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the sweet scoop
Cheers to Spring! Cocktails to Celebrate the Season
Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 05:04 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsSpring is finally in full swing, and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. Warmer weather, longer days, shorter hemlines, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, the Kentucky Derby… just to name a few. And what better way to properly ring in spring than with a refreshing seasonal cocktail?
Whether you’re hosting a springtime soirée or just need a reason to raise a glass, here are a few of my favorite fresh and vibrant cocktail recipes to sip this season. Cheers!
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NY Chefs fight hunger with Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 11:04 AM - Posted by Megan - (1) comment
Some of New York City’s top chefs have taken on the 100 Mile Menu Challenge to fight hunger. Their task? To create a delicious tasting menu using only ingredients sourced within 100 miles of Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.
On May 16th, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen—the largest emergency food program in New York City—will host From Farm to Tray, a sustainable food benefit to raise much needed funds before the busy summer season. This cocktail reception and celebration will feature the locally-sourced, “100 Mile” dishes from participating chefs Colt Taylor (One If By Land, Two If By Sea), Kevin Lasko (Park Avenue Spring), Kurt Kretschmar (Cocktail Caterers), Preston Madson & Ginger Pierce (Freemans, Peels & Isa) and Yvan Lemoine (Season 8 Food Network Star Finalist), with a VIP cocktail hour hosted by executive chef Norma Jean Darden of Spoonbread.
Like the hungry NYers who eat at the soup kitchen every day, From Farm to Tray guests will dine in the beautiful landmark Holy Apostles Church, a sanctuary that New York Times journalist Anna Quindlen dubbed “the most majestic dining room in New York City.”
Join me on May 16th at 7pm for this uniquely delicious fundraiser to benefit fellow New Yorkers in need. Tickets are available here. Hope to see you there!
Time Out New York’s 2013 Food & Drink Awards
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 11:04 AM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsIt was another thrilling year for the New York City dining scene, and last night, Time Out New York held their annual industry awards honoring the best new restaurants, bars and chefs. “It’s been an incredibly exciting year for food and drink,” shares Mari Uyehara, TONY’s Food & Drink editor. “Sensational new restaurants opened on Madison Avenue and in the West Village, but also in Bushwick, Flushing and Red Hook. It also brought national superstars, celebrated cookbook authors and daring upstarts to town. Our roster of winners reflects the astonishing range of drinking and dining experiences in New York City right now.”
Taking over the spacious Stephen Weiss Studio, the 2013 Food & Drink Awards paid tribute to the city’s culinary finest in a grand celebration attended by top toques, restauranteurs, mixologists and industry insiders. Before the winners were announced, guests sampled bites from nominated spots, including L’Apicio, Pork Slope, Dear Bushwick and Gran Electrica, and sipped prosecco, Stella Artois and Frederick Wildman cocktails—all while eagerly anticipating the results.
TONY’s food-obsessed readers voted for their faves out of 40 nominees to determine ten winners in the Readers’ Choice categories—top honors included Best New Restaurant (The NoMad), Chef of the Year (Daniel Humm), Best New Italian Spot (Perla), Best New Cocktail Bar (Pouring Ribbons) and Best New Bakery (Ovenly). Additionally, ten Critics’ Picks were presented, in aptly named categories ranging from Best Big-Pimp’ Brooklyn (Blanca) and The New Nordic Wonder (Aska), to The Same Same But Different Award (Pok Pok NY) and The High Rolling Stoner Sushi Award (Chez Sardine). You can check out the full list of this year’s winners here.
Many congrats to all the winners and nominees!
Related: My Time Out New York Food & Drink Awards coverage from 2012 & 2011
Cheers to the 7th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas!
Monday, December 3, 2012 at 11:12 AM - Posted by Megan - (1) commentWhat’s better than bar hopping around NYC, enjoying dozens of drinks specials with your Santa hat-clad friends, and supporting a great cause while you’re at it? On Saturday, December 8th, the annual 12 Bars of Christmas Bar Crawl is back—and this year should be better than ever.
Close friends of mine started this holiday-themed crawl back in 2006, and it has quickly become one of the most anticipated local events of the season. After receiving a red Santa hat and commemorative mug at the first bar, participants will journey through a spirited series of bars in the West Village (you can sign up for either the West Pole or East Pole route), partaking in exclusive beer and cocktail specials at each locale. And to cap off the festivities, both groups will meet at the same 12th bar so everyone can celebrate—and fill up on holiday cheer—together.
Besides having a jolly good time, you can feel great knowing that event proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of NYC to help feed hungry New Yorkers. Last year alone, they raised approximately $14,000!
Want in on the fun? Get into the holiday spirit and register today at 12barsnyc.com. Donations of $25 in advance or $30 at the door are kindly required from each participant. Happy crawling, my friends!
