTMAS + NYE
We don’t know how we’re already in the holiday season, but here we are as we all begin to think about the Ball Drop, wherever you’ll be celebrating this year! These last few weeks are filled with a lot of activity and our gift to you is highlighting some great options that you can enjoy. Make sure that you check back as we will continue to add restaurants of note here in NYC as well as outside of it that are perfect for your Christmas Day, New Years Eve and even New Years Day plans! If you want to know more, make sure that you visit each restaurant either online or via their IG to see about their availability.
PHOTO CREDIT | Hortus NYC
HORTUS
For those who may be looking to dine in the NoMad where there’s so much do to this holiday season, as well as for those who enjoy Asian cuisine, Hortus NYC is the ideal dining destination for Christmas and New Year’s Eve plans. We covered Athleisure Mag back in our OCT ISSUE #94.
Diners can choose menu options a la carte or from Hortus NYC’s Christmas and New Year's Eve prix-fixe menu, served for both lunch and dinner.
The celebratory prix-fixe menu highlights the HORTUS Royal Platter, consisting of chilled lobster tail, tuna tataki, and shrimp cocktail, as well as the Truffle Ribeye-Cap with black bean puree, portobello mushroom, and pickled red cabbage.
Diners also have the option to choose one appetizer, including fan-favorite King Crab Noodle, fettuccine with mala cream sauce, shallot, and scallion, along with one entrée, like Truffle Donabe with wild mushrooms, cured egg yolk, and black truffle or the Korean BBQ Feast featuring prime center ribeye, smoked duck, broiled lobster tail with house-made ssamjang and special sides.
A special Christmas and New Year’s Eve dessert will be served, with the option to have an accompanied wine pairing.
The prix-fixe menu will be served on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, as well as New Year’s Eve. Hortus NYC will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., and dinner from 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Hortus NYC
271 5th Ave Store
New York, NY 10016
IG @hortusnyc
PHOTO CREDIT | Sagaponack
SAGAPONACK
For seafood lovers, Sagaponack, situated in the fashionable Flatiron District is a standout dining destination this New Year’s Eve. We had the pleasure of interviewing them in our feature, The Art of the Snack in our OCT ISSUE #94.
Sagaponack will serve a prix-fixe 4-course curated tasting menu by Executive Chef Phil Choy, coined the Salt Bake Special.
The first of 4 courses will be a Fluke Tartare topped with coconut, Marcona almonds, and tobiko, drizzled tableside with a sauce crafted from cucumber, cilantro oil, chili oil, and lime, followed by a Coconut Squash Soup with ginger coconut cream, pumpkin seeds, and aleppo pepper, a gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan option.
The main course will be a Salt Baked Black Bass, wrapped in banana leaf and marinated in lemongrass, Thai chili, shallot, garlic, ginger, and lime zest. Accompanying the bass will be a Thai Red Coconut Curry, made from baby bokchoy, roasted cauliflower, and fingerling potatoes, as well as Crab Fried Rice with lump crab, ginger garlic shallot confit, chili jam, and crispy garlic.
Dessert, to start the New Year’s off sweet, a Thai Milk Cake with cinnamon, pecan, and mango.
The curated New Year’s Eve menu will be served from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
SAGAPONACK
4 W 22nd St
New York, NY 10010
IG @sagavibes
PHOTO CREDIT | Dressed East Coast Oysters at Blu on the Hudson
BLU ON THE HUDSON
For those who may not be familiar with NY, many times, it’s fun to head out to New Jersey where you have epic views of the Manhattan skyline while having an upscale meal at a high-end restaurant! Within 5 minutes, you can take the ferry and have an amazing evening. Blu on the Hudson is a chicly designed, 30,000-square-foot, modern American restaurant with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline in Weehawken, New Jersey and a picturesque six-minute NY Waterway ferry ride from Manhattan. The restaurant offers a bold seafood-centric menu accented by a top-flight steak program, homemade pasta, a one-of-a-kind cocktail program, and a soon-to-come rooftop event space.
Christmas Eve
A La Carte Dinner Menu All-Day
Some brunch items will be offered between 1-3 p.m.
Feast of the Seven Fishes: Four Course Dinner for Two: $150 per person (Pre-Reserved Only)
Availed starting at 4:45 p.m.
Hours of operation: 1-9:45 p.m.
New Year’s EvE
Highlights include food stations, a live DJ, sparklers, stand-out Instagrammable cocktails, good vibes, and a champagne toast with screening as the ball drops at midnight.
Tickets will be offered in two tiers, which are as follows:
Tables
$500/ticket
Includes: three-course dinner, open bar, food stations and more
Available for 2-8 people
Entry Time: 8 p.m.
GA
$300/ticket
Includes: open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres
Does not guarantee seating; high-tops will be available on first come first serve basis
Entry Time: 9:30 p.m.
GA tickets are sold via Eventbrite and OpenTable, Table tickets are sold via OpenTable.
BLU ON THE HUDSON
1200 Harbor Blvd
Weehawken, NJ 07086
PHOTO CREDIT | Pernil Pork Shank at Son Cubano
SON CUBANO
Son Cubano, a modern Cuban cuisine in West New York, New Jersey is adjacent to the BLU ON THE HUDSON. It has the most breathtaking, unobstructed, pristine views of the Manhattan skyline that spans from the Upper West Side to the Liberty Tower. The restaurant emits a vibrant ambiance with authentic Cuban dishes and a fusion of Latin flavors with dazzling cocktails and live entertainment.
Christmas Eve
A La Carte Dinner Menu All-Day
Hours of Operation: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Christmas Day
Brunch: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 12-3 p.m.
Dinner: A La Carte Menu
4-8:45 p.m.
New Year’s Eve
Early Dinner: A La Carte Menu
4-6 p.m.
Late Dinner and Party: 3-course Prix Fixe Menu
Highlights include a live DJ, entertainment, specialty cocktails and VIP Bottle Service.
9 p.m.-closing
No Dining Limit
$150 Havana Room
$200 Vista
$250 Vista VIP
NYE Party Tickets (Bar Only)
10:30 p.m.
Tickets $75, Early Bird $50
New Year’s Day
Brunch: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 12-3 p.m. Dinner: A La Carte Menu
Dinner A La Carte Menu
4-8:45 p.m.
