Summer in New York: Food & Drink events and tastings

This popular fest is back for a third year, bringing together a gaggle of heavy-hitting chefs and their Pan-Asian creations. The celebration is spread over more than eight events: On Thu 3, Michelin-starred chef David Thompson (Nahm) joins James Beard Award winner Andy Ricker (Pok Pok) for a dinner focusing on Northern Thai cuisine at the new Pok Pok Brooklyn (7–10pm; $150). And on Sat 5, the annual Night Market will set up shop under the Manhattan Bridge with more than 30 different restaurants, unlimited booze and performances by Chinatown rock group the Notorious MSG (6–9pm; $50).

This inaugural food and music fest by the producers of Bonnaroo has signed some major local culinary players: Colicchio & Sons, the Spotted Pig, Roberta’s Pizza, Momofuku Milk Bar, Minetta Tavern and Frankies 457 Spuntino are among the dozens of gourmet vendors. They’ll be spread over eight themed areas, such as the farm-to-table-championing UrBarnARN, a pizza pavilion, the bacon-focused Hamageddon, and a dedicated beer and wine section crammed with more than 60 craft brewers and winemakers. The musical lineup is nothing to sneeze at either, featuring local and international acts spread over two stages, including TK. While the grub is pay-as-you-go, the live entertainment is free; register online for a general admission pass or pony up $250 for the Extra Mooga ticket, which includes food and drink, a special mainstage viewing area, extra performances and more. googamooga.com.

Meat lovers can make their annual pilgrimage to Madison Square Park for this gut-busting ’cuefest. Some of the nation’s top pit masters—including chefs from local spots like Hill Country, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Blue Smoke—will be manning the flames, dispatching grub for $8 a plate. Cough up $125 for a FfastP-pass to skip the lines; , otherwise expect a lengthy wait for your ribs. In between plates of meat, listen to live bluegrass tunes and check out the free seminars and cooking demos. igapplebbq.org.

This event has already won support from on high: Mayor Bloomberg officially proclaimed July 2009 to be Good Beer Month. The Good Beer Seal, an association of independently owned craft-brew bars in NYC, presents this monthlong celebration of quality suds. The schedule is crammed with tastings, talks, parties and festivals; check the website for details as summer approaches. Highlights include Cook Out NYC (July 7, 8), which pairs
BBQ with craft selections on Governors Island; a Beer Book, Blog and Video Fest (July 25) at South Street Seaport; and Edible Manhattan’s annual Good Beer tasting event, featuring local grub and brews. goodbeerseal.com.

The globe-trotting Omnivore World Tour returns to New York, celebrating jeune cuisine (“young cuisine”) through a series of master classes (free) and high-profile “Fucking Dinners” ($100–$350) The meals will be created in tandem by one local chef and one international visitor; the teams are still being finalized, but the home side will include Mads Refslund (Acme), Ignacio Mattos (Isa), Carlo Mirarchi (Roberta’s Pizza) and Jeremiah Stone (Contra, opening soon). Expect a special Bastille Day party ($45) on July 15 featuring DJs, French wine and creative nibbles from international chefs. Keep your eyes on the website for details. omnivore.fr.