• Jimmy’s No. 43’s fifth-annual cassoulet cook-off to benefit Grow NYC’s local grains project is on January 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. The restaurant’s currently looking for chefs and amateur cooks to enter the contest. If interested, send an e-mail to foodkarma@gmail.com. [Grub Street]
• The Burger Bistro is opening up its fourth location tomorrow — this time in Astoria at 37-03 31st Avenue. The menu apparently boasts 2 million different combinations of burgers. Check out the menu here. [Grub Street]
• Photographer Baldomero Fernandez, the fifth-generation owner of Katz’s Jake Dell, and Lucky Peach publisher Adam Krefman will all discuss the legacy of the legendary deli at a book party for the first-ever book on Katz’s Deli. The event will take place on Tuesday, December 17 from 7 until 9 p.m. at powerHouse Arena in Brooklyn. [Grub Street]
• On Thursday, December 12, Matthew Lightner will host the second of three fund-raising dinners at Atera that will feature the best of winter seafood. The restaurant will donate $100 per diner to Bocuse d’Or. Tickets for seatings at either 6 or 9:30 p.m are $300 per person and include wine pairings; they can be purchased by calling 212-226-1444. [Grub Street]
• Hôtel Americano is opening a new winter rooftop bar installation this week, dubbed Artico. Plus: The lounge area adjacent to the restaurant will feature nightly D.J. sets. [Grub Street]
• Big Gay Ice Cream’s West Village outpost turns one today. To celebrate, it’ll give away ice cream to every person who checks in with Foursquare or donates to the Ali Forney Center tonight. Salty Pimps for all! [Grub Street]
• Donna Lennard, owner of Il Buco and Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, is opening a showroom for her new home design collection, which features rustic ceramic dishes, hand-blown glass, candles, textiles, and more. Through December 23, the Il Buco Vita showroom, which is located on the second floor of 51 Bond Stret, will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. For more information, visit the website. [Grub Street]
• Starting this Thursday at 10 p.m., Underballs, the underground bar at the Chelsea location of the Meatball Shop, will launch its biweekly Almost Friday Jazz Nights. [Grub Street]
• On Sunday, December 8, Allswell will collaborate with pie purveyors Four & Twenty Blackbirds to put on “Pie for Dinner.” The meal, which costs $70 per person, includes three pie courses, as well as a signed copy of The Four & Twenty Black Birds Cookbook. There will be seatings available at 6 and 8 p.m.; advance tickets can be purchased here. [Grub Street]
• Bust will host its eighth annual Holiday Craftacular and Food Fair at Chelsea’s Metropolitan Pavilion on December 14 and 15. There will be several vendors selling cookies, cakes, kimchee, and other packaged foods, as well as a pop-up food court with hot food. [Grub Street]
