Three of the more than 80 chefs whose food will be featured at New Taste of the Upper West Side.
Food festival New Taste of the Upper West Side will return from May 27 to May 31, with dozens of food stations from chefs throughout the neighborhood.
The festival will include three events — a cocktail fundraiser in Theodore Roosevelt Park on May 27, and two large food sampling events on May 30 and 31 featuring special dishes from dozens of local restaurants. New and old restaurants will serve small dishes at the events. Among the chefs represented will be Katy Sparks of the soon-to-reopen Tavern on the Green and Rich Torrisi of the hotly anticipated Italian restaurant Parm. Longtime local favorites like Sarabeth Levine will also be there.
The event is put on by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District and proceeds benefit neighborhood beautification projects like the streetscape on Columbus and 77th, as well as other local causes.
Learn more below and at this website. You can buy tickets here.
The festivities begin with Soirée in the Park on Tuesday, May 27th (with a rain date on Thursday, May 29th) featuring a cocktail event under the stars to celebrate and raise funds for New York City’s beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Park, which surrounds the American Museum of Natural History. Proceeds from the evening benefit the park’s revitalization programs as guests enjoy live music, champagne and hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chris Wyman of Corvo Bianco, Maria Loi of Loi, Cesare Casella of Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto and Rodney Mitchell of Calle Ocho.
Where: Theodore Roosevelt Park
When: Tuesday, May 27th at 7pm
Rain Date: Thursday, May 29th at 7pm
Cost: $150 per person
Friday, May 30th kicks off the gastronomic-filled weekend with the annual Comfort Classics Presented by Sysco. The event will be hosted by Travel Channel’s Adam Richman for the fourth consecutive year, along with Food Network star and Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli of New York City’s Butter Restaurant. The duo will oversee 40 restaurants from the Upper West Side showcasing their most innovative comfort dishes and competing to win this year’s “Best Comfort Food Dish” award. Last year’s winner, Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar, will be back to defend her title, but stiff competition awaits with a bevy of exceptional participants including new restaurants The Meatball Shop, Parm and Treat House, as well as neighborhood favorites such as Jacob’s Pickles and Luke’s Lobster. The high-energy excitement of the evening will be amplified with renowned wines, creative cocktails and the returning beats of New York City’s DJ Phresh.
Comfort Classics Presented by Sysco Friday May 30th, 2014
General Admission – $105 per person or 2 for $185 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The star-studded food fest continues with Best of the West Presented by Ford, preceded by the annual VIP Reception on Saturday May 31st, under the grand white tent that spans Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Streets. Hosted by Jill Martin, Emmy award-winning television personality, New York Knicks broadcaster and frequent TODAY show contributor, the evening will feature gourmet fare created by some of the Upper West Side’s most talented chefs and restaurants. With culinary stars ranging from Jean-Georges Vongerichten of Jean-Georges and Joe Ng of Red Farm to Jacque Torres of Jacque Torres Chocolates and Joe Quintana of Rosa Mexicano, the event will not be without exquisite cuisine, elegant wines and spirits to fulfill the cravings of guests’ insatiable appetites.
The fervor of the evening escalates with a tribute to world-renowned chef and owner Daniel Boulud of DANIEL, Café Boulud with its adjacent Bar Pleiades, db Bistro Moderne, Bar Boulud, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, Boulud Sud and Épicerie Boulud. Boulud’s influential reach extends nationally and internationally and he is considered one of America’s leading culinary authorities. The combination of an A-list tribute to an extraordinary chef with the impressive talent from some of the best Upper West Side restaurants will culminate in a magical evening overflowing with spectacular food, enticing cocktails and live music. The weekend celebrates the diversity of flavors and community of the Upper West Side.
Best of the West Presented by Ford
Saturday May 31st, 2014
VIP – $225 per person 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
General Admission – $135 per person or 2 for $250 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
