Hundreds of well-dressed attendees flocked to the Central Park Zoo during a recent weeknight sunset to revel in the pageantry of a private affair amid the setting of dusk on the Upper West Side.  The cause – the 6^th Annual ‘Sip For The Sea’- an evening to benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society would allow eventgoers to sample sustainable wines and seafood dishes, courtesy of some of New York City’s most bandied about restaurants.  2018’s event would serve to celebrate the opening of a brand new exhibit at the New York Aquarium – ‘Ocean Wonders: Sharks!,’ an exciting and highly anticipated arrival to an already highly-regarded venue.

The early evening’s true focus, as in years past, would be on the Central Park Zoo’s sea lion exhibit, where the talented training staff would work with a handful of these massive creatures to regale the live crowd through the use of a variety of tricks, as the animals snorted and bobbed for fish inside of a centrally located and sizable water tank.  Meanwhile, house band The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, would literally keep the party going into the evening with a smattering of blues, jazz and folk music numbers proving to be the perfect complement to the outstanding dishes being plated nearby.  For three hours, guests were charmed by dishes from the likes of Tavern on the Green, Delaware and Hudson and Mastro’s Steakhouse, while wines from Sauvion, Pumphouse, and Sonoma County favorite Kunde Family Winery accented each delectable morsel to perfection.

Though much of the cuisine was seafood-focused, among some of the more memorable fare being served came in the form of savory meats (Hudson Street’s Takashi served an excellent ‘Grandmom’s Steamed Beef Shank Buns,’ Almond’s perfectly prepped ‘Smoked Duck Tacos’ with housemade kimchi were no slouches either), fresh vegetables (Iavarone Brothers Quality Foods on Union Turnpike delivered an outstanding ‘Eggplant Meatballs’ in sweet marinara sauce) and of course pastas (where Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse served up some of their unmistakably fluffy pillows of ‘Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi,’ always a favorite of our team).

Given that the aim of the Wildlife Conservation Society is an undying commitment to conserving the world’s oceans and saving species deemed most vulnerable, sustainable seafood was at the forefront of the evening’s menu.  And following a refreshing ‘Mojito’ courtesy of Naked Turtle’s ‘White Rum,’ it was time to dig in to some of the freshest fish in recent memory.  No trip to ‘Sip For The Sea’ would be complete without a stop at Luke’s Lobster where the buttery ‘Maine-Style Lobster Roll’ would be a mouthwatering change of pace from the crab and shrimp varieties of past affairs.  With a dollop of mayonnaise and lemon butter, the pairing with The Palm’s ‘Whispering Angel’ Rose was quite literally unparalleled throughout our evening of tasting.  Similarly marvelous was Shuka’s perfectly served ‘Scallop,’ meshing a fiery serrano chili with some basil, saffron and a subtle and sweet husk cherry for balance.  The combination of complementing flavors was decadent and tender, an ideal concoction for the warm weather of early autumn.

From the ‘Spicy Shrimp Tacos’ at Pier A Harbor House to the tender ‘Brioche Encrusted Crab Cake’ from The Tuck Room, there was no shortage of deliciousness being served inside of one of Manhattan’s classiest and most distinctive outdoor venues.  Certainly wine pours like Dr. Konstantin Frank’s 2016 ‘Cabernet Franc’ (Finger Lakes) or their superior made each already scrumptious bite all the more memorable.  Given the perils of a harsh New York City winter that waits ahead of us, evenings like ‘Sip For The Sea’ afford us just a bit more time to appreciate what it’s truly like to be a New Yorker – with all of the incredible food, drinks and scenery for us to enjoy – when the weather cooperates of course.

WCS Sip For The Sea 2018: The Dishes

Fulton Landing Seafood Co.: “Marinated Baby Octopus” & “Kicking Crab Gumbo”

 

Iavarone Brothers Quality Foods: “Eggplant Meatballs” & “Pork Teriyaki Meatballs”

Perrine: “Spice Grilled Octopus” & “Roasted Butternut Squash & Cider Soup”

  

Luke’s Lobster: “Maine-Style Lobster Roll”

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse: “Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi”

Thalassa Restaurant: “Seafood Salad”

Mastro’s Steakhouse: “Cucumber & Avocado Gazpacho”

Shuka: “Scallop – Husk Cherry, Saffron, Serrano, Chili, Basil”

Amali: “Saffron Poached Bacalao Cod”

Almond: “Smoked Duck Tacos”

Tavern on the Green: “Mezcal Cured Scottish Salmon”

Pier A Harbor House: “Spicy Shrimp Tacos”

Tocqueville Restaurant: “Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho”

Delaware and Hudson: “Goat Cheese and Thyme Tart”

Takashi: “Grandmom’s Steamed Beef Shank Buns”

Crave Fishbar: “Faroe Islands Salmon Crudo”

As Is NYC: “Rye and Seaweed Taco”

 

- Dave Gendelson 

The month of September marks the return of a great many things – the change from summer to autumn, the dawning of another football season, the return of classic television programs – and for the 9th Annual Pig Island event, the crowning of the King of Swine. Hundreds of thirsty eventgoers packed Erie Basin Park in Red Hook Brooklyn on a recent Saturday afternoon, adjacent to both Ikea and the iconic neighborhood Ballfields. Despite the threat of overcast weather and some clouds, the afternoon boasted a collection of outstanding chefs, tasty suds and live music to appease each of the swarm of attending guests’ five senses.

