New Taste of the Upper West Side

6th Annual Whole Foods Market New Taste of the Upper West Side Announces New Faces, New Look, New Weekend Friday, May 31st, and Saturday June 1st.

Travel Channel’s Adam Richman to Host Comfort Classics

Top Chef Judge and Food & Wine Special Projects Director Gail Simmons To Host Best of the West Honoring Shake Shack Creators Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti.

The 2013 Whole Foods Market New Taste of the Upper West Side is back celebrating its sixth year with top-name chefs, A-list hosts, renowned honorees and more participating restaurants. Created by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), proceeds from the weekend will continue to benefit the Columbus Avenue BID’s Streetscape Project as well as support the Wellness in its Schools program at the O’Shea School complex and P.S. 87.

Kicking off the 6th Annual Whole Foods New Taste of the Upper West Side is an exciting new event, Soirée in the Park on Wednesday, May 29th, at7 p.m. in Theodore Roosevelt Park. Hosted by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the festive fundraiser will feature champagne and hors d’oeuvres by chefs John Fraser (Dovetail), Maria Loi (Loi) and Cesare Casella (Salumeria Rosi Parmacotta)

Comfort Classics, Friday

Friday May 31st, 2013

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

$105 per person

Under the Grand Tent on Columbus Avenue between W 76th and W 77th Street. Hosted by Travel Channel’s Adam Richman, the connoisseur of cool, returns to host this high-energy evening for the third consecutive year. Featuring over 40 chefs from Upper West Side institutions to new entities, the evening will showcase unique bites inspired by old time classics along with new takes on time treasured favorites served alongside cocktails, wine and spirits by Southern Food and Wine and music from DJ Fresh.

Best of the West

Saturday June 1st, 2013

VIP, $250 per person 6:00 pm

General Admission $135 per person from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Under the Grand Tent on Columbus Avenue between W 76th and W 77th Street. Celebrating the Upper West Side’s most extraordinary chefs and restaurants, hosted by Top Chef Judge and Food & Wine Special Projects Director Gail Simmons and honoring restaurateur visionaries and Shake Shack creators Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti, the Best of the West is a culinary lover’s dream. With more than 40 of New York’s premier chefs, wine and spirits, and live music from the 17-piece New York Big Band; this is an event not to be missed. Be sure to order VIP tickets if you’d like to mingle with some of the culinary stars.

Tickets now on sale www.newtasteuws.com

Manhattan Cocktail Classic 2013

Whether you sip, slurp, gulp or gargle... It's time to pinky-up because the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is coming May 17-21, 2013. What does this mean? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Well, for starters, fancy dressed Cocktailians will be roaming the New York Public Library which will be transformed into one of the world’s grandest cocktail parties for the Opening Night Gala. The black-tie event will take over all four floors of the marbled halls, filling every reading room, stairwell, nook and cranny with masterfully created cocktails, live musical performances, delectable nibbles and noshes, and thousands of the city’s most fashionable movers and shakers filling every room libating their way through chapters of mixology recipes. Then, throughout the five imbibing days, hob nob with other cocktail lovers at all the different spirited soirées, bar crawls, bus tours, pig roasts, punch parties; and a three-day trade conference for beverage industry professionals.

WAIT. THERE'S MORE! Le Bernardin’s Chef Eric Riper will host a cocktail-paired dinner. Brooklyn cocktail mecca, Huckleberry Bar, will have a mixology class featuring Brooklyn-based, produced and inspired spirits. Celebrate Grand Central Terminal’s 100th anniversary at The Campbell Apartment, featuring turn-of-the 20th century cocktails. Also, a decadent afternoon of chocolate and cocktail pairings. Um... Tiki Safari? (Cant wait to see what that's all about!) Then off to learn a few tricks of the trade, only to forget everything after sampling a few too many at countless bar seminars and hands-on workshops at some of NYC’s most heralded watering holes. Finally, hair of the dog at a boozy brunch. WHATTHEHELL? Don't say I didn't warn you. Good Luck and Cheers!

