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 

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

For the fourth consecutive year, New York City’s incredible community of restaurants and chefs gathered underneath a setting sun inside of the Central Park Zoo bound by the spirit of philanthropy.  The Wildlife Conservation Society’s “Sip For The Sea” has become an early autumn rite of passage, where a crowd of well-dressed eventgoers gather at the outdoor venue to pair distinctive wines with specially curated dishes by some of the area’s most masterful hands.  Thursday evening’s festivities would again assist in the fundraising efforts for the New York Aquarium, a Coney Island institution for more than 120 years.  And following what would be another wildly successful affair, the upkeep and maintenance of the iconic sight along with enhanced future exhibits and programs will continue to be funded for the better part of another century.

With Honorary Event Chair and WCS Ambassador Katie Lee (Food Network) throwing out the ceremonial first ‘fish’ into the mouth of an awaiting sea lion, “Sip For The Sea” officially kicked off in style.  More than two dozen different purveyors would man cooking stations strategically laid out  around the immaculate zoo space.  In between some decadent bites, guests were welcomed to take in a brief demonstration by the aforementioned sea lions or grab a fleeting glance of some exotic looking puffins and monkeys inhabiting nearby exhibits.  Paired with each dish, some delicious wines courtesy of Jekel Vineyards and Bonterra Organic Vineyards served to cleanse the proverbial palate, washing down some of the lighter fare with ease, in complementary fashion.

Given the warm evening temperature, the menu managed to lean a bit on seafood, a definitive plus especially for salmon lovers.  From the baked wonton and avocado cream mashing of Parlor Steak & Fish’s “Northern Harvest Farm Salmon Canape” to the summer-style seasonality of Atlantic Grill Lincoln Center’s chilled corn salad infused “Faroe Island Salmon Tartare” punctuated with a dash of Calabrian oil- each was nicely paired with a floral white from Bonterra.  The slightly dry style 2014 “Riesling” proved to be the best of the bunch here, with a honey fueled nose and a nice and noticeable spice throughout its long finish.  Though Tavern on the Green’s “Tequila Cured Scottish Salmon” with smoked mousse was also a winner, it was SUSHISAMBA‘s inventive “Salmon Hako Sushi” that stole ‘Best in (Salmon) Show’ for our money.  An eyedropper filled with flavorful dashi soy broth would be squeezed liberally along the soft orange fish covering a small block of white rice, unearthing an explosion of salt-filled richness prepared by Chef Koji Kagawa.  Though small in size, the serving was delightfully complex with each of it’s two bites.

Other highlights came courtesy of Monument Lane (“Chilled Mussels with Tomato Jam and Summer Herbs”), Perrine (“Seared Hampton Bay Scallops” over butternut squash puree and a pair of tasty tacos- “Sloppy Tacos” from L&W Oyster Co. utilizing blackened bluefish and salsa verde and ”Blackened Swordfish Tacos” from Pier A Harbor House, decorated with pickled cabbage and pico de gallo.  Of course no visit to Sip For The Sea is complete without a stop off at Luke’s Lobster where a seemingly simplistic “Maine-Style Shrimp Roll” is so addictive and delicious that one needs to conjure up different excuses to explain to the friendly serving team the reason for a fourth visit to their table.  Lathered in lemon butter, seasoning and a thin spread of mayo, the chilled mini shrimps are especially succulent, enveloped inside of a soft split top bun.

Although sipping on the array of wines is certainly encouraged, pours of Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner and ice cold servings of “Gluten Free Rhubarb Mules” from Stoli Vodka were perfectly suitable change-of-pace type drinks for attendees looking for something different.  With plenty to see and taste, it’s only fitting that music play in the background as the evening turned dark.  And aside from the collection of selected restaurants on hand, The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn would regale the crowd of pacing about onlookers with some folksy cover tunes, adding to the already relaxed ambiance of the evening’s serenity.  While the animals had retired for the remainder of the evening, the festive atmosphere for such a worthwhile cause was really just beginning.

