Sitting in Front Row: Model Petra Nemkova, actress Rosario Dawson and actress Rose Byrne.

Looks We Loved:

Tommy Hilfiger is Mr. Americana. His designs are preppy, tailored with beige as the predominant color. This season his collection is edgier using darker hues. A New York Fashionista will appreciate the leather accents for added sophistication.

Mr. Americana - Tommy Hilfiger.

We spied sitting Front Row:

From Left to Right: Maggie Q of CW’s Nikita.  Molly Sims, actress. Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.

Looks We Loved:

Photos: © TheNYFashionista.com

How to do the Beer Bourbon and BBQ Festival:

Step 1: At Check-in, you’ll get a food ticket and a glass ticket.  The food ticket entitles you 1 platter of pulled pork, beans and slaw – your choice of vendor.  The glass ticket entitles you to a shot glass for bottomless beer, bourbon or any beverage on the premises which gives out free samples.  Shot glass lanyards to hang around your neck are given out to make balancing food and drink easier.

Step 2:  The festival is a BIG Frat Party.  IT IS PACKED !!  In order for you to get to the whole hogs, the wait is approximately 30 minutes.  Was is worth it?  DEFINITELY.

Step 3:  The first hour of each session is the most packed.  You can wait it out at the beer seminar.  This year, Heavy Seas Beer sponsored.  The choices were splendid.

My beer notes:  Gold Ale – smooth, best with fatty porky food.  Black Cannon – toasty notes.  Loose Cannon – lots of hops.  The BEST – Siren Noire Bourbon Firkin – soft with belgian chocolate.

The Verdict:  Fantastic !!

Photos: © TheNYFashionista.com

NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2010) – In the crowded sphere of philanthropy food and wine tastings, New York Taste 2010 is the leader of the pack. The superbly currated food and wine pairings from New York’s top restaurants and Côtes du Rhône wines by Gillian Duffy, New York Magazine Culinary Editor, was an undeniable success !!

New York’s top chefs stepped up and offered the sophisticated foodie crowd an array of haute cuisine never seen and tasted before.

Our Top Picks:

1.) David Burke Townhouse – Pheasant and Duck Liver Dumpling with Sage Cranberry BBQ.
Why? Pure Decadence.

2.) Chef George Mendes, Aldea – Lobster Soup with Coconut, Chorizo & Coriander.
Why? The soup was light and subtle. The chorizo flavor was not overpowering but was just a hint. After tasting so many plates, Chef Mendes’ soup was a warm comfort broth that cleansed the palate.

3.) Chef Amy Eubanks, BLT Fish - Caramelized Banana and Rum Parfait.
Why? By caramelizing the banana and adding rum, Chef Eubanks took this dessert to a haute level by letting the natural sweetness of the banana shine enhanced by the spiced rum. It’s just yummy perfection.

4.) Beef Cheek vs Beef Cheek, which Beef Cheek will prevail?
Left: En Japanese Brasserie – Washugyu Beef Cheek Braised in Red Miso.
Right: Sho Shaun Hergatt – Red Wine Braised Beef Cheek, Parsley Root Puree, Foie Gras Emulsion.
The Winner: Hats off to both restaurants for serving beef cheek because that part of the cow is difficult to prepare. And, both beef cheek plates were delicious. However, I slightly preferred the one from En Japanese Brasserie because the beef cheek was “melt in your mouth” in one bite.
5.) Chef Michael Lomonaco, Porter House New York - Smoked Beef Tongue Salad on Rye Crisp with Horseradish Mustard.
Why? Chef Lomonaco understands the foodie’s need for interesting dishes and he superbly executed a delicious plate using beef tongue. His choice of horserasdish mustard cuts through the fattiness of the beef tongue slivers just enough to bring out the smoked flavor.

6.) Chef Michael Psilakis, Fish Tag - Fluke with Boudin Blanc and Green Grapes.
Why? Chef Psilakis encouraged tasters to sample the dish in just one bite. It’s a yummy one bite because all the flavors in that bite worked together to create a delicious mouth full.

7.) Seafood vs Seafood
Left: Aquavit – Cold Smoked Nantucket Bay Scallop, Red Cabbage Sauerkraut, Horseradish Emulsion.
Right: Morimoto – Spicy King Crab.
The Winner: For presentation, Aquavit wins. For taste, Morimoto wins. The King Crab in the shell was sweet and meaty. And, the spicy sauce was just enough to electrify the palate for a few seconds without numbing it.

8.) Dessert vs Dessert
Left: Le Bernardin – Parsnip Custard with Dominican Chocolate, Hazelnut and Brown Butter.
Right: Daniel – Honeycrisp Apple Confit with Speculoos Biscuit, Smoked Cinnamon Ice Cream.
The Winner: It’s a tie. Foodies have high expectations for both French restaurants. And, they did not disappoint.
9.) L’Ecole, The Restaurant of the French Culinary Institute – Duck with Leek-Raisin Curry and Duck Egg.
Why? A well-balanced plate. It’s bright, flavorful and hearty.
10.) Graffit - Codfish Pintxo with Flavors of Land and Sea
Why? At first, I was afraid to bite into a whole onion pearl but Chef Jesús Núñez gave me instructions on how to eat the pintxo.  So, I started from the piquillo pepper caviar side and worked my way out to the carmelized pearl onion then the honey and almond gelatin with a touch of bacon then finished with the tobiko.  In four bites, it was a wonderful journey of Catalan flavors.