SON CUBANO
40-4 Riverwalk Pl
West New York, NJ 07093
IG @soncubanonj
VENTANAS
VENTANAS is a Modern American, Latin, and Asian fusion restaurant and lounge in Fort Lee, New Jersey, minutes away from the George Washington Bridge. The restaurant offers a prolific menu of land and sea options, as well as an award-winning wine list and cocktail program, accompanied by live entertainment and a bustling nightlife scene.
Christmas Eve
Dinner: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Christmas Day
Brunch: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
New Year’s Eve
Brunch: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4-course Prix-Fixe Menu
Served: 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Early Seating: 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
$95 Prix-Fixe Menu
Second Seating: 9 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
Second Seating: 9pm - 10:15pm
$195 Prix-Fixe Menu, including a champagne toast and entry to the masquerade ball
Final Seating: 10:30 p.m. – Close
$225 Prix-Fixe Menu, including a champagne toast and bottle service, as well as entry to the masquerade ball
Masquerade Ball
Hours of Operation: 10 p.m. – Late
Highlights include a Live DJ, Party Entertainment, VIP Bottle Service, and Live Performances
NYE Party Tickets (Masquerade Ball only)
$50 Early Bird until 12/10
$75 from 12/10 – 12/31
New Year’s Day
Dinner: A La Carte Menu
Hours of Operation: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
VENTANAS
200 Park Ave
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
PHOTO COURTESY | Halifax Hoboken @ W Hotels Hoboken
Halifax Hoboken @ W Hotels Hoboken
We covered Halifax Hoboken at the W Hotel in Hoboken earlier this year in our feature Athleisure List in the AUG ISSUE #92. Yet another eatery that had epic views of NYC while being located in Hoboken, NJ. Their New Year’s Eve will be a culinary feast - with a seven piece band for the late sitting! Halifax Hoboken’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and menus showcase an array of delectable dishes crafted by Chef Seadon Shouse and Pastry Chef Joshua Coleman for 2 seatings.
For those who want to make it a getaway, consider a stay at the W Hotel. The second seating is $254 all-inclusive (tax and tip) and features a 7-piece live band by GROOVE. You can reserve your spot here.
New Year’s Eve Details:
What: New Year’s Eve
Where: Halifax Hoboken
When: December 31st, 2023
Cost: first seating a la cart. Second seating $254 pp
Includes: 4 hours premium bar, raw bar, hors d’ouvres, charcuterie & cheese, carving station, caviar, seven-piece live band by GROOVE
Time:
First seating: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - A La Carte
Choice of starters: clam chowder, poached pear salad, fritto misto, maine mussells, lamb meatballs, black sea bass tartar. Main course: squash agnolotti, saffron rigatoni, pan seared salmon, NJ Sea Scallops, Smoked Amish Chicken, Prime New York Strip, or Bone in Beef Shortribs. Choice of dessert.
Event starts at 9:30 PM - 1:30 am - Prixe Fix $254 pp all inclusive (tax and tip)
Stations 9:30-11:30: Charcuterie & Cheese (housemade and artisinal), NJ Clams, Maine Mussels on the Half Shell, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Claws.
Passed Hors D'ouvres 9:30-11: Tuna tartar panu puri, Caviar potato chips, Foie Gras Terrine, Risotto Balls.
Stations 10-11:30:
Carving station: with in-house dry-aged striploin with demi glace, butter roasted maine lobster tails, salmon roulade with shellfish mousse & lobster cream, truffle mash potato, fresh dinner rolls, squash salad.
Pasta station: Seafood risotto with scallops, shrimp, crab, clams, tomato, fresh orechiette pasta bolognese.
Slider & Flatbread: Halifax beef slider, crispy chicken slider, truffle mushroom fontina flatbread, squash and duck confit flatbread.
Dessert 10-12 am: Assorted mini desserts.
HALIFAX HOBOKEN @ W HOTEL HOboken
225 River St
Hoboken, NJ 07030
PHOTO CREDIT | Cochinita Pibil at Casa Bond
CASA BOND
This Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, lovers of Mexican cuisine can enjoy refined Mexican fare at Casa Bond, a new, hot dining destination on the Bowery.
On Christmas Eve, Casa Bond will be open from 5 pm to 10 pm.
On New Year’s Eve, Casa Bond will have a DJ, party favors, and a Champagne toast at midnight. Casa Bond will offer their regular a-la-carte menu from 5 pm to 8 pm, then transition to two formal seatings for the prix fixe menu, offering seatings at 8 pm and 10 pm. The party will continue into the night after the midnight toast, and Casa Bond will close at 2 am.
CASA BOND
334 Bowery
New York, NY 10012
PHOTO CREDIT |Beets at Restaurant Yuu
RESTAURANT YUU
Restaurant Yuu, who was recently awarded one-Michelin Star, is the only new Brooklyn restaurant to receive a star. For Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve, Chef Yuu will showcase tasting menu, about 15 courses, which highlights a Wagyu Fillet Wellington with a layer of minced Wagyu with mushrooms, a layer of foie gras and a later of Wagyu filet, all wrapped in spinach and baked in a pie crust, served with Sauce Périgueux, a sauce made with red and port wine. We shared more about them in our feature Athleisure List in the JUN ISSUE #90.
Optional wine and tea pairings to the tasting menu are also available.
Executive Chef/Owner Yuu Shimano is a creative powerhouse and consistently showcases seasonal produce and proteins at the height of their seasonality, presented artistically with inventive French and Japanese flavor combinations through the lens of his vast fine dining experience.
In addition to its regular offerings, courses from the tasting menu include, but are not limited to are:
Consomme
King crab with celeriac and citrus
Uni
Langoustine
Abalone
Filets de Poisson en Écailles Croustillantes (Fish Filets with Potato Skin) using amadai fish
Abalone risotto
Strawberry dessert
Seating times are at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. with 18 guests each. Reservations are available on Tock.
Restaurant Yuu is also offering stollen (“Christmas specialties like fruitcake and panettone”) which is available until Christmas Day.
RESTAURANT YUU
55 Nassau Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222
PHOTO CREDIT | Silver Cod Steaks at Chef Guo
CHEF GUO
Offering a regal dining experience this holiday, Chef Guo, takes diners on a cultural culinary journey. Chef Guo inflects his expertise on traditional Chinese dishes modernizing them and creating a healthier, more nutritious version, using organic and daily sourced ingredients.
Situated discreetly in the Randolph House luxury residences, diners are greeted by a server dressed in a traditional red robe and are transported to an intimate dining room that resembles an imperial courtyard.
The dining room accommodates just 10 for each seating, and the servers take their time to carefully explain each dish, its ingredients, and the story behind its invention, creating the atmosphere of a private dinner party.
The menu offers an exceptional 19-course Imperial Chinese Tasting Menu that features innovative dishes crafted for each seating.
Chef Guo has reservations for its 19-course Imperial Chinese Tasting Menu available, with exclusive seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Years Day.
You can book your reservations here and see their full menu here.
CHEF GUO
135 E 50th St
New York, NY 10022
PHOTO CREDIT | Kintsugi
KINTSUGI OMAKASE
Kintsugi Omakase, an understated, fashionable sushi atelier that is tucked away in Soho, will be offering a one-of-a-kind Normandin-Mercier Christmas Cognac, which dates back to 1876, for the holidays. Edouard Normandin reserves one barrel for this special Christmas Cognac and produces 250 bottles each year. For more information on this very exclusive cognac, please visit the website here. The cognac will be served at $28 per glass.
For Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, Kintsugi Omakase, small jewel box sushi counter, will be serving two tiers of omakase:
Kintsugi Experience: 20-courses for $195
Soho Experience: 17-courses for $155
The tasting also includes a sushi chef’s choice of handroll, gourmet miso soup, tamago and a seasonal dessert. Executive Chef Victor Chen (formerly of New York Sushi Ko) creates imaginative starters with exciting flavor combinations and uses locally sourced fish, enabling for a broader selection.
Another holiday special being offered is a Winter Beverage pairing for $85 per person that features a five-glass paring of new sake and wine, which will rotate weekly.
Seating times are at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
KINTSUGI OMAKASE
28 Grand St
New York, NY 10013
IG @kintsuginyc
PHOTO CREDIT | Tsubame
TSUBAME
Tsubame, the Tribeca-based Kaiseki-inspired omakase from Michelin-recognized Executive Chef Jay Zheng, will be open to ring in the New Year.
Far from your typical omakase experience, Chef Zheng creates masterfully plated Japanese dishes derived from ultra-seasonal ingredients and fish sourced from Japan. Central to Chef Zheng's preparation is the rich culinary concept of Shun, the use of ingredients at their peak seasonal freshness, allowing each dish to be both the best-tasting and most visually appealing.
In a succession of 8 courses, Sakizuke – the amuse bouche – launches the meal. Chef Zheng’s Shiroebi Uni Shokupan is a big opener, housemade milk bread layered raw baby shrimp from Toyama and vivid uni from Hokkaido, garnished with shiso flowers. Luxuriously creative, it sets a tone for the meal that follows.
Another highlight of the Chef’s curated menu is the Futamono (lidded dish) an A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Shabu Shabu with udon made of pressed sawara (Spanish mackerel), in awase dashi, a tribute to the Chef’s family fish noodle. It is accompanied by a jidori egg in sweet shoyu (soy sauce) for dipping.
Tsubame is open on New Year’s Eve with two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
TSUBAME
11 Park Pl
New York, NY 10007
IG @tsubameny
PHOTO CREDIT | Bohemien Bar
BOHEMIEN BAR
As the festive month of December is in full swing, Bohemien Bar, the chic cocktail bar in Brooklyn Heights, is employing a “12 Days of Christmas” themed happy hour from 5-7 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays throughout the entire month of December. The happy hour will feature their Holiday Cocktails, as well as their Cheese and Vegetable offerings especially priced at $12, to commemorate the popular “12 Days of Christmas” holiday song.
Bohemien Bar, outfitted with cheerful holiday décor for the season, has a lineup of winter-themed cocktails, including, but not limited to:
O Sanctissima intricately blends Tequila, spiced cider, vanilla, lemon juice, and dehydrated carrots, served in a cute snowman mug.
Dulce Besos, served in a fun gingerbread man mug, is a hot-chocolate-based drink with mezcal, Madeira, cayenne powder, and toasted marshmallow.
New Order presented in a festive Christmas tree, mixes gin, apple brandy, quince, ginger, lime, and juniper smoke.
The Cheese selection highlights the Baked Brie with herbs de Provence, while Beet Dip with Labneh and Walnuts and Crispy Zucchini with smoked paprika aioli showcase the Vegetable section.
Bohemien Bar’s “12 Days of Christmas Happy Hour” is a get-away for all weary shoppers and those seeking to relax after a day of taking out-of-town friends and family holiday sightseeing.
BOHEMIEN BAR
97 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11201
IG @bohemienbar
PHOTO CREDIT | Li-Lac Chocolates
LI-LAC CHOCOLATES
New York’s iconic Li-Lac Chocolates, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary and has been enjoyed by generations of locals, tourists and celebrities including Martha Stewart, Andy Cohen and Emma Stone among others. Manhattan’s oldest chocolate house, Li-Lac, has remained true to its tradition maintaining the same single-minded focus on product quality. Its confections are handmade daily in its Brooklyn Factory using many of the original techniques and equipment from 1923.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, Li-Lac Chocolates makes for the perfect gift idea. They have a broad selection of specialty molds and gifts, now offering more than 120 items making it one of the largest selections of gourmet chocolates in the world.
A few gift options, but are not limited to, include:
Christmas: Spectacular Christmas Basket: assortment of 12 gifts
Limited-Edition Vintage Recipe Gift Box: 1/2 lb. each of four original recipes created by our founder in 1923 (A special box created for its centennial celebration)
Chanukah: Treasure Chest Filled with Gelt: approx. 20 pieces of Gelt
New Years: Giant Champagne Bottle: 32’’ tall and weighs approx. 11 lbs
For those looking for an impressive business gift or a present for your special someone, Li-Lac allows you to create and customize your own chocolate mold here. To view a variety of gift boxes and baskets for any occasion, click here.
Store locations: Industry City/Brooklyn, Greenwich Village, Bleecker Street, Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards and Grand Central Market.
Ships: via FedEx in the United States and Canada.
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PHOTO CREDIT | Michael Simon/Delsym
HOLIDAYS, HEALTH, + HAPPINESS WITH LA LA ANTHONY
We always enjoy when we have the opportunity to catch up with STARZ’s BMF and Showtime’s The Chi star, La La Anthony! We love when we see her in a number of projects whether it’s in TV, film, as an entrepreneur and more! With the holiday season that’s known for a number of events as well as taking that time to think about how you are stepping into the New Year, we wanted to catch up with her to see about how she navigates this business season personally and professionally!
She partnered with Delsym because when a cough starts making its way around La La’s house, there are two things La La’s family needs to feel better together so they don’t miss out on any holiday festivities: Delsym, the #1 doctor recommended, 12-hour cough suppressant, and her favorite Puerto Rican Chicken Soup recipe, her go-to comfort meal when her family is feeling under the weather this cold and flu season.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s the holiday season. We can’t even believe that it’s the end of the year!
LA LA ANTHONY: Right? How did that happen?
AM: It’s like we blinked in April and here we are in Dec!
We’re enjoying tons of activities, but it’s also the time of year that we can get a bit under the weather. How do you navigate that during this time of year?
LLA: Well, that’s exactly why you know that I wanted to do this partnership with Delsym. It’s been a staple in my house so especially having a son for a very long time. So, you know when that cough is starting and we’re not feeling well, that is my go-to. So why not let the world know?
Delsym, you know is the #1 doctor recommended 12-hour cough suppressant. That along with this chicken soup that my mom taught me how to make when I was growing up, that’s the one thing that I learned in the kitchen, because I’m not that good in the kitchen. That combo right there, you’re good to go. So I definitely wanted to be part of Delsym’s, Bring Comfort Home Campaign. In this kit, you’ll also get all the ingredients to make my favorite chicken soup. It’s DelsymMealKit.com. You’re seeing it behind me right now and it’s just something that Kiyan, my son, and I have been rocking with for a very long time.
AM: When you’re under the weather, you have the things that you do. I have my favorite set of cashmere, my streamed shows, that oversized mug that I’m drinking out of. I love a good chicken soup recipe so what is it?
LLA: So, I grew up in a Hispanic household. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico, so it has Spanish, Latin, Puerto Rican flavor in there. So, it’s however my mom taught me, what seasoning to use, how to mix it up – it has that kind of flavor to it, which is why I love it so much and it’s easy. Because if you follow the steps, I feel that anyone can do it, because if I can do it, anyone can do it, because I don’t know how to cook at all, so it’s literally like, if I follow it and she tells me what it is start to finish, the result is going to be good! It definitely has Latin flavors like Sazon to it. So you know it’s going to be good!
AM: Definitely checking it out as the other night I enjoyed having Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup), which I thought was amazing and I had never had it before. So this, sounds like another winner to me even if I’m not sick because I do love Chicken Soup!
LLA: Oh no, that’s the same with me! It’s just my go-to for holiday seasons in general. I don’t know, there’s something about eating something that you had growing up that makes you feel nostalgic, like holiday, and home. So, it kind of for me, brings all of that out for me.
AM: There are a number of traditions that we enjoy as well as those that we make as we go along. What are some of your favorites during this holiday season?
LLA: So for me, I grew up and always had tons of people in my house. It was my whole family, that’s how it has always been. So I have continued that tradition so now in my home, Thanksgiving just passed, I had 30-35 family members – it might have been more now that I think about it. 35 family members in my house, which my house ain’t even big enough to fit 35 people! So we were all just cramped in there and we’ve always been like that. Just playing games, music, laughing, and fun. We just had a great time and the same thing with Christmas, it’s just continuing that family gathering and having everyone together and taking a break from their crazy lives, work, and everything that they have going on. So, it’s always been like that. It’s nice to be in a place where I can continue that same holiday tradition.
AM: Well, this season means that we do tons of different activities whether it’s with our colleagues at work, friends, and family. What’s the best way that we can keep it cute and fresh when we’re doing all of these different things?
LLA: Stay healthy! That’s how you keep it cute and fresh! The holidays are when people get sick, so stay healthy so that you can be outside and that you can enjoy these social events and gatherings. It’s fun being outside and doing the Christmas parties, the NYE parties, it’s fun. You get to be social, you get to meet people, and you don’t want to miss out on that stuff because you’re not feeling well. Stay on top of your health, stay on top of you’re A-game. Another reason why this partnership was important to me is because I want to be my best, and I want Kiyan to be his best so that he can be great at everything that he is doing.
AM: What are you thinking of in terms of gifting friends and family this year? What are things that we should also be thinking about for our holiday lists?
LLA: So candles to me are always great! Like, candles are easy, but they are so symbolic and they have so much meaning. You can get candles that are engraved, you can get candles that say a quote or a scripture on it, whatever your preference is. But, I think that that’s like a not too expensive gift that it’s intimate and it feels thoughtful. That’s always my go-to. Like, who doesn’t want a beautiful candle?
It’s not something that you’ll ever have enough of. You’re not going to be like, “oh, I’m at my candle limit!” There’s no such thing.
AM: Especially those that are in those big jars!
LLA: Oh yeah, I love! Those are really pretty.
AM: Well, you’re an amazing mom, a great actress, and you’re always putting your name and intention behind great things! It’s always great when I have the ability to be able to interview you and to see all the things that you continue to do. I know that with you, it’s always going to be excellence.
LLA: I really appreciate you saying that, thank you so much!
You can sign up to win a Delsym Comfort Meal Kit, featuring La La Anthony's Puerto Rican Chicken Soup recipe ingredients beginning today through Friday, January 5th by visiting DelsymMealKit.com. Winners will be selected and notified in early January. Terms and conditions apply. But we also want to give you the scoop on her recipe as well which you can read below!
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PHOTO CREDIT | CBS/Golden Globe Awards
AWARDS SEASON | GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Earlier today, the 81st Golden Globe Awards nominees were announced today. We will update this post again on Dec 13th to reflect the nominees for film categories. The event has yet to announce a host and will air on CBS as well as on Paramount+ on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Our predictions are in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics.
BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
“Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
“Maestro” (Netflix)
“Past Lives” (A24)
“The Zone of Interest” (A24)
“Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon)
BEST PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
“Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures)
“American Fiction” (MGM)
“The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
“May December” (Netflix)
“Air” (Amazon MGM Studios)
BEST DIRECTOR, MOTION PICTURE
Bradley Cooper — “Maestro”
Greta Gerwig — “Barbie”
Yorgos Lanthimos — “Poor Things”
Christopher Nolan — “Oppenheimer”
Martin Scorsese — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Celine Song — “Past Lives”
BEST SCREENPLAYc, MOTION PICTURE
“Barbie” — Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
“Poor Things” — Tony McNamara
“Oppenheimer” — Christopher Nolan
“Killers of the Flower Moon” — Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese
“Past Lives” — Celine Song
“Anatomy of a Fall” — Justine Triet, Arthur Harari
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
Bradley Cooper — “Maestro”
Cillian Murphy — “Oppenheimer”
Leonardo DiCaprio — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Colman Domingo — “Rustin”
Andrew Scott — “All of Us Strangers”
Barry Keoghan — “Saltburn”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACRETSS IN A MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
Lily Gladstone — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Carey Mulligan – “Maestro”
Sandra Hüller – “Anatomy of a Fall”
Annette Bening — “Nyad”
Greta Lee — “Past Lives”
Cailee Spaeny — “Priscilla”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Fantasia Barrino – “The Color Purple”
Jennifer Lawrence – “No Hard Feelings”
Natalie Portman – “May December”
Alma Pöysti – “Fallen Leaves”
Margot Robbie – “Barbie”
Emma Stone – “Poor Things”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Nicolas Cage — “Dream Scenario”
Timothée Chalamet — “Wonka”
Matt Damon — “Air”
Paul Giamatti — “The Holdovers”
Joaquin Phoenix — “Beau Is Afraid”
Jeffrey Wright — “American Fiction”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Willem Dafoe — “Poor Things”
Robert DeNiro — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Robert Downey Jr. — “Oppenheimer”
Ryan Gosling — “Barbie”
Charles Melton — “May December”
Mark Ruffalo — “Poor Things”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, MOTION PICTURE
Emily Blunt — “Oppenheimer”
Danielle Brooks — “The Color Purple”
Jodie Foster — “Nyad”
Julianne Moore — “May December”
Rosamund Pike — “Saltburn”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph — “The Holdovers”
BEST TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
“1923” (Paramount+)
“The Crown” (Netflix)
“The Diplomat” (Netflix)
“The Last of Us” (HBO)
“The Morning Show” (Apple TV+)
“Succession” (HBO)
BEST TELEVISION SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
“The Bear” (FX)
“Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)
“Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
“Jury Duty” (Amazon Freevee)
“Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
“Barry” (HBO)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Pedro Pascal — “The Last of Us”
Kieran Culkin — “Succession”
Jeremy Strong — “Succession”
Brian Cox — “Succession”
Gary Oldman — “Slow Horses”
Dominic West — “The Crown”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
Helen Mirren — “1923”
Bella Ramsey — “The Last of Us”
Keri Russell — “The Diplomat”
Sarah Snook — “Succession”
Imelda Staunton — “The Crown”
Emma Stone — “The Curse”
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear”
Natasha Lyonne — “Poker Face”
Quinta Brunson — “Abbott Elementary”
Rachel Brosnahan — “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Selena Gomez — “Only Murders in the Building”
Elle Fanning – “The Great”
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Bill Hader — “Barry”
Steve Martin — “Only Murders in the Building”
Martin Short — “Only Murders in the Building”
Jason Segel — “Shrinking”
Jason Sudeikis — “Ted Lasso”
Jeremy Allen White — “The Bear”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, TELEVISION
Billy Crudup — “The Morning Show”
Matthew Macfadyen — “Succession”
James Marsden — “Jury Duty”
Ebon Moss-Bachrach — “The Bear”
Alan Ruck — “Succession”
Alexander Skarsgård — “Succession”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, TELEVISION
Elizabeth Debicki — “The Crown”
Abby Elliott — “The Bear”
Christina Ricci — “Yellowjackets”
J. Smith-Cameron — “Succession”
Meryl Streep — “Only Murders in the Building”
Hannah Waddingham — “Ted Lasso”
BEST LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“Beef”
“Lessons in Chemistry”
“Daisy Jones & the Six”
“All the Light We Cannot See”
“Fellow Travelers”
“Fargo”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Matt Bomer — “Fellow Travelers”
Sam Claflin — “Daisy Jones & the Six”
Jon Hamm — “Fargo”
Woody Harrelson — “White House Plumbers”
David Oyelowo — “Lawmen: Bass Reeves”
Steven Yeun — “Beef”
Best PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Riley Keough — “Daisy Jones & the Six”
Brie Larson — “Lessons in Chemistry”
Elizabeth Olsen — “Love and Death”
Juno Temple — “Fargo”
Rachel Weisz — “Dead Ringers”
Ali Wong — “Beef”
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE, MOTION PICTURE
Ludwig Göransson — “Oppenheimer”
Jerskin Fendrix — “Poor Things”
Robbie Robertson — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Mica Levi — “The Zone of Interest”
Daniel Pemberton — “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Joe Hisaishi — “The Boy and the Heron”
BEST PICTURE, NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE
“Anatomy of a Fall” (Neon) — France
“Fallen Leaves” (Mubi) — Finland
“Io Capitano” (01 Distribution) — Italy
“Past Lives” (A24) — United States
“Society of the Snow” (Netflix) — Spain
“The Zone of Interest” (A24) — United Kingdom
BEST ORIGINAL SONG, MOTION PICTURE
“Barbie” — “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas
“Barbie” — “Dance the Night” by Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
“She Came to Me” — “Addicted to Romance” by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” — “Peaches” by Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond, and John Spiker
“Barbie” — “I’m Just Ken” by Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt
“Rustin” — “Road to Freedom” by Lenny Kravitz
BEST MOTION PICTURE, ANIMATED
“The Boy and the Heron” (GKids)
“Elemental” (Disney)
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures)
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (Universal Pictures)
“Suzume” (Toho Co.)
“Wish” (Disney)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN STAND-UP COMEDY OR TELEVISION
Ricky Gervais — “Ricky Gervais: Armageddon”
Trevor Noah — “Trevor Noah: Where Was I”
Chris Rock — “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage”
Amy Schumer — “Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact”
Sarah Silverman — “Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love”
Wanda Sykes — “Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer”
CINEMATIC AND BOX OFFICE ACHIEVEMENT
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Disney)
“John Wick: Chapter 4” (Lionsgate Films)
“Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” (Paramount Pictures)
“Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures)
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (Universal Pictures)
“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” (AMC Theatres)
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9PLAYLIST | DUFF GOLDMAN
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9PLAYLIST | TOBY GAD
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THE 9LIST
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THE PICK ME UP
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ATHLEISURE BEAUTY
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AWARDS SEASON | CRITIC CHOICE AWARDS AWARDS NOMINEES
Earlier today, The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the TV category nominees for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards. This event will be hosted by Chelsea Handler who will be at the live broadcast on The CW on Sunday, January 14, 2024 (7:00 – 10:00 pm ET – delayed PT, check local listings).
On 12.13.23, this post has been updated to include the nominations that were announced on this date for the film category nominees.