- Jane Van Arsdale

Food Highlights from WCS Sip For The Sea 2016

Parlor Steak & Fish: “Northern Harvest Farm Salmon Canape”

The Writing Room:  “Spaghetti with Veal Meatballs”

SUSHISAMBA: “Salmon Hako Sushi”

Tocqueville Restaurant: “Terrine of Country Chicken”

Tavern on the Green: “Tequila Cured Scottish Salmon”

Thalassa: “Lavraki Tartare with Caviar Mousse and Truffle Oil”

  

Pier A Harbor House: “Blackened Swordfish Taco”

Doughnut Plant: “Assorted Handmade Doughnuts”

  

Butterfly Bakeshop

Perrine: “Seared Hampton Bay Scallops”

Monument Lane: “Chilled Mussels with Tomato Jam & Summer Herbs”

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

Zengo: “Japanese Chicken Meatballs”

Atlantic Grill Lincoln Center: “Faroe Island Salmon Tartare”

Hundred Acres: “Zucchini Carpaccio”

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

Isabella’s: “Beet Cured Salmon Tartare”

Almond: “Smoked Duck with House Funked Kimchi”

Esca: “Crudo de Mercado”

L&W Oyster Co.: “‘Sloppy Tacos’ – Blackened Bluefish, Honey-Fennel Coleslaw”

Dante: “Braised Octopus Salad”

It would certainly take more than the threat of a little rain to prevent hundreds of New Yorkers from attending an affordably priced beer-centric festival. It would probably take a downright monsoon in fact from deterring them from attending said festival within the confines of the Central Park Zoo. With that sentiment in mind, the esteemed outdoor venue still managed to pull off what was a wonderfully run “Brew at the Zoo” event for the Wildlife Conservation Society during two sessions on Friday and Saturday evening.  Local meteorologists were once again rendered useless amid an overcast but dry weekend and patrons were rewarded by a four-hour cavalcade of beer tastings by breweries big and small inside of one of New York City’s most iconic settings.

Fortunately the atmosphere was downright generous on Friday night where the breeze never even kicked up to a brisk temperature and folks donning their spring attire filed into the Zoo’s front gates quickly and comfortably. Our early arrival time afforded us the opportunity to wander around the grounds a bit and as a result we were able to take in some of the sights. We joined a lineup of different folks checking out a brief performance at the massive sea lion tank, gazing at some exotic members of the bird sanctuary and watching two lemurs use their agility to tussle with each other on a sole tree branch- all of which was alone, well worth the cost of admission.

With tickets priced at under $50, it’s no surprise that the evening was so well attended. Once inside, eventgoers were armed with empty tasting glasses and the number of outstretched arms quickly surpassed the amount of beers being offered at the event, where nearly forty different breweries would showcase their finest creations. While attendees surely know the likes of Samuel Adams, Guinness and Captain Lawrence Brewing, we were enamored with some of the lesser known purveyors as the evening progressed. We supremely enjoyed fruit focused offerings from Shiner (an excellent “Prickly Pear”), Schlafly (“Grapefruit IPA”) and Magic Hat (“Electric Peel,” another grapefruit IPA), before guzzling down some local pours from Alphabet City Brewing Company (“Easy Blonde Ale”) and Southampton Publick House (“Keller Pils”) to get us going.

Food for purchase from staples like Wafels & Dinges and Luke’s Lobster made an early arrival almost mandatory as some serious lines quickly spawned for some of each truck’s delicious offerings. Murray’s Cheese meanwhile was doling out some gratis samples of breads, cheeses and spreads that satiated the hungriest drinkers allowing the imbibing to continue without hesitation. The representatives on hand for each brewery were almost entirely friendly despite the fact that attendees were getting a little bit rowdy at the otherwise tasteful affair. Refreshing pours of Ballast Point’s “Sculpin IPA” with a 7% alcohol by volume surely played a part in some of that- deliciously decorated with hops, peach and lemon flavors.

