The Festival Circuit

August and September are the months for all sorts of food festivals and street fairs. This is the season to either take advantage of your culinary heritage or someone else's. Street fairs also proliferate during this time too. City streets will be awash with interesting stands that feature everything from crepes to satays.

Ethnic festivals are being held all over the country right now. German clubs are offering early Octoberfests or "Summerfests " where all sorts of great dishes are being served. Southern German groups are offering tasty dishes such as bratwurst and spaetzle while Northern based clubs feature smoked eel and potato pancakes.Italians have many saints festivals right now and this is a good time to visit them. Fresh made zeppolis and savory sausage sandwiches are the best that the stands can make along with old fashioned , thick pizza and fresh mussels and clams..Check local Greek churches too for their saint's days celebrations. Orthodox parishes put out great spreads that feature everything from lamb on a spit to souvlaki.

This is also the time of year for street festivals.Most major cities like New York, Boston and Chicago have them however smaller towns hold them swell.These also offer a wide range of ethnic treats from satays to crepes to dim sum.A caveat though .Most stands use the same oil or grease for frying all day long.The best bet is to eat anything fried in the early afternoon when the stands are first set up. Street fairs also offer the best of carnival foods like candy apples and cotton candy. Take advantage of these great treats while you can.

This is the season for festivals and street fairs. Foodies should indulge in what they have to offer. It's a fun way to connect with other cultures and discover cities.

A Good Taste Of France

Yesterday I wrote about the goodness of French food and with good reason. I had just come off a haute cuisine high after eating at Le Grainne in Manhattan's Chelsea. This was followed up with a quick trip to one of New York's best patisseries, La Bergamote a block away. I was in French food heaven.A bistro lunch ending with buttery pastries.

Le Grainne's is probably one of Manhattan's best kept secrets however its a huge local hangout. There is a line at its' door on Sunday morning which makes it impossible to get a table at the small bistro. baby carriages are literally lined up outside its; one wall and the there is no end of customers. I had to wait until a Friday to get in there. I can see why. There are buckwheat crepes stuffed with everything from ratatouille to champignons to ham and cheese. there are melt in your mouth quiches along with the traditional croque monsieur's.Even the accompanying salad that came with my crepe was perfection. The dressing was an almond infused oil and vinegar that mad eme want more. Even the bread and butter was divine. with fresh unsalted butter that tasted more like cream.One day I will go there and try dessert or better yet one of those huge Gallic cups of fresh hot cocoa.

Down th e block from Le Grainne is the La Bergamote. This is a must see (as is Le Grainne) for anyone vi sting Manhattan during the holidays. Try the unusual tangerine Danish which is a buttery sweet tart combination that melts in your mouth. I also love their chocolate croissants which are flaky and full of chocolate and almonds.La Bergamote sells all sorts of coffees, teas and iced drinks too which I didn't get along with candies (which I did buy/ they r;e so cute and decadently delicious . They'll make nice X-mas gifts)

If you' r; in Manhattan for the holidays stop in Chelsea and visit Ninth Ave. it;s full of Gallic flair and food thanks to Le Grainne and La Bergamote. This is where you can get a slice of French foodie heaven .