Best of the West was one of two events held as part of the 12th annual Taste of the Upper West Side. The events were a fundraiser benefitting the upper west side community. Summer in the City was held on Friday evening and Best of the West on Saturday evening. Both events were held under the tents on Columbus Avenue between 76-77th streets in the upper west side of Manhattan, just across the street from the Museum of Natural History.
Both events had 80+ chefs from local restaurants serving unlimited food along with some drinkable wines, cocktails made with the ever present Tito’s vodka and Rums from Puerto Rico, beer and hard cider.
It was a big foodies event, a night of good eating, so much so I couldn’t get to all the food stations but had tried my best. Just wish I had brought a doggie bag.
Some of what I sampled:
The Milling Room: Mini Lobster Roll, featuring Maine lobster on Amy’s challah bun.
8th Hill Restaurant: Stuffed beet leaves with meat.
The Loeb Boathouse Central Park: Yuzi cured Hamachi, cucumbers and watermelon salad with ginger dressing.
Leyla: Fava bean bruschetta, fava bean spread, arugula, pickled carrots, dill over sourdough bread.
Lincoln Center Kitchen: Chilled spring pea soup, jumbo lump crab salad, smoked bacon.
Da Capo: Veal meatballs, pan seared San Marzano tomatoes, Sunday Sauce, basil.
Elea: Grilled octopus, fava puree with pepper & onion “Stifado”.
Shake Shack: Cheeseburger topped with Monterrey Jack cheese, double smoked bacon and fiery shack sauce.
Café 21: Mixed seafood Ceviche with miso ginger Asian slaw.
Red Farm: Chicken with truffle Shu Mai.
Tavern on the Green: Confit of Berkshire pork shoulder, pickled julienne vegetables, Sambai aioli.
Dizzy’s Club: Smoked baby back ribs with Carolina BBQ sauce, with jalapeno, peach slaw.
Salumeria Rosi: Pork meatballs, fresh tomato sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano.
Café Frida: Mole negro cooked for 8 hours, chicken breast, fried sweet plantains, white onions and sesame seeds.
The Leopard: Parmigiana of zucchini with smoked mozzarella, fresh tomato sauce and basil.
Café Luxembourg: Tuna tartare, avocado mousse, rice cakes.
Tessa: Chilled octopus salad, celery, pickled red onions, preserved lemon, smoked paprika oil, micro arugula.
The Smith: Toasted ricotta gnocchi with truffle cream.
The Mermaid Inn: Chilled ruby red shrimp ceviche, charred tomato, avocado, cilantro and old bay popcorn.
Crave Fishbar: Salmon sashimi tostada, avocado puree, Calabrian chili oil, grapefruit, crisp shallot, micro cilantro.
Calle Ocho: Ceviche Demorro, black grouper, pickled vegatables, calle ocho pique.
Alice’s Teacup: Mini pumpkin scones.
Treat House: Sea salt caramels, chocolate peanut butter, cookies and cream.
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