Jamaican Jerk Festival

Eat to help kids. That sounds like a win win right? With Bouley, Bubby’s, Duane Park Patisserie, Gigino Trattoria, The Odeon, Tribeca Grill, and Walker’s on the docket the decision to attend really isn’t that tough. Taste of Tribeca was founded 20+ years ago to benefit PS 150 and PS 234 and has expanded since then to benefit even more kids. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a neighbor in the triangle below canal, this event is the perfect way to feel comfortable, full of tasty and help kids get smart. Saturday, May 21 in NYC from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

You have a long weekend and the weather is unseasonably warm for the NorthEast. A private rooftop cabin in NYC is just a subway ride away. The Greens is where you’re headed. A 65,000 sqft, high rise slice of upstate New York promises the coziest and safest of revelry inside your very own glass cabin. Upfront warning, your weekend visit is going to cost you a touch more than normal. $50 gets you a reservation. Everything you order is an addition but that’s ok because remember, you are paying for the ambiance on this boondoggle. The menu has all the greatest hits for compliance across all the standard eater types. A $28 fondue and a salumi plate top the list of apps for us. Moving into mains, it’s a hard choice between the truffle grilled cheese, fried chicken or a $30 meatball and polenta plate. Don’t sleep on dessert though. Three words. Chocolate. Pretzel. Popbar. Of course, none of this matters if your glass isn’t full. Choices have all the cozies. A solid whiskey collection, a bubbles list, a section they call martini hour, and even a 5 option deep negroni list make decisions tough. As far as we can tell the Autumnal Drinking list is where you start before venturing into all that other magic. Plus, that focus streamlines choices and gets you sipping while you sort the rest of your order. Think hot buttered rum or mulled cider fancied up in YETI drinkware with a $32 price tag, albeit serves 2.5 so we suppose that math is solid. All of this is great but you’re here for the cabin. It doesn’t disappoint. Heated floors, contactless ordering, a Molekule air purifier with a virtual fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling views of NYC for 2-10 guests makes us want to gather up our crew for a round of rapid COVID tests and head to the tip of Manhattan before the chill gets too deep for this to be pleasurable.

We love barbecue competitions when smashed into music festivals but Hogs for the Cause adds a charitable component. that makes it a no brainer. Add that it’s in New Orleans and if you are not in a cab to an airport (or your car if local) I’m not sure you have tastebuds. The 90 team, 2 day, competition and party raises money for children fighting pediatric brain cancer. Teams range from pro’s to backyard warriors to fun loving eaters trying their hand with the masters. Each team raises money for the cause and so it really is an incredible way to support a great cause bite after bite. Unlike some other competitions, every team sells food. Of course at $2 to $6 for dishes teams will sell out. Go early and go hungry. April 1 from 3:30-9:30 and April 2 from 11:15am to 9:45pm @ The Festival Grounds in New Orleans.

NYC has more food festivals than stomach space. Sometimes it’s hard to pick the one that will not only be tasty but be manageable. We’re not promising elbow room but with 50+ restaurants curated from all boroughs, the ninth annual Village Voice Choice Eats is one you should attend. Start those stomach aerobics, down some kombucha and grab tickets before they are gone. They sold out last year. Friday, March 11th @ Metropolitan Pavilion from 6-10pm.