Given the transition to more traditional spring time weather, sweeter styles from Traveler and ciders from Rekorderlig and Magners proved to be particularly popular with the crowd, many of whom took their turns in the interactive gaming area playing over-sized Jenga and Can-Jam with some friends nearby. For the rest of us though, parading around the space and listening to the live mix being worked by DJ John Spinosa would more than suffice. Following a couple of pours of Tsingtao beer from China and Harlem Brewing Company’s “Sugar Hill Golden Ale,” it was time to clean out our tasting glass and stumble our way home for the night. Though the participating breweries certainly were the evening’s drawing card, you’re never really too old to enjoy a trip to the zoo- evidenced by the hundreds upon hundreds of likeminded guests along for a similar journey.

- Jane Van Arsdale

Amid the stunning backdrop of the sun setting over the animals on display at the Central Park Zoo, the annual benefit to support, rebuild and transform the New York Aquarium welcomed a few hundred well-dressed guests and more than twenty different city chefs and vendors to the picturesque outdoor setting. 2015’s “Sip For The Sea” would again serve to support the continued upkeep and overhauling of the iconic New York institution, as the sparkling new construction will serve to house a state-of-the-art facility for our region in perpetuity. Fortunately, with the support of local philanthropists- and their unrequited love of delicious fare- Wednesday evening’s affair was once again as tasteful and as unique as any similarly run event that emanated in Manhattan all summer long.

Grabbing our commemorative wine glasses as we filed into the partitioned Zoo space, we were welcomed by the lively performance of a six piece band, setting the stage with some festive music as the evening would unfold. Instantaneously, we grabbed a flight of oysters courtesy of the folks at Brooklyn Oyster Party, who offered up three different east coast styles along with a variety of accompaniments from lemon wedges to mignonette to complement each brine-filled slurp. Though each table’s dish was carefully paired with a different wine, the nicely sweet and crisp Jekel Vineyards 2014 Riesling was especially refreshing given the warm weather evening- and the array of seafood being offered around the space.

After helping ourselves to some delicious “Maine Style Shrimp Rolls” from Luke’s Lobster, we quickly moved back toward the entrance where we joined many of the other patrons in taking in a brief performance by the Zoo’s collection of sea lions. With their seal-like features, the sea lions were already drawing a fair amount of attention just swimming around their pen and diving in and out of the water to the flashing cameras of the growing crowd, watching the animals catch Frisbee throws was one of the evening’s most memorable moments. And speaking of memorable, the collection of dishes being served during the course of the evening happened to be just that.

Fresh seafood seemed to be the most popular course of action for many of the participating chefs as Sushisamba’s Pedro Duarte (“Yellowtail Tiradtio with Jalapeno and Lemongrass”), The Wayfarer’s Chris Shea (“Yellow Pepper Marinated Fluke”) and Casa Mono’s Anthony Sasso (“Calamare with Tomato and Squash Blossom Vinaigrette”) were some of our initial favorites. Chef John Stevenson of Tavern on the Green and his staff served up an outstanding “Coquille St. Jacques,” a piping hot pan seared scallop over a brown butter infused cauliflower puree where the balance of flavors and temperatures was exceptional. The pairing with Jekel’s 2012 Pinot Noir worked surprisingly well with the each tender scallop as each rich, medium-bodied pour went down silky and smooth. Monument Lane Chef Camille Rodriquez prepared a delectable “Fluke Crudo” where the inventive pairing of pickled blueberries and charred jalapenos enhanced each thin slice of chilled fish wonderfully.

Those restaurants that veered away from using sustainable sea fare would focus on heartier dishes like Davio’s’ always phenomenal “Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi” and Almond’s “Moroccan Style Lamb Meat Balls,” which paired brilliantly with Bonterra’s 2013 “Cabernet Sauvignon.” The evening’s standout dish though came courtesy of Chef Andrea Montobbio of Asellina whose “Openfaced Meatball Sliders” laid a crispy slice of cured guanciale atop the sauce covered meaty bite. Somehow we managed to down the sizable sample in just one mouthful, but the combination of ingredients here seemingly exploded with each subsequent bite- savory and flavorful.

