The Foundry in Long Island City was the place to be on Saturday, January 26th. The venue hosted the 2nd Annual arctic-chic Aquarius festival where the space was filled with delicacies from the sea that were perfectly paired with complimentary spirits. Sustainable seafood offerings were as vast as the ocean. MF Events had a raw bar filled with locally sourced oysters from Fisher’s Island Oysters. The delicious oysters were prepared by the amazing Chef Corey Cash of Cash Only BBQ and served three ways:
Spanish Style Oysters Ceviche:
Red Onion, Cucumber, Roma Tomato, Jalapeño, Smoked Habanero/Garlic Purée, Orange and Lime Juice, Fisher Island Oysters.
Cold Smoked Oysters: (Our Favorite)
Cherry and Apple Wood Smoked Fisher Island Oysters, Atomized 10 Year Scotch, Alabama White BBQ Sauce, Julienne Flash Pickle.
Fisher Island Oyster on the Half Shell:
Tarragon-Garlic Mignonette.
Elsewhere, Crazy Taco Mex served up yummy tacos, we enjoyed their shrimp and steak taco! Midtown Greek hotspot Kellari Taverna, CA’PISCI in Williamsburg, Neapolitan Express, and My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream all offered up delicious food as well.
While there was plenty of food, there were a variety of cocktails to wash it all down. Coney Island Brewery provided craft beer and hard sodas. Barr Hill Gin & Caledonia Spirits, Tanteo Tequila, Spring 44 Distillery, and The Finnish Long Drink were also there shaking up drinks. Ketel One had a unique “Ketel Your Juice Bar,” which allowed guests to sip on fresh pressed juice and a splash of Vodka. Ardbeg Scotch Whisky offered guests Ardbeg 10YO Bloody Marys and the 10YO Long Islay. To stay hydrated throughout the night, attendees stayed hydrated with Polar Seltzer Water and Töst and Harmless Harvest Coconut Water. Guests were also able to sample ginger beers from Fentimans Botanical, and sparkling probiotic drinks from KeVita.
The entertainment didn’t stop at the food and cocktail areas. Everyone commemorated the magical evening inside the 4Five Photobooth. Immersive experiences took shape throughout the night with dance performances choreographed by Nika Antuanette, Winter Burlesque from the fab Karina Precious, and two all-star performances from Hudson Horns that brought down the house. The music continued, thanks to DJ Sasha Hart and guitarist Neon Jesus in the main room and DJ Ryan Vandal in the Albra Room.
Aquarius comes to life each year courtesy of the talented producers of Secret Summer, Tyler Hollinger of HighLife Productions, Andrew Maturana of RAPT and Allison du Val of The Foundry. Secret Summer, the country’s only farm-to-bar cocktail festival, will return to The Foundry on August 4th. For more information, please visit http://secretsummernyc.com.
Photo Credit Tyler Hollinger and XOJOHN