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Quick Bites: Your Culinary Event Round-Up

By Mikaela Flynn on March 12, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Featured, Fundraisers, Pop-Up Dinners, Quick Bites, Round Up, Unique Dinners, Unique Events

Tonight Mission Chinese‘s Danny Bowien is teaming up with Franks Falcinelli and Castronovo in offering a special selection of dishes like pork pizzaiola and a paella with house-made chorizo, shrimp, and pig’s head. The dinner, set in the private event space at Prime Meats, is at 7pm and will help raise money for the NYC Food Bank.

Chef and restaurateur Andy Ricker will answer questions during an interview on Thurs. at General Assembly

This Thursday March 14th Andy Ricker (Pok Pok) will be answering questions about his life as a chef and entrepreneur at General Assembly at 4pm. The interview will be hosted by Amy Cao, creator of Stupidly Simple Snacks on YouTube, and broadcasted through a live stream. Earlier this week Pok Pok fans entered to win two tickets to attend the talk at General Assembly and also a pair of tickets for a dinner for two at Pok Pok NY. Although only one winner was announced, everyone who entered is able to watch the live streaming of Andy Ricker’s interview on Thursday.

Belgian beers, bacon and biscuits? Wow, Jimmy (Jimmy’s No. 43- that Jimmy) really knows the way to our hearts. This Saturday beer aficionados are invited to Jimmy’s No. 43 for an afternoon of Belgian beer tasting with some beer experts and plenty of brews to choose from. But don’t worry if beer isn’t your thing, we won’t judge anyone who goes just for the bacon and biscuit platters. Learn more here.

Saturday's dinner will take place in the abandoned Bank of Manhattan vault in Long Island City

Also on Saturday, Untapped Cities, Local Roots NYC and No Longer Empty (a roving art gallery that takes over unique, unused spaces in NYC) are hosting a one-night-only dinner in the iconic former Bank of Manhattan building in Long Island City. The dinner will mark the end of the exhibit “How Much Do I Owe You?” which has been showing in the space since December. The dinner will be prepared by Local Roots’ Chef Will Griffin and followed by a special performance by Korean artist Hayoon Jay Lee. This intriguing, intimate dinner is limited to only 30 guests and is selling out quickly. Learn more and purchase your tickets here.

Chef Lidia Bastianich Shares Her Love for Austrian Flavors and Harmonies

By Mikaela Flynn on February 28, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Featured, Good Reads, Unique Dinners, Unique Events

Lidia Bastianich with her three grandchildren touring the streets of Vienna

In addition to knowing a thing or two about Italian cuisine and running critically-acclaimed restaurants, world-famous Chef/Restaurateur Lidia Bastianich (Felidia, Del Posto) knows how to appriopriately spoil her grandchildren (as all the best grandmothers do and should). Over Thanksgiving break of last year, Lidia took her three young grandchildren on an Austrian adventure during which they toured the beautiful city of Vienna, feasted on delicious sweets at famed Demel pastry shop, and enjoyed Vienna’s rich history and culture.

They went to Mozart’s old haunts, visited St. Anne’s Church, walked about the historic streets, and listened to the classical music that is so deeply a part of the city’s history. It was during this trip with her grandchildren that Lidia truly fell in love with the Viennese culture. So when Andres Grossbauer of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra called Del Posto inquiring about doing a special dinner at the restaurant, her immediate response was, “Let’s do it!”

And so they are! On March 4th Lidia Bastianich is proudly hosting an exclusive, musical dining experience that will showcase the beautiful harmonies of Austrian classical music and the best selections of Austrian wine. The evening will pay homage to the traditional way in which this genre of music was supposed to be enjoyed- over a dinner party. Historically, classical music has played an important role in dining as musicians would play during intimate dinner parties among friends and family at private homes.

