By Aline Reynolds | A plethora of smells permeated the air along Duane Street in Tribeca last Saturday, May 21, as rays of sunlight kept peeking through the clouds. It was a day to celebrate, devour food and schmooze with friends and family.
Neighborhood parents and their tots flocked to the 17th annual Taste of Tribeca last weekend to sample a selection of dishes prepared by 73 different local restaurants. The famed culinary festival, founded in 1994 to raise money for enrichment programs at P.S. 234 and P.S. 150, hosted a record-breaking number of participants this year. Renowned chefs in attendance included Marc Forgione (owner of Restaurant Marc Forgione at 134 Reade St.), who was named “Next Iron Chef” by the Food Network last November; as well as Ralpheal Abrahante, executive chef of Thalassa, a Greek seafood restaurant at 179 Franklin St.
The festival is “a good way to develop a relationship with patrons,” which chefs have few chances to do during the day-to-day grind, said Abrahante, as he passed out diver sea scallops to hungry passers-by.
“It’s also a reminder that we’re still here and strong — even though the economy is hard,” said Abrahante.
“Having raised my own children here, it’s great to see a whole other generation of parents here with their little ones,” said Jerry Walker, owner of Walker’s Restaurant, at 16 North Moore St.
Shortly after 2 p.m., an hour before the festival ended, Walker and his crew ran out of the 850 famous Carolina pulled pork sandwiches the eatery had prepared.
“We love participating — it’s great for the community, it’s great for us, so it’s a win-win for everybody,” said John Ginty, owner of Brick NYC, at 22 Warren St.
This year’s festival had a more optimistic feel to it than in years past, Ginty noted. “The last couple of years have been a struggle for most restaurants in the neighborhood. I think everyone’s starting to come out of it and just feel good about the area and about everything that’s going on,” he said.
Families assembled at the tables set up on Duane Street, chattering between bites of several food samplings; while others formed groups on the sidewalk steps. Hoards of children hung out in the kid’s zone next to Duane Park, where Looney Lenny, the clown, and other entertainers organized games, face-painting and other youth activities. Brad Lindenbaum, who brought his two P.S. 234 youngsters to the event after a hard-fought game at Downtown Little League, said this year’s festival felt especially cozy. “It’s a little more self-contained this year, which makes it feel like one little community,” he said, alluding to the neat arrangement of tables and restaurant booths.
There were some criticisms, however. “It’s too close together with the Tribeca Film Festival. If they could push this back two weeks, it would have been better,” said Danny Davis, a P.S. 234 parent who lives on Laight Street.
But all in all, the families seemed pleased with the setup and delighted to have another excuse to get outdoors and spend quality time together.
“It’s a great thing for the school, particularly at a time when budgets for schools are tight,” said P.S. 234 parent and Jay Street resident Mike Beebe, just after scarfing down a meatball sandwich from Terrior Wine Bar. “But the truth is,” added Beebe, “we really come for the food.”
