Cheftopia: The 30th Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals-on-Wheels

Posted on by Nate Mack

Pinkyfingerup had a blast at Cheftopia. There was a great assortment of chefs from all over the country. My favorite dishes of the evening were Forgione’s Tongue Taco,  Park Avenue Summers Spiced Lamb Rib and SPQR White tuna crudo.

For the landmark anniversary, tonight’s event honored founding chefs Larry Forgione and Jonathan Waxman. Chefs Forgione and Waxman, along with the other culinary stars, will celebrate the past while looking to the future by creating dishes inspired by tomorrow’s food trends.

To support Citymeals-on-Wheels and give a gift, click here.

 

Grand tier restaurant naan taco
Clover Club courvoisier cognac lemon raspberry grapefruit orange bitters
Menton seeded foie gras lollipop
Gotham organic heirloom veg ceviche
Sea grill gluten free tempura
Tao yuan Lapsang suchong tea smoked chicken persian cucumbers sesame candied cashews
Stampede 66 salmon ceviche
Barbuto spring salad
Ox chorizo spiced eggplant
Fork restaurant sunflower risotto
Coi Chilled spiced yellow squash soup lime nasturtium
Kitchen garden panetone strawberry
Scarpetta pressed duck ground cherries
State grill early summer tartine
Patina escabeche of yellow tail
Rainbow Room Fried chicken onion butter smoked bacon waffles chipotle mustard maple syrup
SPQR White Tuna Crudo lettuce charred vegetable sauce
Mark Forgione Tongue Taco fermented chilies wild garlic
Morimoto cold ramen
The purple pig pork hot dog
Rock center cafe smoke tongue taleggio fondue
Lincoln mallireddus
Zacapa Rum Sherry pineapple honey coconut water
Nobu hand rolls
La fonda bbq chkn empanandas
Boulevard burrata beet polenta winter truffles
Sea grill sweet tempura
Stella 34 tomato braised veal meatball
Nightingale 9 shan style tofu catfish tea leaves
Telepan carrot pasta brown butter
Cafe boulud poulet aux morilles peas a la francais
Cia oyster corn bread
Back room bourbon crab succotash
The Happiest Hour Belvedere Vodka Campari Grapefruit lemon
Park Avenue Summer Spiced Lamb Ribs Smoked Cherries
Morgans wagyu beef asparagus ramp

Nights Out: Taste of the Nation

Posted on by Nate Mack

We love the kids here at Pinky Finger Up, so we support any event that help feeds families. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign does just that. We had the pleasure to join this wonderful charity in their signature event Taste of a Nation.  A who’s who of the hottest chefs and bartenders displayed their magic in the former Chase Bank headquarters. Results were a night to remember. Check out some of bites we enjoyed.

– Pinky Finger Up

EMILY ban meatball with chicken liver cream
KING BEE duck and farro boudin
UNTAMED SANDWICHES hot goldie grass fed beef short rib
BKB tellsina sour: disarono gin carified butter milk and myer lemon
BAR CHUKO IZAKAYA chilled fresh tofu with chili oil
DEATH & CO. bait and switch: mezcal chili liquor pineapple lime juice with cinnamon syrup
LITTE BEET grilled beets pumpkin seed almond granola
DUTCH KILLS don lockwood
DELMONICO’S bbq short rib on the crispy potato
THE PEACOCK bangers and mash
DAVIOS gnocchi bolognese
LOURO spring kimchi salad
JAVLINA tasty taco
THE 404 KITCHEN biscuits ham and whiskey jam
MARC FORGIONI blue moon scallops
THE GANDER chilled cauliflower soup with smoke grapes
BlUE SMOKE cookies n cream cheesecake with strawberries
21 CLUB octopus carpacio with orange supreme
THE CLAM king salmon gravlax gribiche
MAISON PREMIERE assorted oysters
THE CECIL chicken liver puree with crispy cassava chip
THE SMITH candied bacon
HERITAGE bitter about my hot friend: tequila campari agave lemon and habanero
HUERTAS chorizo tortilla espanola
HILL COUNTRY BBQ smoked brisket
PDT one two punch: scotch whiskey pilsner lemon grapefruit juice spices
THE GORBALS saffron and mussel mousse with squid ink tortilla
BAGATELLE truffle gnocchi with black truffle pesto
TACUBA MEXICAN CANTINA tacos de barbacoa
BRUCIE beet jam peanut butter on a cheese biscuit

 

Grand St. Settlement

Posted on by Nate Mack

Pinky Finger Up had the honor to cover Grant Street Settlement Taste of LES.

Grand St. Settlement expands opportunities for low-income families and individuals by providing culturally relevant services that support community-building, advocacy, self-determination and an enriched quality of life.