Our predictions are in bold, the ones we correctly identified as winners are in bold italics and winners that we didn’t predict are in italics.
TELEVISION NOMINATIONS FOR THE 29TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Crown (Netflix)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
The Last of Us (HBO | Max)
Loki (Disney+)
The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)
Succession (HBO | Max)
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO | Max)
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kieran Culkin – Succession (HBO | Max)
Tom Hiddleston – Loki (Disney+)
Timothy Olyphant – Justified: City Primeval (FX)
Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us (HBO | Max)
Ramón Rodríguez – Will Trent (ABC)
Jeremy Strong – Succession (HBO | Max)
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Aunjanue Ellis – Justified: City Primeval (FX)
Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us (HBO | Max)
Keri Russell – The Diplomat (Netflix)
Sarah Snook – Succession (HBO | Max)
Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Khalid Abdalla – The Crown (Netflix)
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Ron Cephas Jones – Truth Be Told (Apple TV+)
Matthew MacFadyen – Succession (HBO | Max)
Ke Huy Quan – Loki (Disney+)
Rufus Sewell – The Diplomat (Netflix)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown (Netflix)
Sophia Di Martino – Loki (Disney+)
Celia Rose Gooding – Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)
Karen Pittman – The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Christina Ricci – Yellowjackets (Showtime)
BEST COMEDY SERIES
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Barry (HBO | Max)
The Bear (FX)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Poker Face (Peacock)
Reservation Dogs (FX)
Shrinking (Apple TV+)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Bill Hader – Barry (HBO | Max)
Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Kayvan Novak – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Drew Tarver – The Other Two (HBO | Max)
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear (FX)
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs (FX)
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear (FX)
Bridget Everett – Somebody Somewhere (HBO | Max)
Devery Jacobs – Reservation Dogs (FX)
Natasha Lyonne – Poker Face (Peacock)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Phil Dunster – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Harrison Ford – Shrinking (Apple TV+)
Harvey Guillén – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
James Marsden – Jury Duty (Amazon Freevee)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach – The Bear (FX)
Henry Winkler – Barry (HBO | Max)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Paulina Alexis – Reservation Dogs (FX)
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Meryl Streep – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Jessica Williams – Shrinking (Apple TV+)
BEST LIMITED SERIES
Beef (Netflix)
Daisy Jones & the Six (Prime Video)
Fargo (FX)
Fellow Travelers (Showtime)
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)
Love & Death (HBO | Max)
A Murder at the End of the World (FX)
A Small Light (National Geographic)
BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Showtime)
Finestkind (Paramount+)
Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie (Peacock)
No One Will Save You (Hulu)
Quiz Lady (Hulu)
Reality (HBO | Max)
BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Matt Bomer – Fellow Travelers (Showtime)
Tom Holland – The Crowded Room (Apple TV+)
David Oyelowo – Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Paramount+)
Tony Shalhoub – Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie (Peacock)
Kiefer Sutherland – The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Showtime)
Steven Yeun – Beef (Netflix)
BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Kaitlyn Dever – No One Will Save You (Hulu)
Brie Larson – Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)
Bel Powley – A Small Light (National Geographic)
Sydney Sweeney – Reality (HBO | Max)
Juno Temple – Fargo (FX)
Ali Wong – Beef (Netflix)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jonathan Bailey – Fellow Travelers (Showtime)
Taylor Kitsch – Painkiller (Netflix)
Jesse Plemons – Love & Death (HBO | Max)
Lewis Pullman – Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)
Liev Schreiber – A Small Light (National Geographic)
Justin Theroux – White House Plumbers (HBO | Max)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Maria Bello – Beef (Netflix)
Billie Boullet – A Small Light (National Geographic)
Willa Fitzgerald – The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
Aja Naomi King – Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)
Mary McDonnell – The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
Camila Morrone – Daisy Jones & the Six (Prime Video)
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERIES
Bargain (Paramount+)
The Glory (Netflix)
The Good Mothers (Hulu)
The Interpreter of Silence (Hulu)
Lupin (Netflix)
Mask Girl (Netflix)
Moving (Hulu)
BEST ANIMATED SERIES
Bluey (Disney+)
Bob’s Burgers (Fox)
Harley Quinn (HBO | Max)
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)
Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+)
Young Love (HBO | Max)
BEST TALK SHOW
The Graham Norton Show (BBC America)
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBC)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO | Max)
Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
BEST COMEDY SPECIAL
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool (Netflix)
Alex Borstein: Corsets & Clown Suits (Prime Video)
John Early: Now More Than Ever (HBO | Max)
John Mulaney: Baby J (Netflix)
Trevor Noah: Where Was I (Netflix)
Wanda Sykes – I’m an Entertainer (Netflix)
FILM NOMINATIONS FOR THE 29TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
BEST PICTURE
“American Fiction” (MGM)
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
“The Color Purple” (Warner Bros.)
