Hudson Reporter, 3-May-15
By Art Schwartz
More than 400 tickets were sold to the 15th Annual Taste of Weehawken event, the fundraiser to support progamming at the free public library. Held in the Lincoln Harbor food court, the gourmet fiesta saw about three dozen restaurants, bakeries, and other food vendors raise more than $12,000 for the cause, with final totals still being determined.
As always, the attendees had a blast, sampling cuisines from a wide range of local establishments. Countries from around the world were represented with different ethnic specialties, and everyone had a different favorite.
“Ruth’s Chris, hands down,” stated Chris Devaney, referring to the seared USDA prime tenderloin with bernaise sauce, classical sweet potato casserole, and New Orleans bread pudding that has become a crowd favorite over the years.
“I like the stuffed mushrooms at Houlihan’s,” offered Dotty Spinosa.
“Amanda’s calimari,” insisted Virginia Bado.
Lorraine Colombini from Fort Lee, attending the event for the first time, couldn’t pick a top choice from the many delicious selections. “I had Indian food. I had stuffed mushrooms, delicious. Oh lord, the Cuban food, the pork with the rice. Shrimp from The Haven, it was great. And then the desserts. Cremas, excellent.”
“Giannone,” offered Bobby Rovito with a smile, singling out the exclusive wine sponsor that brought 12 tables of craft beers, cordials, and other spirits. “I love Giannone. That’s my favorite.”
From small beginnings
Catalina “Katie” Sosa is a former Manhattanite who has lived in Weehawken for about 45 years and has been coming to the Taste for quite a while. Although she enjoys the food and has watched the event grow and add restaurants over the years, that’s not even the main attraction to her.
“I like to be around people,” she said. “You get to see everybody from Weehawken. Because some people they live in the Shades, they live uptown. So when we come here we see everybody. I love it.”
William McLellan, Michelle McLellan, and Teresa Greco, three lifelong residents of the town, have been attending the Taste since inception, 15 years ago. In fact, Teresa’s husband, the former director of the library, was one of the event’s founders.
“It was very small,” recalled Michelle about the early days.
“It’s grown tremendously,” added Teresa. “They’ve gotten a lot of really upper class restaurants. When they started out we had a Dunkin Donut table one year. Now upscale restaurants are coming in, upscale liquor.”
“It’s because the waterfront is growing,” pointed out Michelle. “So restaurants and liquor stores are coming to the waterfront.”
Retired school teacher Annmarie Maine is among the newer residents of Weehawken, having moved here last September. She first heard about the event when she was living down the Jersey shore, and was thrilled to be attending for the first time.
“You know what’s funny?” she said. “For years when I took the bus back and forth from Tom’s River to the city I always used to pass the Weehawken Library. So now I go to the library and I sit by the window and I watch all the buses go by.”
Treats for all ages
Students from Weehawken High School’s Culinary Arts Program traditionally attend the event to serve a selection of tasty offerings. This year a tasty gazpacho was among their exotic offerings.
Bobby Rovito was born and raised in Weehawken and used to work the event in high school. Now living in Hoboken as a student at Stevens Institute, he said, “It’s a great event. I never miss it. This is probably my fifth one.”
Alicia Roderick also used to attend the event with the high school. She was back this year with friends Nicole Chedid and Amanda Ward just for fun. “There’s always new restaurants,” said Roderick. “It’s a great way to try everything.”
Weehawken resident Mo Lei brought her three-year-old daughter Landa Lee to the event for the first time. While mom enjoyed samping the many offerings, Landa had more simplified taste.
“She just wants ice cream,” said Lei. “Nothing else.”
Weehawken tradition
El Unico de Elena restaurant is a Weehawken tradition, established in 1976 by Juanito Montes de Oca and his late wife Elena. The establishment was sold to another owner, and when that owner moved on, Juanito’s daughter, Maria Elena Montes De Oca, took it over last year, with Juanito looking over her shoulder.
“It’s not easy, but it’s nice to be back,” said Elena. “I grew up there. when my dad opened up the place I was nine years old so it has a lot of memories. I think it was meant to be.”
The family-run restaurant brought a selection of Latin delicacies to the event. Asked if she cooked everything herself, Maria laughed. “No! I’m not a great cook. I’m more of a manager.”
Lorraine Wuillanby started Lorraine’s Table in 2007 to deliver fresh, chef-prepared meals to residents in their homes throughout Hudson County. She lives in Weehawken and rents the kitchen behind the Elks Lodge to do her cooking.
Lorraine offered a ginger chili shrimp this year, accompanied by a salad with mango, peanut, edamame, snow peas, and a passionfruit dressing. She comes back each year with fresh offerings to benefit the library.
“It’s because as a child she went to Weehawken Library,” said her husband and business partner, Patrick O’Keeffe. “She grew up in Weehawken. She’s giving back.”
The couple are enthusiastic supporters of the library. “We actually use the library a lot,” said Lorraine. “They can get you anything. They can order it from their bank of other libraries.”
Former Weehawken student Chris Devaney is another big fan of the library. “They do an excellent job with everything there,” he said. “You’re always welcome. It’s like a family.”
The Taste of Weehawken event provided much-needed funding for the many programs the library runs throughout the year. At the event Mayor Richard Turner sincerely thanked the many vendors who generously donated their time, their raffle prizes, and especially their gourmet food to raise money for the library.
“And remember, throughout the year, visit them,” he urged the crowd. “Eat there. Buy your beer, buy your wines, go for your desserts. They support us, so it’s up to us to support them throughout the year.”
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