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.
From what the organizers have said, The Pizzadelphia Pizza Festival is at least partially to put Philly pizza on the map. Now, as a New Yorker, you know Naples is the only city that even matters but that’s like saying France wins the world cup again. Update: that actually happened. Well maybe Philly is Croatia. Maybe they beat out Chicago in an upset and they are now in the finals. With slices from Pizzeria Vetri, Pizza Brain and the illusive Beddia, the line up is solid and the party is set to sauce mode. Some of Philly’s best DJ’s make it loud and the Vetri Community Partnership makes it good. If you are a pizza freak this weekend at the Navy Yard has your shirt stain waiting. Saturday, July 14th from 12 to 5:30pm in Philadelphia.
Don’t let the name fool you — the Phuket Vegetarian Festival may be the most hardcore festival we’ve ever heard of. While veggie-friendly eats do play a role in this firecracker-friendly affair on Thailand’s largest island, this nine-day religious festival is really known for its ceremonies that include acts of self-mutilation and face and body piercing with knives, stakes, and household items by entranced mediums — called mah song — who parade through the city in outfits of white. While these and other rituals like firewalking, bladed ladder climbing, and bathing in hot oil may make you cringe, they demonstrate a belief that the gods will heal any wounds and are part of a larger goal of purification that includes abstinence from sex, alcohol, and meat. But don’t worry — like any good festival, this one doesn’t forget the food, and je, special vegetarian dishes marked by red and yellow signs, is one festival tradition that’s easy to stomach. Although you may encounter a bleeding mah song or two as you chow down, that will be the only surprise — apparently je tastes just like the meat-based classics. October 1-9 in Phuket, Thailand.
The organizers say it best. Donut Fest is a celebration of the love of fried sugary dough with a competition of yeast, batter-y, deep-fried treats. The best restaurants and bakeries in each city submit their best cruller, ring or long-john and compete against each other with only one walking away with the coveted title of “Best Donut.” With that bouncing around your foodie brain jump on some tickets. January 23th @ Verboten in Brooklyn. 11:30 and 2:30 entrance.
Going down in one of our favorite spots in Manhattan, Porktoberfest is an all you can eat and drink gastro-malay kicking off cider week. As if the rest of this month hasn’t been a beer dizzying, pork face filling entry into the fall season, you now have one more way to anchor your binging before we’re into November. Fleishers Craft Butchery will be dealing up the piggies. There will be something called Harry Hawk “Schnack” burgers and “Bigos” Pork Stew. We have no idea what this is code for but we’re going to throw it down our throats with huge smiles. Saturday, October 22nd, from 12PM to 4PM.
