Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are five choice dining events going on around the city:
1) Cochon 555 NYC Pork Feast
When: Sunday, 4 p.m. (VIP), 5 p.m. (General Admission)
Where: Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers
What: The fifth anniversary of the traveling pork competition known as Cochon555 kicks off tomorrow in NYC. The first stop of the ten-city tour will feature an all-female lineup, including Pig and Khao's Leah Cohen, Elizabeth Falkner of Krescendo, and A Voce's Missy Robbins. Each chef will create a menu using a whole hog and compete for the right to move on to the Grand Cochon event in Aspen in June. There will also be a cocktail competition this year called Punch Kings, where local mixologists will prepare their best bourbon-based beverages. Expect wine, oysters, and a cheese bar, too. Tickets can be purchased online here.
2) Chinese New Year Dinner
When: Today, 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Mehtaphor
What: To celebrate the Chinese New Year, chef Jehangir Mehta will serve a five-course dinner with wine pairings tonight. The meal will include dishes inspired by traditional and modern Chinese cuisine, including dishes like a cucumber soy squid, pineapple ginger pork butt, and, in honor of this being the year of the snake, a roasted snake wine spiced pear for dessert. The dinner is $98 per person. Call 212-542-9440 for reservations.
3) Gumbo Cook Off
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Jimmy's No. 43
What: For those looking to get in the Mardi Gras spirit, head over to Jimmy's No. 43 tomorrow afternoon when Jimmy Carbone will host his annual Gumbo Cook Off. There will be gumbo tastings prepared by both professional and amateur chefs, copious beer, and some other small snacks. Tickets are $20 at the door, with part of the proceeds going to benefit Chefs for the Marcellus, an organization that protects farms against fracking.
4) Like Wine for Chocolate
When: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Del Posto
What: Tomorrow afternoon, Del Posto's chocolatier and pastry sous chef Roger Rodriguez will teach a class on chocolate-making and tasting. Students will learn about tempering chocolate, assemble one of Del Posto's famous chocolate trees, and taste some of the restaurant's special chocolates. Del Posto's sommelier Josh Eisenhauer will pair wines with the chocolates as well. The class is $150, which includes a few tools and treats to take home.
5) Eat, Drink, and Bloody Mary
When: Today, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: L'Apicio
What: This afternoon, Joe Campanale and company will host the second annual Eat, Drink & Bloody Mary competition at L'Apicio. Restaurants, including Roberta's, Peels, Booker and Dax, Mile End Deli, and Union Square Cafe, will serve up their best Bloody Mary creations all afternoon. There will be small brunch snacks available as well. Tickets are $40, or $60 with a HeritageRadioNetwork.org Membership.
Also of Note: Chef Anito Lo of Annisa, is also celebrating the Chinese New Year with a special tasting menu. Tomorrow night, she will be offering a six-course dinner menu at Annisa for $105 per person, featuring dishes that are considered to bring good fortune, including a tea-smoked eel and churros with a sweet black sesame dipping sauce. Call 212-741-6699 to make a reservation. Looking to try a new restaurant this weekend? Try the Financial District's stylish new two-floor cocktail bar and pub The Dead Rabbit, or check out Rogue & Canon for some "hangover lo mein" and a cocktail. For those looking to try one of New York's hottest restaurants, do consult Eater's recently updated Manhattan and Brooklyn Heatmaps.
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