A few weeks ago at Greenmarket, Alex Villani of Blue Moon Fish caught me staring slack-jawed at his huge monkfish liver, wondering what it was and how to cook it (the foie gras of the sea, apparently; poach it in sake). After ascertaining that my own liver is just as big as that of the monkfish (about four and a half pounds), I had to admit that I have some major knowledge gaps when it comes to understanding seafood seasonality and the meaning of sustainable harvesting. Lucky for me, start-ups like Village Fishmonger and Future of Fish are helping elevate the local seafood conversation, and they’re bringing their work to the public at this year’s third annual Sustainable Seafood Week (SSW).
From June 22—28 they’re putting together events that range from an oyster farm tour to a sushi pop-up. “With hundreds of types of fish available daily at a thousand restaurants and fish markets around New York City, charting a course to a responsible decision can be daunting,” admitted Sean Dixon, co-founder of Village Fishmonger NYC, the founding organization behind Sustainable Seafood Week. “Our aim with Seafood Week was to curate a week-long celebration that, in addition to ‘dining out’ for a sustainable seafood meal, offered events where anyone could learn from a local fisherman how their fish was caught, hear why a chef chose one species over another and discover ways to access, prepare and cook sustainable seafood in their own kitchen.”
Some events are free of charge including a Bluemarket at Union Square Greenmarket on the evening of the 26th. Most of the dinners range from $45—$85, and there’s something for everyone: programming ranges from oyster trivia to a local seafood class. Tickets and more info about each event can be found here.
- Sunday, June 21: Widow’s Hole Oyster Farm Tour (Greenport, Long Island)
Tour and lunch from 12—3:00 p.m. (Travel time and costs not included; see web site for details and to meet up with groups departing from Manhattan)
$75
Join oyster lover Julie Qiu (“In A Half Shell” blog) and chef Emily Peterson (Heritage Radio Network) on a tour of a family-run oyster farm in Long Island’s North Fork. For lunch, a New York interpretation of a tradition from coastal France: just-harvested oysters and savory pork sausage paired with a selection of local wines. - Sunday, June 21: Supper Club at Luke’s Lobster (Manhattan)
Luke’s Lobster Midtown East, 685 3rd Ave.
7:00—9:00 p.m.
$50
Join Luke’s for a four course meal including the best seafood from Maine and New York, as well as Maine beer and New York wines. Meet Luke and Ben, co-founder’s of Luke’s, and Village Fishmonger’s Sean Dixon. All proceeds to benefit a sustainable seafood charity. - Monday, June 22—Sunday, June 28: Sustainable Seafood Week Dines Out with OpenTable
Restaurants and chefs throughout the city feature a special dish created just for the week. Go here if you’re associated with a restaurant that’s interested in participating. - Tuesday, June 23: Industry Lab
Riverpark, 450 E 29th St.
8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.; networking reception 4:00—5:00 p.m.
Invitation only (To nominate someone for an invite, email wweisman@fliplabs.com)
An invitation-only conference for those working throughout the seafood supply chain, including fishermen, chefs, wholesalers and distributors, retailers, marketers, resource managers and policy makers. Topics will include traceability, aquaculture, seafood, health and others. - Tuesday, June 23: Sustainable Seafood Week NYC Gala presented by Blue Water Grill
Blue Water Grill, 31 Union Square West
Seatings from 5:30—8:00 p.m.
$85
The annual gala features top chefs Rick Moonen, Dave Pasternack and Sam Talbot with BR Guest Hospitality culinary director Sam Hazen and Blue Water Grill executive chef Luis Jaramillo cooking the catch. New York Times best selling author Paul Greenberg will share stories about our region’s seafood history. The intimate tasting experience will bring diners together to celebrate and connect with their food and the people who sustainably farm, catch and cook it. Proceeds will benefit local nonprofit NY/NJ Baykeeper. - Tuesday, June 23: Supper Club at Luke’s Lobster (Brooklyn)
Luke’s Lobster Park Slope, 237 5th Ave., Brooklyn
5:00—9:00 p.m.
