I had the honor this year of attending and covering the Village Voice's 6th Annual Choice Eats 2013. Held at The 69th Armory, Lexington Ave, NYC it was the perfect venue for this year's event.
Bringing together over 80 restaurant's from the five borough's, with every form of alcohol one could consume. Being it was my first time covering this spectacular event I was excited, intrigued, and "ohhh so curious" on the different types of fare that was going to be presented.
Upon entering, the Armory itself was a sight to take in. Located between 25th & 26th Street on Lexington & Park Ave. in the heart of Manhattan is this brick structure that literally is a block long and also deep. With many floors of artifacts gracing the walls. That alone should be on the list as a sight to take in on your trip into the city. Then The Village Voice decides to host Choice Eats 2013 there making it all the more spectacular!
As I walked through to the, as I call it, the Grand Hall there were rows of restaurant's all handpicked by The Village Voice that stood out for being innovative, unique, creative, and down home fare. As I made my way down the first row catching myself waiting in line for one sampling and looking at the next to try. All looking so wonderfully scrumptious it was hard not to. There were tastings, as they called it; I personally thought mini meals, offered in all cultures.
Exchange Ally, located downtown, prepared a dish that was fresh & light, bringing the flair of Louisiana style to the City in an eclectic environment. Owner Paul, who I had the chance to speak with, has been cooking all his life in many different styles. Taking a break from the grind of the food business ventured off into Corporate America. That didn't last long when he realized his true passion was food. Brought it back to NYC and opened up Exchange Ally.
Home on the Range, Farm to Fork presented a slider of braised farm raised Pork that was topped with a pickled red onion on a mini chaibata roll. Yes, you can taste the difference to where one bite and you too will be saying "time to go Organic"...
Matthew Tilden, the founder of SCRATCH bread Brooklyn, which is located in one of the best area's in my eyes, Park Slope. Listening to his story, Matthew has the heart of any baker in the business and the product to go along with it. Matthew specializes in the art of bread making. He brings his love for doing things the old-fashioned way including the Brick Oven he uses to make the Bread & Scones, into an area that is Old New York, which is a beautiful marriage. The Focaccia that was topped with candied Prosciutto, Kale, and a little Danish Blue Cheese was crazy good, wishing I had some right now!
Nom Wha Tea Parlor was serving up Shrimp & Pork Dumpling's that were little pillow puffs of goodness and if you choose they doused it with a sauce that had some kick to it. Porchetta was dishing out Porchini Ravioli in a Truffle Oil Cream Sauce, Ohh my goodness and this was just the beginning of the feeding frenzy...
Did someone say, Greek Coffee Marinated Skirt Steak? Hearing that, I quickly made my way over to Ovelia Psistaria, which is located in Astoria. That is where you will find this delicious, tender, juicy, cooked just right to medium rare, and if memory serves me correctly, I think they might have been cooking them on a George Forman Grill! I have seen and tasted it all!
I have this new found passion for Thai. Choice Eats brought out the "best of the best" to name one I would have to say Qi, Thai Grill. They have been going strong now for 2 years and are sprouting up all over the place with already 3 locations... There is a fantastic, full menu with lots of choices. The Peanut Sauce on the Chicken Satay was rich in color with tons of flavor and texture. Not what you might be used to, but after speaking to Yo, he had explained; it is more traditional to the region. I say; bring it to us, which is what they are doing.
Pulino's Bar & Pizzaria doing it the Old School Italian way with cured Meats, Cheeses and Pizza...
Looking for a Lobster Roll made with ingredients straight from the Mainland. Look no further then Red Hook Lobster, Located, of course, in Red Hook they are importing those sweet, juicy, meaty Lobster's right from Maine, tossing with a little mayo, filling a slightly toasting bun, then topping with a slaw and sprinkling just a tad of Paprika.. One bite and you'll be hooked!
Keep in mind, while sampling all of this great food, there was pretty much
anything you wanted to wash it down the old hatch. Stella Artois, Barefoot Wine
& Bubbly, and Asahi Beer were a few of the sponsors. So there was a
stream of filling the glass all night long "not being a problem" also
included were a variety of Beer, Wine & Spirits tastings throughout.. As I finally made my way downstairs for desserts, there too was an array of delectable goodness in every corner. Danny's Macaroons, S'more Bakery, EMVI Chocolates, Butter Lane, and The Good Batch.
A twist to the old dessert, talk about being creative and innovative at the same time. Butter & Scotch who incorporates alcohol in their cakes and cupcakes including the frostings, and The Blue Stove that was serving up Bourbon laced Banana Pudding on top of a Graham Cracker Cookie Crust topped with a rich Chocolate Ganache. Seriously, it is like two world's colliding, having a new place to live and is the apitimy of perfection!
DJ: Vito & Druzzi (The Rapture DJ's) brought it. Playing music that was just a diverse as the fare beating to the rythym of a different drum. The culmination of food from every culture, distint music and venue made this experience extrodinary and what New York is in every way.
I ate a lot, drank a lot, met all kinds of people, and made new friends with having the opportunity to experience this great event.
It is well worth the cost of the ticket weather it is a VIP or general admission. A hint of advice, if you have never attended, put this on your calendar for next year. Remember the trays from the cafeteria at school? Find one and bring it, you will be able to gather quite a few things at one time, eat, and then gather again. Don't be like the stallion right out the gate, he never wins the race, well most of the time.. Pace yourself, take your time, taste, experience and look. Believe me the food is not going to run out. Bring your appetite, and if you can find a ride home, do so, when this eating, drinking extravaganza is over, you will be glad you did.
See you all next year!!
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