Pictures from Last Night's Taste of the Nation

We're so excited to report that last night's Taste of the Nation NYC was a huge success! From the amazing specialty food and drinks demos in the VIP lounge, to the incredible (and oh so eclectic) food and the whimsical cocktails, we can safely say that everyone had a blast.

Here are some highlights from our live Tweets last night:

Mixologist extraordinaire, Charlotte Voisey in her big white hat

Chef Daniel Holzman of The Meatball Shop, serving his spicy pork meatballs over polenta

Maialino's Kevin Benton serving the Pig and Pepper gimlet

A happy Taste of the Nation volunteer, representing Constellation Wines

Chef Rocco DiSpirito signing his latest book, Now Eat This!

Eben Freeman, formerly of Tailor mixes liquid hydrogen, bacon infused whiskey

Top Chef Season 3 winner, Hung Hyunh in the VIP lounge

The lovely, wild strawberries from Blue Hill

Enjoying Blue Hilll's Rhubarb-Strawberry Sorbet

Hope you were able to join us - and if not, there's always next year!

Taste of the Nation NYC is Just a Week Away

With this year's Taste of the Nation NYC event about a week away, we're working hard on all aspects of the event to make it the best ever.  That includes securing the best restaurants (see list), great entertainment and a unique VIP experience.  To further whet your palate, see the above promo spot that we're running on NBC.  Enjoy it and we hope to see you on May 17th.

Sample L'Ecole's Cuisine Before Our Big Event

I had the pleasure of having dinner at L'Ecole last week, which happens to be one of the local sponsors of this year's Taste of the Nation NYC event.  Only hearing good things, I was excited to sample its cuisine, which is known for being prepared by the students who attend the French Culinary Institute.

The evening was filled with many delicious surprises and I'm excited to report that I got to sample almost everything on their dinner menu.  The appetizers and the desserts stood out to me, especially the grilled pork belly with marinated cranberry beans, that gave this traditionally salty dish a hint of sweetenss.  I also loved the seasonal salad, which was full of fresh veggies such frisee salad, butternut squash, cauliflower, walnuts, dressed with a champagne vinaigrette.  It was all very clean-tasting and perfect for springtime.

Our entrees were interesting too and personally, I was impressed most by the roasted duck, which can be hit or miss quite frankly.  Not here, as I can say with conviction that it was cooked perfectly with a wonderfully crispy crust.  The meat itself was juicy and I loved the side of the starchy potato terrine paired with an earthy creamed kale (one of my favorite super foods).  Selfishly, I hope they decide to serve the duck at Taste of the Nation because I think it would showcase their talents beautifully.

Dessert was for sure a highlight with so many sweet options that my eyes got bigger than my stomach.  Even though there were plenty of beautifully constructed plates that were sophisticated, I preferred the most basic of desserts, the bite sized almond cake with a fresh raspberry on top and their miniature chocolate chip cookies that were crunchy on the outside but melted on your tongue.

If you'd like to sample L'Ecole prior to our big event, I strongly urge you to do so.  The price point is affordable at $42 per person for a 4-course dinner.  They also offer a 2-course brunch for a mere $19.50.  I'm telling you...this stuff is goooood.

L'Ecole - 462 Broadway, New York NY 10013

212.219.3300

20% Discount off of Taste of the Nation NYC Tickets

We're excited to introduce a new discount for this year's Taste of the Nation NYC event on May 17th from 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. The offer includes a 20% discount off of VIP and General Admission tickets with the code NYCMAY.  Please make sure to input the code as it appears here, as it's case sensitive.

Enjoy this discount and please pass on the word to friends and family.  Hope to see you there!

Buy tickets here. 

Carving the Perfect Ice Block and More

Image by psiche Y.

As we get closer and closer to our May 17th event, now just 3 weeks away, we're happy to share with you some fun sneak previews that will be going on in the VIP area.  In addition to seeing these unique food demonstrations, you'll also enjoy a one hour preview of all featured restaurants before the big crowds get there.  Here's what you can expect to see in the VIP lounge:

7 - 8 p.m. - VIP Preview: Meet Drew Nieporent

Drew Nieporent has been blazing new territory ever since he opened Montrachet in Tribeca in 1986. Stop in to meet Drew and ask him about his early days on the restaurant scene, his passion for the Yankees, and his favorite spots to eat in NYC.

