Plus, New York City launches a campaign to support Chinatown businesses — and more intel
Seltzer Land is coming to the Brooklyn Expo Center
In what can only be a natural progression after the summer of White Claw, a hard-seltzer festival dubbed Seltzer Land is coming to Brooklyn. The one-day-only festival is scheduled to land in Greenpoint on May 16, at the Brooklyn Expo Center, according to the Wall Street Journal. Like a wine or beer festival, attendees pay an entrance fee — starting at $29 per ticket — and then spend the day perusing booths and sampling hard seltzers from dozens of vendors.
In what is perhaps even more depressing news, it may not be long before Seltzer Land has some competition in the field. The WSJ report noted that Fizz Fight, a Denver-based hard seltzer festival, is also looking at expanding to new markets, including New York. Hard seltzer sales have skyrocketed in the last few years and some industry analysts expect the market to be valued at $2.5 billion by next year.
In other news
— New York City launched a new campaign called “Show Some Love to Chinatown” to help generate support for Chinatown establishments after local restaurants and other businesses have reported slowing sales amid widespread panic over the new coronavirus.
— Discounted restaurant booking app Seated is also running a promotion to support local Chinatown restaurants. Diners currently get an extra 5 percent off when they book seats at participating Chinese restaurants on the app.
— Mario’s Pizza, located on 2342 Arthur Avenue, turns 100 years old today.
— Turnstyle, the underground food hall inside the Columbus Circle subway station, just launched a mash-up series featuring collaborations between its vendors. The first mash-up includes Pizza Dumplings (from Lisa’s Dumplings and Champion Pizza) and the Drunken Panda (an alcoholic bubble tea from Panda Bubble Tea and Merchant’s Gate). The menu runs until February 21.
— The hit-making team behind wine bar Ruffian and Mediterranean restaurant and bar Kindred are now heading up the kitchen at Black Emperor, a casual East Village bar. Expect classic dive bar menu items with Southeast Asian twists, like Thai curry tater tots with Massaman gravy, and umami croquettes.
— Resy is giving away 500 free Sicilian vodka pizzas from Pasquale Jones to celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Reservations for the free pizza will be available through the app starting at 10 a.m. today; pick-up takes place between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow.
— Whole Foods is taking reservations for a free Italian pop-up dinner next week, on February 20. The six-course meal will be hosted by Whole Foods’s culinary team, and 20 seats are available.
— 5-A all the way: