It's not the snazziest-sounding of the upcoming food festivals, but Sustainable Seafood Week is undoubtedly important, as fisherman, chefs and communities come together to promote responsible sourcing of seafood. Now in its 2nd year, the festivities include several formal events like dinners and tasting opportunities; there are also dining and delivery partners for more low-key options. Below, four events worth considering:
Over at Riverpark, Chefs Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortúzar are hosting a Sustainable Seafood Shindig tasting event with some of their other chef friends, including Anita Lo, April Bloomfield, Bill Telepan and David Chang. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 6th they're offering two levels of fishy goodness; first, a Chef Tasting ($180) that includes a seating at two of the chef's counters plus a beverage pairing and access to the cocktail party. Next, Cocktail Party Access ($80), which includes an open bar, passed canapes and bivalves on the half shell. Tickets // 450 East 29th Street, (212) 729-9790
The Luke's Lobster team is taking a break from lobster rolls and expansions to try on the supper club format for two nights this week. On Wednesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 8th, their Financial District location will be cooking up some yummy seafood dishes as part of an intimate after-hours dinner gathering for a small group of guests. Guests dine on four courses, starting with oysters on the half shell with two kinds of unique mignonette: Maine blueberry, naturally, and maple-ginger. Next up, cured mackerel rubbed with pastrami spices and served with rye toast, mustard and kelp pickles. Finally, a lobster pot pie topped with a cheddar bacon biscuit; we don't tell Red Lobster if you don't. Tickets $100 // 26 South William Street, (212) 747-1700
True North Salmon with beets and leeks at Louro (photo: Katie Ett)
Chef David Santos excels at creating exciting themed dinner parties around everything from pig butchering to "Save The Ramps" and beyond. For SSW it's Save the Oceans Dinner at his West Village restaurant Louro on Wednesday, May 7th at 7 p.m. The 7-course menu includes dishes like Gulf Shrimp Crudo, Peekytoe Crab Hash with a poached egg and hollandaise and an Ayu Tempura with ginger scallion sauce. Tickets are $75 per person, call (212) 206-0606 to reserve // 142 West 10th Street
The festivities come to a close on the rooftop at SUSHISAMBA in the West Village, where they're throwing Shuckin' Awesome: A Sustainable Oyster Throwdown on Sunday, May 11th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Three NYC chefs are competing to make the best raw oyster dish with Fisher's Island Oysters from Open Oyster, a raw bar catering service. Guests get to sample the dishes, as well as a some SUSHISAMBA favorites like Sweet Corn Kakiage and the Ezo Roll with Scottish Salmon; tickets also include an open bar. Tickets $65 // 87 7th Avenue South, (212) 604-0600