Tickets go on sale March 15th at Noon http://www.manhattancocktailclassic.com/

evian® @ SOBEWFF

evian® is making a splash at the  Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE with Chef Richard Blais on Instagram and Twitter!

evian Natural Spring Water returns to the South Beach Food & Wine Festival as an official water sponsor for the 12th consecutive year. This year, evian has partnered with TV personality and Atlanta based restaurateur, Chef Richard Blais, for an interactive takeover of the @evianwater Instagram account to provide the social community with a behind-the-scenes view of the epicurean festival with a Live young® twist.

Beginning Friday February 15, 2013, the week leading up to #SOBEWFF, Chef Blais will kick off the #evianeats Foodie Photo Series on Instagram, where a fun, foodie theme will be posted once a day on the @evianwater Instagram account. Instagram users are invited to upload photos of their own culinary creations and dishes via Instagram and Twitter (@evianwater) using hash tag #evianeats. Then, Chef Blais will take over the @evianwater Instagram account live from #SOBEWFF and will tweet and Instagram all the action live! So whether you are at the festival or not... join in on the fun!

Oh yeah, And if you are wondering where NYC Sidewalker will be? We'll be at the SOBEWFF Grand Tasting Village, inside the evian® interactive photo booth making all the funny faces... Woohoo!

More information can be found at: http://www.evian.us
Facebook: http://facebook.com/evian
Twitter: https://twitter.com/evianwater
Instagram: http://instagram.com/evianwater

Cochon 555

5 Chefs, 5 Pigs, 5 Winemakers for 5 Porky Years! The Fifth Anniversary Tour kicks off in New York City on February 10th, which also happens to be my birthday! Coincidence? I think NOT. This traveling pork circus will then continue to nine other cities. All in preparation for the the Grand Cochon (that's like, head pig in charge). So get your tickets because a little swine will do you fine. http://www.cochon555.com/

· New York City on February 10

· Atlanta on February 17

· Vail on March 10

· Seattle on March 17

· Boston on March 24

· Washington, DC on April 7

· San Francisco on April 14

· Miami on April 24

· Chicago on April 28

· Los Angeles on May 5

Japan Week NYC

Japan Week Announces Multi-Day Festival to Promote Japanese Culture, Food & Beverages and Tourism at Grand Central Terminal 

March 19-21, 2013

Japan Week program this year highlights include: Announcement of Grand Central Terminal’s First Sister-Station Relationship with Tokyo Station, a Japanese Pop-Up Sake Bar and Exquisite “Ekiben" Bento Boxes and Geisha make up demonstrationn.  Also, Japanese Restaurant Week will take place from March 3 - 18, 2013 and the Japan Pavilion at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show: Japan Week will have a presence at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, a leading food & beverage trade show on March 3 - 5, 2013.

For more information about Japan Week, please visit  www.japanweek.us, 
“like” on Facebook www.facebook.com/JapanWeekNY
Follow on Twitter @JapanWeekNY
More information about travel to Japan visit japantravelinfo.com

SOBEFEST 2013

It's that time of the year again to get out of the cold and head to the beach! Trade the snow for the sand at The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. Get ready for some foodie fun in the sun and fabulous evenings at parties with the Moon over Miami.

#SOBEWFF take place February 21-24 and promises to be better than ever with Festival Director Lee Schrager creating new events like From Big Apple to Big Easy hosted by John Besh, Marcus Samuelsson, Aarón Sanchez and Jonathan Wax-man. Then, after spending the day at the Grand Tasting, head to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach for Wine Spectator's Best of the Best. Dinners like Chicken Coupe hosted by Andrew Carmellini, Garden to Glass hosted by Emeril Lagasse featuring Bar Lab Cocktails & My Ceviche, and White on White Dinner at BIANCA hosted by Michael White with Brian Massie are sure to impress; just remember to wait 30 minutes after eating to go swimming.

Lastly join Guy Fieri's Reggae Jam with Ziggy Marley Live presented by Ziggy Marley Organics featuring Cuisine of the Sun by Ortanique and friends, at The Official Festival Closing Party.

http://www.sobefest.com/
https://twitter.com/Lee_Schrager

Restaurant North

Restaurant North, a photo by NYC Sidewalker 

Escape NYC with a short drive to Armonk, New York and have dinner at Restaurant North. Hudson Valley Restaurant Week lured us, as did the restaurant's great menu, so there was no better excuse to venture out for a new scene and what turned out to be an excellent dinner.

