New Taste of the Upper West Side: Best of the West 2016

Tessa

Seared Octopus Caponata with green olive tapenade, 

fennel salad, old balsamic

Earlier this month on June 3rd and 4th, I attended the annual New Taste of the Upper West Side under the grand tent on Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets. Best of the West, which  is my favorite of the culinary two-night tasting, was hosted by Sara Gore of NBC's New York Live and Open House. 

New Taste of the Upper West Side celebrated the crème de la crème of UWS cuisine for its 9th year, featuring over 46 fabulous Upper West Side restaurants preparing unique and delectable dishes.

It was a downpour of rain that night, but it didn't stop foodies from enjoying some seriously good eats. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of dishes that centered around octopus or salmon, which I both loved. Tessa, Bustan, Nice Matin, and Caffè Storico featured octopus and Atlantic, The Milling Room and Crave Fishbar made salmon creations. Desserts included Voila Chocolat, Jacques Torres, Alice's Tea Cup, Treat House and Mille-Feuille Bakery Cafe.

Check out highlights of my favorite dishes. Best of the West gets better every year, with my go-to UWS restaurants mixed in with some new ones I got to sample. Taste of the Upper West Side still remains to be my favorite celebration of gourmet cuisine. 

Atlantic Grill

Faroe Island Salmon Crudo 

with pastrami spice, pickled mustard seeds, pumpernickel crisp

Candle Cafe West

Grilled Vegetable Salad 

with crispy kale, poblano vinaigrette & avocado mousse

Cafe Luxembourg

Escargots Braised in Parsley Cream with Garlic & Smoked Bread Crumbs

Burke & Wills

Kangaroo Ham with Homemade Sesame Bread, Lemon Yogurt & Pickled Onions

The Smith

Toasted Ricotta Gnocchi with Truffle Cream

The Milling Room

Citrus Cured Salmon with marinated cucumbers & chives

Naked Cold Pressed Juice in 5 flavors:

Cool Pineapple, Bold Beet, Lively Carrot, Hearty Greens and Bright Greens

Bar Boulud

Veal & Foie Gras Pâté en croûte morels & spring pea salad

Bustan

Taboon Charred Spanish Octopus

with white bean masabaha, spiced tomatoes, herb labane, 

shaved fennel & sumac pickled onion salad & cilantro oil

Nice Matin

Grilled Octopus with sweet pea, cucumber & red onion salad

Caffè Storico

Insalata di Polpo with braised octopus, potato, celery and olive

Jean-Georges

Main Lobster Summer Roll with sriracha emulsion & dill

Ed's Chowder House

Fluke Poke with sriracha, crispy garlic, red onions & scallions

Crave Fishbar

Faroe Island Salmon Crudo with sun gold tomatoes, fava beans, kaffir lime & yuzu

Henry's

Henry's Summer Picnic

Fried Chicken "Chicharrones", Henry's Shredded Kale Salad,

Guavade Summer Cooler lemonade, guava juice

Roscato Prosecco, Sparkling Moscato and Sparkling Sweet Red

Voila Chocolat

Alice's Tea Cup

Buttermilk Mixed Berry Scones and Oreo Cupcakes

Magnolia Bakery

Jacques Torres

Jacques Torres Chocolate

Rum Raisin Ice Cream with Caramelized Popcorn

Treat House

Mini Crispie Treats

Mille-Feuille Bakery Cafe

Caramel Cognac Flavor Macarons

Cake Truffles

Bottega White Gold Moscato

- Kim Weling

9th Annual New Taste of the Upper West Side - 6/3 - 6/4/16

The 9th Annual New Taste of the Upper West Side is almost here! Last chance to get your tickets! 

Featuring Over 90 Restaurants and Star-Studded Celebrity Talent

Brand New “Summer in the City: Surf & Turf” Event

Two Nights of Celebrations: Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th

Friday, June 3rd – Summer in the City: Surf & Turf hosted by 

Anne Burrell & Alex Guarnaschelli

Saturday, June 4th – NBC’s Sara Gore Hosts Best of the West

This Friday and Saturday will include new and returning restaurants, notable chefs, and celebrity hosts for a delectable two-night celebration. The annual event, which was created by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (“BID”), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, donates all net proceeds to the local community for neighborhood improvement and beautification projects such as the Columbus Avenue BID’s Sustainable Streetscape project, Theodore Roosevelt Park, Wellness in the Schools nutritional program, Greenhouse Classroom, Citymeals-on-Wheels and other beneficiaries.