With hints of deliciously cooked pork in the air, we drifted our way to the waterfront setting to once again be a part of the Brooklyn magic. The over five hour affair would attract full families, groups of young folks and even aging-yet-festive revelers to the sprawling outdoor space, where tunes courtesy of Dusty Wright & The Bush Hogs would fill the already swine-fueled atmosphere. Backed by beers from Sixpoint and Guinness and more than a handful of cider options, there would be no shortage of delicious pours to wash down much of the salty goodness being sliced, prepped and plated on site.

Local New York City Chefs like Roxanne Spruance (The Kingsley – fall off the bone ‘Thai Sticky Ribs’) would be paired near pitmasters like Robert Cho (Kimchi Smoke) and Bill Cooper (Route 66 Smokehouse – ‘Ribs with Pineapple Guajillo Sauce’) to serve some of the day’s finest fare. After schmoozing with some participating firefighters and local Brooklyn police officers, we dug our forks into some of the more supreme treats of the day – Newark, New Jersey’s Rodrigo Duarte’s ‘Ribs in a Bladder’ were slow-cooked inside of a pig bladder, saturated by cumin and cloves, garlic and lemon juice, before being served beneath a chilled orange slice, atop a Portuguese roll. The results, predictably, were otherworldly. And speaking of exceptional, our favorite dish of the day would also be crowned Best In Show, as Chef Jesse Jones’ ‘Whole Hog Pulled Pork’ was served atop an incredible cornmeal pancake in a marriage of sweet, sticky and salty that was unmatched during our afternoon travels.

From succulent ribs to lip-smacking sausages, peruse through our photo gallery above to get a feel for all of the day’s action. And if that’s not enough, take some time and dig into our archives for our coverage from past Pig Island events. The feel-good vibes, waterfront setting and delectable hog dishes make the annual affair one of our most highly anticipated events each and every September.

- Dave Gendelson 

Amid a particularly chic setting inside the Hotel Eventi in Chelsea, the newly remodeled SECOND Floor space would play host to an annual affair that has become one of our favorites in New York City, meshing a bevy of high profile chefs alongside a worthwhile cause.  If the name ‘Tap & Tapas’ sounds familiar, it’s likely a result of our previous ravings – we have been attending the annual event since 2015.  Year after year, the nonprofit planners seemingly outdo themselves with an array of outstanding eats and drinks – but more importantly, a showcase of talented dancers performing for a roomful of well-to-do onlookers.  It’s tough not to be impressed by the kids, where  nearly a dozen ladies, ranging from children to young adults, band together in dance troupes to deliver some fun choreographed routines. 

The 14^th annual affair was another wildly successful one for local nonprofit organization Groove With Me, welcoming nearly 200 guests into the sprawling event space.  Since 1996, Groove With Me has acted as a safe-haven of sorts, allowing underprivileged youths to have an opportunity for self-development.  By offering free dance classes, the organization is realistically working to empower young women, helping to instill in them a sense of pride, self-confidence and a nurtured skill set to assist in their continued maturity and collective development.  Judging by the smiles that painted the faces of each young dancer on Wednesday night, founder Abby McCreath and her team of dance teachers and partners seem to be delivering on Groove With Me’s formidable mission and purpose.

Long before the evening’s auctioneer would work tirelessly to invoke some sizable donations from the charitable audience however, some of New York City’s most revered restaurants would roll out the culinary red carpet for attendees to enjoy.  With ‘avocado toast’ seemingly being all the rage at restaurants across our area, it was fitting that legendary West Village haunt The Spotted Pig would showcase their own unique and delicious take on the delicacy.  The “Pea Smash” unleashed a creamy green spread atop crunchy toast points, paired with savory sauteed mushrooms and spring vegetables- the combination of which was excellent despite leaving avocado out of the recipe.  Equally as satisfying was L’Amico’s “Fontina Cappelletti,” perfectly al dente pasta shells served beside some wild mushrooms and another spread of English peas.  Both dishes were ones we returned for time and time again as the evening moved onward.

Seafood samplings courtesy of Motel Morris (“Rock Shrimp Fish Cakes”) and Celestine (“Crudo of Cobia”) competed with heartier fare from La Chula (whose “Pork Carnitas” tacos were sensational)- though it was Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties with the unabashed helping of meats and cheeses that had the early evening crowd buzzing.  The Point Pleasant, New Jersey caterer came equipped quite literally with a paper cone filled with antipasto.  The “Antipasti Cups” were filled with fresh green olives, assorted cheese and salumi sticks and despite being fairly basic, the pairings worked brilliantly. 

We’d be remiss not to mention the “White Chocolate Pretzel Cookies” smattered in golden flakes from The Stanton Social and the “Vanilla Panna Cotta” topped with raspberry gelee from downtown’s Vandal that left us completely satisfied.  Though we didn’t take home any of the evening’s live auction items – from tickets to sporting events, tickets to Dear Evan Hansen and some ‘Dinner in Your Home’ Chef experiences this year, just being able to experience an evening that made so many in attendance so very happy was reason enough for us to return again for the 15^th annual event next year.  If recent history has taught us anything, the Groove With Me staff will make sure that it only gets bigger and better from here.

