Pete's Dish - April 1

What's going on in and about town!

No foolin'! Seasonal whoopie pies courtesy of Elizabeth Fife, founder and CEO of Batter & Cream (86 W 12th St, New York, NY, 917-496-4947) will be whipped up from her bakery and featured during the outdoor season at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn, starting April 5^th. Look for tempties such as Banana and Salted Caramel, Earl Grey Honey Whiskey, S’mores, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel. Lick it up, er, rather look it up at BatterAndCream.com; Smorgasburg.com. 

April is National Grilled Cheese Month apparently. I thought every month was National Grilled Cheese Month. And April 12^th is Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day and one way to celebrate is by going to Brazilia Cafe (684 Broadway, New York, NY, BraziliaCafe.com). The gooey stuff is featured Brazilian style with their Grilled Jamon e Queso, which features ham, gruyère and pineapple relish. National Empanada Day is April 8^th and also being feted at the café in case you were wondering.

Passover begins April 15th, so consider a pilgrimage to Toloache Thompson (205 Thompson St, New York, NY, ToloacheNYC.com) for Julian Lopez’ (Iron Chef America) Jewish-Mexican Passover fare. Naturally there’s kosher tequila, matzo ball soup made with jalapeno scented chicken consommé and along with the requisite carrots there is also epazote! Costilla de Res will feature braised short ribs (think a sort of flanken) with Chile ancho salsa and pickled vegetables. Shalom, señor.  

The legendary Tavern On The Green in Manhattan’s Central Park is open once again and they mean business! Restaurateurs Jim Caiola and David Salama of The Emerald Green Group, alongside Chef Katy Sparks and General Manager Celso Moreira are serving up a preview dinner menu on April 24th. Amid all the excitement, don’t forget Mom—there’s a brunch service Mother’s Day weekend May 10th & 11th, before the restaurant launches a grand opening May 13th. For reservations go to TavernOnTheGreen.com or call 212-877-TOTG (8684). Go Green!

At the end of the month, Manhattan By Sail is hitting the high seas, as it were, with views of the Manhattan skyline. Starting April 26th there will be a Craft Beer Tasting aboard the Clipper City and on April 27th the Wine Tasting & Champagne Buffet Brunch will float away on the Shearwater. Go to ManhattanBySail.com for more info about these events as well as many others—I personally have my eye on the cruise for lobster and beer lovers!