Friday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Summer in the City: Surf & Turf

Presented by Glenwood

Under a grand tent on Columbus Ave between West 76th and 77th Streets in the O’Shea Complex Schoolyard

Dive into summer with everyone’s favorite surf, turf and seasonal favorites! 45 restaurants are re-imagining beloved warm-weather standards with unique and innovative twists. Senses are bound to be heightened in a beachy-chic setting under an exquisite block-long tent where the best flavors, scents and sounds of summer come alive to the rhythms of the Silver Arrow Band. Be the first to discover yet to-be named restaurant debut from two-time Michelin-star chef April Bloomfield with partner Ken Friedman (Spotted Pig, The Breslin); and Maison Pickle, the newest restaurant from the Jacob’s Pickles team. 

Other “firsts,” including neighborhood newcomers Jin Ramen, Han Dynasty and Playa Betty’s, will be joining dozens of returning event faves, such as Momofuku Milk Bar, The Meatball Shop, Jacob’s Pickles, Shake Shack and AG Kitchen. Hosting this star-studded evening are Anne Burrell, host of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America and author of “Own Your Kitchen,” and Alex Guarnaschelli, chef/owner of Butter, judge on Food Network’s Chopped, mentor on Food Network’s All-Star Academy & author of “Old-School Comfort Food.” It’s a super soirée with international wine selections, craft beers, creative cocktails and so much more!

Cost: $105 per person or 2 for $185

Saturday, June 4th at 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

BEST OF THE WEST

Under a grand tent on Columbus Ave between West 76th and 77th Streets in the O’Shea

Complex Schoolyard

The spectacular culinary weekend comes full circle with Best of the West 2016, celebrating the crème de la crème of Upper West Side cuisine for a ninth year! It’s an exciting evening of grand gastronomy against a backdrop of beauty, high spirits and the sophisticated sounds of Joe Battaglia and his 18-piece New York Big Band, as hosted by the charming Sara Gore of NBC’s New York Live and Open House. 

More than 45 fabulous Upper West Side restaurants are preparing unique and delectable dishes. Exciting neighborhood newcomers Crave Fishbar, Olma Caviar Boutique & Lounge, Orwasher’s Bakery and Amorino Gelato will be joining dozens of revered restaurants returning for yet another great year, including RedFarm, Boulud Sud, Dovetail, Jacques Torres and Rosa Mexicano. A magical feast prepared by Masters!

Cost: $135 per person or 2 for $250

Saturday, June 4th at 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Best of the West VIP Presented by 21 West End

Under a grand tent on Columbus Ave between West 76th and 77th Streets in the O’Shea Complex Schoolyard

For a second year in a row, New Taste of the Upper West Side is enhancing an exceptional experience with its exclusive VIP Reception, presented by 21 West End featuring a private lounge and bar, and Caviar Lounge by Olma Caviar. VIP guests will receive special gift bags with items from our sponsors. Most importantly, true devotees of the culinary arts will have early access to 45 of the finest chefs on the Upper West Side for an entire hour before general admission! 

Cost: $225 per person

This year’s sponsors include 21 West End, Argo, Glenwood, DNA Info, New York Post, West Side Spirit, Barritt’s Ginger Beer, Brusco Group, Rosa Mexicano, Cargill, Rishi Tea and Boston Beer Company.

Get your tickets at http://newtasteuws.com/.

Get Your Tickets! 8th Annual New Taste of the Upper West Side

The New Taste of the Upper West Side is almost here! There's just a few days left to grab your tickets to this annual event. 

The Soirée in the Park will kick off the New Taste of the Upper West Side festivities on May 28th, to raise funds for New York City's beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Park, surrounding the American Museum of Natural History. With proceeds benefitting the park, this cocktail event will have live chamber music and feature champagne and hors d'oeuvres prepared by a host of local restaurants. 

On May 29th, Adam Richman, host of NBC's Food Fighters and author of the upcoming book "Straight Up Tasty" will be hosting Comfort Classics, and will be joined by Food Network's Katie Lee, who will be autographing her new book, "Endless Summer Cookbook." During Comfort Classics, forty Upper West Side restaurants will display their most innovative and creative "home-style" fare, while competing to win the title of "Best Comfort Food Dish."

Limited Offer: The next 50 Comfort Classic ticket buyers will receive a free autographed copy of adam's first cookbook, Straight Up Tasty! 

On May 30th, the celebratory Best of the West will be hosted by Marc Murphy, a judge on Food Networks Chopped / owner and executive chef of Benchmarc Restaurants and Anne Burrell, co-host of Food Network's Worst Cooks in America. 

Take a look at my recap from last year's New Taste of the Upper West Side Best of the West event here. 

