Edible Events: July-August 2014

There are all manner of fun, food events taking place in New York on a daily basis — from lavish, charity-driven galas to crowded, walk-around tastings and an endless array of pop-ups.  But unless you have the time and money to party seven days a week, you’ll have to be somewhat discerning about what goes onto your calendar.  So here are just a few worthy food celebrations we recommend getting tickets (or making reservations) for now!

French Restaurant Week (July 8-14th): As an extended celebration of Bastille Day, special fixed menus will be offered by over 40 French restaurants throughout the city for only $17.89.  Enjoy Steak Tartare and Bordeaux at Orsay, Skate Meunière and Côtes Du Rhone at Antibes, Petit Boudin Blanc at Brasserie, and Moules Frites Marinieres at Bistro Citron.

Le Fooding’s Rockaway Beach Picnic Party (July 11-13th): The French dining guide and event company Le Fooding is hosting their three-day, annual food festival in the Rockaways this year.  A series of beachside picnics will include Cornmeal Crostini Sopes from Rockaway Taco, Cereal Milk Pudding Popsicles by Momofuku Milk Bar, Chilled Lemon Shio Dashi from Ivan Ramen, Red Chilaquiles and Burrata from Mexico City’s Cosme, and Grilled Veal and Artichokes from L.A.’s Trois Mec, with 10% of each $40 ticket benefiting the Graybeards charity for restoring the Rockaways.

Edible Manhattan’s Good Beer Event (July 31st): Summer and suds go hand-in-hand, so ease into the season with Edible Manhattan’s 6th annual Good Beer event at 82 Mercer Street.  $75 tickets include unlimited beer and food, from top craft breweries such as Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and Sixpoint, and great local restaurants, including Luke’s Lobster, Monument Lane, Northern Spy Food Co. and Palo Santo.

Back Forty Crab Boil (Tuesdays, through August 26th): Farm-to-table favorite, Back Forty, is hosting a good old-fashioned Crab Boil every Tuesday throughout the summer.  For $50, you’ll bang and hammer your way through newspapers piled high with Maryland Blue Crabs, along with Stone Ground Cornbread, Corn on the Cob, Boiled New Potatoes, String Beans, pitchers of beer, and fresh Fruit Cobblers for dessert.

Seafood Soiree at The Water Club (August 13th): With proceeds benefiting the New Amsterdam Market, the elegant, riverside Water Club is throwing a festive, seafood feast on their rooftop.  $75 tickets include all food and drink, featuring fresh and sustainable Wild Striped Bass, Lobster, Oysters and Clams from local waters, along with seasonal sides and New York beer, wine and spirits.

Jazz Age Lawn Party (August 16-17th): Head to Governor’s Island this August for their Roaring 20’s inspired lawn party, where the whole family can enjoy an afternoon of fun activities, such as a Charleston Dance contest, a Pie Bake-off, a “Bathing Beauties and Beaus” Promenade, and a series Carnival Games with prizes.   Most importantly, Jimmy Carbone of Jimmy’s No. 43 is also curating a Jazz Age feast, featuring items that can be ordered a la carte, such as a Sliced Beefsteak Sandwich, Squab on Toast, ‘Authentic Chinatown’ Chop Suey, and Ambrosia Salad.