So Much To Do

After the relative quiet of the last few months, it seems like everyone is ready to celebrate the arrival of summer or at least have a glass of Rioja.  From now until May 27th, 25 restaurants in both New York and Chicago will be offering special lunch and dinner menus for Rioja Restaurant Week.  Lately it feels like restaurant week year around but it’s definitely worth visiting one, or two or three…Click here for a list of participating restaurants.

If you miss that or just need another, the 2nd annual El Coto de Rioja Paella Parade will take place on June 7th at New York Water Taxi Beach (though technically, the paella stays in place, the people parade around, the beach is on a pier and the taxis run in the water).  Chefs from Tapeo 29, Solera, Restaurant Lizarran, Copa, Don Pedro’s, La Paella, La Bottega, San Martin and Yerba Buena/Toloache will be competing for Most Creative Paella; Best Use of Ingredients in a Paella; Best Overall Taste; and Paella Parade Pleaser.  The winner will be announced by Chef Daisy Martinez.

I think I’m most excited about the first ever Gourmet Latino Festival that’s taking place in New York City, on June 4-12, 2010.  Seminars and special events taking place at the Astor Center will feature the city’s top Latin chefs including Aarón Sánchez, Roberto Santibañez, Sue Torres, Alex García, Zarela Martínez, Leticia Moreinos-Schwartz and Marical Presilla and restaurants in New York and New Jersey will also be offering Latin-inspired menus from June 8-12.  Click here for tickets and info.