Since it’s founding in 1916, Grand St. Settlement has offered a continuum of innovative programs ranging from early childhood and youth development to community support for adults and seniors. We were happy to support. Some of our favorite bites came from Pearl & Ash and Seoul Chicken. Take a look at the pics and support the Lower East Side restaurant scene.

– Pinky Finger Up

The Wren Smoked Chicken Liver Mousse
GG’S costra nostra
FREEMAN’s beet burger with uni special sauce
CHARRUA chorizo over toast
RUSS & DAUGHTERS flourless chocolate cake with creme and roasted cashews
MACONDO TAPERIA tuna crudo
BLACK TREE brown butter apple bread pudding
Galli Rice Balls
SCHILLER’S LIQUOR BAR reuben croquette
STANTON SOCIAL cobb salad bite with brussels sprouts
MACONDO TAPERIA LATINA taquito de costillas
GEMMA yellow tomato gazpacho and seared big eye tuna
HECHO EN DUMBO tostada with gulf shrimp
FUNG TU vegetarian curry pot pie
BALVANERA pate de campo
LOUIE AND CHAN short rib pastrami
Root and Bone Drunken Deviled Eggs
CATA castle valley corn chip with pimento cheese and scallions
DBDG Kitchen and Bar Lemongrass Panna Cotta
MOSCOW 57 blini
Paulaner Sausage
PALA artisinal pizza
TINY’S GIANT SANDWICH SHOP grilled cheese
THE COMFORT jewbano sandwich with katz pastrami
THELMA house smoked trout salad
MEATBALL SHOP beef meatball
PROHIBITION BAKERY pretzels and beer and old fashion cupcakes
IL LABORATORIO DEL GELATO gelato sorbet
Seoul Chicken Cold Fried Chicken Slider
MAHARLIKA chicken laing
ANTIBES BISTRO cauliflower mousse with mushrooms
PORSENA white almond gazpacho
Pies N Thighs Homemade Buttermilk Biscuit with Cream Cheese and pepper jelly
SCAPIRO’S chopped liver crostini with deviled egg
Flinders Lane Pork Sausage Roll
MEZETTO beet tartar
Yerba Buena Short Rib Arepa
NORTHERN SPY FOOD sour cream panna cotta with rhubarb marmalade and orange granola
L’APICIO confit pancetta
Pearl and Ash Lamb with Mint Ramps
VESELKA potato perogi with sauerkraut

Lucky Rice 2015

Posted on by Nate Mack

Lucky Rice is a festival that celebrates Asian Cuisine – sounds like my type of event. Although Pinky Finger Up did not receive a proper invite we managed to make a quick appearance at the Luxurious Mandarin Oriental. There was a host of new and well known asian restaurants representing. Of course there was match, sake, duck and my first taste of grasshopper – to my surprise, it was one tasty and crispy bite!

– Pinky Finger Up

The Black Ant Moo Krob Taco: Crispy Pork Belly, Chicharron, Pickled Cucumbers, Carrots, Cilantro, and Nam-Prik Pao BBQ
Tuome Crispy Deviled Egg with Chili
2 Duck Goose Eight Treasures Roast Duck
Open Blue Cured Open Blue Cobia with Green Curry, Potatoes, and Yuzukosho Broth
The Black Ant Cotton Candy Wrapped Grasshopper
Chalait Wagashi: Matcha White Chocolate Bark with Matcha Shot
Qi Kaow Tung Nah Tuhng: Crispy Rice Crackers with Traditional Dipping Sauce
Macao Trading Co. African Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Red Curry Sauce and Snow Pea Slaw
Maharlika Chicken Laing with Cassava Chips and Soy Bean Chips: Fresh Taro Root Leaves, Coconut Milk, Bagoong (Shrimp Paste), Ginger, and Chilies
Spice Market Calamansi Cream Puff
Bricolage Beef on Beef: Vietnamese Beef Carpaccio on Beef Tendon Chip
The Black Ant Cod Tempura, Som Tum Slaw Taco

 

Matcha Cronut Madness

Posted on by Nate Mack

As April approaches, Matcha Madness is still in full effect. For those who don’t know Matcha is finely milled green tea powder. It seems like match is appearing in everything nowadays from hot beverages, cookies, cakes, an of course Cronuts. Dominique’s March flavor was match with golden pineapple. The result was a delightful 7.

– Pinky Finger Up

Matcha / Golden Pineapple

Matcha / Golden Pineapple

 

 

 

Brisket Throwdown!

Posted on by Nate Mack

There is a new king of brisket here in NY. The Pinky Finger Up team had the pleasure of joining Jimmy (Carbone) and the Food Karma Projects crew. Meatlovers flocked to Irondale in Brooklyn for hours of libations and some of the best brisket. Fifteen fierce competitors went head to head with the leanest and fattest samples of brisket. Some of the competitors represented some of the top bbq houses and deli in the city, while one came all the way from Detroit. When the smoke cleared there was only room for one winner: Hometwon Bar-B-Que and hands down my favorite of the night. Juicy and tender perfection.