- Kim Weling

New Taste of the Upper West Side: Best of the West 2014

Dovetail: Roasted Beet Salad with strawberries, watercress, black rice

On May 31st, I attended this year's New Taste of the Upper West Side Best of the West, under the tent at Columbus Avenue between W. 76th-W.77th Streets. The evening celebrated 40 of the Upper West Side's most talented chefs and restaurants, hosted by Jill Martin, NY Knicks broadcaster and TODAY Show contributor.

Best of the West honoree was world-renowned chef and owner Daniel Boulud of Daniel, Café Boulud, db Bistro Moderne, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, Boulud Sud and Epicerie Boulud. Attendees also enjoyed music by the Silver Arrow Band, amazing food and enticing cocktails. 

The VIP hour is definitely worth getting access to, for getting a head start to chefs, food and drinks, and to make sure you get to taste everything you want to. I also recommend that you don't wait too long before sampling any of the desserts. Many of the desserts disappeared before I got a chance to try them, especially from Alice's Tea Cup and and ice cream sandwiches from Magnolia Bakery. 

Check out my favorite mouth-watering dishes, including Dovetail's Roasted Beet Salad, Tessa's Razor Clam Escabéche Piperade and Gabriel's Ocean Trout Crudo. I was happy to see a larger selection of wines including Terra Andina Sparkling Moscato and Bottega Liquid Metals. 

Caffè Storico: Watermelon Gazpacho, Ricotta Tortellini and Pickled Radish

16 Handles: Sweet Sriracha - Salted Caramel and Fudge Brownie Fro-Yo Twist + Sriracha Salt

The Loeb Central Park Boathouse

Gabriel's: Ocean Trout Crudo - Spicy green tomato, pickled rhubarb, cantaloupe, radish

Cafe Tallulah: Tuna Tartare - Avocodo purée, cucumber & radish salad, red chili aioli, pickled jalapeño

Calle Ocho: Sweet Corn Arepas served with house-cured salmon, topped with salmon caviar and finished with house-made crema nata

Ed's Chowder House: Skuna Bay Salmon Burger - Pepper relish, garlic aioli, watercress

Kefi: Lamb Burger Slider with whipped spicy feta

Jean-Georges

Nick & Toni's Cafe: Polpette - Berkshire Pork meatballs, whipped ricotta, tomato jam

Alice's Tea Cup: Lavender Earl Grey Buttercream on Chocolate Cupcakes, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Vegan Coconut Almond Cookies, Pumpkin Scones with Caramel Glaze

Bar Boulud: Chilled Veal Porchetta

Boulud Sud: Grilled Beef Kofte - Pine nuts, tahini, scallion salad

Andanada: Salpicon de Cangrejo: Crab salad with cucumber, potatoes and tomato

Magnolia Bakery: Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches

Magnolia Bakery: Devil's Food Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches

Magnolia Bakery: Oatmeal Raisin Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches

Magnolia Bakery: Banana Pudding

Magnolia Bakery: Mini Coconut Cream Pies

Bottega Liquid Metals: Rose Gold, Platinum Moscato and Venetian Gold 

Atlantic Grill: Copper River Salmon, Daikon Sprouts, Caramel Soy, Lemon Grass, Thai Chili

Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto: Selection of Salumi

Loi: Htapodaki on a Spoon - Grilled octopus with red wine, macerated onions, capers, almonds, fresh herbs & ladolemono

Henry's: Braised Short Ribs - Spring asparagus, button mushroom, pearl onion and Rosemary Mashed Potato

Sartori Cheese: SarVecchio Parmesan, Extra Aged Goat, MontAmore, Balsamic Bella Vitano, Espresso Bella Vitano, and Rosemary & Olive Oil Asiago

Café du Soleil: Chilled Corn Soup with diced shrimp

Café du Soleil: Water Chestnuts wrapped in bacon with maple bourbon sauce 

Nice Matin: Mediterranean Salmon

Sysco Metro NY: Chopped Duck Liver - Strawberry-rhubarb glaze, tangerine cress

Sysco Metro NY: Yuzu Zabaglione - Asian fruit compote, toasted coconut

Cafe Luxembourg: Cucumber and Green Grape Gazpacho with crab, almonds and charred salsa verde

Tessa: Razor Clam Escabéche Piperade - Toasted almonds, espelette pepper

Candle Cafe West: Poblano-Wild Mushroom Taco with pickled jalapeño, almond cheese and avocado sauce

Porter House New York: Chilled Thai Beef Salad with chilies, watermelon and peanuts

Daniel Boulud signing copies of his book, Daniel: My French Cuisine

Jacques Torres Chocolate: Chocolate Drizzles Berries

- Kim Weling