First things first, make reservations! Walk-in on a Friday night and this place is packed. Crowd is thirty-something and up and eager to nab the next available table in order to curate their sophisticated suburban palates. Seeing the delicious looking plates of food hit the tables, I could see I was in the right place. So after a short wait at the bar, a glass of wine and a nice conversation with the lovely Monique who happens to be the co-owner's wife, our table was ready. Just in time too, I was hungry.

Restaurant North, a set on Flickr.

North is a charming restaurant with modern elements in a cozy atmosphere. The staff is more than accommodating, friendly and caters to patrons in a attentive manner without being overbearing. The menu is New American with local ingredients appearing throughout.

We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Eric Gabrynowicz while he made his rounds around the restaurant saying hello and making sure everybody was happy. Chef Gabrynowicz is a delight. And I say that without trying to sound like someone's grandma, but it's true. He is just so nice. Trained in Danny Meyer's kitchen, he understands quality and service. The chef told us he remembers how excited he was when Danny Meyer himself came to North for dinner for the first time.

But anyway, enough about how great everybody is. If you really want to know if a restaurant is good, the proof is in the pudding! Which I did have for dessert, and yes it was delicious, as was everything else.

Appetizer Courses: Arugula & Crispy Onion Salad with Captian Lawrence Kolsch, Grain Mustard, Agave, Pistachios, Sprout Creek Touissant

Sycamore Farms Pumpkin Risotto with Sugar baby pumpkin, Duck Confit and Parmigiano Reggiano

Main Courses: Meiller's Farm Whole Roasted Pork with Bacon & Grape Stew, Roasted Broccoli, Griddled Onions

Bobo Farms Chicken with Hammer MIlled Polenta with Swiss Chard, Pickeled Peppers and Roasted Hubbard Squash

Dessert Courses: "Super Awesome" Chocolate Chip Cookie Jane's Hudson Valley Vanilla Ice Cream

Proof was in the French Toast Bread "Pudding" Cranberry, Pear, Creme Anglaise, Almond Lace

Restaurant North

386 Main Street  Armonk, NY 10504
(914) 273-8686
@restaurantnorth
http://www.restaurantnorth.com

THE DIZZY FIZZ HOLIDAY SPIRITS BAZAAR

GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS AND RING IN THE SEASON OF ENTERTAINING WITH THE DIZZY FIZZ'S 3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY SPIRITS BAZAAR!

Tis the season to get Dizzy! Sip endless holiday spirits, cocktails and punch. Plus enjoy charcuterie and cheese from Stinky Brklyn.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Astor Center
399 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10003
Choose from two dizzying sessions: 
Rollocking Tippling 1p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Mad-Men Style Bash 7p.m. – 10 p.m.
TICKETS: $45 http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4704291663?ref=ebtnebtckt

PARTICIPATING IN THE SPIRITED EVENT:

Emeche Cupcakes, Whistlepig Straight Rye Whiskey, The Bitter Truth Travel Pack, Averna Amaro, Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters, The Black Grouse, Don Julio Tequila, George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, G’Vine Gin, Cacao Prieto, The Balvenie, Monkey Shoulder, Ardbeg, Four Roses Bourbon, Caliche Rum, Death’s Door Spirits, Don Q Rum, Molinari Sambuca, Maker’s Mark, Kansas Clean Distilled Whiskey, Rhum Clement, Catdaddy Moonshine, Half Moon Orchard Gin, Greenhook Ginsmiths, Sorel, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Becherovka, Philadelphia Distilling, Hudson Whiskey, Iceberg Vodka, Cockspur Rum, Perrier Water

Hurricane Sandy NYC

New York City and its surrounding areas have suffered a great blow as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Our heart goes out to those in damaged areas and whom have lost so much during this devastation. As federal and local disaster response agencies arrive to help, its great to see people looking in on their neighbors to make sure they are okay and helping to share vital information. Also, there are many charity organizations that are helping our communities in their moments of need. Please donate money, supplies and volunteer your time. Meanwhile, stay safe on the sidewalks and for the record, I ❤ NY (even in the dark).

