Foodies revel in Flatiron chef festival

Chelsea Now photos by Jefferson Siegel

Left: Foodies at last week’s Celebrate Flatiron Chefs festival sampled Garlic Panna Cotta courtesy of Craftbar (located at 900 Broadway). Right: Chef Matthew Corbett of Punch (located at 913 Broadway) poured fresh peach lemonade.

By Jefferson Siegel

In a 1995 Time Magazine article, author and social critic Barbara Ehrenreich wrote, “For the millions of us who live glued to computer keyboards at work and TV monitors at home, food may be more than entertainment. It may be the only sensual experience left.”

Sensuality met sustenance last Tuesday evening when the Madison Square Park Conservancy presented “Celebrate Flatiron Chefs,” a food festival offering the best and most ingenious dishes of local restaurants.

Hundreds of people mingled in the Park’s center, nibbling on Softshell Crab Po-boys from 230 Fifth and Smoked Pork Tenderloin with papaya, chillies and opal basil from Sapa.

“I think it’s very well-organized,” said Anne Marie Gonzalez between sips of chilled melon soup. “They’re showcasing some really good restaurants, the portions are very generous, and they’re serving top-notch samples from their menus.”

Cindy Timmons of the East Village and Anathea Chartrand of Greenpoint didn’t mince words. “We love food,” Chartrand said as they passed from one tent to the next. “We watch ‘Top Chef’ and the Food Network.” Their favorite of the night was a dish called My Grandmother’s Meat Ravioli served by A Voce.

Isaac Weiss-Meyer, 9, and his mother Nancy Meyer, residents of the East 20s, were sampling the bratwurst served by the Shake Shack. “They’re pretty good,” Isaac opined between bites, adding, “I don’t usually eat them with mustard.”

As a country and western band played, Arlene Harrison, president of the Gramercy Park Block Association, bit into a pork slider from Borough Food and Drink. “I wait for it every year,” she said of the food festival.

As twilight fell, the park filled with couples, office workers and families. As people sampled various dishes, it was okay to talk with your mouth full.

Proceeds from the event go to upkeep of the park, as well as funding various cultural programs throughout the year.