Images & text
by Norma Schwartzberg
The New York City Wine Food Festival (NYCWFF) from the Food Network once again came back to make New Yorkers fall in love with good food, good wine, and great spirits again! We are well known to be food lovers and that explained why in New York City we have hundreds of restaurants that offer dishes from all over the planet from Asia to Latino America Europe to Africa and more. This amazing festival brought together local and international chefs, mixologists, wine producers, crafted spirits, public relations companies, food brands, liquor companies, celebrity chefs, and TV hostesses. This astonishing festival is unique for many reasons, the celebration not only took place at The Grand Tasting which was hosted by Wine Spectator, at the 76 Pier with amazing views of the Hudson River but continue and expanded to many other different locations in New York City, like trendy restaurants, rooftops with breathtaking views and outdoors locations. Some restaurants hosted their own food tasting with crafted cocktails like “Rooftop Rose” hosted by Jenny Mollen. Mixologist competitions with new cocktail recipes and new kinds of fun.
Our first stop was at
The Grand Tasting at 76 Pier,
( see images below)
this awesome event featured trendy restaurants located in NYC, wine and liquor companies, bakeries also from the 5 boroughs, cheese companies, water brands, and more. All presented the best they can offer from delicious cinnamon rolls to very New York pizza. The event was outdoors and the weather was on our side with a sunny day for all to enjoy even more this wonderful tasting, attendees were having so much fun! The Grand Tasting gathered more than 200 hundred vendors making this event pretty big and amusing, there were some resting areas to take a break from walking around. While some folks were trying all kinds of food others were sipping Tequila, Whiskey, vodka, Gin, bourbon, and beer some others were taking selfies to send them to their friends and make them feel jealous. The event was mainly for grown-ups, however, some young kids were there as well. It was all about diversity not only food diversity also people from all over the globe some live here in NYC others came to visit The Big Apple and stop by the festival to have extra entertainment having a Big Lunch at the same time. NYCWFF celebrated its 15th Anniversary and couldn't last this long without the people of New York who are well known for their enthusiasm, love for food, tolerance, great energy, appreciation for cocktails, and international dishes. Attendees always leave the festival very satisfied and happy as were the vendors and organizers who provided handicap ramps, facilities, and phone charge stations besides the resting areas equipped with chairs, tables, and electric outlets to charge phones. Not to mention the cleaning crew who were very active in making sure the trash cans were clean changing them, and also sweeping the floors constantly. The festival had an army of volunteers who were always there to help and guide visitors providing information and assistance. NYCWFF is a traditional event that takes place every year at the end of the summer to bring together food, wine, and liquor companies and consumers in a fun way for everyone to enjoy it.
Our second stop was at the
“Tacos & Tequila After Dark”
(see images below)
a wonderful event at the Intrepid Museum right outside of the iconic military ship named “Intrepid” on the Hudson River in Midtown Manhattan. The “taquiza” started at 7 pm powered by Toyota and hosted by the cast of “The Kitchen” with special guests Elvis Duran and the Z100 Morning Show. Among the restaurants present that night were “Street Taco” and “Sofia's Taqueria” offering delicious tacos for people to enjoy. Attendees lined up at every single taco stand not to mention the line outside to get in was huge. People were taking to visit the restaurants to have more tacos and/or try something else from the menu. Tacos without Tequila don't taste the same and the organizers knew that so Tequila companies were there too “Dos Hombres”, “El Tequileno”, Mezcal “Contraluz”, “Qui” (Tequila), “Codigo” and “El Cristiano” among others. Every company had its own special cocktail for the special night or serve Tequila shots as well as straight up. This special night was complete with fun live entertainment with amazing and talented performers singing tunes from the 80s and 90s besides the current top 40. Capital One who is one of the major sponsors had a special lounge for cardholders where the energetic bartenders were serving Tequila base cocktails and small bites also they have a “picture taken” section with the Capital One logo on the back, cardholders, and their guest were welcome to stop and take a break sit and relax. 3 hrs went fast too fast for everyone since we were having so much fun! This great event ended at 10 pm with a promise to come back next year.
Our 3rd Stop was at the brand new and classic
The Rock Hotel, in Midtown Manhattan
where the
“Rooftop Rose Hosted by Jenny Mollen”
(see images below)
took place. The skylight views of Manhattan and the Hudson River were astonishing the décor of the rooftop was classic and modern very chic. Guests were treated with different brands of Rose, chocolates, hors d'oeuvres, copies of Jenny Mollen's book “City of Likes”, Dj Music, and silly giveaways. Watching the sunset from the rooftop was an additional treat for all of us, the sun said good night with a smile.
The 4th and last stop was again at The Intrepid platform this time hosting the
“BBQ Night”
(see images below)
an excellent party for meat lovers and Tequila drinkers. For those who didn't eat meat, it was a nice vegetarian option “Lone Star Potato” which was a delicious potato with butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, pinto beans, and green onion. That delightful dish was offered by Norwegian Cruise Line at its lounge where attendees were invited to sit and relax. The night was short and ended to soon, nevertheless, we had fun and on my part very grateful to have covered these events. Special thanks to The Food Network, Capital One, Norwegian Cruise Line, The Rock Hotel, Jenny Mollen, The Intrepid Museum, Toyota “Dos Hombres”, “El Tequileno”, Mezcal “Contraluz”, “Qui” (Tequila), “Codigo” and “El Cristiano”, “Sofia's Taqueria”, God's Love We Deliver, Southern Glazer's, Air France, Conrad Hotel, Hudson River Parks, Caviar, Babybel cheese products, Elvis Duran and The Morning Show and “Tito's Vodka”. We want to give special thanks to The Door Online
https://thedooronline.com/.
For more information about the festival please click HERE.
SEE IMAGES OF THE FESTIVAL BELOW
"TACOS & TEQUILA AFTER DARK"
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"ROOFTOP ROSE" HOSTED BY
JENNY MOLLEN
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