"New York Wines & Dines" In October

NEW YORK CITY - A month-long celebration of New York foods, wines, restaurants' and the New York spirit will begin on October 1 as over 50 of New York's top restaurants unveil their versions of "New York Cuisine" featuring the foods and wines of New York State.

More than 15 fine wine shops are also joining this "New York Wines & Dines" celebration by featuring wines from the 28 wineries participating in the program, which was conceived and is orchestrated by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation in conjunction with the New York State Restaurant Association.


"The concept of New York Wines & Dines is simple," said Jim Trezise, President of the Foundation. "Take fresh New York foods, add fine New York wines, give them to great New York chefs, and voila!you have a great New York experience."

Throughout October, participating restaurants will present special recipes (and in some cases offer special prix fixe) for "New York Cuisine" menus with appetizers, main courses, and desserts created with agricultural products grown, raised, caught or processed in New York-and paired with New York wines. In effect, at these fine restaurants the "special" for the entire month will be New York Cuisine. Participating restaurants include '21' Club, Aureole, Payard Bistro, Cafi Boulud, Beppe, Gramercy Tavern, Petrossian, Les Halles, and many more top toques. (See attached listing of all participating restaurants, and sample "New York Cuisine" dishes.)

The Foundation has created a special web site (www.newyorkwinesanddines.org) that lists all participants and includes menus, recipes, and other information where it was provided, as well as hot links when possible. The logo for the "New York Wines & Dines" program was created by Milton Glaser, the world-renowned Manhattan artist who also designed the I Love NY logo.


"New York Wines & Dines" will even travel to Washington, DC, as a way of educating policymakers and the Capitol area media and trade that New York is a major agricultural state, and agriculture is a major part of the state's economy. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will host a "New York Farm Day" tasting and celebration in the elegant Russell Senate Caucus Room on Tuesday, September 21. The Foundation is organizing the event, which will include foods and wines from major agricultural regions, as well as culinary creations from several top New York City restaurants including Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Charlie Palmer, Rosa Mexicano, Sardi's, and Savoy.


Agriculture is the most widespread industry in New York State, yet few people in New York City, Washington, and other markets are aware of the abundance of high-quality agricultural products available from their own state. New York is well known for apples and common dairy products, but also produces a wide array of seafood and duck from Long Island, specialty vegetables like fingerling potatoes from the Hudson Valley, goat cheese, farm raised venison and buffalo, and a wide variety of maple products. The "New York Wines & Dines" program is intended to create awareness, trial and sales of New York agricultural products, including wine, so the Foundation has created a special "Food Source Guide" to help chefs and consumers locate desired products. The program will be conducted in Albany in November and, if budgets eventually permit, in other cities in New York in the future.


"It's time to buy New York," said Trezise. "We can build New York by buying New York products and services, and supporting the jobs of New Yorkers. Many of New York's top restaurantsand we're talking about some of the most discerning palates in the world-already use New York products in their fine dishes. We greatly appreciate the spirit and dedication of particip