As one of the most well-known chefs in the world, Lidia is oftentimes asked where she gets her “inspiration” when it comes to cooking. As it turns out, music is one of her biggest inspirations, especially classical. It “elevates my spirits” and the “creativity floats on beautiful notes.” For this reason Lidia is particularly excited to share this unique experience with fellow food and music lovers. Below she answers a handful of questions that relate to March 4th’s anticipated event. If you interested in attending this once-in-a-lifetime dinner, hosted by Lidia herself, then we encourage you to reserve your seat here.

"Best Grandmother Ever" award goes to Lidia Bastianich after she demanded that she and her grandchildren enjoy a lunch of only sweets at Vienna's Demel pastry shop.

It’s never been debated that food and wine have a strong relationship. What about the relationship between food and music?

Food and wine intertwine as they are both consumed and digested. Music intertwines with both on a mental level, on the sensory level. It magnifies the experience of wine and food. Harmony, texture, decadence can all describe both food and music. Both give you pleasure.

Do you enjoy Austrian cuisine? What is your favorite Austrian dish?

I do, I do! Boiled beef with horseradish is definitely one of them. I also love Wiener Schnitzel, Holstein-style, with breaded veal cutlet, a fried sunny-side-up egg on top of veal, then capers, anchovies and lemon.

Did you struggle at all in choosing a menu for this dinner?

No struggle with the menu at all. We had lots of fun. At first it was going to be all Austrian dishes, and then after talking to the folks involved from Austria, they decided to show off their music and wine in a way that is more appealing to the American consumer. They want to show how their wine can pair with other foods of world. So we are offering Italian dishes, mixed with a little Austrian flavors. We started with the music and went from there, pairing the wine and food to what the musicians will play.

What is one of your favorite Austrian wines?

I enjoy the wine north of Vienna which is complex and fruity. My favorite is Grüner Veltliner.

What do you hope guests take away from this experience?

I would like them to walk away with an experience of fine dining, with fine wine, and fine music. This will be a stimulation of the senses at its fullest. I also want them to feel as though they went back in time by enjoying this kind of music in the traditional manner.

Our Guide to All Things New York Beer Week

By Khushbu Shah on February 27, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Featured, Underground Eats, Unique Events

We are in the middle of one of the best weeks of the year, also known as New York Beer Week. It is the most legitimate excuse to drink a ridiculous amount of really good beer at great spots all around the city. Some events include incredible eats, others serve beer cocktails, and a few allow to you meet the brewers themselves. That means that there is literally something for every beer-loving person you know.

If you’re into drinking and mingling, head over to City Winery tonight for the NYC Brewer’s Choice 2013. You’ll get to meet 20+ brewers that are each pouring their “most special” beers.

Feeling thirsty and adventurous? Make your way to Blue Smoke Flatiron tonight for perhaps the most unique beers you’ll have the honor of tasting. The Abita Full Tap Takeover is happening, which includes Oyster Stout and Andygator, which are brews made from oysters and alligators respectively.

Check out Czech food paired with beer at Hospoda tonight and Thursday. If you’re a hands on type of person you’ll also have a chance to try out their special Quadrunner tap system that produces four different pours of beer.

The NY State Brewers’ Convention is taking place this Friday, March 1^st at NY Beer Co. Kick off the weekend the right way with free tastings of beer on offer.

Does your ultimate Saturday afternoon include drinking a large variety of local beers and eating mass amounts of tasty pork dishes by some of the city’s best chefs? Taking place this Saturday is aPORKalypse NOW at Alewife and that is where you need to be. Tickets and more information here.

If you’re looking to get drunk faster than most, head over to the Split Thy Skull event at Mug’s Ale House Saturday and Sunday. The only beers they will be serving will be above 8% abv.

Do you like Girls? Do you like Lena Dunham? Do you like free shots? If you said yes to any one of these, head over to the Girls Sixpoint Beer Party at Professor Thom’s this Sunday. There will be free shots every time Lena Dunham gets naked. (Here’s to hoping you don’t black out.)

Click here for a complete list of New York Beer Week Events. If you need help deciding what events to go to, Thrillist has come up with this handy dandy flow chart.