Hey Billy, we are coming soon with an empty stomach!

-Pinky Finger Up

 

HILL COUNTY brisket kirby pickle
MORGANS lean brisket
FLETCHERS bulgogi
DINOSAUR BBQ
beef brisket terrine le rivage
FOOD NETWORK
BEN’s BEST
HOMETOWN BBQ
SLOWS
KIMCHI
No. 43
PIG GUY
EAST VILLAGE
WANDERING QUE

Nights Out: Village Voice

Posted on by Nate Mack

When I think of landmark New York, I think of the Village Voice Newspaper.  I could always remember going to the section to see the upcoming live shows and yes, even the back page personals. These days, VV has been putting together some superb food events. From the food truck to the beer festivals, VV is always in top form. There main food party is the Village Voice Choice Eats. Due to an emergency, I was unable to attend  but I sent some of my hungry team members. It’s unfortunate that I always seem to miss this event as it always takes place around SXSW. The great thing about this tasting is that you get to experience food from different parts of the world and not only the elite Manhattan eateries – you can actually taste something from Uzbekistan. Check out what we ate and if it looks good go visit the restaurant.

The night’s favorites were the duck and faro boudin by King Be and the skewered grilled beef tongue with romesco and lemon crouton from The Gourbals. For those who have a sweet tooth, Ample Hills Creamery was serving Snap ‘Mallow Pop which tasted like a rice crispy treat – straight crack!

– Pinky Finger Up

Fort Deviance Deviled Egg
Edi & The Wolf Chicken Schnitzel
Box Kite NYC Bail Seeifreddo
Deleware and Hudson Sour Braised Shortrib
Deleware and Hudson Sour Braised Beef Short Rib
Juliette Spicy Florida Rock Shrimp Slider
Spicy Pot Tea Smoked Ribs
Coppelia Torrejas de Oliva
Queens Comfort Steak Au Poive Mac & Cheese
Meatball Shoppe Pizza Ball
Untamed Sandwich The Hot Goldie Sandwich
Recette Grilled Kingfish, Jicama Squash Salad Parsnip and Black Garlic Puree
The Gorbals Skewered Grilled Beef TONGUE
Thai Rock Thai Dumpling
The East Pole Braised Heritage Goat Sndwich
Huertas Tortilla de Garbanzos y Morcilla
Red Hook Lobster Pound Downeast Bisque
Xe May Sandwich Vermicelli Salad
Commerce Winter Vegetable Fricassee
Boomwich Dr. Cubano Slider
John Brown Smokehouse Pecan Smoked Pastami Reuben Sliders
Nomad sea urchin panna apple chives
Casa Del Chicha
Fletchers BK BBQ Tri Tip Pastrami
Wilma Jean Fried Bologna

Nights Out: C CAP 25th Anniversary

Posted on by Nate Mack

I had the honor to be an invited guest to the 25th anniversary of the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-Cap) last week. C-CAP, is a national non-profit that works with public schools to prepare undeserved high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  For the record, the Pinkyfingerup crew love the kids and hope they keep feeding us till we’re  old and grey. The founder and chairman of C-CAP, Richard Grausman, has a  career spanning over forty years as a teacher and writer. This year’s honorees included businessman Dick Parsons and restaurateur Alexander Smalls.

Now for the food. The event style is a walk-around tasting. There was forty-three restaurants participating in this years tasting . A good portion of chefs involved were C-Cap alumni. Out of the forty-three participating restaurants, I managed to sample forty-one. Some of my personal favorites came from, Marc Forgione, Sea Grill and Juni. Enjoy the pics and if you see something you like go there and eat it.