Alobar Restaurant Celebrates the Year of the Pig
Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 02:11 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsHappy one year anniversary to Alobar! Since opening in November 2011, this cutting-edge dining destination in Long Island City has taken “pub grub” to new heights, and has become renowned for serving rustic nose-to-tail American fare paired with carefully selected craft beers, whiskeys and handcrafted cocktails. Alobar even earned a coveted place on Michelin Guide’s 2013 Bib Gourmand List.
Alobar’s owner Jeff Blath and chef Ian Kapitan
To celebrate its first anniversary on November 15th, Alobar is hosting a week of especially delicious events:
Whiskey Tuesday with Four Roses Bourbon | Tuesday, November 13th: To kickoff the celebrations, Beverage Director Chess Lankford presents a complimentary tasting of Four Roses Bourbon, along with a brand rep to share insights on each variety of the Kentucky spirit.
Alobar Charcuterie Night | Wednesday, November 14th: Paying homage to its favorite meat curing styles, Alobar is offering one large platter of eleven of the tastiest house-made delicacies ($50; serves 2-3), with varieties including: Pig Ear Terrine, Duck Breast Prosciutto & Foie Gras-Apple Terrine.
Anniversary Beer Dinner | Thursday, November 15th: Commemorate Alobar’s one-year with an indulgent 5-course menu (including Smoked Trout, Grilled Quail & Rosemary Sausage, Roasted Rack of Lamb & Braised Shoulder, and more) paired with beers from San Diego’s Stone Brewing Company ($50 for dinner & pairings, view the full menu here).
Weekend Pig Roasts | Friday & Saturday, November 16th-17th: Kick up your heels and get ready to pig out at Alobar’s weekend-long pig-filled feast served family-style ($30 per person for mains & sides).
Reserve your spot today! AlobarNYC.com | 718.752.6000 | 46-42 Vernon Boulevard, LIC NY
And to savor the flavor of Alobar at home, mix up their addictive Maple Bacon Popcorn recipe:
Maple Bacon Popcorn | Recipe from Alobar (serves 6)
Preheat an oven to 350°. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips and cook until crisp, turning occasionally. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings.
Crumble bacon. Toss bacon, drippings, maple syrup, black pepper, and salt with popcorn. Spread popcorn mixture in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes, rotating trays halfway through, stirring occasionally. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Images courtesy of Alobar Restaurant
Top Chefs Join Forces for Hurricane Sandy Relief
Friday, November 2, 2012 at 04:11 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsWhile the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy continues to swamp the Northeast, several Top Chef alumni are doing their part to help make a difference in the wake of this tragedy.
Former Bravo cheftestants Angelo Sosa, Dale Talde, Kevin Sbraga and Jennifer Carroll are joining forces this Monday night at Sosa’s Hell’s Kitchen hotspot Añejo Tequileria y Restaurante to raise needed money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. “The devastation from this storm is heart-wrenching and we are passionate about helping those affected in the Tri-State area and beyond,” explained Sosa. “We are trying to do our part by helping with relief efforts the best way we know how, through food and community support.”
Each chef will put their culinary skills to the test by creating a unique dish in true Top Chef-style as part of a four-course tasting menu with cocktail accompaniment. Additional specialty libations created by Añejo’s Beverage Director Joshua Wortman will also be available to raise funds for relief efforts. Spirits will be generously donated by Herradura Tequila and local producer, Jack from Brooklyn.
Seatings are at 6pm and 8pm, tickets are $100 and all proceeds will benefit the Red Cross. Reservations can be made at anejonyc.com, by calling 212.920.4770 or emailing rsvp@anejonyc.com. I hope you’ll join me in supporting this fantastic cause!
Añejo Tequileria y Restaurante is located at 668 10th Avenue (at 47th Street) in NYC
Keep up with the latest on Twitter: @AnejoNYC @AngeloASosa @DaleTalde @KSbraga @ChefJenCarroll @jrwortman
Additional Añejo coverage: Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Añejo Tequileria
Bartending to Fight Breast Cancer
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 12:10 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsDrink. Tip. Make a Difference. Next time you’re craving a cold beverage, belly up to the bar at Neely’s Barbecue Parlor, where one incredibly generous employee has taken the fight against breast cancer—literally—into her own hands. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bartender Michelle Milton will be donating 100 percent of her tips made during the month of October to Chemo Comfort—a volunteer grassroots organization that provides cancer patients with kits to help with the side effects of chemotherapy.
A former media account executive, Michelle made bartending her new career four years ago, and became a dedicated breast cancer awareness advocate after losing loved ones to the disease. “I’ve lost close friends to breast cancer, including the woman that was my mentor. Also both of my parents passed from other types of cancer, so this cause really hits hard for me personally.” Michelle shared.
In the past three years, she has raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer foundations by selflessly dedicating all of her tips—the bulk of her salary for the month. And at the end of October, Michelle will shave her head as an act of solidarity to everyone with the disease.
Be sure to stop by Neely’s Barbecue Parlor and say hi to Michelle. Drink up, tip till your heart’s content, and help in the fight!
Image courtesy of Neely’s Barbecue Parlor
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