AlwaysPartying: Top 5 Sweet & Savory at Street & Savory

The Gluttoness — June 10, 2009

“Street and Savory— A Global Street Food Festival for the Benefit of Citymeals-on-Wheels” was one of the most successful tasting events I’ve ever attended, and not because Kelly Choi was hosting. Rather than trying to outdo the next guy with fancier foie gras, the mission at Street & Savory was much simpler: a legion of legendary chefs set out to creatively interpret their favorite street foods. While the dishes weren’t necessarily low-brow, the majority of them kept with the theme, and the most delicious bites were those which could easily be served on the street.

Street cart veterans, like Roy Choi of the famed Los Angeles Kogi BBQ Truck, served Kimchi Quesadillas alongside Jean Georges, Daniel Boulud and Charlie Palmer, who took on the format with impressive results. With a little under forty booths, there was much to be eaten. Our award for creativity goes to Park Avenue Summer’s “3-Minute Picnic.” Of course, this wasn’t a contest, and ultimately, the real winner was Citymeals-on-Wheels, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help feed the homeless, but of course we had our favorites among the many stands.

A quick round-up of the best of the bunch follows.

Savory Street Food

1. Ed Brown & John Miele of Eighty One:

Classic Crispy Fried Clam Roll with Toasted Hot Dog Bun (above)

2. John Schenk of Strip House:

Strip House Goose-Fat Fries with Gorgonzola Fondue

3. Tie for “Gyros“ between:

Michael Psilakis & Zak Miller of Anthos, Kefi & Mia Dona:

Roasted Pork Shoulder “Gyro” with Pickled Cucumber & Yogurt

Charlie Palmer & Christopher Lee, Aureole:

Grilled Marinated Lamb, Pickled Cucumbers & Black Cardamom Dressing on Homemade Pita

4. Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar & Grill:

King Crab Summer Roll

5. Roy Choi & Mark Manguera and Caroline Shin-Manguera of Kogi Korean BBQ-To-Go:

Kimchi Quesadilla

Sweet Street Food

1. Jawn Chasteen & Michael Gabriel, Sea Grill:

Funnel Cake with Orange Blossom Honey (above)

2. Dessert Truck (Chris Chen and Jerome Chang):

Milk Chocolate Mousse with Peanut Butter Cream Center & Caramel Popcorn

3. Craig Koketsu, Park Avenue Summer & Quality Meats:

“Blueberry Pie”

4. Antonio Prontelli & Juan Branez, Rock Center Café and Cucina & Co.:

I Necci: Chestnut-Flour Crepe with Honeyed Ricotta

5. Andrea Reusing, Lantern Restaurant:

Snow Cone with Strawberry & Lychee

Click through the pictures below to see a slideshow of all the dishes presented at last night’s event.