Seventh Annual Latke Festival

The potato pancake steps into the spotlight at this seventh annual spuds cook-off. Nineteen restaurants will serve up chefly interpretations of the Hanukkah classic, from a schmaltz-fried, caraway-studded round topped with riesling-braised sauerkraut courtesy Shelsky's, to a spaghetti-squash rendition with deviled-egg yolk and maitake mushrooms from Taboon. In-between snacking and sipping (an open bar will be stocked with Sovereign Cider and Tito's Handmade Vodka cocktails), a panel of all-star judges, including the Gorbals chef Ilan Hall and Time Out New York's own Food and Drink editor Christina Izzo, will deliverate on their favorite fritter. Ticket sales benefit the Sylvia Center's healthy-eating initiatives for kids, so don't hesitate to pony up an extra $40 for the VIP admission (you'll also get access to a swanky private lounge with specialty cocktails).