If you’ve lived in Bushwick for the last five years, you’ve witnessed a truly impressive explosion of cuisine diversity in the neighborhood. Culinary honors come fast and frequent in New York, so much so it’s hard to take a step back and realize that we’ve recently birthed a globally potent gastro-neighborhood.
On June 16, you get to gorge yourself rotten on all that Bushwick flavor at the second annual Taste of Bushwick. “Food Party” may be my two favorite words to string together that aren’t “lottery winner” or “not guilty,” so forgive my exuberance – but I’m damn excited.
Taste of Bushwick will benefit theater The Bushwick Starr and it will present an outdoor gallery of epic local restaurants. With over thirty participants this year, including legendary nom shops like Northeast Kingdom and Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos and newcomers like Maite and Yours Sincerely (it’s not even open yet!!), there is no possible way you can consume all the awesome. Also notable is home-made pasta restaurant Faro, and UMI, the late-night bunwich shop that’s been operating as a graveyard-shift pop-up in Sweet & Shiny Bakery’s location on Knickerbocker.
The event goes down on Tuesday, June 16 on Rock Street, that awesome little side street in Morgantown that you’ve always wanted to throw a street festival at. You know the one. Thanks to Boar’s Head, who privately own the street, we get to actually party there. The food and drink vendors dish it from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and $35 gets you in the door for all you can eat and drink. Don’t wait too long to get your ticket though. There’s a $5 procrastination tax when you buy your tickets at the door.
If you’re like me, after you’ve been to an all you can drink/eat party outside on a Summer day, you’re obviously going to need more beer. The Bushwick Starr’s Sue Kessler has you covered. She’s arranged for all attendees of the event to be invited to Pine Box’s afterparty from 9 – 11 p.m. They’re hosting the Imaginary Tricks band and musician/comedian Daniel Koren for your entertainment. Their staff will be slinging a signature cocktail (along with their great everyday drink menu) as you loosen your belts and toast yourselves for living right here and right now.
And to make you even hungrier, check out some photos from last year’s food party (all photos courtesy of Taste of Bushwick):
Taste of Bushwick, 24 Rock Street, East Williamsburg, Tuesday, June 16, 6:30-9 p.m., tickets $35 ($40 at the door). For full participant list check out their Facebook event.