Taste of Bushwick 2017
On the evening of Tuesday, June 13th, throngs of people gathered on a private block within the famous Boar’s Head warehouse at 24 Rock Street for the largest showcase of Bushwick’s vibrant culinary scene. The affair celebrated the 4th Annual Taste of Bushwick, which provided some relief for the struggles of keeping up with this trendy neighborhood’s seemingly endless list of new restaurants. The outdoor walk-around tasting festival kicked off what is becoming one of Brooklyn premier culinary events.
This year’s tasting has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2014, which featured 12 vendors and 200 people in attendance. The 4th annual Taste of Bushwick is the biggest yet and has nearly tripled in size since the first, with an attendance of over 1,000 people. Whether it was the group of hippies walking two blocks from their $2000 closet-sized studio or the businessman who reluctantly ventured all the way from the island of Manhattan, everyone showed up and came together to enjoy delicious bites.
The event prides itself on celebrating the diverse flavors of the neighborhood with more than four dozen Bushwick restaurants, bars, and shops. Some of Bushwick’s most renowned culinary institutions convened at the outdoor space to rejoice the neighborhood’s active gastronomic life while offering tastes of their food and drink. All proceeds from the event benefit the upcoming 2016-17 Season of theater, dance, puppetry, and performance at the neighborhood’s Obie Award-winning, non-profit theater The Bushwick Starr, located at 207 Starr Street.
Participants included the new celebrated Caribbean-American BBQ spot Sally Roots; a veritable “battle of the Tony’s” with slices from Knickerbocker Ave favorites Tony’s Pizza and Tony’s Pizzeria & Restaurant; Sweetest treats from Big Gay Ice Cream; Bushwick’s very own dumpling factory Chef One; new brews from the Kings County Brewers Collective, and returning favorites such as Michelin-starred Faro, FINE & RAW Chocolate Factory, Montana’s Trail House, Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos, Bushwick-brewed Bruce Cost Ginger Beer, innovative brewery Braven Brewing Company and dozens more.
The year’s event represented a wide array of Bushwick’s culinary and cocktail scene, both new and established, proving that Brooklyn’s gastro-culture rivals that of the mighty Manhattan. That's right! Bushwick has way more to offer foodies than just Roberta’s wood-fired pizzas.
An after party was hosted by Syndicated Bar with drink specials that had everyone on the dance floor. Between the spectacular fare, live music, and strong drinks, it is safe to say that everyone had an extraordinary time. It was the perfect summer night out. On a side note, with all the amazing food festivals this summer in New York, you can say farewell to your beach-body goals.
Photos courtesy of Lautaro Sourigues
Special thanks to Paras