TBD Timing - Dutch Kills Block Ice Carving

Ritchie Boccato and Giuseppe Gonzales of Dutch Kills and the soon-to-open Painkiller will demonstrate the art of carving block ice (spheres, cubes and more – oh boy!) and discuss the value of using block ice when serving craft cocktails. Watch, be amazed, and enjoy a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned.

TBD Timing - Eben Freeman’s Cocktail Culinaria

Eben Freeman, formerly of Tailor, is bringing some of his molecular goodness to the VIP lounge. Sample fat washed bourbon and gelatin clarified rum – and then learn how to recreate the fireworks at home.

TBD Timing - Papabubble Caramels Artesan Candy Pulling

More information to come

If you're interested in any of these interesting topics, make sure to purchase your tickets to this year's Taste of the Nation NYC.  And we'll even treat you to a 20% discount.  Use code NYCMAY.

Win a Pair of Taste of the Nation VIP Tickets

Here's your chance at winning big and experiencing Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation NYC in a way you haven't before.  We're giving away 2 VIP tickets to the event on May 17th, 2010.  You'll enjoy a private hour of tasting delicacies from some of the best restaurants in Manhattan as well as access to a private VIP lounge all night, exclusive food and drink tastings limited to VIPs only and much more. 

These tickets are valued at $750!

Here's how to enter: (your entry will be counted one time)
Comment on this blog post and tell us why you deserve to win OR

Follow us on Twitter and tweet: @NYCTaste I want my VIP OR

Friend us on Facebook and write on our wall: I want my VIP

Extra Entries: Earn extra entries to this giveaway by writing about this event on your blog and linking back to this blog post.  Each blog entry will count as an additional entry in this giveaway.

So get on it...friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and tell all your friends about Taste of the Nation NYC.  We hope to see you at the event.

This giveaway starts on Wednesday, April 7th at 3:15 p.m. ET and will end on Wednesday, May 12th at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Winners will be chosen at random on random.org on Thursday, May 13th, 2010 and will be contacted via email. 

Taste of the Nation NYC
Monday, May 17th 2010
7:00 p.m. (for VIP) - 10:30 p.m.
New Location: Grand Hyatt, NYC

Purchase tickets here

Which Restaurants Will be Joining Us this Year?

We're so excited to announce a list of some of the wonderful restaurants that will be joining us this year for Taste of the Nation New York.  While the below list isn't yet complete and there will be other great chefs and food establishments added, we wanted to whet your appetite.

Restaurants List: 2010 Taste of the Nation NYC

10 Downing
Aldea
Aquavit

Artisanal Bistro & Bar Artisanal

Asia de Cuba

BLT Prime

BLT Steak

Blue Hill

Blue Smoke
Brasserie Les Halles

Cafe 2 & Terrace 5 at MOMA

Casa Mono & Bar Jamon

Centrico

China Grill
Choptank
Dirt Candy
Ed's Chowder House

Eleven Madison Park
Felidia

Gramercy Tavern

Hill Country

Hudson Yards
Ilili 
Kuma Inn

Landmarc

Le Cirque
L'Ecole

Maialino
Marc Forgione

Marseille
Papabubble

Picholine

Porter House
Pure Food & Wine
Rick's Picks

Rickshaw Dumpling Bar

Rouge Tomate
Sigmund Pretzelshop

South Gate

Sushi Samba

Tabla

Tanuki Tavern

Telepan
The Meatball Shop

The Modern

The Stanton Social

Tribeca Grill

Union Square Cafe

Yerba Buena

If you haven't had a chance to check these out, this would be a great opportunity.  You'll get a taste of their signature dishes and will get to meet the chefs behind them.

Buy tickets here.

Taste of the Nation, NY
Monday, May 17th 2010
7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
New Location: Grand Hyatt, NY