The fourth annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine takes place September 29 – October 2, 2011. Once again, 100% of the net proceeds of the Festival benefit charity.
The Festival is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City, fighting hunger in the five boroughs; and Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit working to end childhood hunger in America.
In 2010, the Festival raised more than $1.2 million for these charities, helping them better provide for those they serve and closing the gap on hunger in our country.
To help the cause, two of my favorite people, Pat and Gina Neely closed their NYC restaurant, Neely’s Barbecue Parlor and held a beautiful brunch today! The event sponsored by Tropicana and Corona Extra allowed their fans, family and food connoisseurs to help in the cause to raise money to fight hunger.
The menu displayed all the fixings that Pat and Gina have cooked on their Food Network show, Down Home with the Neelys, their cookbooks and family pass down recipes. Their restaurant is located at 1125 First Ave. New York, NY 10065 212-832-1551 http://neelysbbqparlor.com/
The restaurant opened on 7/11/2011 and the reviews have been fantastic. When entering you feel like you’re home . “A parlor is not stuffy, it’s supposed to be family”, Gina says.
There are warm wood tones, beautiful wrought iron patterned staircases and a red chandelier which catches your eye! <I said WOW!> The windows also have the same wrought iron pattern, letting you know the design was carefully thought out.
The seating is comfortable, with the expectancy you are going to stay awhile…be comfortable! Rooms are divided with a different feel, the wall paper defines it; for each room has a different pattern. It sets an earthyiness and relaxing tone!
They have just completed their latest cookbook, The Neely’s Celebration Cookbook: Down Home Meals for Every Occasion, will be released in November. They both are really excited about it. There are a total of 120 recipes!!!!!
They have also partnered with Kraft for their Kraft Fight Hunger campaign. If you have a Facebook page, go to the Kraft Fight Hunger page and click the LIKE button, Kraft will give a meal for a child.
Now back to the brunch, the menu was superb!
To Start:
- Fried green tomatoes with Vidalia Onion Relish
- Fresh Seasonal Fruit Compote
- Deviled Eggs
- Candied Thick Cut Slab Bacon <——— can’t stop thinking about it!!!! Gina and Pat were laughing, the Bacon will have you saying OINK! It is so good!..
Main
- BBQ Spiced Seared Farm Raised Catfish with Eggs and Wilted Spinach
- Pat’s Beer Can Chicken
- “Wet” Memphis Ribs
- Gina’s Kitchen Sink Quiche
- Homemade Biscuits with Cream Gravy
- Hush Puppies
- Southern Creamed Corn
- Spicy Pinto Beans with Burnt Ends <———- had some kick to it!!!
To Finish
- Blackberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream <—– WOW!
- Mississippi Mud Pie with Rich Chocolate Sauce
- Assorted Wines, Bellini and pomegranate Sour
The atmosphere had a happy buzz, family style, which gave you the opportunity to talk to the person sitting right next to you! Food does that and good food does it even more!
The manager on hand, Alex Mitow was quite charming and made sure everyone was attended to! While the fabulous general manager, Chris was making sure things stayed calm! The brunch was very, very nice and I met some wonderful people!
I was so into the food that I found my self daydreaming, thinking maybe…just maybe, I could cook one of the entrees! I said maybe! Never mind!
If you are interested in the Wine & Food Festival, make sure to look out for the event next year!
Even if you cannot attend, think about giving. Every dollar donated to the Food Bank helps provide five meals to New Yorkers in need. If not this organization; you choose one to help in some way!
Here are some photos…please note there are no dessert photos, do I have to say why? LOL
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Now if you are thinking about BARBECUE!!! And you are in NYC, please visit the Neely restaurant! I guarantee you, you wont be disappointed at all!
And pssst! Fellas, there’s a cigar parlor downstairs too! Ssssh!
Letia 🙂
Photos by Neelys Barbecue Parlor and Letia Mitchell LifeStyle and Design,
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Tags: Food Bank For New York City, food bank for new york cityf, Food Network, gina neely, neely barbecue parlor, Pat Neely, ribs, wine & food festival
Letia Mitchell LifeStyle & Design® 