Though the name is clear, the annual Taste of the Upper West Side doesn’t just resonate with those living in the neighborhood. As an Upper East Side gal, I make it a mission to hop on the bus and attend this unforgettable culinary experience each year after discovering it pre-pandemic. Now in its 14th year, the Taste of the Upper West Side is proudly hosted by The Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District and ensures that the proceeds from the annual fundraiser go back into the community and help fund neighborhood projects.
The two-day event takes place at O’Shea School Complex Schoolyard with 60+ of the best chefs, restaurants, and culinary personalities of the neighborhood. The ticket is all-inclusive with samplings of delicious food, wine, craft beers, and spirits. The Friday Night Farewell to Summer kicked off the two-night food event with highly anticipated debuts of restaurants and bars, along with longtime local favorites, including 30+ popular restaurants grilling up favored menu items. Each year there is also a DJ that gets the liquored-up crowd dancing between stuffing their faces.
This year’s vendor line-up did not disappoint. I opted for the VIP ticket, which gets you an extra 45 minutes of gluttony and fun. Well worth it because when the doors open for general admission, droves of people enter to get their taste on. Standouts included:
- Maison Pickle: Cocktail & French Dip: This classic eatery served its namesake, a French Dip. As the website states, the French Dip is part cheap eat, part culinary invention, and a backbone of the urban pub food scene. Maison Pickle does it right with the perfect combination of quality roast beef, fresh bread, mustard, and pan-scraped “au jus” that you can practically drink.
- Friend of a Farmer: Expanding from its Gramercy location into the Upper West Side, Friend of a Farmer has been a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement since 1986. The Cornbread disappeared so fast that I only got to try the Shepard’s Pie and Pot-Pie, but every morsel was heaven.
- Shake Shack: Needing no real introduction, Shake Shack came to deliver. They served up their limited-time HotOnes juicy Burger with Bacon and a Sauce that gave all the right spice.
- Fred’s Restaurant: Fred’s Restaurant is named after a female black Labrador Retriever and pays homage to 100’s four-legged friends throughout the restaurant. The Mac and Cheese sample was one “good boy” and worthy of seconds and thirds.
- Han Dynasty: The Spicy Sichuan dishes like Dan Dan Noodles served at this event are heat-rated by number and had my tongue tingling.
- Pizza Collective: Don’t be fooled by the pink box. The pies are pretty and powerful, using a long fermentation sourdough base, precisely 96H, and 100% Italian flours. They hold their own next to other shops that have been around for years.
- Pastrami Queen: She was a true queen with massive Pickles, Pigs in a Blanket, and decadent Pastrami sandwiches.
- Jacob’s Pickles: Short Rib over mashed potatoes. Enough said, especially if you’ve been to the restaurant!
- Kebab Aur Sharab: Soon to be opening on West 72nd Street between Broadway and West End Avenue, the focus will be on northern Indian kebabs. Be sure to order the Aslam Bhai’s Butter Chicken.
- Da Capo NYC: Da Capo gives a twist on the traditional Italian espresso bar and samples both a refreshing Frosé with Ginger and an Arancini that is simply slayed.
- Desserts to die for were served from female/minority-owned Make My Cake, the always hip Big Gay Ice Cream, gooey Insomnia Cookies, and fall-flavored Janie’s Life-Changing Cookies.
- Other vendors that I’m still dreaming of included Shaking Crab, Jing Fong Restaurant, El Fish Shack, El Mitote, and Bodrum Mediterranean.
Top drinks included Foley Family Wines, Jake’s Dilemma, Ardbeg, Tiki Chick, Nobody Told Me, Tito’s, and Truly Hard Seltzer.
-Lauren Wire