AlwaysPartying: Food and Wine Celebration for Veggie U

Arthur Bovino — July 19, 2010

Chef’s Garden Squash Blossoms at the 8th Annual Food & Wine Celebration hosted at The Chef’s Garden in Milan, Ohio.

This weekend marked the 8th Annual Food & Wine Celebration. The event, hosted by Farmer Lee Jones at The Chef’s Garden in Milan, Ohio, benefitted the Veggie U Children’s program, an effort to combat adolescent and juvenile disease, and create a better understanding of sustainable agriculture.

Outside, under tent cover that shielded everyone from a hot, summer day, Farmer Lee Jones graciously welcomed his guests, wearing his trademark blue overalls and red bowtie. There were dishes prepared by more than 40 local chefs, including one by chef Jonathon Sawyer of The Greenhouse Tavern, who was recently noted as one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs.

Farm-fresh corn, sweet peas, micro-greens, carrots, beets, and green goodies of all kinds graced the tastings— the food was fantastic. One of the best dishes was the Chef’s Garden Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Fire Roasted Heirloom Sweet Corn and Silver Lake Chevre with Fresh and Spicy Peach Chutney from Chef Michael Deligatta of Michael Anthony’s at the Inn (top).

Vegetables were crisp, sweet, and full of summer flavor— but then, they came from the farm, and you can’t get much more to-table than that. And while the after-party coincided with a torrential downpour, festival-goers and chefs partied on with a deconstructed clambake, more farm-fresh salads, soft-shell crabs a la plancha, and a seemingly endless supply of steamed lobster.

More at The Chef's Garden >>

AlwaysPartying: Celebrate Flatiron Chefs

Maryse Chevrière — July 14, 2010

Clockwise from top: Taste of Summer Melons from Eleven Madison Park, slicing porchetta from SD26, the scene at Celebrate Flatiron Chefs in Madison Square Park.

Last night, just a month after the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, tents were in place and grills were once again fired up in Madison Square Park— this time for Celebrate Flatiron Chefs.

The annual event, which benefited the Madison Square Park Conservancy, was just as much a reminder of how good the neighborhood has it on the food front, as it was a preview of great things to come. A table of salume was there to represent the game-changing, Italian mega market-restaurant concept Eataly (scheduled to open August 31st), and a rum cocktail in a lime cup from The Hurricane Club built anticipation for an after-work, tiki-themed happy hour.

The highlight (for those who arrived early), was a preview from Hill Country Chicken. Last night it was a Mini Texas Hand Roll. They joined offerings from more than twenty of the Flatiron District’s top restaurants. There was pork, of course, burgers too, and plenty of other summer-inspired fare.

More photographs of the food at Celebrate Flatiron Chefs >>

AlwaysPartying: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Maryse Chevrière — July 04, 2010

Winner Joey Chestnut raises his fist in victory.

Well, folks, it’s official. Joey Chestnut has eaten more hot dogs than any other one person will this 4th of July. 54 in ten minutes, to be exact.

At the 95th Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this afternoon, the American favorite clinched his fourth consecutive win, edging out Tim “Eater X” Janus and Pat Bertoletti, who took second and third respectively. The result wasn’t quite near the record-breaking 70 hot dogs Chestnut had hoped to eat (he consumed 68 last year)— blame perhaps the beating sun and 95 degree heat for that.

More from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest >>

AlwaysPartying: Happy 4th of July!

Maryse Chevrière — July 02, 2010

Patriotic Cupcake Flag from Baked by Melissa.

Freedom! Fireworks! Independence! Sure the 4th of July is all about celebrating our soverignty, but it’s also about spending time with friends and family with lots of good food. Consider, according to the Census, 76 million Americans said they took part in a barbecue in 2009. And supposedly, in this week leading up to July 4th we’ll have bought 700 million pounds of chicken, 190 million pounds of red meat and pork, and about 63.5 million cases of beer. Head swimming yet? We figure to eat 150 million hot dogs this holiday, a few of them at the 95th Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

From left: Pork Ribs from Checkered Pig at the 2010 BABBP, Melone cocktail from A Voce, Cheeseburger from All-American.