New York City Government For the latest updates on NYC Hurricane Disaster Emergency Relief and available help visit @nycgov http://www.nyc.gov

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency @FEMA http://www.fema.gov 

Apply to receive Assistance and Hurricane Disaster Relief http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Apply via a smartphone at http://m.fema.gov/ Or apply by Phone by calling (800) 621-3362 or TTY (800) 462-7585.

Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). 

Ex: Shelter 01234 (std rates apply)

Con Edison Providing electric, gas, and steam service to NYC and Westchester. @ConEdison

For official customer concerns go to http://www.coned.com/customercentral or call 1-800-752-6633. 

MTA Service Advisory Manages transit, buses, subways, trains, bridges and tunnels in New York City and surrounding areas including Long Island. @MTAinsider http://www.mta.info/

NYC Service helps more New Yorkers connect to service opportunities more easily. 

We promote service as a part of what it means to be a citizen of New York City. @NYCservice  http://www.nycservice.org

Citymeals On-Wheels ensures no homebound elderly NY'er will ever go a day without food/human company. 100% of public donations go to the preparation and delivery of meals. @CityMeals http://www.citymeals.org

New York Cares meets pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service @NewYorkCares http://newyorkcares.org/

Architecture for Humanity brings design, construction, and development services to communities in need. @archforhumanity http://architectureforhumanity.org/

Action Against Hunger Working to save the lives of severely malnourished people worldwide & implement long-term solutions to hunger. @acfusa http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/

City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn @ChrisCQuinn @NYCcouncil District Office Phone (212) 564-7757 http://council.nyc.gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml

NYC Mayor @MikeBloomberg http://tinyurl.com/puc48

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo @NYGovCuomo http://www.governor.ny.gov/

NYCWFF: Trucks & Train

CHOO! CHEW! Talk about a great way to close the 2012 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival at Trucks & Train hosted by Andrew Zimmern with Food Trucks and a concert by Train! After a weekend festival that was sure to please any Food Network junkie and foodie alike, NYCWFF pulled out all the stops with an amazingly fun afternoon at Basketball City where folks lined up at their favorite Food Trucks serving-up good ol' street grub and got to enjoy a full concert by Grammy Award winning, multiplatinum group Train performing on a beautiful Fall day in the city.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycsidewalker/sets/72157631799411473/

NYCWFF Trucks & Train, a set on Flickr.

The weather was perfect as crowds of people gathered at this huge outside event that mixed the love of food with the love of music. The stage was set as popular food trucks were rolling out tasty bites as fast as they can make them. Andrew Zimmern's truck AZ Cantina handed out cabrito butter burgers, that's goat burgers for you Bizarre Foods fans! Crif Dog showed off their new truck art and outrageous hot dog creation, Domo Taco had fish tempura tacos, Fun Buns NYC gave out pork belly buns, Pizza Luca had a vintage truck/pizza oven baking Margherita Pizza. Big Gay Ice Cream served an Awesomesauce Sundae, Souvlaki GR won Best of Event with their grilled pork pita.

Everyone munched truck side and washed it all down at the wine bars stocked with Save Me San Francisco Wine Co. showcasing Train's Gold Medal winning wines proudly named after some of the band's hit songs "Drops of Jupiter" red wine, "Calling All Angels" chardonnay, and "California 37" cabernet sauvignon, named after their newly released album.

All of a sudden, CHOOOO CHOOOO... a loud freight train sound came overhead as Train took the stage to perform a full set for thrilled concert-goers. They performed all their popular songs such as Soul Sister and Calling All Angels and even did a good rendition of Led Zeppelin's Ramble On. Lead singer Patrick Manohan was playful, amusing his fans by grabbing their cameras and taking pictures during his performance. The concert ended in rock star fashion as a bunch of groupies bumrushed on stage to sing and dance! - Man, was that fun!