To learn more about the great work being done by the folks at Groove With Me, click through to their website here!

Groove With Me ‘Tap & Tapas’ 2018: The Dishes

Corner Social:“Stuffed Cucumber with Shrimp Ceviche”

The Spotted Pig: “Sauteed Mushrooms, Pea Smash & Spring Vegetables on Toast Points”

Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties: “Antipasti Cups – Italian Meats, Cheeses & Olives”

Feinstein’s / 54 Below: “Wild Mushroom Arancini, Springbrook Redding Cheese, Organic Tomato Sauce”

La Chula: “Pork Carnitas in Coconut Milk, Green Papaya Salad, Thai Chiles, Peanuts”

L’Amico: “Fontina Cappelletti with Wild Mushrooms and English Peas”

French Louie: “Beet Tartar with Beet Hummus on Crispy Socca”

Riss’ Knishes: “Potato & Onion, Mushroom & Gruyere, Poblano & Jalapeno & Cheddar”

Celestine: “Crudo of Cobia, Cherry Tomato, Puntarella, Challah, Boquerones”

Motel Morris: “Rock Shrimp Fish Cakes, Green Papaya Salad & Massaman Curry”

Beauty & Essex: “Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting”

Vandal NYC: “Vanilla Panna Cotta – Raspberry Gelee”

The Stanton Social: “White Chocolate Pretzel Cookies”

- Dave Gendelson 

Hundreds of tastemakers, wine lovers and local food enthusiasts flocked to the immaculately designed IAC Building in Chelsea on Wednesday evening to experience an authentic evening of Spanish cuisine and culture.  The 24^th Annual Spain’s Great Match would be the evening’s drawing card, as some of New York City’s most famous Spanish restaurants would gather to prepare an oversized feast, coupled with more than three hundred varieties of Spanish wines.  The mood was festive throughout the particularly indulgent two and a half hour affair, where fresh cheeses, olives and slices of decadent serrano ham would serve to bring out some of the flavors of the regions finely paired bottles of vino.

Whether you’ve got a familiarity with the likes of an Albarino or Tempranillo grape matters little at the annual affair, where expert and novice wine drinkers casually sip together shoulder to shoulder.  Instead, the evening is more about discovery – finding a style that you prefer, a restaurant you’ve never visited, or perhaps a region of Spain that you plan on visiting.  At least that’s the hope of the event’s founders, Wines From Spain, a promotional organization that is committed to building awareness for Spanish wines throughout New York as well as the greater United States.

With an empty wine glass (and empty stomachs) we paced the room strategically, filling up first with a tremendous selection of bubbly – first from the likes of Campo Viejo, whose reasonably priced ‘Cava Brut Reserve, NV’ and ‘Cava Rose, NV’ were downright steals at just $11.99 a bottle.  Nicely balanced and tastefully fruit-forward, each was distinctive and in a word – classy.  The same could also be said for the pours of ‘Mahou 5 Estrellas Lager’ – a delicious and golden beer that we tasted for the very first time.  Served ice cold, the subtly bitter brew washed down some of the heartier fare that we enjoyed with great ease, as the lightest of the handful of beers being poured.   But as suckers for Sauvignon Blanc, it was the bottle of Marques de Riscal from 2016 that left us lingering tableside.  Introduced in the Rueda region, the delightfully pale yellow color furnished the inside of our wine glasses, replete with a fresh white fruit on the nose and a pleasantly clean finish.  There weren’t many French-inspired Spanish wines from which to sip on this night, making our discovery of this one a real highlight.

Where does one begin when describing an evening of outstanding eats?  Should we start at the perpetually excellent Socarrat Paella Bar, where their ‘Arroz Negro Paella’ came equipped with rich, black squid-ink rice and hunks of mouthwatering fresh seafood, like scallops, shrimp, white fish, calamari?  Or maybe we should mention Amada of Battery Park City, serving a scrumptious ‘Cordero Picado,’ a memorable lamb tartare served chilled, atop a crunchy chicharron for contrast.  Or perhaps mentioning Casa Mono is necessary – serving a phenomenal ‘Dry Aged Beef Tartare‘ with scallion ash and a creamy porcini mostaza which was just a touch more preferable to the bite-sized ‘Glidas’ from Huertas, with white anchovy poked through a ripe manzanilla olive and guindilla pepper with a plastic toothpick for one delicious bite.  For our money, the blood-sausage soaked ‘Mini Morcilla Hot Dog’ topped with sprout kraut from La Sirena was the hands down winner for our team.