If you’re still strategizing your holiday weekend food plans, here are a few things to consider:

• To get you in the grilling spirit, review Always Hungry’s regional hot dog and BBQ primers. And if you need an extra helping of ‘cue, revisit Always Hungry’s coverage of the 2010 and 2009 Big Apple Barbecue Block Party events. You can also check out some burger porn, and if you’re near Massapequa and feeling like a real patriot, visit All-American for a cheeseburger.
• Because a good backyard barbecue is nothing without refreshments, try Always Hungry’s fantastic Secret Sangria recipe or A Voce’s recipes for vodka infusion cocktails at your party this year. Of course, you could also draw inspiration from Pulino’s appropriately named Limoncello Sparkler or Pocha 32’s Watermelon Soju.
• Don’t forget, as suggested last year, you’ll have to order your Baked by Melissa Cupcake Flag (pictured above) by Saturday if you want to show off your patriotism with one of their epic Red Velvet, Vanilla, and Blueberry cupcake displays (150 to 630 cupcakes, $105.00-$409.50).

More 4th of July! More Food! >>

AlwaysPartying: Barista Competition at RBC NYC

Ashley Poon — June 28, 2010

Left, the signature drink from Counter Culture Coffee’s barista, Katie Cargulio, made at RBC NYC.

Last Thursday, the day of the 2010 World Barista Championship in London, there was also a little friendly coffee competition going in TriBeCa at the new downtown buzz-spot, RBC NYC. Baristas met at RBC to make signature drinks at the behest of its assistant manager, Cora Lambert, who had been inspired by the signature drinks division of the United States Barista Championship (USBC). “Signature drinks bring in the culinary aspect of coffee,” said Cora, “It’s more than pressing a button.”

More at RBC NYC >>

AlwaysPartying: National Hamburger Day

Arthur Bovino — May 28, 2010

Double-Double Animal Style at In-N-Out in Los Angeles, CA.

Main Entry: ham·burg·er
Pronunciation: \ˈham-ˌbər-gər\
Variant(s): or ham·burg \-ˌbərg\
Function: Fill your belly.
Etymology: German Hamburger of Hamburg, Germany
Date: 1884

1a: ground beef, b: a patty of ground beef
2: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split typically round bun
3: something that every chef thinks they need to have on their menu
4: something that when done right can be amazing whether eaten in a hole in a wall or in the most esteemed restaurant in the land

That’s right, today, May 28th, is National Hamburger Day. And however you define it, wherever or whoever you want to attribute its origins, whether you fuss it up or slap it between pieces of bread, the burger is wonderful. To celebrate it in all its glory, first peruse the burger archives— we’ve written about a lot of good burgers. Then check out two Burger Bash recaps, and burger-themed videos:

Amstel Lite Burger Bash Blue Moon Burger Bash Burgers in the Boardroom Inside LaFrieda Meats

But wait, there’s more! It’s also almost the end of National Hamburger month, so we’re going to send May out the right way. To inspire your Memorial Day Weekend burger-making, here are burgers Always Hungry, kitchen-sink style: an all-inclusive burger archive photo display. Lamb burgers, goat burgers, Indian burgers and Italian burgers, butter burgers, fast food burgers, mini-burgers, duck burgers. Burgers with eggs, chips, bacon, peanut butter, and corn. It’s all here. Burger-topia!

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today..." >>

AlwaysPartying: Toast of the Town 2010

Maryse Chevrière — May 25, 2010

Catsmo Smoked Trout with Chopped Beets and Shaved Fennel from Wall & Water.

As expected, the City’s wine fanatics came out to play at last night’s Toast of the Town grand tasting event hosted by Wine Enthusiast. The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center was once again packed with well-heeled revelers sampling from more than 500 internationally acclaimed wineries and spirits producers.

There was food too, of course. Small plates from a handful of New York’s top restaurants helped keep party-goers on their feet as pours got bigger and continued until 10pm. Thalassa’s silky Olive Oil-cured Scallop over Caviar Mousse was a repeat favorite, joining Brasserie Cognac’s Lobster Bisque and Wall & Water’s Smoked Trout with Beets and Fennel as the evening’s best bites.

