500 Foodies Crawl Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shimi Kutner/COLlive

The weather was gently cool, but surprisingly comfortable under the shining sun for an early November afternoon. You couldn’t miss it in Crown heights yesterday, everyone was walking up and down Kingston Aveue carrying the distinct red bags of ‘A Taste Of Crown Heights’ over their shoulder.

The walkable trail began at Toys For Hospitalized Children headquarters on Eastern Parkway, where participants met with the organizers from JMenu and Toys For Hospitalized Children, washed for hamotzi to taste the sourdough breads of Crust Baker, got their first tasting from Gruit, and then, map in hand, made their way up and down Kingston Ave. to enjoy a plethora of flavors from all the vendors participating in the event, offering their signature dish or beverage, all while spending time with family, and perhaps making new friends along the way.

Vendors included Agripas, ALENbi, The Boozery, Chocolatte, Crust Baker, Eber’s Liquor and Wine, Empire Grill, Ess & Bentch, Gombo’s Bakery, Gruit, Hal’s New York Seltzer, Koshertown Bakery, Mama Kitchen, MEAT (Basil Hospitality Group), Mendy’s @ the JCM, Mermelstein’s, Phomen on Troy, Prime Avenue, Sushi Spot, Sweet Expressions, Table One Catering and Wine By The Case.

Elected officials and guests arrived with their families, among them Council members Kalman Yeger and Mathieu Eugene, Pinny Ringel from Mayor Bill De Blasio‘s office, and Pinny Hikind from Comptroller Scott Stringer‘s office.

“Everyone loves food and everyone loves helping children. This event brings these two together. We hope everyone enjoyed, and will come visit Crown Heights again!” said Shmuly Wolff, CEO of JMenu and Rabbi JJ Hecht, Executive Vice President of Toys For Hospitalized Children.

“The food crawl successfully showcases the best in kosher food that Crown Heights has to offer,” said Mica Soffer, Publisher and Editor of COLlive.com. “Restaurants and food establishments are certainly stepping up their game and making kosher a sought-after experience.”

Organizers said they received overwhelming feedback this year, even more so than in the past, from all the participants, about how all the vendors put in so much work, and put on an amazing display, truly showcasing what Crown Heights restaurants have to offer, and enticing them to return again in the near future.

Shmuly Wolff, who developed the JMenu App which allows you to conveniently order kosher food from a local eatery, organized this unique event together with Rabbi JJ Hecht of Toys For Hospitalized Children. The event was generously sponsored by COLlive, The View Optique, & Hal’s New York Seltzer.