Speaking of delicious, with hundreds of bottles from which to taste – jot down the following for future Spanish wine sipping:

- Teso la Monja ‘Almirez 2015′ ($25)  – a delectable, blueberry and lavender focused red that is very well-balanced

- Teso la Monja ‘Victorino 2007′ ($60) - a luxury bottle that is the snapshot of a perfect Tempranillo, sourced from 45 year old vines and aged in French oak for 18 months.  It is just hitting its ripeness

- Raimat ‘Albarino 2016′ ($12) - A real value bottle here, full bodied, ripe white citrus fruits and a delightfully floral nose with a nice clean finish

- Las Rocas ”El Renegado’ Red Blend 2013′ ($14) - slightly oaky, this blend of Syrah and Garnacha, the light-bodied red wine is plush and ripe

- Pares Balta ‘Mas Irene 2014′ ($35) - Aged for 13 months in new French oak, this is an organic mid-priced wine with a wonderfully smooth palate and excellent acidity

In all, the affair was another swimming success, affording guests the opportunity to sip and taste some eclectic and authentic wines and dishes- direct from Spain – but right here in Manhattan.

- Dave Gendelson

In the fleeting minutes of daylight at New York City’s iconic Central Park Zoo, hundreds of well dressed eventgoers gathered to celebrate one of autumn’s most fun-filled food-centric events.  The Fifth Annual ‘Sip For The Sea’ would bring together some of the city’s finest chefs and restaurants inside of the Park’s legendary space for a festive frenzy of food tasting, wine sipping and animal watching all in the name of a great cause.  The Wildlife Conservation Society’s annual affair would benefit the New York Aquarium, which is undergoing a sizable transformation to unveil a new exhibit dubbed ‘Ocean Wonders: Sharks!.’  The 500,000 gallons of water display will play host to sea turtles, rays, sharks and of course, fish – slated to open in 2018.

Until then though, there was plenty to get excited about inside of the Zoo itself.  Following an interactive demonstration courtesy of some of the most adorable looking sea lions you’ll ever see, guests were encouraged to parade around the space for glimpses at monkeys, penguins and birds, all of which were more than happy to soak up the attention of awed onlookers.  Meanwhile, as the music of The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn filled the open air in the background, talented culinary masters and their staffs were putting the finishing touches on their expertly crafted dishes, somehow cooked to completion right on site.

We’ve extolled the virtues of Luke’s Lobster over and over again on these very pages.  But there’s quite simply a reason that their model has allowed new locations to successfully pop up all over town – and it’s the same reason that their lines typically tend to be the lengthiest at similar food-focused events.  The food is downright excellent.  Their ‘Maine-Style Lobster Roll’ was absolutely mouthwatering, lathered in some lemon butter and mayonnaise and doused in Luke’s ‘secret seasoning’  You would be hard pressed to find a more delicious sandwich – with tasty hunks of fresh lobster meat spilling out from the perfectly soft split-top bun.  Not to be outdone, Seamore’s ‘’Big Red’ Poke’ was similarly flavorful, replete with chunks of fresh watermelon surrounding a sole piece of soft and delicious tuna.  The candied cashews gave a touch of textural contrast to the dish, with a sweet crunch breaking up the creamy avocado and harissa medley.

We continued to pace between tables, marveling at the likes of Esca’s ‘Crudo del Mercato’ and Shuka’s sesame seed-laden ‘Yellow Fin Tuna’ dishes, before quickly devouring each of them.  Fittingly, the evening paired each tasty dish with a different sustainable wine offered by Bonterra, where the likes of their ‘Viognier,’ ‘Rose’ and ‘Pinot Noir’ really set the stage for our palates to allow the food and drink to dance in kind.  We slurped some ‘Whitestone Oysters’ from Bowery Meat Company, crushed on some ‘Brioche Crusted Crab Cakes’ courtesy of The Tuck Room and indulged in some ‘Taramasalata,’ a smoked trout roe with potato in a pita shell from Amali before waving the white flag on any further delicacies.  Okay, one more half ‘Lobster Roll’ from Burger & Lobster and a few handpicked ‘Pumpkin-Spiced Donuts’ from Doughnut Plant and THEN we were all finished up for the evening.

With food events of this caliber, it’s really easy to get wrapped up in the festivities of the evening.  But amid such an incredibly unique setting, as the sea lions in the Central Park Zoo looked on, we were fully aware of the impact that our donations would be making.  And with that in mind, at ‘Sip For The Sea,’ the savory foods and delicious pours of wines each tasted that much better.

- Dave Gendelson

If the previous nine years were considered just an appetizer, the 10th Annual “Taste of the Upper West Side” was most definitely a main course worth going out of one’s way for as it returned inside of a sprawling tent on Columbus Avenue last weekend.  The first of two exciting events in the same location would once again welcome “Summer in the City: Surf & Turf,” a casual yet still refined affair that brought out some of the most notable chefs and restaurants in the neighborhood to deliver dishes of extraordinary caliber.  And with the festival’s usual punch of celebrity panache, the evening gave the hundreds upon hundreds of eventgoers the opportunity to be a bit starstruck as they stuffed their faces with more than forty savory eats.

We’ve grown accustomed to seeing former Man vs. Food host and resident New Yorker Adam Richman as the Taste’s official Friday night emcee – and fittingly, he would return for the 2017 festivities alongside co-host, Chef and TV personality Alex Guarnaschelli.  The pair shares some undeniable chemistry with a touch of everyperson charm, allowing attendees to have a brief window into their genuine nature during some rapid repartee and guest meet and greets.  Meanwhile, former New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni would also join the pair, signing copies of his new cookbook “A Meatloaf in Every Oven” as the house DJ would work a strong mix in the background.  All of this of course would again serve as a wildly successful fundraiser for The Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District, a nonprofit tasked with keeping neighborhood projects like upkeep and beautification of the community, heading in the right direction.

