Monday, July 30, 2012

Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival - Define "Cheese-Steak"

Friday, July 27, 2012

Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival  Define "Cheese-Steak" - Showboat

Andrew Zimmern's Beef Tongue Cheesesteak

People Enjoying Cheesesteaks!
The Define "Cheese-Steak" was a really fun outdoor event at the Main Lot at Showboat. The event was huge and had both indoor in tent seating (open air) and outside seating. The event was hosted by Andrew Zimmern and featured a set up of three huge tents with a stage. The band that performed several sets was Rockabilly band, Full Blown Cherry. I listen to Rockabilly as it is my fave style of music so I was thrilled so see this rockin' band from Pennsylvania. 

Full Blown Cherry
Full Blown Cherry
There were alot of cheesesteak stations all grilling fresh onsite. There were also a few great salad stations and I really enjoyed a yummy spicy cucumber salad and coleslaw. There were over 15 stations of cheesesteaks, salads and beverages.

A chef serving the yummy salads

Lots of Salads To Choose From

Andrew Zimmern
At the Andrew Zimmern table, chefs made a real show stopper - thinly sliced beef tongue cheesesteak sandwiches. I really enjoyed this cheesesteak and the beef tongue had a bacon taste and had crispy edges.

Sammy D's Cheesesteak Dumplings

Sammy D's Cheesesteak Dumplings
I also tasted one of the best bites of the evening at Sammy D's table, Cheesesteak Dumplings. I ate a few of them and they were garnished with chopped hot peppers and the sauce was in an "S" shape to represent the name Sammy D's which is located at Harrah's Resort. This was a wild table to hang at and eat. I had so much fun here and loved these dumplings. I was happy to meet Sammy D and speak with him for a few minutes.

Scarduzio's Cheesesteaks
The table from Scarduzio's from Showboat had some great tasting cheesesteaks and I enjoyed watching all the chefs grill and make the sandwiches for awhile. The staff was very nice and I took some pictures of the chefs.

HBH Cheesesteak

HBH Plating Cheesesteaks
I had a chance to eat a cheesesteak sample which I thoroughly enjoyed from HBH Gourmet Sandwiches & Smoked Meats from Brooklyn, NY.

Cheesesteaks
I had some great samples of cheesesteaks from the stations at this event. I tasted about 10 of them. There was an MC from 100.7 WZXL Southern Jersey's Rock Station which we listen to when we are in town. Since the event was outdoors it was really hot but thankfully when the sun went down, there was a nice breeze and it was much more comfortable. I highly recommend this event and will be attending next year.

-Allen/Two Frys

Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival - Welcome Party

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival Welcome Party - Atlantic Grill, Caesars

Michael Green and Allen/Two Frys
I was very happy to attend the invite only Welcome Party hosted by Michael Green at the Atlantic Grill in Caesars. The host Michael Green was comical and friendly with the guests. Michael Green is the President & Creative Director of Liquid Asset Consulting Group, Co-Founder of the Wine Down event and Wine and Spirits Consultant of Gourmet Magazine. Michael Green has also been on numerous television and cable shows. Michael came around and greeted guests at each table. It was a pleasure to meet him as he is a long time icon in the food and wine spirits industry. 

Heirloom Tomato Salad - Summer Melon, Fresh Mozzarella, Parma Prosciutto, Basil, Vin Santo Vinaigrette
The food served this evening was a top of the line three course dinner and a tasty gourmet dessert. The first course Heirloom Tomato Salad - Summer Melon, Fresh Mozzarella, Parma Prosciutto, Basil, Vin Santo Vinaigrette was refreshing and a great start for this dinner.

Open Summer Ravioli - Squash Blossoms, Blue Crab, Sweet Corn, Sheep's Milk Ricotta, Truffle Brown Butter
The second course Open Summer Ravioli - Squash Blossoms, Blue Crab, Sweet Corn, Sheep's Milk Ricotta, Truffle Brown Butter was beautifully plated like the first course.The sheep's milk ricotta and blue crab were a great compliment to the dish. I cannot get over the taste of the squash blossoms which reminded me of zucchini. It was the first time I ate a squash blossom and I am sold. I plan to eat them again.

Balsamic Black Pepper-Glazed Tenderloin - Scampi-Style Shrimp, Grilled Asparagus
The main course Balsamic Black Pepper-Glazed Tenderloin - Scampi-Style Shrimp, Grilled Asparagus was very satisfying. The tenderloin melted in my mouth and the black pepper crust had a great kick to it. There were two huge shrimp and the grilled asparagus had grill marks and a nice crunch.
Peach Croustade - White Port-Poached Cherries, Vanilla Bean Crème Fraîche Gelato
The dessert Peach Croustade - White Port-Poached Cherries, Vanilla Bean Crème Fraîche Gelato featured the best gelato I ever had. The peaches and cherries were a perfect pairing in this dessert and I enjoyed it.

