On Tuesday night I attended Village Voice’s sixth annual “Choice Eats” event.

Just picture this…you walk into the 69th Armory, a huge, historic armory built in the early 1900s, filled with 83 restaurants from the five boroughs, serving tastings of their most delicious dishes. Let’s not forget the craft beer, spirits and wine companies, serving up cocktails and pours to accompany the eats. If you’re even the slightest bit of a foodie, you’d think you died and went to heaven–so imagine how it was for me (definitely, absolutely a foodie)!

Each of the restaurants was hand-picked by Robert Sietsema, food critic for Village Voice.

If you missed this year’s event, there’s always next year. But be sure you buy your tickets early because it sold out completely this year, and I’m sure it will be the same for next year. Also, keep an eye on Village Voice’s calendar of events. They have various festivals throughout the year, like the Brooklyn Pour Craft Beer Festival I attended in October, and the upcoming Choice Streets food truck tasting event in April.

And the winner is…

Allswell: Gentleman’s Relish with roasted garlic and anchovy spread on housemade sourdough and topped with soft boiled egg

This was my absolute favorite dish in the entire event.

My tasting glass

The event was sold out!

 Juliette: Cured Arctic Char & Maine Diver Scallop Shooters

Egg

From top left: Red Hook Lobster Pound~Shrimp Rolls, O Lavrador~Carne de Porco a Alentejana (pork tenderloin with clam and potatoes), Pataniscas de  Bacalhau com Molho Verde (codfish fritters with Portuguese vinaigrette sauce), Smorgas Chef~72 hour house cured aquavit gravlaks with creamy dill cucumbers and mustard sauce.

The lox from Smorgas Chef were unbelievable!

Red Hook Lobster Pound’s mascot!

From left: Fay Da Baker~pork bun and honey bubble tea

Best pork bun ever!

Whole Foods had bags for everyone!

Dirt Candy: Tomato chipotle cotton candy

Mama’s Food Shop~Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Roasted Vegetables

Such a simple description, but this had to one of the juiciest, most flavorful roasted pork dishes I have ever tasted!

Vandaag~Gravlax Smorrebrod

Surprised to see the neighborhood spot! I can’t even count how much Peppa’s Jerk Chicken I’ve had since moving to Brooklyn!

Enjoying!

Smuttynose~Let’s say I had the random and bizarre impulse to jump over the table to grab a beer or something–I would definitely NOT do it with this guy standing there!!

Yummy cocktails by Bulldog Gin

Goat Town: Goat Face Sangwich

Gazela: makes delicious sangria

Northern Spy Food Co~Savory Buttermilk Pannacotta with roasted carrots, almonds and licorice

Sottocasa: Tiramisu

EMVI Chocolate

Doughnut Plant: P&J doughnuts

One of my local favorites! Even though I was sooooo full, I managed to make room for this and it couldn’t have been better!

This guy is so smart. While everyone else juggled their plate, glass, and event brochure, he was super smooth with his items laid out on a lavish platter, er, green tray!

Blue Point: Craft beer

Svedka, anyone?

Ditch Plains: hot dogs covered with mac ‘n cheese

Delicious…don’t judge me!

Until next time!!