Claudia invited Steve, Drew, Maria, Chris, Ewan, Jon and myself to the Taste of Summer, an evening of epicurean delights, a silent auction and DJ spins under a magnificent circus-like tent in Central Park. It is a benefit for the Central Park Conservancy that brings together more than 35 premiere chefs from New York's top restaurants in the ultimate alfresco setting. At $400 a head, you know it was going to be a treat. I was in awe with, not only the site of the tent, but of all the people I recognized off of Gawker.
We checked our umbrellas (it was pouring outside) and coats before proceeding to the food tables. We all came prepared--non-restrictive clothing and an appetite...
Chris was already on the 3rd sample before we event got started; you could say he was in heaven. Oh wait, so was I!
Here is the list of restaurateurs:
57
Asia de Cuba
Barbounia
Bice Ristorante
Blue Water Grill
Brasserie
Butter
Central Park Boathouse
COLORS
Fred's at Barneys New York
Geisha
Jovia
Junior's Cheesecake
Lever House
Mainland
Here is the list of restaurateurs:
57
Asia de Cuba
Barbounia
Bice Ristorante
Blue Water Grill
Brasserie
Butter
Central Park Boathouse
COLORS
Fred's at Barneys New York
Geisha
Jovia
Junior's Cheesecake
Lever House
Mainland
Mandarin Oriental, New York
Orsay
Osteria del Circo
Pampano Restaurant
Park Avenue Cafe
Quality Meats
San Domenico
NYSerafina Restaurant
Serendipity 3
SQC Restaurant & Bar
SUSHISAMBA
Tavern on the Green
Thalassa Restaurant
The Capital Grille
Tocqueville
Vento Trattoria
Zócalo Restaurant
Zoë Restaurant
And, I’m not going to lie, we hit every single one!
Some highlights:
Quality Meats—the sirloin steak melted in your mouth (Dad, next time you’re in town, we’re eating there)
Serendipity 3—samples of their famous frozen hot chocolate (jealous, Jadyn?)
The Capital Grill—butter and steak is the best combo
Maya—octopus salsa
Geisha—coconut and tapioca ball ice cream
There was quite a few selections of: ravioli (there was one with a truffle sauce that was to die for); raw tuna served in some Japanese fashion; crab cakes; soups (both hot and cold); and shrimp shooters.
My favorite was the shrimp served in a lemongrass shooter, DELICIOUS! But, I forgot what restaurant served it.
The silent auction, let's just say the food was not the only thing that was out of control. We went around to see what was being auctioned and how much people would bid for such items. Someone bid $9,000 for a dinner at Per Se--$9,000! Wow! We were definitely in the presence of “society”.
After stuffing ourselves with all the tasty food, we left and headed to Dive 75 for an after-dinner drink. We chatted and played some checkers before heading home.
This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Orsay
Osteria del Circo
Pampano Restaurant
Park Avenue Cafe
Quality Meats
San Domenico
NYSerafina Restaurant
Serendipity 3
SQC Restaurant & Bar
SUSHISAMBA
Tavern on the Green
Thalassa Restaurant
The Capital Grille
Tocqueville
Vento Trattoria
Zócalo Restaurant
Zoë Restaurant
And, I’m not going to lie, we hit every single one!
Some highlights:
Quality Meats—the sirloin steak melted in your mouth (Dad, next time you’re in town, we’re eating there)
Serendipity 3—samples of their famous frozen hot chocolate (jealous, Jadyn?)
The Capital Grill—butter and steak is the best combo
Maya—octopus salsa
Geisha—coconut and tapioca ball ice cream
There was quite a few selections of: ravioli (there was one with a truffle sauce that was to die for); raw tuna served in some Japanese fashion; crab cakes; soups (both hot and cold); and shrimp shooters.
My favorite was the shrimp served in a lemongrass shooter, DELICIOUS! But, I forgot what restaurant served it.
The silent auction, let's just say the food was not the only thing that was out of control. We went around to see what was being auctioned and how much people would bid for such items. Someone bid $9,000 for a dinner at Per Se--$9,000! Wow! We were definitely in the presence of “society”.
After stuffing ourselves with all the tasty food, we left and headed to Dive 75 for an after-dinner drink. We chatted and played some checkers before heading home.
This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
THANK YOU CLAUDIA!
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