Multiple locations
Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22
Tickets: $25-$115
www.newtasteuws.com
Good food on the Upper West Side? What, are you kidding? Often the butt of jokes for its long history of mediocre, overpriced restaurants, the Upper West Side is showing off its new culinary stars with three special programs featuring dozens of local chefs and food writers. On May 21 in the American Museum of Natural History’s LeFrak Theater ($25, 9:30 am), NY1’s Elizabeth Kaledin will moderate “A Conversation with…” Dovetail’s John Fraser, Telepan’s Bill Telepan, the Food Network’s Ellie Krieger, and other experts, discussing, among other topics, school lunches and the benefits of shopping local. Later that night, Jacques Torres will host “Divine Desserts” under a tent at Columbus Ave. and West 77th St. ($75, 9:00), with signature sweets from two dozen restaurants and bakeries, including Pappardella, Taberna, Magnolia, Picnic Market & Café, Smoke Jazz, Grandaisy, Spot, Alice’s Tea Cup, and Compass. And on May 22, Krieger will host “Best of the West” under the tent ($115, 7:00), a collection of signature dishes and wine tastings from more than three dozen UWS institutions, from Blue Ribbon Sushi and Bar Boulud to Isabella’s and Jean Georges, from Cesca and Café Luxembourg to Landmarc and Picholine, and from Rosa Mexicano and Ocean Grill to Nice Matin and the Mermaid Inn, among many others. Mangia!