While the charitable cause and celebrity guests certainly garnered their shares of attention, the unparalleled collection of neighborhood eats was sincerely worth every bit of the evening’s ticket price.  The feast of course, depended on your fancy.  Meatlovers likely went wild as they indulged in a trio of exceptional burgers from some of the City’s finest purveyors of such:  Shake Shack’s “BBQ ShackMeister Burger” combined ale marinated shallots and sweet barbecue sauce with the brand’s iconic charred cheese covered patty, while the evening’s eventual winner for ‘Best Dish in Show, ‘ Black Tap unveiled their “Greg Norman Burger,” topping their wagyu beef patty with some blue cheese, arugula and a smattering of creamy housemade buttermilk-dill.  For our money though, the “Angus ‘Thermidor’ Slider” courtesy of 5 Napkin Burger was the finest of the three, with chilled lobster salad topping the restaurant’s insanely savory beef burger.  While preferences clearly align differently, guests could do no wrong with any of the three meat-focused delicacies.

Fortunately the variety of offerings ranged far from just American comfort fare as the likes of Jing Fong’s “Shrimp & Pork Dumplings,” Han Dynasty’s intensely delicious “Dan Dan Noodles,” and Playa Betty’s dual tacos “Al Pastor” and “Seared Tuna” showed off some of the neighborhood’s diverse culinary influences.  But despite downing a handful of “Beef Meatballs” from the team at The Meatball Shop and some mouthwatering “Lamb Lollipops” courtesy of Buceo95, attendees could revel in some of the unlimited pours of tasty wines from Palm Bay International.  We went wild for some chilled roses, before settling in with some bubbly and repeat pours of Roscato “Pinot Grigio,” a perfectly affordable and serviceable white with a lightly sweet flavor profile and crisp finish.  The whites paired well with memorable dishes from the likes of Zucker’s,  AG Kitchen, Bettola and UWS staple Jacob’s Pickles, whose “Cheesy Biscuit” was both rich and deliciously decadent.  Meanwhile, thirst quenchers also indulged in pours of beer from Samuel Adams as well as spirits purveyors like Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Four Roses Bourbon to further ‘enhance’ an already festive evening.

Among the sights we look most forward to, scantily-clad dancers dangle from the tent’s ceiling, wrapped in cloth ropes and pour delicious sparkling wines into the awaiting glasses of photo-posing attendees just underneath them.  We paused more than a few times to take in the sights of the entire room behind the dancers, pausing on several occasions to head outside for some air during one of May’s steamiest evenings thus far- joined by a slew of likeminded guests looking for a quick breather.  But not a breather from the tent’s warm temperature- more likely, a break from the indulgence going on inside.  For one’s self-control is often eschewed during a fantastic food event of this caliber.  One of the highlights of the entire year, the 10th Annual Taste of the Upper West Side was most certainly a smashing success for the festival hosts, nonprofit beneficiary and guests alike.

Food Photos from New Taste of the Upper West Side: Summer in the City 2017

Buceo95: “Lamb Lollipops”

Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola: “Crawfish Jambalaya Croquette with Andouille Gravy”

Han Dynasty: “Dan Dan Noodle”

The City Bakery & Birdbath Bakery: “Blueberry Coconut Tart”

Levain Bakery: “Tastes of Our World’s Famous Cookies”

 

AG Kitchen: “Cubano Sandwiches”

The Fat Monk: “Pork & Melon”

Insomnia Cookies: “Assorted Cookies”

 

Black Tap: “Greg Norman Burger” – Wagyu Beef, House Buttermilk-Dill, Blue Cheese, Arugula

Virgil’s Real BBQ: “Virgil’s Smoked BBQ Wings”

Big Daddy’s: “Wake & Bake Sliders” – Beef Slider, Bacon Jam, Hash Browns, Fried Egg, Cheese Sauce

Ousia: “Lamb Clam” – Baked Clam with Leg of Lamb

The Meatball Shop: “Beef Meatballs”

Prohibition: “Short Rib Tacos” – Marinated in Strawberry BBQ Sauce

Bettola: “Wise Guys Bolognese”

Fishtag: “Wild Kampachi & Smoked Pork Ceviche”

Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen: “Jerusalem Artichoke Shellfish Warm Vichyssoise”

 

Jacob’s Pickles: “Cheesy Cheddar Biscuits with Chilled Cream of Corn Soup”

 

5 Napkin Burger: “Angus ‘Thermidor’ Slider”

Playa Betty’s: “Seared Ahi Tuna” & “Al Pastor”

 

Shake Shack: “BBQ Shackmeister Burger”

Sugar Factory American Brasserie: “Lobster Mac & Cheese Pops”

Shaking Crab: “Argentinian Shrimp, Crawfish & Corn Tossed in House Shaking Sauce”

Zucker’s: “Atton Brown – Smoked Trout, Horseradish Cream Cheese on Pumpernickel,” “Traditional – Eastern Nova Scotia Salmon, Plain Cream Cheese on Plain” & “Zucker’s Poke – Poke Smoked Salmon, Cucumbers & Rice”

 