Celebrity Chefs:

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: (1) Chef Marcus Samelsson, Red Rooster Harlem. [Plate: Gravlax Waffles, Purple Mustard]. (2) Chef  Anita Lo, Annisa. [Plate: Squid with Damame, Fresh Peanuts and Thai Basil]. (3) Chef Dan Barber, Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barnes.  [Plate: Forono Beets, Pine Nuts and Blue Hill Yogurt]. (4) Chef Andrew Carmenelli, Locanda Verde.  [Plate: Lamb Meatball Sliders with Caprino and Pickled Cucumbers].

Libation, Top Picks:

Left: Pegu Club – Cucumber Apple Fizz, Plymouth Gin, Muddled Cucumbers and Apples, Cynar, Lemon Juice Club Soda.
Right:: Domaine de Mourchon, “Loubié”, Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret, Rosé.

Photos: © TheNYFashionista.com

The evening started with drinks and small plates while everyone was on the look out for Guy Fieri. After arriving with his entourage, Guy started working the crowd by cooking up and serving pasta to a waiting long line of fans. One fan was so smitten that she had to touch Guy’s spikey hair.

Anne Burrell spotted in the crowd rocking the night away. And, no one in the house was left not moving to the sound of one of the best cover bands in the city.

My Favorite:

Osteria del Circo’s Classic Tuscan “Polpetta” Meatballs with Home Made Focaccia made by Mama Egidiana Maccioni. The size was perfect. The meatball was moist. And, served by an authentic Italian mama.

The Winner:

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: (1) Winner of the 2nd Meatball Madness was Mia Donna’s Donatella Arpaia posing for a quick picture with her mama. (2) The winning meatball – Meatball Slider on Potato Focaccia with Cacciocavallo Cheese. (3) The real winner was Mia Donna’s Coconut Cupcake. THE BEST EVER !!

My Runner Ups:

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (1) SD26 Restaurant and Wine Bar served an array of Italian Salumi, Cheeses and Marinated Vegetables. (2) I tossed in my token for them because I had the best experience at their booth. The meats were buttery, the colors explosive and the parmesean wheel was pure indulgence. (3) Prociutto being sliced from the bone.

The surprise meatball of the night was served up by Missy Robbins, chef of A Voce. I didn’t realize she was so talented. Her meatball which was Ricotta Filled with Calabrian Chili and Fennel was absolutely delicious !!

Defending champion Andrew Carmellini served his winning Lamb Meatball Sliders with Caprino, Pickled Cucumber, Dandelion Salad with Lamb Vinaigrette. And, I spied a temporary tattoo on his hand which said “I Heart Lamb”.

The most anticipated meatball of the night: There was so much press about how good their meatballs are that one expects too much. But, Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow of the The Meatball Shop did not disappoint. Their Spicy Pork Meatballs with Spicy Meatsauce with Polenta was perfect.

Spotted:

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (1) Anne Burrell stopped at Giada’s booth for some catching up and for some meatballs. (2) Aarti Sequeira host of Food Network’s Aarti Party making the meatball rounds. (3) Katie Lee being interviewed by Gotham.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (1) Todd English, chef and owner of a conglomerate of restaurants by day and rocker by night. (2) Funny Todd English being interviewed by a camera crew. (3) The NY Post doesn’t do Todd English justice, he is a real charmer in person. He made several rounds around the venue to make sure all his guests were having a good time.

My Favorite Pork:

Latin Spiced Pork Morsels with Lime and Coriander by Andaz 5th Avenue Chef Roberto Alicea.

Free Flowing Libations to heighten the taste of all things pork.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: (1) Freshly shucked Mystic oysters from Connecticut. (2) Chef Mary Redding, Mary’s Fish Camp, dressed up her Island Creek oysters from Massachusetts. (3) Freshly shucked Wiley Point Oysters from Maine.

Chef Emille Bousquet Walsh, BLT Fish, served Quilcene oysters from Washington.

Chef Alex Guarnashelli, Butter Restaurant, served Beau Soleil oysters from New Brunswick.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (1) The Plaza Hotel ballroom all abuzz with energy and excitement. (2) Hill Country’s station as chicken was served hot. (3) Dishes from Paula Deen’s recipe book.

The scene was classic southern elegance with a mix of New York sophistication. Paula Deen was such a gracious host and her fans can’t get enough of her. On stage, Paula shared the spotlight with chefs who contributed southern recipes for the brunch.

Katie Lee serving her Nutella French Toast Sandwiches. After the event, I ran into one of the servers, apparently the cook and wait staff can’t stop munching on these sandwiches as they were prepping for the event since early in the morning.

A typical plate filled with Southern favorites at the Plaza Hotel brunch.

Paula Deen sings ‘Amen’ at the Plaza:

Paula Deen sings AMEN @ NYCWFF 2010 from NY Fashionista on Vimeo.