Meatopia 2011

Soooo much meat, it’s great to see it everywhere. Don’t eat for at least 24 hours before you come to the event.

Meatopia 2011 was definitely a success! I was nervous after reading reviews of the 2010 event and after attending a similar poorly planned event this past Memorial Day on Governor’s Island. However, my fears were for naught since the event was well run and inexplicably enjoyable.
Our tickets were the $ 85 variety, which came with a 5:30pm entry, all you can eat samples from the vendors, and $ 7 beer for purchase (Amstel Light, anyone? ’cause that was the only choice, but a decent one). Vendors really did a nice job of providing well thought out samples that were typically a substantial 5 – 7 bites in size, but I take small bites so maybe more like 3 – 5 for most. Nearly everything we sampled was decadent and delicious from farms and restaurants from around the tri-​state area and the country.
Thank goodness the weather on Saturday was beautiful since there weren’t really any rain-​out options which I was aware of. The day was really beautiful (excruciatingly hot, but beautiful!) and the views of the NYC skyline from Pier 5 were not to be missed as the sun set over New Jersey. Overall, if you’re going to pick an expensive «all you can eat» festival, this one definitely gets a thumbs up!

This was the first time I have ever been to the Meatopia event and I can say that I am hooked and going back every time they have the event! It was very well organized no long lines to wait on for food and if you did wait on line it was no more than 3 to 5 minutes. The food was great the chefs were cool as hell even if they were on the grills in 100 plus degree weather! There was seating all over and complimentary water and juice if you did not want to drink beer. There was also a gelato stand as well. The selection of food was incredible! Over 50 stations serving all types of meat! Oh did I mention it was unlimited!!! Damn I wish I was still there eating! One of my best eating experiences yet!

The second Meatopia event was awesome fun. I didn’t attend their first one in 2010, but based on a friend’s feedback and the many changes instituted between last year and this year, the organizers clearly made tremendous effort to improve the event. We commuted by subway and joined the crowds making their way to the harbor. The event was on spacious Pier 5, a yet unfinished pier in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and another sneak peek to what this park will offer when completed.
We got our bracelets and a directory and headed into the pier where over 40 chefs/​restaurants have booths set up, turning out a meat-​centric food item in single-​serving sizes. The portions are great for one person but often big enough to actually share with someone so you can fit more in. There were usually no lines at most booths, the people accessible for chatting, and everyone amenable to picture-​taking. Very cool to see the meat grilling at many booths and the food prep going fast and furious. Quite pleased to see Unilocal (a sponsor) with a booth.
There was also a butcher competition and culinary demo schedule that went on most of the evening. I only stopped by to see Michael White demonstrate how his porchetta is made; the mirror atop the station was perfect for viewing the action.
I enjoyed most of the foods I tried, although not everything was wow, and ironically some restaurants that I love served up a so-​so item at Meatopia. But great fun trying out all these things, Some highlights for me were Kefi’s Greek lamb offal, Beast’s glazed beef cheeks, ilili’s lamb ribs, Pat LaFrieda’s Angus steer, Hurricane Club’s duck, Sip Sak’s Turkish lamb on rice, La Esquina’s veal breast taco, and Animal’s BBQ chicken hearts. Whole Food’s hibiscus soda was amazingly refreshing and I was so excited to see Capogiro gelato (one of my favorite gelato makers!).
Again, organization was excellent. Plentiful Fiji water and Honeydrop tea stands, along with several beer stations. Utensils and napkins at every booth, trash cans emptied regularly. There wasn’t really enough seating, but you can treat it more like a street fair, where you dine on the go. And the views all around of the NYC skyline are fantastic. Looking forward to Meatopia 2012 and hope its in a location as good as this!