$45
Grilled Maine seafood served on the patio and beer available for purchase. - Tuesday, June 23: Sustainable Seafood Showcase with Mayanoki Sushi Pop-Up
Brooklyn Oenology, 209 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn
7:30—9:30 p.m.
$75
An intimate seafood experience with the Mayanoki team. - Tuesday, June 23: Oyster Trivia Night at The Grey Lady
The Grey Lady, 77 Delancey St.
8:00 p.m.
$36, including half a dozen oysters, cheese/vegetable board and the chance to win oyster-themed prizes
Love eating oysters? Think you know something about the original New York City food? Join the New York Oyster Lovers Meetup at Grey Lady for Oyster trivia night where you can slurp oysters and show off your smarts. - Wednesday, June 24: New Fulton Fish Market Guided Tour (Bronx)
5:00—7:30 a.m.
E-mail wweisman@fliplabs.com to be put on the waiting list
Get an insider look at the market in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx that handles about one-third of the New York’s total seafood demand. The building is kept at 40 degrees, so visitors are advised to dress in layers and are required to wear flat, closed-toe shoes. - Wednesday, June 24: “Bait to the Plate” Lecture and Tasting Hosted by Chef Kerry Heffernan and Author Paul Greenberg
Grand Banks, Hudson River Park’s Pier 25
12:00—2:00 p.m.
Tickets $65 in advance through June 17, and $85 thereafter. A copy of Paul Greenberg’s new book American Catch is included in the ticket price, as is gratuity. Beverages available for purchase.
Many fish species that Americans don’t consider table fare are prized specialties in other parts of the world. Join Chef Kerry Heffernan and author Paul Greenberg aboard Grand Banks oyster bar as they chart new territory for seafood lovers and locavores seeking to diversify their palates. This culinary exploration uses local ingredients and simple techniques to reveal the deliciousness of abundant but often overlooked species. - Wednesday, June 24: Cooking Local Seafood Class With Natural Gourmet Institute, Sea to Table and Chef Mirijana of Wild Feast Foods
Natural Gourmet Institute, 48 W 21 St., 2nd Fl.
$85, all proceeds benefit the local non-profit, NY/NJ Baykeeper - Wednesday, June 24: Sustainable Seafood Omakase Supper Club With Mayanoki Sushi Pop-Up (Brooklyn)
Brooklyn Oenology, 209 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn
7:30—9:30 p.m.
$75
An intimate seafood experience with the Mayanoki team. - Friday, June 26: The Bluemarket at Union Square Park with GrowNYC
Union Square
Lunch, 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.; dinner, 4:00—8:00 p.m.
Free
In addition to fresh seafood vendors and New York farmers, a curated roster of some of the city’s top restaurants will serve sustainable seafood dishes for lunch and dinner (wine, beer and live music are set for the night market). Chef Emily Peterson will lead a shellfish chowder demonstration from 11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Access is free and open to the public; food and drinks will be for sale from individual restaurant booths. Stop by to meet Julie and Dan, the founders of feedfeed, as well as enter into a sweepstakes to win products such as: an All Clad 5 piece brushed D5 sets, products from Baking Steel, as well a dinner for 2 at Almond Tribeca. Also, sign up for our mailing list and we will enter you into the sweepstakes to win 2 tickets to our Good Beer event.
- Saturday, June 27: Chef Demo at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket (Brooklyn)
Grand Army Plaza
11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Free
Local shellfish cooking demonstration at the Greenmarket with chef Emily Peterson. Similar to Friday, stop by to meet Julie and Dan, the founders of feedfeed, as well as enter into a sweepstakes to win products such as: an All Clad 5 piece brushed D5 sets, products from Baking Steel, as well a dinner for 2 at Almond Tribeca. Also, sign up for our mailing list and we will enter you into the sweepstakes to win 2 tickets to our Good Beer event.
Learn more about feedfeed’s partnership with Grow NYC to help Greenmarket shoppers find and share cooking inspiration with each other by tagging #feedfeed #grownyc on social media.