Pappardella: “Cheese Tortellini”

Jing Fong: “Siu Mal – Shrimp & Pork Dumpling” & “Sesame Ball – Fried Rice Dough with Lotus Paste”

 

Gastronomie 491: “Gazpacho Mini Meatballs” & “Farro Salad”

 

Bodrum Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant: “Baba Ghanoush Crostini”

Sarabeth’s: “Tuna Salad Sliders”

Bodega 88: “Chicken & Pork Tacos”

Gabriela’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar: “Al Pastor Pork Tacos”

American Airlines Mastercard Lounge: “Basil Infused Compressed Watermelon” & “Flagship Burger”

 

- Dave Gendelson 

The promise of distinctive Greek wines from forty of the country’s most popular wineries was sufficient enough to draw a few hundred partygoers into Tribeca’s City Winery on Tuesday evening, where the three hour ‘Taste of Greece’ affair would be a full-on celebration of all things Greece.  Presented by the folks at Wines of Greece, the special tasting event would return to the sprawling space with an array of wines befitting a Grecian King, coupled with delicious fare from some of Manhattan’s most popular Greek restaurants.  Though the space was crowded, guests seemed to revel in the endless selection of delicious dolmas (grape leaves) and cheeses, as they patiently awaited their turn to sup on wines from the likes of  Zacharias Winery, Cavino and among our favorite of the evening Troupis Winery.

In covering this splendid evening for the third consecutive year, we expertly entered the packed space at 7pm and immediately headed for the elevated second floor- diminutively sized, but housing some shucked seafood.  A bed of bulbous jumbo shrimp, fresh mussels and small stone crabs were intensely sought after by the lively crowd- and the ice cold delicacies were continually replenished by the City Winery staff as the night wore on.  Fortunately, once upstairs, guests were welcomed to grab at delicious dishes courtesy of Avra Estiatorio (“Feta and Vegetable Skewer”) and The Greek Tribeca, whose “Summer Eggplant” served with tomato tartare inside of a savory cone was among our favorite of the evening.

With tasty treats now quickly devoured, it was time to wiggle our way through the room and sample some of the finest wines that Greece had to offer.  We began in the northern part of the country with a reasonably priced “Ruby Heart,” a 2014 organic red wine from Domaine Porto Carras with a bright red color and a nice , smooth finish.  After spending some 12 months in barrels, the dry blend nicely meshed some Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah with Limnio, a Greek grape that typically yields more full bodied styles.  Next, we headed to the southern end of the spectrum where the Peloponnese peninsula on the country’s southern edge unleashed a crisp and acidic white whine called “Stone Hills,” a 2016 blend of Chardonnay and Malagousia (an elegant, full-bodied grape) from Palivou Estate.  The hints of pear were evident on the nose- and we made sure to utilize this pour to wash down some savory pork from Amali, just steps away.

At no point did our palates discriminate against varietal or vintage – delicious red blends like Lyrarakis Wines’ 2014 Okto and Domaine Costa Lazaridi’s 2014 “Amethystos Red” each received rave reviews in our commemorative tasting guide.  Meanwhile, Kechris Winery‘s well-balanced 2016 “Tear of The Pine” was fueled by a wonderful aroma and a medium body, coming in as a runner up to perhaps our favorite of the evening – the aforementioned Troupis Winery’s 2016 “Troupis Mantinia.”  The exceptional lightly floral white wine is both crisp and smooth, with just a hint of peach and white fruits held therein.  The pleasant finish here was notable to many tasters that surrounded us, most of whom replenished their glasses repeatedly before loading up on some helpings of sweet “Baklava” from New York City’s Molyvos, who returned once again this year to remind us that there’s some pretty great and authentic Greek fare being served in our local city.

The music at this year’s festivities was piped in, eschewing live music in 2017 for an interactive ‘Taste the Greek Grape’ contest, which most guests really seemed to enjoy.  Despite the fact that pronouncing the names of most of the wines and their makers was incredibly difficult, the exposure to a new style of wine culture is always exciting.  And on our next trip to our local shop, we’ll be sure to ask about Xinomavro or  Agiorgitiko grapes instead of Merlot and Chardonnay, to show just how much we learned on this night.

- Dave Gendelson

Taste of Greece 2017: The Food Photos

Avra Estiatorio

The Greek

Molyvos

  

  

Amali

Thalassa Restaurant

  

]]> http://www.localbozo.com/2017/05/taste-of-greece-2017-city-winery/feed/ 0 http://www.localbozo.com/2017/05/hot-sauce-expo-2017/ http://www.localbozo.com/2017/05/hot-sauce-expo-2017/#comments Wed, 03 May 2017 17:53:56 +0000 LocalBozo http://www.localbozo.com/?p=13480

You can dip chips in it, baste chicken with it, kick up a seafood dish with it or sip it straight from the bottle. Whatever your fancy, the end of April marked the return of The Fifth Annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo to the spacious and festive Brooklyn Expo. Bringing together dozens of local and distant purveyors of all things sauce, thousands of local New Yorkers would pony up the minimal $10 entry fee to taste some of the most distinctive and unique man-made concoctions available anywhere. And the spice was effectively kicked up to fiery levels.