More Photographs from Toast of the Town 2010 >>

AlwaysPartying: National Escargot Day

Maryse Chevrière — May 24, 2010

May 24th, is National Escargot Day, and to celebrate the love-it-or-hate-it French delicacy we’re featuring three great renditions that can be found in the City:

La Lunchonette is an obvious, wise choice, if you’re looking for real-deal French bistro fare in Chelsea. The unmarked door on 18th Street looks like the entrance to a street-level apartment, which is confirmed when you practically walk in to the cubicle of a kitchen as you’re warmed by the flames of the burners. There is an excellent Cassoulet on the menu, and Cervelles au Beurre Noire for the more adventurous. But no meal at La Luncheonette should begin without the Escargot Au Cognac. It’s a generous portion, perfectly cooked, covered in butter sauce, and mixed with mushrooms.

Chef Petiteau of Bistro Vendôme is known for his facility with mussels— and they don’t disappoint— among other styles, he serves them au Basilic, à la Normande, and, our favorite, Provençale. But Petiteau’s Escargot with Garlic and Parsley are excellent too. At this restaurant in East Midtown, the snails also get the butter treatment, with a heavy hand of both parsley and garlic. They are baked in classic escargot dishes in which each tasty morsel is given its own individual slot. Perfect for concentrating flavor and sauce into convenient dipping holes for your bread.

The sautéed snails at Gascogne is a dish that recalls Wayne Nish’s lobster, crème fraîche, and caviar beggar’s purses made famous at the now, sadly closed, restaurant, March. Gascogne’s Aumôniéres d’Escargots are little beggar’s purses of phillo dough twisted around snails, sealed with a chive, and served in a garlic beurre blanc sauce. Dining on this rendition at a candlelit table amidst the whitewashed walls while looking out onto the multi-level garden is sure to transport you, in spirit at least, to southwestern France.

AlwaysPartying: Taste of Tribeca

Arthur Bovino — May 17, 2010

Clockwise from top: Centrico’s Ceviche, and Marco Canora plating a dish for Terroir Tribeca, at the 2010 Taste of Tribeca.

At Saturday’s Taste of Tribeca, live music was playing, Drew Nieporent was on hand, and Duane Street between Greenwich and Hudson was packed with New Yorkers trading punch-cards for samples from more than 60 of the neighborhood’s restaurants and businesses.

Proceeds were dedicated to arts and enrichment programs at local public schools, PS 150 and PS 234. Bouley and Blaue Gans, Bar Artisanal and Bubby’s. Tribeca Grill, The Harrison, and Marc Forgione, they were all present, just to name a few.

The line for Walker’s Pulled Pork Sandwiches stretched the longest, but with this many participants choosing six tastes allowed by one ticket proved difficult. Favorites included: Pepolino’s Pappa al Pomodoro, Plein Sud’s Duck Liver Mousse, and Duane Park Patisserie’s Molten Chocolate Cake.

But Bouley Upstairs and Bouley scored with interesting textures in their Tofu with Truffled Dashi, and Strawberry and White Chocolate Parfait. Whether or not they were shooting for the slightly ice-crystallized fruit layers in the latter, it was an effect that really worked.

Slideshow of a Taste of Tribeca >>

AlwaysPartying: National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

Arthur Bovino — May 14, 2010

Chicken Biscuit at Pies ‘n’ Thighs.

Today, May 14th, is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, time to celebrate the biscuit. Whether you use a recipe passed down through generations, or follow directions on the back of the Bisquick box, eat them hot with butter fresh from the oven, under poached eggs brunch-style, cover them with whipped cream, or strawberries, biscuits are gravy, baby.

And for a place way up here in the Northeast, New York actually has quite a few good biscuits. Though one of the best is currently out of the rotation due to the kitchen fire at The Brooklyn Star last February. We’re looking forward to their return. Meanwhile, check out some of our other favorites.

