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SO this is Kinda a Big Deal: I’m in a tv show!

Noted author and former New York Times restaurant critic William Grimes brings his epicurean knowledge to Appetite City, a new series on NYC life (Channel 25) that tells the history of New York City through its iconic food. Each episode focuses on a unique flavor of food that has become a staple in New York City as Grimes takes viewers on a journey about how soul food, delis and farmers’ markets all came to be a part of New York’s history.

The show is hosted by William Grimes, but every week, viewers will stop by my Queens kitchen to cook up a dish on the episode’s focus.  Join me as I eat a chicken gizzard for the first time; as a I drop a toppling tower of Baked Alaska to the floor; and as I come to the realization that raw pig’s feet feel like human hands.  And I’ll make some delicious stuff, too.

If you’re in the NYC area, Appetite City premieres Thursday, August 11 at 8:30pm on NYC life (Channel 25). The first episode features soul food:

Host William Grimes takes a journey back in time to the glory days of Harlem when he explores the origins and evolution of “Soul Food.” At a favorite local restaurant he speaks with soul food expert and author Frederick Douglass Opie and later has our historic gastronomist, Sarah Lohman, whip up a soul food favorite. Then viewers join award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson at his newest Harlem-based restaurant where he’s putting a whole new spin on this down-home favorite.

Additionally, there’s a premiere party tomorrow night at Tavern on the Green, the Central Park Visitor’s center;

Twilight @ Tavern: Film Screening

Watch a screening of Appetite City under the stars. Appetite City tells the history of New York through its food. Author and former restaurant critic of the New York Times, William Grimes, takes viewers back in time to explore the origins of some of New York’s most loved and iconic foods with visits to Brooklyn delis, historical taverns, and local food markets. This screening features an introduction and remarks from host William Grimes.

No advance registration. Free. All ages welcome.

Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

And if you’re not in the NYC area, don’t fret! I’ll be posting the full episodes on my blog every Friday along with recipes and stories from the show!

Stay Tuned! Watch a promo video for the show here.

Today I came across an interesting bit of literature while researching the class I’m teaching tonight at the Brooklyn Brainery, What Dickens Drank: Historic Summer Cocktails. It’s a passage from Transatlantic Travels, by Captain J. E. Alexander, an English tourist in America in 1833.  Writing about travels in America became quite popular in the 1840s, and several books (including Dickens’ American Notes) originated in this time period.  Often these books are invaluable because they record specifics of daily American life that no one else thought to write down.

In this case, Alexander stops by a very famous bar in New York, the City Hotel, which featured America’s first celebrity bartender, a “Mr. Willard.”  We don’t know much about Willard, because unlike like Jerry Thomas, he didn’t write down his famous cocktail concoctions.  But since the cocktail was considered a very American drink,  Alexander took the time to record three recipes in his travel book; these  are some of the earliest cocktail recipes on record.

Modernized recipes for the Cocktail, Mint Julep, and Apple Toddy.

I know I’ve been all blah blah blah this event, blah blah that event.  But spring is a good time for cookin’, and I’ve got just two more events in New York before I take my summer break!

Firstly, Gin in June is tomorrow night!  It will feature four gins in four historic cocktails: The Gin Sling, The Martinez, The Bronx Cocktail, and the Gin Fizz.  We’ll also serve 1880s bar food: pig’s feet, ham, roast beef, and tongue; as well as bread, the most delicious fresh butter, strawberries, and fresh greens.

So get you tickets before they sell out! Purchase tickets here.

Then on Saturday, I’m going to be at the Wyckoff House in Brooklyn for their annual Kinderdag Festival: making waffles over and open fire and baking orange and caraway cookies (the weather will be cooler on Saturday).  So bring the kids to help me make some sweet treats, as well as participate in games, other events, and get a tour of the historic house.

1830′s Bartendin’

I wanted to share a few images from last week’s sold-out Tavern Drinks and Diversion event at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum.  Delicious drinks and food in an historic 1830s bar = pretty awesome.  We’re planning another event with hot cocktails for the fall.

But in the meantime, if you missed the event and are totally jelly; or if you were there and would like to do it all over, then come to Gin in June at the Old Stone House! On Friday, June 10th, we’ll be tasting four historic gins in four historic cocktails, accompanied by 1880s bar food.  Get your tickets here!

Guests enjoying a tavern supper of ham, fresh bread and butter, and venison.

I made a ham so good. This ham was the best ham. I'm making it again for Gin in June.

Mushroom ketchup: salty mushroom sauce. Also available at Gin in June.

The scene at the bar.

Mad crowded.

A lovely bowel of Green Tea Punch in the garden.

Two great events coming up this week!

Tavern Drinks and Diversions: An evening of 19th century carousing

Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 PM
The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
421 East 61st St., New York, NY

Waffles @ Wyckoff
Sunday, May 15th at Noon
5816 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn, NY
Free, first come first serve.