June 10, 2013

Beet and endive from Tano

Food is a staple in our daily lives. We get up, we eat. We do a little work, we eat. We get home from work, we eat. At least that’s how it goes for me. I abide by the three square meals a day rule with a few sprinkled snacks on top. When it comes to the social calendar, events often try to entice you with their list of high caliber food and drink vendors. They dangle out phrases like “top shelf open bar,” “food by the bite” “best restaurants in the city” etc. hoping we will purchase that ticket.

Grilled chicken tostada from Funky’s catering

Last Thursday 740 of us did as we attended the gathering of the 23rd annual Taste of Duveneck at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The event started on the right foot — complimentary valet. Then, at registration check-in we were handed a plate and wine glass. Time to taste!

Maria McLaughlin, Molly Donath, and Lorena Compean

Even though there were at least two other sections of food and beverages, everyone corralled in that first room as though it were an apocalyptic feeding frenzy. I snagged a delicious beet, goat cheese, and endive appetizer from Tano along with watermelon gazpacho from Eat Well catering. A slice of killer veggie Dewey’s pizza and mixed green salad completed the trifecta.

 
Stagnaro distributed beer                                      Curried chicken and rice by Jeff Thomas

As I made my way to the courtyard outside of the cafe, I knew I’d arrived at the mecca. A tent covering the grass was lined with additional vendors. My favorite of which was the Stagnaro distributed beer samples. The beer flight included Peroni, Fox Barrel (Pacific pear cider), and Crispin (apple cider). During another visit, I sampled an ale infused with cabernet grapes. Umm, yeah.

Raspberries covered in chocolate by S & J Bakery

Taking a break from the brewskis, I ventured back inside where the live auction was taking place. When an auctioneer rattles off words, this is all I hear… akldjakdlfja alkdjfalkdjf aldkjklfjd adljadkajdf. It’s like a tasmanian devil has inhabited his vocal chords so back to the mecca I wandered.

Soul Pocket

The night concluded with a dance party in the courtyard, live music by Soul Pocket. When I first came outside, nobody was dancing. A half hour later there was one. Once the alcohol seeped into everyone’s veins and the beats were bumping, the crowd couldn’t resist busting a few moves. It didn’t hurt that the band is phenomenal. If you want another chance to shake your groove thing with Soul Pocket, they’ll be playing in the Ault Park Summer Dance Series on Thursday, July 18. Check ‘em out.

Btw, proceeds from the 2013 Taste will support Eternal Summer: The Art of Edward Henry Potthast exhibition that is now open. (Cincinnati native Edward Potthast is celebrated for his sun-filled paintings of Americans at the shore.)

If you want to see more photos from the event, you will find them HERE.

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For more information so you can plan your next excursion to the Cincinnati Art Museum, please visit the website: http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/.

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