I am going to start this post off by seeing if I can hit an all-time record for the number of times I say “delicious” in a post because I have no other way to describe Lobster de Mayo.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, on Saturday night I spent four hours drinking and dining with 19 chefs from premier restaurants all around New York City with all money going to benefit City Harvest. With the help of a few signature drinks I think I tried all but one or two dishes.From talking with the chefs it seems almost all of them got involved because of Homarus, the company that provided all of the lobsters. If the top chefs in New York City think they are a great vendor then I will make sure to jump on the bandwagon if I ever start a restaurant. Congrats to Homarus as they are celebrating their 5th Anniversary – please continue to deliver delicious lobsters and I will continue to eat them!
And I must admit, I interviewed Katie Lee, food critic and Food Network star, where we spoke about everything from her involvement in the event to what she was wearing.
Unfortunately mere minutes after we spoke my phone went missing. Yes, I am devastated, but losing that great interview and all of the notes I took – that is really heart breaking!
The best dish of the evening in my opinion? Chef Bryce Shuman from the Betony and his poached lobster, sabayon, and chives. When another guest asked what was in the sabayon sauce he began by saying 450 grams of butter – after that I tuned out because I did not want to hear anymore. Fattening and delicious. Check. When I asked his inspiration for the dish the chef said, “Simply, it is lobster in butter sauce. Because honestly, what is better than lobster, butter, and chives made simply and presented elegantly?”. Touché sir . I agree.
The salad from The Arlington Club was described by Chef Frank Cervantes as inspired by the farmer’s market, as he explained the ingredients. I wish I had longer to stay and talk but he was rushing through the prep and, as he explained, Mother’s Day was the following morning so he needed to get ready for that as well. This salad was the lightest option of the evening and a nice change from many of the heavy apps.
I made sure to ask the head chef of The General what the inspiration behind his dish was as they were the only ones who made sushi. Between the loud music, people chatting next to me, and a bit of a language barrier I did not understand what the chef said but I did catch the word “torch”. I must have looked quizzical because he whipped one out from the back table and started torching the sushi. Okay then.
And the nicest chef hands down goes to John Deloach of Lavo. When I stopped to ask most of the chefs what the inspiration behind their dish was they just seemed far too busy to even look me in the eye – John was the opposite. He came out from behind his table and spoke with my friend Mary and I for five minutes. So freaking nice. John, I will be calling you to come to dinner soon.
Most of the restaurants I had only heard of in passing (and will be adding to the list of places I want to try), so I got really excited when I approached the table of one I have been to many times. Beauty and Essex is one of my favorite places to get a drink in Soho and they made delicious soft lobster tacos but the real hero was the butterscotch dessert. Both Mary and I decided we need to go back and get ourselves a full size version at the restaurant. To die for.
When I found out our pink wrist bands meant access to the VIP area I was really stoked. This meant Monarch’s oyster bar, special tastings of Patron’s Gran Burdeos and Gran Platinum Tequila, and most importantly, empty chairs! I am not a big tequila girl but when one host told me it was similar to vodka I tried it. One sip on the rocks and I was done. The $400 bottle was nice though.
Oh, and then I met a super model. That was pretty great too 🙂
Going to events around New York City representing Sparkles and Shoes is quickly becoming one of my favorite things! Thank you Lobster de Mayo for having me and I love attending events that are for a good cause – I hope a great deal of money was raised for City Harvest, such a great charity! And I have to say a big thank you to my friend Mary, in the first photo, for being my plus-one and taking all of these photos that I am in!
Lobster anyone?
An Oxblood Pullover in the Park
Giving Back at Carl Schurz Park
The Start of New York Fashion Week
New York City Hall
Tory @ tory of my life says
Ahhhhh I <3 Chrissy! SO jealous!
Angela Keeley-White says
This event looks absolutely amazing!!!! All the food looks too good! I’m so sorry you lost your phone 🙁
xo,
Angela
GiovannaPacini says
Yum! Looks like a fun event to attend! Sorry to hear you lost your phone! Glad you still had a good evening!
xx
Giovanna
http://www.HeyLoveBlog.com
Highheels & Tutus says
What a great event!
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Sooae Lee says
omg looks SOOO good! xO!
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Jessica Broyles says
Pretty pictures – love the cobalt!
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Caitlin says
Looks like an incredible event! I love lobster…
mariafelicia says
wow amazing event…how many lovely pics
kisses
Alyssa says
I don’t even know where to start….lobster and Chrissy?! I MEAN CAN I HAVE YOUR LIFE
Rachel says
I just really can’t believe you met my ultimate girl crush, Chrissy! Soooo jealous!
Kelly says
And she could not have been nicer! I told her that I wrote a blog and she said she would too if she had the time!
Ellie says
This is awesome! Super jealous! & John Deloach of Lavo will make a name of himself if he continues to be the “least busy” chef. It’s so important for chefs to make that impression, somehow it seems to make their food taste better!
Pam says
Making me hungry…great photos and descriptions!