– Pinkyfingerup

Maysville/Charcoal Grilled Sweet Potato
Michaels/ Duck Confit Tacos
Benoit/ Warm egg custard, green asparagus, sea urchin
Talde/Pretzel Pork & Chive dumplings with Tahini Mustard
Extra Virgin/Escabeche
Mintons/ Sweet potato creme brûlée, sweet tea molasses pickled raisins candied pecans
The Cecil/ Curry crusted cod, kimchi rice porridge gaunciale , fish sauce caramel
Catch/ Hit Me Cake
Marc Forgione/ Meyer Lemon Cheesecake
Red Rooster/Chicken Tack Tack
Sarabeth/Banana Cream Trifle
Mailino/Cured beef tongue, parmigiano,mustard and argula
Felidia/Tuna Semi Carpaccio
Union Square Cafe/ Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake, Fennel seed sable Blood Oranges, Kumquat Confit
Batard/Coffee and Milk Kardinal
Dirty French/ Chicken and Crepes
Lexington Brass/ Beet Cured Salmon Ceviche, Pickle Mango Puree, Black Sushi Rice Chip
La Marina/Crispy Arepa Braised beef short rib, lime scented sour cream, creamy avocado, cilantro
Nobu 57/Nobu Umami Wings
Daniel/Pheasant Terrine
Asiate/Truffled Yukon Gold Potato
Blue Hills/Coppa with farm eggs and squash
Vinegar Hill House/Braised pork, sunflower hummus,apple&fennel chutney , sourdough naan, curried sunflower bark and herbs
Porter House/Prime rib au jus
Shun Lee Palace/ Peking Duck
Maya/ Tlayuda Adobo shrimp, crispy tortilla, spicy bean puree,chopped lettuce,pico de gallo, cojija cheese and crema
Juni/ Charred squash,smoked trout maple
Le Cirque/ Blue Crab Simplisse
Telepan/ House made kielbasa with sauerkraut and apple compote
Almond/ Moroccan style lamb meatballs with salsa verde and ricotta salata
Dos Caminos, Plantain Empanadas
Sea Grill/ Can build your own Chirashi Sushi
Wayfarer/Cured Salmon cucumber jalapeño apple vinaigrette.
Clement/ Saffron chirashi with fluke
Loi Estiatorio/Salmon Tatare with chives , shallots, lemon and horseradish with yogurt dill sauce in phyllo cup
Chadwicks/ White Water Mussels with Salami Crumbs
Betony/ Beets , Horseradish and goats milk
AltaMarea Group Hazelnut Paris Best
Barbuto/ Farro salad with fennel,olive meyer lemon and almond
SD26/Soft quail egg filled ravioli with truffled butter

Nights Out: Rising Stars/StarChefs

Posted on by Nate Mack

The StarChefs crew sure knows how to throw a party. This years edition of the Rising Stars New York was a fun filled night of  tasty nights.The 2015 Rising Stars award ceremony was held in the spacious Altman Building in New York. Some of New York’s  top fresh face chefs and bartenders were on hand showcasing some amazing bites and sips  from their menu. My favorite bite of the night  was from Bryce Shuman of Betony.  Uncle Boons, Boulud Sud and Nomad Bar were some of my other top choices. After the event, everyone straddled up and rolled on over to Toro for the after party . Great job Starchefs,  and we are look forward to the 10th annual International Chefs Congress taking place October.

-Pinky Finger Up

 

The Snack’r Candy Bar
Beet, Apple, Wakame and and Crispy Yogurt
Sea Scallop and Yuzu Zest
Lamb , Coffee, Lemon and Black Olive
Almond Joy Ice Cream Cake
Valrhona Milk Chocolate, Lovage and Oats
Carrot Pavlova, Cream Cheese Mousse , Carrot Granita Coconut Sorbet and Cilantro
Uni Chicharron, Cucumber Relish and Habanero Puree
Flavors of Gin Venison ,Juniper and Fennel
Foie Gras Tart with Kumquat
Selfie: Lillet Rose, Campari, ,Bonal Gentiane Quina, Raspberry and Sparkling Wine
Marinated Fluke, Squid, Cured Seaweed and Kombu
Massaman Curry and Beef Ribs
Kona Kampachi, Cherries, and Chile-Hibiscus
The Shaman La Diablada Pisco, Gentiane Aperitif, Pineapple,Lime and Cinnamon
Quail Eggs, Focaccia, and trumpet mushroom
Hawaij-spiced Scallops and Cauliflower

Damn Cronuts

Posted on by Nate Mack

It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you, but I’ve been whipping up some s#@* you can step to. Just been brainstorming and staying out of this New York frigidness.  As we approach the Spring season, I thought it was time to get ready to eat & drink around my city.

First stop, Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho. One of the things I want to do is every Cronut each month. So, I got my start on a day where the temperature was in the single digits. No worries because I was on a mission to taste that cherry. Since I was a youngin’ I always loved cherries in sweets . From Hostess(R) Cherry Pies (when they were 50 cents) and to Junior’s Cherry Cheesecake, cherries have been my favorite fruit in pastries. Hands down, Dominque Ansel’s Cherry Blossom Ganache with Cherry Gelee and Citrus Sugar takes the cake. On a scale of 1-10, this s#@* is infinity.

He will not top this one…at least this year. #pinkyfingerup

Cherry Blossom Granache with Sour Cherry Gelee and Citrus Sugar

Cherry Blossom Granache with Sour Cherry Gelee and Citrus Sugar

Cherry Blossom Granache with Sour Cherry Gelee and Citrus Sugar

Layers of flavor