“The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
“Maestro” (Netflix)
“Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures)
“Past Lives” (A24)
“Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures)
“Saltburn” (Amazon MGM Studios)
BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper — “Maestro”
Leonardo DiCaprio — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Colman Domingo — “Rustin”
Paul Giamatti — “The Holdovers”
Cillian Murphy — “Oppenheimer”
Jeffrey Wright — “American Fiction”
BEST ACTRESS
Lily Gladstone — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Sandra Hüller — “Anatomy of a Fall”
Greta Lee — “Past Lives”
Carey Mulligan — “Maestro”
Margot Robbie — “Barbie”
Emma Stone — “Poor Things”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Sterling K. Brown — “American Fiction”
Robert DeNiro — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Robert Downey Jr. — “Oppenheimer”
Ryan Gosling — “Barbie”
Charles Melton — “May December”
Mark Ruffalo — “Poor Things”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Emily Blunt — “Oppenheimer”
Danielle Brooks — “The Color Purple”
America Ferrera — “Barbie”
Jodie Foster — “Nyad”
Julianne Moore — “May December”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph — “The Holdovers”
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Abby Ryder Forston — “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Ariana Greenblatt — “Barbie”
Calah Lane — “Wonka”
Milo Machado Graner — “Anatomy of a Fall”
Dominic Sessa — “The Holdovers”
Madeleine Yuna Voyles — “The Creator”
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
“Air”
“Barbie”
“The Color Purple”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Oppenheimer”
BEST DIRECTOR
Bradley Cooper — “Maestro”
Greta Gerwig — “Barbie”
Yorgos Lanthimos — “Poor Things”
Christopher Nolan — “Oppenheimer”
Alexander Payne — “The Holdovers”
Martin Scorsese — “Killers of the Flower Moon”
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“Air” — Alex Convery
“Barbie” — Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
“The Holdovers” – David Hemingson
“Maestro” — Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer
“May December” — Samy Burch
“Past Lives” — Celine Song
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” — Kelly Fremon Craig
“All of Us Strangers” — Andrew Haigh
“American Fiction” — Cord Jefferson
“Killers of the Flower Moon” — Martin Scorsese, Eric Roth
“Poor Things” — Tony McNamara
“Oppenheimer” — Christopher Nolan
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Matthew Libatique – Maestro
Rodrigo Prieto – Barbie
Rodrigo Prieto – Killers of the Flower Moon
Robbie Ryan – Poor Things
Linus Sandgren – Saltburn
Hoyte van Hoytema – Oppenheimer
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Suzie Davies, Charlotte Dirickx – Saltburn
Ruth De Jong, Claire Kaufman – Oppenheimer
Jack Fisk, Adam Willis – Killers of the Flower Moon
Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer – Barbie
James Price, Shona Heath, Szusza Mihalek – Poor Things
Adam Stockhausen, Kris Moran – Asteroid City
BEST EDITING
William Goldenberg – Air
Nick Houy – Barbie
Jennifer Lame – Oppenheimer
Yorgos Mavropsaridis – Poor Things
Thelma Schoonmaker – Killers of the Flower Moon
Michelle Tesoro – Maestro
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Jacqueline Durran – Barbie
Lindy Hemming – Wonka
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck – The Color Purple
Holly Waddington – Poor Things
Jacqueline West – Killers of the Flower Moon
Janty Yates, David Crossman – Napoleon
BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP
Barbie
The Color Purple
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Priscilla
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Creator
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
BEST COMEDY
American Fiction
Barbie
Bottoms
The Holdovers
No Hard Feelings
Poor Things
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
Nimona
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Wish
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Anatomy of a Fall
Godzilla Minus One
Perfect Days
Society of the Snow
The Taste of Things
The Zone of Interest
BEST SONG
“Dance the Night” – Barbie
“I’m Just Ken” – Barbie
“Peaches” – The Super Mario Bros. Movie
“Road to Freedom” – Rustin
“This Wish” – Wish
“What Was I Made For” – Barbie
BEST SCORE
Jerskin Fendrix – Poor Things
Michael Giacchino – Society of the Snow
Ludwig Göransson – Oppenheimer
Daniel Pemberton – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Robbie Robertson – Killers of the Flower Moon
Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt – Barbie
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7 OF THE MOST GROUNDBREAKING ONLINE SLOTS AT METROPOLITAN GAMING
In the world of online gaming, few names carry as much weight as Metropolitan Gaming. Known for its innovative and engaging games, Metropolitan has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in the digital gaming space. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at seven of the company's most groundbreaking online slot games, each one offering a unique gaming experience that sets it apart from the rest.
Understanding Online Slots
The Basics of Online Slots
Online slots, the digital counterparts of traditional slot machines, have taken the gaming world by storm. They offer a seamless blend of simplicity and excitement, providing users with an easily accessible form of entertainment that also holds the potential for significant winnings. The gameplay is straightforward: players place their bets, initiate a spin, and wait to see if the symbols align in a favourable way on one or more of the game's paylines. If they do, the player wins.
However, the appeal of online slots extends far beyond these basic mechanics. One of the key attractions lies in the remarkable variety these games offer. Each online slot game features a unique theme, which could range from ancient civilizations and mythical creatures to popular movies and TV shows. These themes are brought to life through vibrant graphics and immersive sound effects, creating a captivating gaming environment.
The symbols used in these games also add to the overall charm. While some games use classic symbols like fruits, bells, and sevens, others incorporate symbols that align with their specific theme. Some even feature special symbols like wilds and scatters that can trigger bonus rounds or multiply winnings, adding another layer of excitement to the gameplay.
Furthermore, online slots often come packed with enticing bonus features. These might include free spins, bonus games, multipliers, or even progressive jackpots that grow over time. These features not only enhance the entertainment factor but also increase the potential for big wins, making each spin a thrilling adventure.
The wide range of betting options in online slots makes them suitable for all types of players. Whether you're a casual gamer looking for some low-stakes fun or a high roller seeking the thrill of big bets and bigger wins, there's an online slot game out there for you.
What Makes a Slot Game Groundbreaking?
Groundbreaking slot games are those that introduce something new or significantly improve upon existing features. This could be an innovative game mechanic, a unique theme, exceptional graphics, immersive gameplay, or a combination of these elements. These games raise the bar for quality and creativity in the industry.
7 Groundbreaking Online Slots at Metropolitan Gaming
Quick Hit Casino Slot Games
Quick Hit is a classic slot game that brings the excitement of Las Vegas right to your phone. With a variety of unique themes and levels, this game offers a diverse gaming experience. Each spin can result in bonus rounds, free games, or jackpot wins, keeping the gameplay exciting and unpredictable. The graphics and sound effects are designed to mimic the look and feel of real slot machines, adding to the overall immersion. The game also offers daily challenges and events, providing players with plenty of opportunities to win big.
Slotomania Slots Casino Games
Slotomania is a highly popular online casino game known for its wide variety of slot machines. Each machine has a unique theme, ranging from ancient civilizations to modern pop culture, ensuring there's something for everyone. The game offers a plethora of bonus features, including free spins, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots. Additionally, Slotomania's vibrant community and regular tournaments create a social aspect that sets it apart from other slot games.
Classic Slots - Casino Games
Classic Slots offers a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of casinos. It features traditional three-reel slots, complete with familiar symbols like cherries, bars, and sevens. Despite its classic design, the game includes modern features like bonus games and progressive jackpots. Players can also take part in tournaments, offering the chance to win big while competing against others.
Avalon II
Avalon II is an epic adventure slot game set in the mythical world of King Arthur and his knights. The game features stunning graphics and a captivating storyline, enhancing the overall gaming experience. It offers a whopping 243 ways to win and includes several bonus features such as free spins, multipliers, and interactive mini-games. Avalon II's high RTP (Return to Player) rate of 97% makes it a popular choice among players looking for big wins.
Guns 'n' Roses
This slot game is perfect for music fans, featuring the iconic rock band Guns 'n' Roses. The game includes hit songs from the band as background music, creating an immersive rock concert atmosphere. It offers 20 paylines and several bonus features including free spins, multipliers, and a bonus wheel. The game's high RTP rate of 96.98% adds to its appeal, providing players with a good chance of scoring winning combinations.
