The name of the game is sustainable and Aquarius is winning
Last Saturday, Aquarius, the nation’s only sustainable seafood festival returned for its 3rd big showing. The event was hosted at The Foundry in Long Island City were guests had a great view of the Manhattan skyline while the indulged in fresh seafood and farm to bar cocktails. Throughout the rustic and chic venue that is The Foundry, guests were able to enjoy an assortment of seafood ranging from fresh oysters all the way to a Fisherman’s stew. And all the food was selectively paired with some of the best wines and spirits.
Some of the food that was offered to guests were seasonal flavors by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Executive Chef Matthew Beaudin. Hudson Square’s Houseman Restaurant’s Chef Ned Baldwin offered Fisherman’s Stew and more and Mattitaco served farm to food truck Oysters, Tacos and Moules Frites, courtesy of Chef Justin Schwartz. Ca’Pisci made its festival return offering a rustic Italian menu featuring only sustainable fish. Salsa Pistolero was on hand with an assortment of refreshing salsa flavors to snack on and My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream handed out their sweet treats. And MF Events provided a local raw bar highlighting 100% local to NYC oysters.
And what fun is all the fresh seafood without some very interesting and tasty cocktails? Some of the featured liquor brands included COÇA PURA TEQUILA, Boukman Botanical Rhum, Koval, London Essence Co., KAS Krupnikas Nolet’s Gin, Chinola, Barrows Intense, and Barrows Intense Ginger Liqueur. One of our favorite drinks of the night was from COÇA PURA TEQUILA where they created a nice spicy and sweet margarita accentuated with a wonderful chili salt rim.
And this year, Aquarius has partnered with Oceanic Global, a non-profit that brings awareness to ocean conservation such as how to reduce the amount of plastic waste to how to eat more sustainable seafood where it doesn’t damage the aquatic ecosystem. And to put their money where their mouth is, this year’s Aquarius was notably a plastic-free event. Aquarius partnered with CupZero where guests were able to put down a $2 deposit for a cup upon entry. This cup was then reused by guests to enjoy a variety of cocktails that were all complimentary to the event. At the end of the night, guests returned their cup to get back their $2 deposit.