Beet Kubbeh
Chef Itamar Levinson & culinary curator Naama Shefi
Feta Sambusak
Pumpkin Kubbeh, one dish on offering at the Kubbeh Project

Popping Up Soon in the East Village is the Kubbeh Project

By Khushbu Shah on February 21, 2013 / 2 Comments / Categorized Featured, Interviews, Pop-Up Dinners, Pop-Ups, Unique Dinners, Unique Events

From March 1^st- March 21^st, the Kubbeh Project will be setting up shop in the East Village at the famed Zucker Bakery. They will be serving Jewish-Iraqi comfort food from 6pm until the pots runneth empty. The menu promises that both meat and vegetarian options will be offered, so there is something for everyone.

Kubbeh, the dish from which the pop-up borrows its name, are round semolina dumplings that are stuffed with seasoned meat or vegetables, and served in a variety of flavorful broths. Typically a dish made by home cooks having learned from the generation previous to them, it is a very rare occasion to find Kubbeh served in a restaurant. The dish requires immense amounts of time (and a hefty amount of TLC) to prepare and is therefore a bit of a dying art.

Naama Shefi, a culinary curator and one of the founders of the pop-up, says her inspiration to create the event is best described in a quote by the food historian, Claudia Roden:

“When the last generation who makes Kubbeh has disappeared (I expect these dishes will not be carried on, because they take too long), I hope Jerusalem keeps up her reputation as the capital, and that some food producer will decide to make them commercially, so that a whole little world of our culinary culture does not disappear.”

Brisket King of New York Returns; Beer, Bison, & Beats with Heritage Radio; Spotlight on Sake; and More Culinary Adventures This Week

By Mikaela Flynn on February 19, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Featured, Fundraisers, Quick Bites, Supper Clubs, Underground Eats, Unique Dinners, Unique Events

There’s is a lot to celebrate this week. Not only is it a short week for many workers, but it also happens to be a big week in the world of alternative dining and drinking. Many options to choose from so depending on your schedule and taste, you are bound find something worth marking on your calendar.

Mmmm brisket.

Tomorrow night all the best pit masters of NYC will be showing off their prized smoked goods at the annual Brisket King of New York tasting event at Santos Party House. Last year’s crowned Brisket King, John Brown of John Brown Smokehouse, will be back to defend his title, along with talented newcomers including Delaney Barbecue and Mighty Quinn and old fan favorites like Dinosaur BBQ. The night of gluttonous brisket feasting will also include plenty of artisan beers, wine, and indie spirits. Last VIP tickets can be found here.

If you are one you prefers a more refined evening of dining, then perhaps the private dinner at SD26 is for you. Tomorrow night, culinary insiders, tasters, and tastemakers will be joining Chefs to Dine For in SD26′s private dining room for a five-course Italian dinner with wine pairings. The evening is hosted by Chefs to Dine For’s Lynne Ryan along with SD26 owners, Tony and Marisa May. Guests will have a chance to chat with the restaurateurs and Executive Chef Matteo Bergamini. Learn more here.

Also tomorrow, Heritage Radio Network (home of many food-centric radio programs) is throwing their first ever HRN Salon Series event. Series #1 will include beer from Blue Point Brewery, bison jerky from Heritage Foods USA, beats by Jerry Jones and Black Lauren, and chips and salsa by Brookyln Salsa Company. The party will be attended by the usual suspects in the local culinary scene including chefs, designers, bloggers, artists, musicians, and gourmands that are shaping the future of food and drink. The Salon Series is part of a fundraising effort for the Heritage Radio Network. Tickets are only $20. Find more information here.

Edible Manhattan will be hosting its annual Good Spirits event on Thursday in celebration of delicious and unique spirits form far and wide. For Thursday’s cocktail party and tasting, Edible has conjured up the best of the best distilleries, mixologists and chefs to put on a spectacular food and drink-centric event.

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