The first of the Summer Fridays at Union Square Greenmarket will be tonight's Seafood Fest at the north end of the Square. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., surrounding restaurants like Blue Water Grill, Luke's Lobster and Barbounia will be vending dishes focused on sustainably-caught seafood from the waters of the northeast seaboard. Also at the market, a beer garden selling brews from five breweries, two cideries and one winery. Live music will be provided by the Jazz Foundation of America.
Swing by either location of Uma Temakeria on Saturday and chow down on a free sushi burrito if you're one of the first 300 customers. Prove to the restaurant that you follow them on Instagram and they'll fill you up on salmon and tuna wrapped in nori with carrots, cucumbers, rice and a slick of spicy tobanjan mayo. 64 7th Avenue and 600 11th Avenue
Two big BBQ events are going down on Saturday, starting with the Solstice Session at Arrogant Swine: Part III ($40) at the Bushwick Carolina 'cue spot. Devour "mountains of pulled-pork sandwiches" washed down with some low ABV session beers so you'll stay frosty til the sun goes down. Next up: the “Little Big BBQ” event at Solar One on the East River. In the daytime, it's the Battle of the Sides ($45) with tons of traditional and non-traditional bbq sides plus "all American meats" like hot dogs and burgers. Then in the evening, it's Ribs King of NYC ($55), a rib-cooking competition from area chefs. Both events are all-alcohol-inclusive.
Spam Jeon Musubi (courtesy Yooeating)
Saturday evening, swing by East Williamsburg's Reclamation for the Yooeating Aloha Korea pop-up. Nosh on South Korean/Hawaiian crossover dishes like Spam Jeon Musubi, a snack of fried Spam with American cheese, kimchi, fuikake seasonings and rice wrapped in nori; Kalua Pig & Pineapple Kimchi Sliders; and Poke Dup Bap, marinated tuna on rice topped with veggies, tobiko and cho-gochujang. The bar'll also be serving Mai Tais for the event. Cash only
Two neighborhood-centric outdoor festivals are also popping up this weekend. On Saturday, it's the Sweet Spot Pop + Shop to celebrate the opening of the Sugar Hill GreenMarket season. Swing by from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for fresh produce, food vendors and a Stoop Party with live music and DJs. Then on Sunday, it's the annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas Festival put on by the Museum at Eldridge Street. The free festival runs on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. on Eldridge Street between Canal and Division Streets, with kreplach, dumpling and empanada demos; challah braiding; and their namesake food items on sale.
