Flavor of Midtown 2011

Last year, I had the great fortune to be invited to attend the Flavor of Midtown, courtesy of my darling friend Esther.  This year, she extended me the same invitation, and I knew I’d have to be crazy to turn it down! 

This event is thrown every year by the Grand Central Partnership.  Along with certain sponsors and hosts, this event is one of the biggest of its kind. 

After I arrived, I just went around and ate a plate from just about every single table.  So I’m just going to run through really quickly what I ate from where! 

Asia de Cuba: char sui short ribs

The Palm Too: prime rib au jus, with horseradish cream

The Wheeltapper Pub: seared peppered tuna loin over parsnip puree with crisp leeks and cider-chili reduction

Grand Central Oyster Bar: panko crusted Blue Point oysters with wasabi aioli
(these were REALLY good!)

Next up, plates of rice, which I usually avoid because that’s just filler food.  But…

I REALLY liked this dish: Dee Daa: Karee Curry Infused Rice with Chicken

And next we have…

Barclay Bar & Grill: seared scallop with fennel and orange salad

I love pictures of plates upon plates of food… cuz I’m weird like that 🙂

Tulsi: Three Root Chaat

The Capital Grille: Kona Tenderloin with Roasted Shallot Butter

Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur: Smoked Scallops Escabeche with Garden Peas and Pickled Morels

Benjamin Steakhouse at the Dylan Hotel: Porterhouse Bites with Creamless Cream [sic] Spinach & Benjamin Steak Sauce

Maggie’s Place: Grilled Steak Crostini with Creamed Spinach and Shaved Asiago Cheese

St. Andrews: Maryland Crab Cake with Green Tomato & Fresh Plum Salsa

Look at this lobster.  It’s HUGE.

Don’t believe me?  His claw was as big as my not-small hand. Too bad he was just for display, and not for us to eat 😉

Michael Jordan’s The Steakhouse NYC: Lobster Sliders

See the lady in the left side of the photo?  She’s the reason people hate food bloggers.  She blocked off this entire table, then started rearranging the plates and gave me a dirty look when I reached over to take a plate.  She was SO IN THE WAY, and a few minutes later, I saw her go behind one of the other tables and start harassing the chefs so she could take pictures of them plating the dishes.  What the hell.  I wanted to push her. 

Cibo: BBQ Pork Strudel with Warm Red Bliss Balsamic Potato Salad

Pershing Square: Smoked Long Island Duck Breast over Apple-Walnut Salad with Port Wine Reduction

O’Casey’s: Beef Stroganoff & Seasoned Rice

Nios: Braised Short Ribs with Robiola Cheese Fondue & Crispy Shallots

Salute!: Mini Crab Cake

Bobby Van’s Steakhouse: Sliced Filet Mignon & Creamed Spinach

I was taking pictures of New York Central’s table when the chef said “Wouldn’t you rather eat one?”  Um… yes, please!!!

He “finished” it off on top with a foam, and holy crap, this was really good.   

New York Central at the Grand Hyatt New York: Broiled Eel Mousse with Celery Conserves & Sauce Albufera

Magnolia Bakery was also there… with their famous banana pudding.  Ooh… I love banana pudding.

Yes, I had some… and it was great.  Their banana pudding is pretty damn good.  YUM. 

Magnolia Bakery: Banana Pudding

Ciao Bella: Gelato & Sorbet

Although I was so stuffed at this point, I had to head over to Ciao Bella and grab a blood orange sorbet bar.  And it was sooo good, even as I clutched my aching belly.  Not too sweet, slightly tart, and completely perfect.  I need to go stock these in my freezer.  So, so good… and not that many calories! 

I’d like to extend another sincere thank you to Esther for the invitation – as always, I had a fantastic time and enjoyed all the delicious food!!!  So good! 

I highly recommend that if you have the opportunity to purchase tickets to next year’s event, that you do so and enjoy the fantastic food under one roof, and knowing that you’re helping a great cause by buying tickets!!!

I attended this event for free courtesy of the Grand Central Partnership PR.  However, I was under no obligation to post about this event, negatively or positively, received no monetary compensation, and do so freely.