AlwaysPartying: Top of the List

Maryse Chevrière — May 12, 2010

Left, Four-Berry Tea Infusion dipped in Roederer Estate Brut Rosé from La Maison du Chocolat. Bottom right, Smoked Oyster with Pickled Celery and Relish from Fort Defiance.

Last night’s Second Annual Top of the List grand tasting event hosted by Wine & Spirits Magazine at the Metropolitan Pavilion celebrated some of the best-selling and most popular wines served at the country’s top restaurants. The benefit offered pours from more than 100 wineries— from Spanish and Italian reds, Mediterranean whites and Rieslings, to Port and Sparkling Wines. Every base was covered.

Between the swirling, sniffing, and tasting, there was sustenance— food from a selection of new and notable tri-state restaurants and artisan purveyors helped keep imbibing in check. On the savory side, Artisanal’s Cheese Panna Cotta with Mushrooms and SD26’s Pappa col Pomodoro were the best bites.

But it was gourmet chocolatier, La Maison du Chocolat who really shined, wooing with an interactive offering that combined food and drink— berry and tea-infused ganache squares that were to be dipped in sparkling wine, whose bubbles created a thin, hardened shell.

More Photographs from the Top of the List >>

AlwaysPartying: Calçotada at Savoy

Arthur Bovino — May 11, 2010

Chef Peter Hoffman’s Calçotada Festival at Savoy in SoHo.

On the corner of Prince and Crosby outside Savoy, a musician strummed his guitar as the wind picked up smoke from the grill on the sidewalk. Chefs Peter Hoffman and Ryan Tate used thongs to flip batches of charred leeks dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper. Not long after, Hoffman was inside demonstrating how to drink a stream of rosé from the spout of a porrón held in his hand a foot away. Happy Monday.

More Photographs of Calçotada at Savoy >>

First Look: Limelight Market Opening

Maryse Chevrière — May 07, 2010

The scene inside the new Limelight Market at last night’s preview party.

The much-anticipated Limelight Market makes its grand debut today, but last night it was open for a media preview party with all the glitz and glam of the space’s former nightclub days. Among the luxury clothing and beauty shops are a bevy of gourmet food stands.

Unapologetically rich hot chocolate and ganaches from MarieBelle, a Wonka-esque pick-n-mix candy spread called It’s Sugar, and cupcakes from the popular mobile vendor CupcakeStop— all attracted big crowds last night. It will be interesting to see how Grimaldi’s is going to fit in among its posh neighbors in this manicured spot when the pizzeria opens next month.

Check out the slideshow for photographs of the Limelight Market’s food and specialty vendors.

More at the Limelight Market >>

AlwaysPartying: Cinco de Mayo

Maryse Chevrière — May 05, 2010

Happy Cinco de Mayo, time for a shot!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Last year, we celebrated with a four-stop Mexican restaurant crawl. Today we’re going bigger, compiling photographs of our favorite south-of-the-border dishes at some of the best Mexican and Latin restaurants in the City. From burritos, quesadillas, and guacamole to churros, and of course, margaritas— we’ve got it all.

Photographs of Some of the City's Best Mexican and Latin Dishes >>

LUCKYRICE Festival: Grand Feast of Asian Flavors

Arthur Bovino — May 03, 2010

Clockwise from top: Tongue N Cheek from The Setai (Steamed Braised Veal Cheek, Foie Gras, and Truffle Dumpling, Pickled Veal Tongue and Vegetable Salad); Le Bernardin’s Black Sesame Panna Cotta; The Merlion Cocktail from mixologist Chris Johnson.

A huge vat of Bibimbap, Foie Gras with Yuzu Marmalade, and Santa Barbara Sea Urchin with Jalapeño.

Those are just three of the great tastes at the LUCKYRICE Festival’s Grand Feast of Asian Flavors hosted by Lisa Ling. Attending the party on the 36th floor in the Mandarin Oriental’s ballroom meant sampling these and other haute Asian flavors by chefs Morimoto and Michael Bao among others.

There were great bites to be had, and interesting cocktails to wash them down with— one even featured durian. And all while looking out on a glorious view of Central Park on a Saturday evening.

Photographs of the LUCKYRICE Festival's Grand Feast >>