Though some rain would drizzle throughout an otherwise warm weather Saturday afternoon session- one in which the incredibly valued VIP Tickets were gobbled up by truly devoted sauceheads- the weather was no detriment to folks gathering in the outdoor space, where an array of different food options was being served for purchase. Inside meanwhile was a truly raucous affair, perhaps the most well-attended Expo in the brief history of the event. Before parading around the sprawling area to taste each sauce for ourselves, we made sure to take in some of the sights and sounds from the ‘Spicy Bagel of DOOM Challenge’ and the ‘Chicken Wing Challenge,’ both of which unsurprisingly resulted in a bevy of grown man tears and a group of folks slugging down cartons of cold white milk.

But aside from posing at different photo booths and watching the interactive competitions, guests spent most of the afternoon chatting with the mom-and-pop style hot sauce makers, each of whom is using a signature style to make sure their brand sticks out amongst the four dozen or so in attendance. There was Tahiti Joe, decked out in a straw hat and Caribbean attire, doling out samples of dueling sauces dubbed ‘Dump Trump’ and ‘Make America Hot Again’ to tap into current events. There was ‘The King’ of BBQ,’ dressed in a full Elvis jumpsuit, pouring spoonfuls of thick red sauce to the masses. There was even goth-queen ‘Purple Pam,’ in full regalia, serving up some Toxic Avenger related hot sauce called ‘Toxie’s Elixir’ to the horror loving public.

Among our favorites from the weekend, we really dug New Jersey’s Whitehouse Station, a small outfit that’s become a staple in our pantry. With a line of six hot sauces, the “Peach Habanero” was an immediate favorite. Subtle and sweet, spicy without being overwhelming – man, was this an especially tasty offering. Equally as delicious, Angry Goat Pepper Company’s “Yellow Flamingo Hot Sauce” yielded a citrus and banana mixture amid some medium heat, allowing the flavors held therein to really stand out on each crunchy corn chip- our eating apparatus of choice. Sure- the usual suspects were once again front and center like the team from Culley’s, who may have created the finest wing sauce in recent memory with their buttery “Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce.” But for our money, it was the small, lesser-known producers that really left us satisfied – and grasping for cups of water.

Then of course we attempted to ‘Face the Fury’ with the “Cobra Chilli Hot Sauce” – a tremendous mistake. I’m fairly certain we saw a gentleman taste the sauce and then quickly lose his eyebrows on account of the incredible heat. As tears streamed from our eyes, and beer was guzzled into our bellies, there was no stopping this onslaught of fire. We faced the fury – and lost in spectacular fashion. It would be a few more hours before food began to taste normal again. Of course, we jest here – but the sauce was immensely spicy and is recommended only for the fearless. For us though, we’ll stick to the medium temperature sauces with inventive ingredients and unique flavors.  We’d be remiss if we failed to mention the likes of High River Sauces, Burns & McCoy, Torchbearer Sauces and the team from Puckerbutt Pepper Company for delivering some of the day’s finest samples.

The hundreds in attendance during Saturday’s session undoubtedly left satiated after receiving such a great value on an event that never tried to price gouge its visitors. Kudos to the organizers of the event once again for hosting an affordable afternoon, with reasonably priced drinks and cocktails that left a scorching trail behind for those brave enough to partake in the truly hottest sauces of the day. And a memorable afternoon of watching these brave folks be tamed by tiny spoonfuls of sauce, for the rest of us.

– Alexandra Fetsey

Though the setting was a new one, the 13th Annual ‘Tap & Tapas’ fundraising event to benefit local nonprofit organization Groove With Me was once again a smashing success on Monday evening.  Housed in the picturesque Studio 450 event space, the chic affair would welcome some 200 philanthropic guests who combined to raise more than $350,000 during the course of an evening that promised delicious fare, an interactive live auction and of course, some festive performances by the group’s participating students.  Though the assembly of some of New York City’s most acclaimed restaurants was responsible for feeding the event’s attendees, it was these choreographed dance numbers that allowed eventgoers to clearly see some of the programs and initiatives that each of their dollars was helping to support.

Established back in 1996, Groove With Me is a respite for young girls in underprivileged areas.  In East Harlem for instance, where 38% of residents live below the poverty line, where young gang activity is prevalent and where 19% of babies are born to teenage mothers- among the highest rate in our area.  Meanwhile, Groove With Me aims to address some of these concerns head on- by providing teens with free dance and performance classes as a means for empowering these youths, giving them a creative outlet, a sense of renewed pride and the ability to overcome the adversity that has befallen them, which candidly, is beyond their control.  Through the use of volunteer dance teachers, the organization boasts a 100% high school graduation rate among its 37 weekly classes and a student base of more than 250 young women, that spends time working in a positive environment rather than in potentially dangerous situations after school.

Before the roomful of guests would shift their attention toward the two adorable performances by Groove With Me students, they were welcomed into a posh white room, with scintillating smells emanating from each restaurant’s table.  Annually, the ‘Tap & Tapas’ event has drawn participation from some of New York City’s finest chefs and their work this year was deliciously admirable as always.  The dishes ranged from the comfort variety- like the delectable “Crispy Short Rib Tacos” from Otto’s Tacos (Joe LoNigro) and Javelina’s (Rebecca Baez) outrageous “Chile Carne Asada Tacos”- to the more refined, where Baccarat Hotels’ (Garett McMahan) doled out an exceptional “Beet Cured Pike with Horseradish” and just a hint of strawberry and crispy quinoa for a mouthwatering textural contrast.  The selection of offerings from each restaurant was second to none, and it should be noted, each of them graciously participated pro bono, donating both time and resources to another worthy evening.

