Harvest In The Square 2003 Raises Funds For Union Square Park

NEW YORK, NY Under the stars and surrounded by sprawling skyscrapers, more than 1,000 guests enjoyed the fabulous neighborhood celebration presented by the restaurants in Union Square at the 8th Annual Harvest in the Square on October 2.

For each of the past seven years, the Union Square Local Development Corporation has
erected a tent in Union Square Park to host New Yorks Premiere Food and Wine Tasting Event that raises funds for improvements to Union Square Park. At this years Harvest in the Square, the LDC announced the launching of a Capital Campaign for the Redesign of Union Square Parks North Plaza. Net proceeds from Harvest in the Square 2003 will be used to kick off this exciting public/private initiative that will enhance and beautify the playgrounds, concession, Greenmarket Farmers Market and open spaces.

Tonight, announced Union Square LDC and BID Executive Director Karen Shaw, we celebrate the fruits of our harvest of wonderful restaurants that call the Union Square area their home. These restaurants have contributed to making this neighborhood such an inviting and unique part of the City.

Todd English and Victor LaPlaca, Olives NY, served as restaurant co-chairs for the event and orchestrated the star-studded roster of volunteer chefs representing 45 restaurants from Manhattans best-tasting neighborhood. Participating chefs from such restaurants as Union Square Cafi, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Water Grill and SushiSamba 7 featured fresh farm produce from the Union Square Greenmarket Farmers Market, and their dishes were paired with wines from Long Island, New York State and around the globe.

The fall harvest tasting opportunities were numerous, the participants included such notable restaurants as Aleo, Amuse, Angelo & Maxie's, AZ, Bambou, Belmont Lounge, Beppe, Black Duck Restaurant, Blue Smoke, Blue Water Grill, Cafi Deville, Cafi Spice, Candela, Chango, Chat n Chew, The City Bakery, City Crab & Seafood Company, The Coffee Shop, Dos Caminos, Eleven Madison Park, Fleur de Sel, Flacos & Tequilla Company, Galaxy Global Eatery, Gramercy Tavern, Havana Central, Heartland Brewery, Kitchen 22, Knickerbocker Bar & Grill, LExpress, Lucy, Morrells Restaurant, National Arts Club, Park Avalon, Republic, Sage, Sciuscia, Steak Frites, Strip House, SushiSamba 7, Tabla, Tamarind, Tocqueville Restaurant, Todd English's Olives NY, Union Square Ballroom, Union Square Cafe, Verbena, Wichcraft.

Some of this years participating beverages were: Dallis Coffee, Heartland Brewery, Labatt USA, 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar, T Salon, Union Square Wines & Spirits.

The Union Square BID/LDC, a non-profit organization, works to ensure the community's vibrancy as a center for business, culture and education and to improve the quality of life for its residents and businesses, by providing supplemental public safety, sanitation, business promotion and economic development services throughout the district. The 14th Street-Union Square LDC facilitates economic development by spearheading educational, economic development and park projects and acting as a liaison between community, business and government leaders.