NYC’s Fabulous Food Festival: What to See at 2016 New Taste of the UWS

Every spring the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District hosts a food festival celebrating the Upper West Side’s best and most patriotic neighborhood restaurants, which contribute their food and labor stylishly and generously for the betterment of the neighborhood. There’s no more efficient way than New Taste to learn where to eat and have fun on the UWS.

The first night, Friday, June 3, will be Summer in the City Surf and Turf, which will introduce ten not-yet-opened restaurants, such as White Gold, owned by renowned restaurateurs April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman, and Maison Pickle, the newest restaurant from the Jacob’s Pickles team, will occupy the former Ouest space on Broadway. The second night, Saturday, June 4, will be the Best of the West, introducing newcomers Crave Fishbar, Olma Caviar Boutique and Lounge, and Orwasher’s Bakery to West Siders. Untapped has covered the festival before but here are a few of this year’s restaurants and bakeries.

NEW to UWS: Playa Betty’s

The idea at Playa Betty’s (320 Amsterdam; 212.712.0777) is to give you that beachside SoCal feel, and they succeed. If they eat it on the beach in Cali you’ll find it here: excellent Haas avocado Guacamole served DIY with a tray of side ingredients, every known taco, short ribs, Mexican grilled corn, Baja fish, dharma bowls, and churro ice cream.

Beloved Old-Timer: Good Enough to Eat

Founded in 1981 to serve American home cooking, Good Enough to Eat (520 Columbus Ave at 85th St; 212.496.0163) quickly became a beloved institution. “Chefs come here for breakfast,” announced Rachel Ray, and so do a huge number of West Siders, seeking the renowned blueberry pancakes, Italian omelets, and Bloody Marys. Everything is good.

3. Neighbors: E Bar and Jacob’s Pickles

E’s Bar (511 Amsterdam; 212.877.0961) and Jacob’s Pickles (509 Amsterdam; 212.470.5566) have revolutionized their block on Amsterdam between 85th and 84th. Well-behaved young people stream through at all hours, having a good time and bringing life to a once difficult area. E’s claims that it is “reminiscent of the dive bars we grew up in but for grown-ups,” meaning book events, board games, excellent draft beer, and urbane mixed drinks, plus what the New York Post called “delicious pub grub.” Jacob’s Pickles next door has been a hit from the day it opened, often hosting multi-hour lines. Owner Jacob Hadjigeorgis is a hospitality genius, offering customers excellent comfortable seating (once they get it) that allows them to watch one another and sidewalk passers-by while eating Southern food and drinking craft beer.

4. Twice the Space: The Mermaid Inn

So popular on the UWS that it needed twice as much space as its generous store front provided on Amsterdam, the Mermaid Inn (570 Amsterdam; 212.799.7400) moved next store and renovated its old restaurant into a pizza parlor. Upscale but reasonably priced, Mermaid runs great special (dollar oysters, shrimp dogs, tiny tostados), especially during Happy Hour. But the specials change, so check the web site. Lobster rolls worthy of the Cape. Really nice wait staff.

5. Prolific but Wonderful: Momofuku Milk Bar

Under the guidance of celeb chef Christina Tosi, the Momofuku Milk Bar (561 Columbus Ave; 347.577.9504) serves MMB’s famous offerings, including Crack Pie, Cereal Milk Shake, Compost Cookie, and B’Day Truffles plus, of course, soft serve ice cream and a gazillion cleverly named trendy cookies.

6. Gracious & Delicious: Georgia & Aliou’s Tiny Treats Café

Former UWS baker, Georgia Stamoulis, was forced to close her eponymous bakery on Broadway after a destructive fire in 2011. But she teamed up with executive pastry chef Aliou Hane to open Tiny Treats (616 Amsterdam; 646.767.9797) on a slightly forlorn block that is nonetheless welcoming new businesses. (The much loved Anthi’s Greek Food, with its amazing yoghurt, is next door.) Tiny Treats is unusually hospitable, kind to everyone who enters. Excellent croissants and pastries, good pies, fun seating.

Schedule

Schedule for New Taste of the Upper West Side (Please visit web site for complete list of restaurants):

Summer in the City: Surf and Turf (presented by Glenwood)
Where: Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Streets
When: Friday, June 3, 2016 at 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $105 per person or 2 for $185

Best of the West (presented by 221 West 77)
Where: Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Streets
When: Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 7:30 PM – 10 PM
Cost: $135 per person or 2 for $250

Best of the West VIP
Where: Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Streets
When: Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 6:30 PM – 10 PM
Cost: $225 per person

Julia Vitullo-Martin is a Senior Fellow at the Regional Plan Association. Get in touch with her @JuliaManhattan.