Destination Tribeca

Yesterday afternoon I set out with a friend to experience Tribeca's best restaurants at the annual Taste of Tribeca, each of us prepared to commit the deadly sin of gluttony with our stomachs running on empty. Eager to taste as much as possible without slipping into a food coma, we purchased our tickets (six tastes for $45.00) and devised a plan to share our food, allowing us to sample a total of twelve different dishes.

Determined not to let the amazing smells and quantity of booths overwhelm us, we jumped right in and made our way down Duane heading toward Greenwich. We started the day off with Centrico's sopes corn tarts topped with black beans, cotija cheese, tomatillo and avocado salsa. Our stomachs demanding more, we moved onto Bouley for the chef's special, a small sample of ramp risotto topped with parmesan cheese. Spicy mini tuna burgers and plantain chips from Church Lounge at Tribeca Grand Hotel, crawfish remoulade on gougers from Duane Park, a beautifully presented greek salad from The Harrison, a generous plate of amish special wraps, chicken blankets and outstanding baklava from the Amish Market, spicy tuna hand rolls with crunchy panko from Takahachi Tribeca, and perfectly seasoned heirloom tomato and spring vegetable panzanella from Tribeca Grill filled the rest of the afternoon. Judging from the size of the lines, crowd favorites were the oversized barbecue pulled pork sandwich, cole slaw and watermelon served by Walker's, followed by Duane Park Patisserie's dense molten chocolate cake with bittersweet chocolate sauce.

Crawfish display at Duane Park


Takahachi Tribeca's spicy tuna hand roll


Tribeca Grill's heirloom tomato and spring vegetable panzanella


Chefs assembling popular pulled pork sandwiches at Walker's


Duane Park Patisserie's rich molten chocolate cake topped with bittersweet chocolate sauce


The growling in our stomachs a distant memory, we ate our second dessert (and technically third, fourth and fifth) of the day, a hello dolly bar, butterscotch bar, chocolate cookie sandwich with sweet vanilla frosting, and chocolate chip studded brownie from Billy's Bakery (opening at 75 Franklin Street this spring) while watching former Top Chef contestant and executive chef at Centro Vinoteca, Leah Cohen, battle against Kurt Gutenbrunner, owner and executive chef of Wallsé, in a lamb cook-off. The friendly competition was a close call with judges Gail Simmons, Josh Ozersky, and Lauren Glassberg ultimately awarding the crown to Kurt. Causing a few laughs from the crowd, Leah commented that her competitor has much more experience as he was cooking well before she entered into this world.

Dessert from Billy's Bakery


Judge Gail Simmons


Contestant Leah Cohen


With the Taste of Tribeca showcasing its culinary delights to hungry New Yorkers, Tribeca is sure to become a favorite dinner destination.