Host, Michael Green
I would like to thank Caesars and the Atlantic Grill for this wonderful dinner. The guests I observed seemed to have a lot of fun, was a pleasant dining experience and a great opening for the festivities of the upcoming weekend.

-Allen/Two Frys

Monday, July 23, 2012

Local Youth Green Markets in the Bronx now open.


Youth markets in the Bronx now open July 2012


Shop Local from Local Farmers
Youthmarket began in 2006 as one weekly 
farm stand in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Since then, 
Youthmarket has grown to include locations 
throughout New York City, making even 
more fresh produce available and affordable 
for residents.









Bronx
Roberto Clemente Plaza Youthmarket
3rd Ave btwn E. 148th and E. 149th Sts.
Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., July 11-Nov. 14, 2012

Learn it, Grow it, Eat it Youthmarket
Boston Rd. and 169th St.
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., July 11-Nov. 14, 2012

Marble Hill Youthmarket
225th St. and Broadway
Thursdays, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., July 12-Nov. 15, 2012

Riverdale Youthmarket
W. 256th St and Mosholu Ave.
Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., July 12-Nov. 15, 2012


For more information and other Locations in the 
New York city area visit: Grow NYC

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Riverdale RiverFest 2012

Riverdale RiverFest 2012

Riverdale RiverFest banner
Allen and I had a great time at the Riverdale RiverFest, Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Marillac Lawn, Riverdale Avenue at West 263rd Street. The beautiful campus and plentiful trees provided shade for the food vendors, and seating areas for guests to rest and dine out of the direct sun. The weather was sunny, hot and it was also Allen's birthday. Riverdale RiverFest was a well attended and great event by the Hudson River and Allen was glad it fell on his birthday.

Liebman's Kosher Deli
The first thing we did was check out the various food vendors and we were impressed. The vendors covered diverse ethnic cuisines and there were many arts & crafts vendors, exhibits, music and even The Children's Museum bus. There were boat rides on the Hudson throughout the day for individuals who made reservations ahead of time. The Boat Rides and Waterfront Program featured The John J. Harvey Fireboat, A.J. Meerwood Tail Ship Sails, The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and Our Hudson, Railroad Barge of a restored Pennsylvania Railroad Barge No. 399. Maybe next year we will do the boat ride. The festival celebrated the waterfront with boat rides, and more importantly is a project of the Hudson River Greenway. The Hudson River Greenway want the community to have access to the waterfront for both the railroad and the Greenway.

Oaxaca Taqueria
Main stage performers featured The Sloe Guns, Riverdale Children's Theatre, Irish Folk Singer, Mary Courtney, Riverdale Choral Society, The Traveling Jewburys and Mark The Harper. Other main stage performers included ABADA – Capoeira Bronx, The Newton Gang, Riverdale Rising Stars, Jr. and Genetic Control.

Allen holding one of his faves, El Yucateco Green Sauce
Special Performances and Highlights of the festival included the Nitchen's Children Cultural Center of Native America performing a "Native Dance" and storytelling. Bronx Historian, Lloyd Ultan gave a talk and guitarist Steve Oates performed renditions of classic jazz and pop. Comedienne and clown Becca Bernard entertained the children and even joked with us as we were passing her.

Souvlaki GR
The Society For Creative Anachronism held an Archery demonstration, Fencing, Rattan medieval Fighting, presentation by Team USA - Battle of the Nations and live steel fighting. There was a class on Armor making and a demonstration on "How Archery Works." They also offered classes in origami, medieval cooking (see picture), chainmail making, medieval mask making, blowing glass beads and medieval games.

Allen with Baron Ambrosia
One of the highlights of the Riverdale RiverFest was meeting and getting a picture with Bronx food connoisseur Baron Ambrosia from Bronx Flavor and Cooking Channel's, The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia. We are huge fans of the Baron and were so happy to meet him. We hope to feature him very soon.

Me with Baron Ambrosia
Some exhibits were from these fine organizations: Bronx County Historical Society, Bronx River Alliance, Friends of the Hudson River Greenway, GrowNYC Recycling, Grow NYC Youth Market, Riverdale Nature Preservancy, Riverdale/Yonkers Society For Ethical Culture and Wild Dog Foundation. Visit the Riverdale RiverFest site for a detailed list on the participating organizations and supporters of the event. See below for links.

The Candy Box & Gelato Shoppe
It was great to finally meet Barbara Tallerman from Food For All People and The Bronx Mall, a resident of Riverdale who has served the community for many years. Congressman Eliot Engel and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz were also present at the festival.

Las Delicias Patisserie
We spoke to Frank Vincenti from The Wild Dog Foundation and learned about Coyotes of the Bronx in Pelham Park and Van Cortlandt Park. Frank provided Allen with a lot of information about wild dogs. This organization supports a great cause and we were glad to meet the founder.

Fauzia's Heavenly Delights
Allen spoke with someone from Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and got park information and upcoming events.
 
