May 23rd, 2011 
Taste of Tribeca
On May 21st, 2011, I headed down to Duane Street in Tribeca for a day of food, fun and festivities, otherwise known as Taste of Tribeca. Founded in 1994 by the parents of children in public elementary schools PS 150 and PS 234, Taste of Tribeca is a fundraiser to raise support for arts and enrichment in these neighborhood schools. As a public school Theater Arts Teacher myself, I couldn’t be more thrilled to support and participate in this important event.
Taste of Tribeca is an outdoor culinary festival featuring signature dishes from Tribeca’s best restaurants and chefs. There were over 70 restaurants participating in the event, and one ticket provided tastes to any six of these establishments. Since I’m one of those picky vegetarians, I brought along a meat-eating friend and my chihuahua Gillman to be the official tasters for the non-veggie dishes. Here’s what was on our tasting menu:
Vegan Nacho Cups Presented By Whole Foods
From the Greenwich Grill/TribeCafe, the Mini Teriyaki Burger. My friend described this as being “spicy, delicious and full of flavor.” Whole Foods presented Vegan Nacho Cups, which I will certainly be making a weekly staple in my diet! Carl’s Steaks made Philly Cheesesteaks, described as “bringing the best of Philly to NYC!” Da Mikele had Pizza and a Spring Rice Salad with Vegetables, a scrumptious flat-bread taste of Italy. Ever one with a sweet tooth, I picked Duane Park Patisserie for my first course dessert, with their Molten Chocolate Cake with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce. Simply divine! Finally, to cool off from all the sunshine pouring down on the festival, I wrapped up with a Chocolate Ice Cream Cone from The Odeon.
Gillman was presented with delicious doggie treats from the kind folks at Dudley’s Paw, which, judging by the way he gobbled them up with lightning speed, he gave two giant paws up!
After the feast of food, we relaxed and took in some of the live music from Swing Banjoist Cynthia Sayer and Her Sparks Fly Band, presented by City Winery.
Taste of Tribeca Benefits Local Public Schools
All the proceeds from the event will go to supporting the arts in PS 150 and PS 234 so students will be able to reap the benefits of programs such as Ballroom Dancing, Music and Theater, Author Visits, Museum Collaborations, and so much more. Thanks to the parents, teachers, volunteers, restaurants, and community members, Taste of Tribeca will go a long way in providing students at these schools a taste of all the wonderful arts and culture New York City has to offer. Now that’s something we can all raise our glasses to and feel good about!
For more information, or to get involved in next year’s Taste of Tribeca, please visit their website.
