Harvest in the Square: Enjoy a gourmet feast under a tent in Union Square

Looking for a different restaurant experience? How about a choice of sixty dishes in one night? Join the “Harvest in the Square” event. For the past 15 years, and a larger tent each year, this gourmet fall opener is a real treat. Sixty chefs of the Union Square neighborhood will be cooking up their signatures dishes for the community, and you are invited to join the banquette.

Among the restaurants that will be represented: Aleo, Blue Water Grill, Rosa Mexicano, SushiSamba Park, Union Square Cafe, ABC Kitchen, Aldea, Bocca, Hill Country Chicken, Kellari Parae and The House.

General Admission tickets for 7:30 PM are $125. VIP tickets are $400 and include early admission, mingling with special guests, hors d'oeuvres and champagne toast. Proceeds benefit the Union Square Partnership's ongoing beautification and maintenance of Union Square Park. For tickets, visit harvestinthesquare.org.

Tried and Tested: ABC KITCHEN

I had already pointed you towards the all-organic new restaurant co-owned by super chef Jean Georges Vongerichten at ABC Carpet & Home. I had lunch there a couple of weeks ago and again yesterday and can attest to its promise: the leaves are as fresh as can be, the menu original and full of seasonal veggies presented in an original way, like the sugar snap pea salad, where the snap peas are thinly shaved. The pretzel dusted calamari, with a spicy marinara and basil aioli sauces was divine, and the akaushi cheeseburger (a type of kobe beef from Texas, according to our waitress) was just so much more intense with its herbed mayo and pickled jalapeno sauce.

I tried two whole wheat pizzas, and they were superb, considering how hard it is to have a thin and crispy crust using healthy whole wheat flour. Next time I would ask if the farm the egg they throw on the mushroom pizza can stay a little bit longer in the oven; it was raw. The decor feels like a cozy barn house filled with ABC’s rococo chandeliers; wood objects adorn every corner, black and white nature photographs nag on the white washed brick walls and antique hand painted porcelain embellish the tables.

And in those crazy summer heat days, it’s a great place to be and wander around the store’s original knick knacks. For modern design, head downstairs to the new Conran Shop and take advantage of the sale going on right now!!

Hang around Washington and Union Square Parks this weekend

Looking to take a stroll somewhere with something novel to do?

There’s lot’s going on around Washington Park and Union Square this Saturday. I would suggest you start by checking out the newly opened Nordstrom Rack store (where the Virgin mega store used to be). All apparel, shoes and accessories are 50-70% off label prices. Snag a discounted designer cargo capri, the look of the season. Get two just in case and I’ll soon tell you why. For lunch, benefit from the recently inaugurated all organic (from placemats to receipts) ABC Kitchen at the ABC Carpet & Home. Jean-Georges Vongerichten is behind this ultra-eco friendly environment. Not only the food is 85% local acquired at the Union Square Farmers Market, there’s no bottled water. The restaurant makes its own sparkling water and filters its own tap with a four-chamber charcoal system.

After a heartening and eco-conscious meal, stroll down to the next friendly recreational area: Washington Square Park. Besides the musicians, artists and ice-cream truck, you will might make a new special friend that day, and even take him home… Adoptapalooza is the first annual cats and dogs adoption fair organized by the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. When you are holding that excited puppy on your lap, and he reciprocates your love, he might get a little taken away and pee on those cute new capris or shorts you picked out earlier at Nordstrom. That’s where the second pair comes in handy. And so does your new friend: next time you can do all that program together again, and take him to the fair to get his picture taken in his favorite costume. Always thinking ahead!