Thunderstruck II
Based on Norse mythology, Thunderstruck II offers a thrilling gaming experience complete with gods, giants, and epic battles. The game features 243 ways to win and includes a variety of bonus features such as wilds, scatters, free spins, and a unique Great Hall of Spins feature that offers increasing rewards the more you play. With stunning graphics and a high RTP rate of 96.65%, Thunderstruck II is both visually appealing and potentially lucrative.
Caesar’s Empire
This game stands out among online slot games for its immersive ancient Roman theme. It offers players an adventure back in time where they can experience the grandeur and power of the great Roman Empire. The game features high-quality graphics, engaging gameplay, and a variety of bonus features that add to the excitement and winning potential. Whether you're a history buff or just a fan of well-designed slot games, Caesar's Empire, found at https://www.metgaming.com/ offers a unique gaming experience that sets it apart from other online slots.
The Impact of These Slots on the Gaming Industry
The seven slot games developed by Metropolitan Gaming have successfully captivated players globally with their unique themes, engaging gameplay, and innovative features. These games, ranging from classic fruit machines to immersive video slots, have become benchmarks in the online gaming industry. They not only provide an entertaining gaming experience but also demonstrate the potential for creativity and innovation within the realm of online slots.
Metropolitan Gaming has consistently pushed the boundaries in game design and technology, showcasing novel concepts and advanced features that have revolutionised the player experience. Their commitment to constant improvement and their willingness to take risks have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the industry.
This pioneering spirit has had a profound impact on other developers in the sector. Inspired by Metropolitan's success, many have been motivated to elevate their own games, striving to introduce fresh ideas and unique gameplay mechanics. This drive to innovate has led to a significant increase in the quality of online slot games available. Players now have a wider array of choices, each offering its own distinctive style and set of rewards.
Furthermore, this progressive trend initiated by Metropolitan Gaming has contributed to the growth and diversification of the online gaming industry as a whole. As developers continue to innovate and improve, players can look forward to more exciting, immersive, and rewarding gaming experiences in the future. Metropolitan Gaming’s influence has thus extended beyond their own games, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence that benefits the entire online gaming community.
From innovative game mechanics to breathtaking graphics, the seven slot games we've explored today showcase Metropolitan Gaming's dedication to creating unique, high-quality gaming experiences. They serve as a reminder that in the world of online slots, creativity and innovation are key to standing out and making a lasting impact. So, whether you're a seasoned player or new to online slots, be sure to check out these groundbreaking games for a taste of what makes Metropolitan Gaming a leader in the industry.
PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Christian Wiediger
HOLIDAY-SEASON ROAD TRIPS: SAFETY TIPS ON SNOWY AND CROWDED HIGHWAYS
The appeal of icy road trips calls out as the season of Christmas covers the world in a joyful glow. Imagine a car full of happy conversations, an ambiance of jingling bells, and an assurance of valued moments at the finish of the journey. Nearly 80% of Americans plan road trips, and they do not limit the adventure to summer travel.
However, dealing with icy and congested highways necessitates more than just passion. It requires an organized approach with winter's whims and the hectic vacation traffic. We will unravel vital safety tips to prevent your upcoming road trip from becoming a stressful ordeal.
These recommendations will be your trusted partners on the road to festive experiences. You will learn everything from understanding the art of driving during the winter to outsmarting packed highways. So, get ready to go on a fun-filled and safe adventure.
Prepare your vehicle
Your car is a faithful savior during this cold-weather adventure. You must do your bit to ensure it is road-ready. Inspect the tires to ensure they have enough tread and are correctly inflated.
The frigid temperatures can be hard on batteries. Therefore, make sure yours are fully charged and in good working order. Replace outdated wiper blades and top off vital fluids such as antifreeze and windshield cleaning fluid.
Check the forecasts
You must check the weather report before embarking on the road trip to stay one step forward in the rigors of winter. Stay vigilant for blizzards, slippery roads, and potential closures of roads. You need to plan the time you leave wisely to avoid the most adverse conditions.
Knowing what to expect on the roadways allows you to modify your driving method and be more prepared for all of the variables.
Avoid rush-hour traffic
Imagine snowflakes lightly falling, the path ahead is clear, and the humming of your engine is the only sound you can hear. You can compare that to traffic during rush hours. Choosing off-season travel times reduces your contact with traffic jams.
It also allows you to take pleasure in a more peaceful and relaxed journey. You can also think about beginning your journey early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the holiday crowds.
Follow the defensive-driving rules
Driving on snowy and jam-packed roads requires a cautious approach. You can increase the distance with other vehicles to prepare for slick conditions and prevent sudden moves. The key to success is to move slowly and deliberately.
You need to maintain a keen awareness of the environment, think about the actions of other drivers, and prepare to respond quickly. Adopt a safety-focused mindset to make the journey stress-free from start to end.
Know what to do in case of a crash
Mishaps can occur even with the best-laid strategies. Busy highways in areas like New York and Long Island are risky. Moreover, you may always encounter a negligent driver. Awareness can make a difference.
You must learn what to do if you are involved in a crash. Ascertain that everybody is safe and report the occurrence to the proper authorities. Calling a Long Island Car Accident Lawyer is a wise move if the mishap occurs due to another driver's negligence. You can claim compensation for your pain, suffering, and damages.
Learn the basic repairs
You do not have to be a verified mechanic to work on cars. However, knowing the fundamentals of automotive maintenance can be invaluable. You must know how to replace a tire, restart a battery, or resolve minor problems.
This basic knowledge can prevent you from getting stuck in the snow. Consider it an in-depth lesson in vehicle survival. It gives you the trust needed to deal with minor setbacks and keep your travels on track.
Take regular breaks
Long drives, especially in bad weather, can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Plan frequent stops for a break to your legs, grab a hot beverage, and rewind. Fatigue can affect your ability to concentrate and respond while driving.
Therefore, you must listen to your body and take rest when it needs to stop. Consider these breaks to be pit stops to refuel your mind and keep you in top driving shape.
Conclusion
An effective holiday road trip through icy and congested highways requires a delicate balance of planning and adaptability. These tips cover everything from preparing your car for the winter paradise to learning the defensive-driving dance. They are your road map to a pleasant and secure journey. So, take on the spirit of adventure and hit the road confidently.
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