The Cheese Guy
We visited the Riverdale YM-YWHA booth and learned about their new synergy indoor heated pool (salt, UV lit filtered water and minimum chlorine) and fitness programs. We also got information about the Riverdale Y Sunday Market held every Sunday from 9:00AM -2:00PM until November 11, 2012 at MS/HS 141 in the arcade, Independence Avenue & West 237th Street.

Guyank Brand, LLC
Food vendors are an important component of an outdoor festival and a big reason we came to Riverdale RiverFest. What follows are food vendors we visited and photographed. I had a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard from Liebman's Kosher Deli, a staple for the Riverdale community and a Bronx landmark since 1953. Liebman's Kosher Deli offers Hebrew National hot dogs, homemade knishes and more.

Lloyd's Carrot Cake
Lloyd's Carrot Cake is a Riverdale favorite for over 25 years and served their signature carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and red velvet cake and other sweets. Lloyd's Carrot Cake offer a range of baked goods from made-from-scratch cakes, pies, and muffins. They also have a location in NYC. I bought the red velvet cake and it was delightfully rich, velvety and moist with cream cheese frosting. It was a pleasure to meet Lloyd's daughter who has carried on her father's legacy. Stay tuned for a full feature interview in the near future.

Allen holding my piece of Red Velvet Cake from Lloyd's Carrot Cake
Oaxaca Taqueria feature traditional Mexican fare and food is cooked fresh everyday. They currently have two Brooklyn locations and two in NYC. I photographed Allen with one of his favorite hot sauces El Yucateco Green Sauce, a spicy compliment for Mexian food offered here.

Apple Cider from Migliorelli Farm, I bought one
Fauzia's Heavenly Delights served Caribbean-Nouveau and multi-ethnic fusion featuring jerk and curried chicken, grilled fish and several vegetarian dishes.

Las Delicias Patisserie offer French, Italian and South American pastries. I bought lavender cookies and they were crunchy and buttery with a lovely hint of lavender.

Medieval Cooking
Souvlaki GR from the Lower East Side served traditional char-grilled souvlaki and Greek fries. Employees were rocking shirts with Anthony Bourdain's name. The gyros looked amazing and we loved the huge stack of pita bread that Allen thought was the largest pita bread he has ever seen.

Artist Daniel Hauben, beautiful work
The Riverdale Y Greenmarket Corner:
The Riverdale Y Greenmarket Corner featured Guyank Brand's Orignial Sweet-Hot Pepper Sauce and we met the owner. Allen sampled the various hot sauces, and loved the heat from the habanero pepper and the inricate flavors of heat and sweet. Allen purchased two of the hot sauces for an upcoming feature. The Guyank Brand Hot Sauces are made in Brooklyn and the company is based in Queens. Allen thinks every chili fan needs to check out Guyank Brand.

Frank Vincenti, Wild Dog Foundation
Bread Alone sold hand-crafted organic breads, pastries, and pies.

The Cheese Guy from Yonkers, NY sold over fifteen kinds of artisan kosher cheeses. Allen really enjoyed meeting him, loved everything he sampled and bought three cheeses for a future feature. Two of the cheeses have hot peppers in the ingredients.

FromTheBronx
I bought Apple Cider from Migliorelli Farm from Dutchess County and look forward to drinking it.

I met artist Daniel Hauben and loved the art he was creating at the fest. Right next to him was FromTheBronx who sell Bronx apparel, accessories, posters, cards, prints and more.

Here are some links to check out. For a detailed list of the participants and supporters, go to the Riverdale RiverFest page (link below):

Bread Alone – www.breadalone.com/

Bronx Flavor – www.bronxflavor.com/

Fauzia's Heavenly Delights – http://fauziasheavenlydelights.blogspot.com/

Food For All People – www.bronxmall.com/food/

FromTheBronx – http://www.fromthebronx.com/

Guyank Brand, LLC – http://www.guyankbrand.com/, http://www.guyankbrand.blogspot.com/

Las Delicias Patisserie – http://www.lasdeliciaspatisserie.com/

Liebman's Kosher Deli – http://www.liebmansdeli.com/

Lloyd's Carrot Cake – www.lloydscarrotcake.com/

Migliorelli Farm – www.migliorelli.com/

Oaxaca Revulcion de Taco – www.oaxacatacos.com/

Riverdale RiverFest – www.riverdaleriverfest.org/

Souvlaki GR – www.souvlakigr.com/

The Bronx Mall – www.bronxmall.com/

The Candy Box & Gelato Shoppe – http://www.thecandyboxonline.com/

The Cheese Guy – www.thecheeseguy.com/

The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia, Cooking Channel – www.cookingchanneltv.com/the-culinary-adventures-of-baron-ambrosia/the-culinary-adventures-of-baron-ambrosia/index.html

The Riverdale Y Sunday Market – www.riverdaley.org/index.php

The Wild Dog Foundation – http://www.wilddog.org/

-Sophia and Allen/Two Frys