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Taste of Times Square 2007

Along West 46th Street between Broadway and Ninth Avenue: the annual Taste of Times Square (TOTS), presented by the Times Square Alliance.

Over 50 Times Square-area eateries participated in the showcase, offering sample-sized dishes in exchange for combinations of $1 “taste tickets.” As with other outdoor food festivals around town, the combination of food samples and live entertainment drew people in droves. Here at the crossroads of the universe, the crowd was made up heavily of tourists, and the offerings represented the restaurants catering to their segment: Applebee’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café, M&M World (free samples, handed out by a giant yellow M&M)… there was even a Papa John’s (yeah, that  Papa John’s) stand, where inexplicably, they seemed to be doing pretty brisk business on their $3 pizza slices, matching DiFara’s in price, but nowhere near in quality. No Olive Garden presence, but nonetheless, there was no shortage of red-sauce pasta variations. The dueling pits of Spanky’s and Virgil’s kept clouds of barbecue smoke wafting through the crowded streets, as the threat of downpour loomed overhead.

As a whole, the prices were somewhat gentler than at Dine Around Downtown – most in the 1-3 ticket range; a few “big ticket” items like Gallagher’s steak sandwiches went for $5 – probably reflecting the less rarified offerings. No foie gras or kobe beef at this festival, but there were still good eats to be had. I steered away from some of the messier, more involved dishes – no utensils please – opting for the more easily manageable bites instead. I had a tasty, if tiny, pepper-seared beef carpaccio on toast with arugula, parmesan and truffle oil from – of all places – the Hawaiian Tropic Zone stall, eye-catchingly flanked by hot pink bikini and tank-topped babes. Classy!

And gorgonzola fondue ladled over bruschetta (to the puzzled man hovering nearby, I explained: cheese on bread) which was a filling bargain for $1.

One block farther west, on historic Restaurant Row, the scene was somewhat prettier and the offerings included crab cakes, paella and cheesecake. We even managed to drum up a little business for the friendly women at Social Bar Grill and Lounge: 2 beef sliders for $2.

There are 3 Comments ... Taste of Times Square 2007

Qsoz
June 27, 2007

Yay Social, wooooo!

Qsoz
June 28, 2007

Winning (aprons or t-shirts) is awesome.
We’re winners, yes we are.

vipnyc
June 28, 2007

Indeed!

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