Live music, animal performances and some delicious food drew hundreds of guests to the Zoo itself, but the evening was not without its informative moments, namely the New York Aquarium’s need for funding and equally important, the importance of utilizing sustainable seafood around the City. Each of the seafood dishes served during the course of Wednesday evening’s classy affair were caught sustainably, proving it possible to source fish for restaurant use while also ensuring the health of many threatened species. The setting, the food and the cause all conspired to produce another memorable evening for the fortunate few hundred downing delicious dishes and swirling some balanced wines as day turned to dusk inside of the Central Park Zoo.

- Dave Gendelson

Food Highlights from Sip For The Sea 2015

Union Square Events: “Sea Urchin Custard with Corn and Smoked Caviar“

Atlantic Grill Lincoln Center: “Marinated Faroe Island Salmon Crudo“

Sirio Ristorante: “Crostino di Polenta”

Crave.It: “Frollanera with White Chocolate, Pistachio Ganache and Caramelized Nut”

Almond: “Moroccan Style Lamb Meat Balls”

Casa Mono: “Calamare with Tomato and Squash Blossom Vinaigrette”

Monument Lane: “Fluke Crudo with Charred Jalapeno Peppers & Pickled Blueberries”

Hundred Acres: “Pickled Carolina Shrimp”

Davio’s Manhattan: “Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi”

Sushisamba: “Yellowtail Tiradito with Jalapeno and Lemongrass”

Thalassa: “Lavraki Tartare – Caviar Mousse in a Filo Cone”

Brooklyn Oyster Party: “Assorted Oysters”

 

Luke’s Lobster: “Mini Shrimp Rolls”

The Wayfarer: “Yellow Pepper Marinated Fluke”

Hudson Market Bistro at Sheraton NYC: “Scallop Crudo”

Robicelli’s Bakery: “Zucchini Squares” & “Pecan Blondies”

 

Asellina: “Openfaced Meatball Sliders”

Ocean Grill: “Florida Red Snapper Ceviche”

Tavern on the Green: “Coquille St. Jacques – Pan Seared Scallop, Cauliflower Puree, Brown Butter”

Loveletter Cakeshop

 

Butterfly Bakeshop

 

Set amid the backdrop of the Central Park Zoo at dusk, the Wildlife Conservation Society hosted a classy outdoor affair Thursday night entitled “Sip for the Sea.”  The second annual event would bring together more than two dozen restaurants and vendors for a seafood centric food tasting and wine pairing to benefit the transformation of the New York Aquarium, whose plans for construction were severely altered following the damages of Hurricane Sandy. With live music, an array of incredible eats from some of New York City’s top restaurants and chefs and even an exhibition courtesy of the Zoo’s sea lions, “Sip for the Sea” proved to be both tasteful and captivating for the hundreds of philanthropic guests in attendance.

The dulcet tones emanating from the back of the open air space were utterly infectious as blues band The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn allured packs of guests closer and closer to their catchy sounds. With a wine glass in one hand and a dish in the other, it became methodical to figure out how to manage wining and dining around the picturesque space- but the high top tables stationed around the Zoo’s corridor proved pivotal for resting one’s glass in order to use both hands to quickly devour some of the mouthwatering food being served up by the chefs and their staffs.

The evening opened an hour earlier for ‘Grand Taster Guests,’ giving many folks the opportunity to enjoy some of the culinary delicacies being plated before the remaining crowds would arrive. It was during this hour that the west side’s Lobster Place would host an exclusive wine and oyster pairing solely for these attendees- and the sounds of ‘Wild Cat Cove’ oysters being freshly shucked and slurped down, quickly filled the air around us. The early start time also allowed guests to marvel at the Zoo’s immaculate grounds while the day’s remaining sunlight shone down upon the space in all its majesty. Only in New York City is it possible to be wowed by a group of zoologists feeding hungry sea lions performing tricks, while also gazing toward a towering skyline of buildings in the background.