After grabbing some repeat pours of sparkling wine and refreshing cocktails, along with an outstanding “Peekytoe Crab Fritter” from Feinstein’s/54 Below, we planted ourselves front and center for the evening’s program.  A short but poignant video package presented by Groove With Me Founder Abby Rosin McCreath would set the tone for the remainder of the festivities, during a night that would ultimately honor Alison Storming of Dance Theatre of Harlem.  Having a real-life example of the positive effect that dance can have on a young woman’s life was both inspiring and motivating to the many folks now gathered and attentive on hand- a fitting sentiment given that alive auctioneer Cate Smit would soon be front and center to encourage guests to pony up for some items and experiences.  From personal training sessions to New York City restaurant dining experiences to New York Giants and Yankees tickets, folks spared no expense as the evening’s end of the night fundraising number continued to climb.  But after watching the few dozen or so young girls who are so positively impacted by their own participation in the programs hosted by Groove With Me, it’s difficult to challenge the notion that any donation would be too large or too small on this night.  We can only hope that their 14th Annual affair next year is as fun, festive and successful as Monday evening’s proved to be.

Groove With Me ‘Tap & Tapas’ 2017: The Dishes

French Louie:“Raw Scallop & Beet Tartare with Horseradish, Yuzu & Cucumber”

Otto’s Tacos: “Crispy Short Rib Tacos”

Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties: “Broccoli Rabe & Mozzarella Roll,” “Italian Antipasto Roll,” “Roasted Tomato Petals with Mozzarella and Basil”

 

Feinstein’s / 54 Below:“Peekytoe Crab Fritters with Avocado Cream & Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette”

Baccarat: “Beet Cured Pike with Horseradish, Strawberries, Crispy Quinoa and Watercress”

Vandal: “Mini Vandal Smores”

Javelina: “Chile Carne Asada Tacos”

Beauty & Essex: “Assorted Macarons”

La Chula Harlem: “Duck Confit Tacos”

Corner Social: “Quinoa Cakes with Mango Salsa” & “Mini Potato Cakes with Grilled Chicken & Chipotle Aioli”

 

- Dave Gendelson 

Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City has worked to forge lasting one-to-one relationships between volunteers and underprivileged youths, giving them the opportunity to be mentored, supported and empowered as they mature. With more than 500,000 children living at our below the poverty level in New York City alone, the necessity for community outreach is real. Getting involved is important. And fundraising to serve the organization’s initiatives is essential. Enter Thursday evening, where the New York Hilton in Midtown would roll out the red carpet for the 38th Annual Sidewalks of New York benefit, an evening that would eventually raise more than $2 million during the course of the single night affair alone.

The picturesque ballroom was a change of pace from the currently under renovation Waldorf-Astoria, but the hundreds of well-dressed attendees barely noticed a difference, hobnobbing during cocktail hour with the likes of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who makes a point to attend each and every Sidewalks dinner. Returning to emcee the 2017 affair was award winning journalist and Emmy Award winner Soledad O’Brien, who reprised her role as the evening’s incredible orator, perfectly pacing the program of speeches, video packages and award presentations. While the utterly fantastic ‘Chicken Pot Pie’ and the decadent ‘Ice Cream Sundae’ were memorable parts of the evening, it was the speeches of Bigs and Littles that left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Following some welcoming remarks from BBBS Chief Executive Officer Hector Batista, pairs of Bigs and Littles would introduce Dinner Chair John E. Waldron (Goldman Sachs), BBBS President Marva Smalls, and the evening’s award winners, New York Giants receiver Brandon Marshall (Sports Award) and Brendan Dougher, Managing Partner of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, accepting the Corporate Award on his company’s behalf. Unsurprisingly, Marshall’s address was particularly compelling given his path from overcoming a spat of legal issues and mental health struggles (Marshall was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2011’) to become one of the most feared and successful pass catchers in the NFL. His story of overcoming adversity to reach unparalleled levels of athletic success was both inspiring and relatable, especially given that many of the kids enlisted in BBBS of NYC are likely facing some challenging obstacles of their own.

The evening’s Text-to-Pledge campaign proved to be particularly popular with the audience as guests could easily donate funds directly to the organization from their very seat with the results projected on a big screen for all to see. The spectacle of it all made the larger donations all the more dramatic as each $1,000 donation yielded a massive response around the beautiful ballroom. Despite the more than 5,000 children being served each year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City in each of the five boroughs, there’s still more to do and more to be done. The charisma of the Littles given the opportunity to address the room showcased a collection of bright, funny and hard-working young boys and girls looking solely for the chance to shine. With the help of some deep-pocketed attendees, selfless volunteers and companies willing to offer their resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City continues to work tirelessly with these children to offer them that very chance.

For more information on the group’s mission, to make a donation or to get involved, check out bigsnyc.org.

– Dave Gendelson