Tuesday, October 10th, The Knockturnal attended the first anniversary party of the Tin Building and the fiftieth anniversary of founder Chef Jean-George’s career.
We were given green bracelets, which matched the color of the building and allowed us to enter the party. Inside, newspaper men and women hawked a newspaper called the Tin Times, which featured a photo of a young Jean-Georges. The newspaper had blurbs about highlights of Jean-Georges’ career and a few recipes of his. On the back, there was a map of the building and a menu for the evening. Smiling stilt-walkers ushered guests from station to station and kept us entertained. Some even played the violin! We were invited to sample food from each restaurant in the Tin Building.
Starting with caviar from Double Yolk, where we had egg toast with caviar and herbs and caviar beggars’ purses, we made our way to Fulton Fish Company and sampled fish and chips, shrimp, and grilled octopus. Next, we tried cheeses from Charcuterie & Cheese. At the sushi restaurant, guests were offered tuna rolls, crab rolls, salmon avocado rolls, and veggie rolls. From Spoiled Parrot, we had Van Leeuwen ice cream in both chocolate and vanilla flavors. Another sweet treat we tried was espresso & chocolate meringue dosas from Crepes and Dosas. From the salads and sandwiches counter, we got escarole and frisée salad, prosciutto on focaccia, and pastrami on rye. At T. Brasserie, we chowed on a gruyere cheeseburger, and then at the Meat Counter had a bite of duck breast and berry port.
Philippe Vongerichten, Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Once we’d had our fill downstairs, we took the escalator up to continue our culinary adventure. Frenchman’s Dough served truffle pizza, calamari cacio e pepe, and spicy shrimp, all of which were mouthwatering. Along with several sorts of beers, the Bar served pretzels and mustard and pigs in a blanket. ABCv, which recently opened in the Tin Building, served olive-oil-fried artichokes, charcoal-grilled brussel sprouts, and crunchy Saison battered maitake. At House of the Red Pearl, we savored vegetable spring rolls, rice cracker crusted tuna, juicy chicken potstickers, and sesame noodles. Last but not least, we had quesadillas with jalapeno salsa, mini roasted chicken tacos, and mini crispy gulf flounder tacos from Taquito. Two signature drinks on offer were the espresso martini and saffron golden mylk.
The evening was presented by Saratoga, Kaviari Paris, Citarella, Mucca, Petrossian, Massanois, Davocado Guy, Hawaiian Fresh Seafood, Pat Lafrieda, Mason Champy, Chefswarehouse, Friederick Wildman & Sons Wine Merchants, Solex, Island Creek Oysters, Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, ABCV, I. Hepler Paper and Supplies, Dassai, Champagne Delamott, Paris Gourmet Specialty Food Importer, Baldor, PFD, ALB Vodka, Regalis, Di Paolo’s, Blue Moon, Ingrid Bengis Seafood Mushrooms, and more.
A few of the celebs in attendance included Martha Stewart, Don Lemon, Dean Winters, Icon Dianne Brill, Nolan Gerard Funk and Daniel Boulud, to name a few. It was truly an iconic night!
photo credits: BFA
Martha Stewart
