NYC Bastille Day Events - Vive la Revolution!

Since today mark's the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, you might want to let your inner francophile come forth for some of the celebrations in NYC today. You might even run into Chef Mark and the CPN video camera!

• Les Halles is culminating their yearly Liberty Festival (which goes from Independence Day to Bastille Day) with their infamous "Waiter's Race" right outside the restaurant on John Street. Proceeds benefit the Best Buddies charity.

• D'Artagnan is hosting a Pétanque tournament in Bryant Park (think bocce but with French people and metal balls). According to our friends at D'Artagnan, "the game is full of big personalities, flamboyant egos and weirdos." Sounds like our kind of fun. ;) There's even a special club for it:

D'Artagnan and La Boule New Yorkaise, a New York City Club of 85 members, affiliated with the National Federation of Pétanque USA, are collaborating for this tournament. Beginning at 12:00 noon and running through the early evening, this ferocious championship will reward official trophies and prizes to the best triplettes (teams of 3). Some of the most competitive triplettes are coming from the kitchens of Casa Mono, Daniel, Jacques Torres Chocolate, Lupa and the Waldorf=Astoria. Prizes are provided by All Clad, Chateau Peyros, Lillet, Mad Mac Macarons, Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne and Volvic water.

• Don't forget, you can also belly up to the soufflé bar at Capsouto Freres for a taste of sweet or savory, and make a toast to the fine folks who brought us Lady Liberty.

Vive la Revolution!


Bastille Day, events, NYC, New York, Les Halles, D'Artagnan, Capsouto Freres, souffle

Hudson Valley Wine Event: Pasta Primo Vino!

If you are located in or near the Hudson Valley (yes, NYC counts!), there is a wonderful event coming up to benefit the Hudson Valley Food Bank. (Like you need an excuse to drink wine and eat delicious food.) Info below:

PASTA PRIMO VINO!

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY - Celebrate Spring by taking a tour of the Hudson Valley’s most renowned vineyards on the Shawangunk Wine Trail. At each of the ten wineries you will sample a variety of delectable pasta dishes. A variety of dishes, one served at each winery, will be complemented by select wines in a backdrop of scenic mountains, valleys and lush vineyards.

On April 21 & 22, the Shawangunk Wine Trail’s ten wineries will be hosting its Pasta Primo Vino! event to begin at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Admission price for the two-day event is $20 per person before the event, $25 at the event. Tickets may be purchased in advance or may be purchased in person the day of the event at any of the participating ten wineries.

The ten wineries participating in this event are:

Adair Vineyards in New Paltz
Applewood Winery in Warwick
Baldwin Vineyards in Pine Bush
Stoutridge Vineyard in Marlboro
Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville
Rivendell Winery in New Paltz
Warwick Valley Winery in Warwick
Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery in Gardiner
Glorie Farm Winery in Marlboro
Benmarl Vineyards in Marlboro

Part of the ticket proceeds of this event will go to benefit the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley located in Cornwall-on-Hudson. Last year the Food Bank distributed almost 9 million pounds of food to six counties in the Hudson Valley. The programs that the Food Bank serves are food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, day care centers, senior programs, rehabilitation programs, and programs for the disabled. Every $1 donation provides $10 to $12 worth of food.

For wine trail information and to purchase tickets, call 845-255-2494 or visit www.shawangunkwinetrail.com. For information regarding the Food Bank, call Toni Gutter or Jessica Bell at (845) 534-5344.

Hudson Valley, wine events, Shawangunk Wine Trail, Food Bank of the Hudson Valley