As vivid as the quaint setting was, the selection of delicious food being doled out was equally as exceptional. Atlantic Grill’s “Hamachi Crudo” was an early favorite- a thin slice of chilled fish topped by red radish, a crispy maitake mushroom and a subtle drizzle of Yuzu-Kosho vinaigrette. The pairing with Argentinian wine 2013 “Colome Torrontes,” a fruit forward citrusy white that is deliciously pungent, was equally as notable as we sipped and swirled our way around the outdoor area. Scallops were among the most popular dishes during “Sip for the Sea” evidenced by the delectable offerings from the likes of HM Bistro (“Alaska Weathervane Scallops”), Fresh Hamptons (“Wood Roasted Montauk Day Boat Scallops”) and Clement at the Penninsula, whose “Scallop Escabeche” with a seaweed aioli was our clear cut favorite of the bunch.

While both Esca and Tavern on the Green offered up differing and delicious takes on “Alaskan Black Cod,” other standout dishes included Almond’s “Coho Salmon Crudo” on a bed of sticky rice, Felidia‘s perfectly crusted “Yellowfin Tuna Semi-Carpaccio” and The Stanton Social’s “House Cured Wild Salmon Crostini,” a nice contrast of textures from crunchy cracker to the rich dollop of creamy aioli. Surprisingly, the evening’s culinary highlight came courtesy of the event’s sole meat dish and Fred’s at Barneys’ crunchy “Braised Brisket Tacos” were a big hit. Stuffed with tender pulled meat, fresh radish and thick guacamole, each hearty taco packed a multitude of different flavors which oozed out with each savory bite. And the brilliant pairing with the full bodied 2012 “Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon” from The Hess Collection was utterly fantastic.

Stuffed with some tasty fare, inspired by some of the guest speakers on hand, informed about some noteworthy affordable wines, and left in awe by the views of the Central Park Zoo at nightfall is perhaps the sentiment that best sums up the experience at the second annual “Sip for the Sea.” The tasteful affair was one that managed to be both casual and refined at once and allowed those of us fortunate enough to be in attendance to have a taste of the good life- for a cause that is great.

For more information on the Wildlife Conservation Society and their efforts to support, rebuild and transform the New York Aquarium, take a peek at their website here.

- Dave Gendelson

Lobster Place: “Assorted Oysters”

HM Bistro at Sheraton NYC: “Alaska Weathervane Scallops, Crispy Kale Polenta”

Hundred Acres: “Salpicon-Style Bluefish with Fried Tortillas”

The Wayfarer: “Cured Alaskan Coho Salmon with Cucumber & Jalapeno Apple Vinaigrette”

Atlantic Grill: “Hamachi Crudo, Crispy Maitake Mushrooms, Gooseberries, Yuzu-Kosho Vinaigrette“

Rouge Tomate: “Yellowfin Tuna, Wild Mushroom, Cauliflower, Wild Rice, Cashew“

Esca: “Smoked Alaskan Black Cod“

Almond: “Coho Salmon Crudo with Arancini and Citrus“

Thalassa: “Lavraki with Caviar Mousse & Zucchini Fritter with Tzatziki Sauce”

 

Davio’s Manhattan: “Gnocchi Bolognese” & “Mushroom Truffle Gnocchi”

 

Crave.It: “Polenta, Hazelnut and Almond Cookie“

Tavern on the Green: “Miso Cured & Smoked Alaskan Black Cod“

Felidia: “Yellowfin Tuna Semi-Carpaccio with Almond Milk and Caponata“

Clement at the Peninsula: “Scallop Escabeche with Seaweed Aioli“

Parlor Steakhouse / The Writing Room: “Local Blue Island Oyster with Watermelon-Chili Granite“

Tolani: “Salmon Tartar“

Gordon Ramsay at the London: “Carpaccio of Coho Salmon“

The Lambs Club: “Yellowfin Tuna Sliders“

Robicelli’s: “Assorted Desserts“

 

Butterfly Bakeshop: “Vanilla Cake” & “Chocolate Cake with Cappucino Buttercream”

The Stanton Social: “House Cured Wild Salmon Crostini“

Fresh Hamptons: “Wood Roasted Montauk Day Boat Scallops“

Fred’s at Barneys: “Braised Brisket Tacos”