Coming Up: ARC's Taste of Rockland Sets New Record With 55 Participants

A Taste of Rockland brings together many of the county's best restaurants. This annual event is hosted and benefits the ARC of Rockland.

"The area's largest and most prestigious culinary affair, A Taste of Rockland, is just ... a week away," said John Eccleston. "A record 55 restaurants, dessert purveyors and beverage providers with gather at the Hilton Pearl River on Monday evening, Sept. 26, to provide guests with their best culinary delights while helping raise funds for A Taste of Rockland."

Participating this year are:

• Alain's French Bistro
• American Company Opici Wine
• Antoine McGuire's Oyster & Ale House
• Applebee's of Airmont
• At Your Service NY
• Banchetto Feast
• Bella Gianna's
• Bindi
• Blind Boar Barbecue
• Bravo! Palisades Center
• Confetti Ristorante
• Culinary Concepts by Elsa
• Defiant Brewing Company
• Del'Arte Family Ristorante
• Dingman’s Dairy
• Epic Events
• Giulio's by Harvest Moon
• Hudson House of Nyack
• Hudson Water Club
• Il Portico
• Jimmy’s on Main
• Just Buns
• Kwan Thai
• Lanie Lou's Cafe
• Liberty's American Grill & Sports Bar
• Madison Ridge Caterers
• Manhattan Beer Distributors
• Marcello's Ristorante
• Melting Pot of Westwood
• Mt. Fuji
• Ole Ole Restaurant & Grille
• Olive’s
• Pasta Cucina of Stony Point
• Patisserie Didier Dumas
• Restaurant X & Bully Boy Bar
• Rockland Bakery
• 76 House
• Sidewalk Bistro
• Sour Kraut,
• Southern Wine & Spirits
• Starbucks Coffee of Airmont
• TAF Catering & Personal Chef Services
• The Filling Station
• The Market Eatery & Local Fare
• The Porter House Restaurant
• The Regency Ballroom in the Comfort Inn & Suites
• Trinchero Family Estates Wines
• Two Henrys
• Two Spear Street
• Union Restaurant & Bar Latino
• VeeV Spirits, Wasabi, WJ Deutsch & Sons Ltd.
• Women of the Vine
• Woody's Parkside Grill

 
Chefs and owners of 38 of the area’s best restaurants are on hand to prepare and serve signature dishes and another 12 showcase their finest desserts. Included is a sampling of fine wines, spirits and craft beers.

“The restaurateurs and beverage companies donate their time, talents and all of the delicious food,” said ARC of Rockland Executive Director Karyl Caplan. “The silent auction gifts are also donated. The people who make this event happen, including the men and women who attend the Taste, are making a positive contribution to people with developmental disabilities. This isn’t just a sampling of fine food and fine wines. It’s a taste of friendship and generosity. The people involved in this event truly have good hearts.”
 
Joe Lepore, co-owner of Confetti Ristorante in Piermont, participated in the event for the first time last year.

“I think it is one of the best events for food In Rockland. People who don't' get to restaurants too often have a chance to try dishes from many restaurants, and the owners of restaurants who don't' get a chance to see each other much during the year have a chance to get together and  taste whatever we're showcasing,” said Lepore. “The Taste is good for future business. It’s a lot of fun. I think it’s an unbelievable event and a great charity. I'm happy that we can be a part of it and deliver our encore."
 
Bruce A. Werntz, Director of Catering at Mt. Fuji in Hillburn, will debut in A Taste of Rockland this year.

“This is our first year in the Taste and we're still playing around with what we will serve. I think people can most likely expect us to be presenting our signature sushi and hibachi. We're really looking forward to it. It’s a good opportunity to get out there and meet people," he said.

"What I like about the Taste is the sense of community, the camaraderie and the purpose of our being there.  I feel like I am contributing—doing something good for my community," said Jim Guarasci, owner of Jimmy's on Main in Nanuet. "It’s a great, great event. I'm very excited about it."

ARC of Rockland began planning this event a year ago, right after the ended.

"This is a great event, everyone is so generous in their donations and everyone really enjoys it," said Caplan.

ARC, based in Congers and with a staff of 650, provides supports and services to more than 1,200 people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities from infancy through the senior years. ARC is also a resource for information and referral about support and services.

• Date: Monday, Sept. 26
• Time: 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Hilton Pearl River, 500 Veterans Memorial Highway
• Benefit: ARC of Rockland, to support its programs and services for people in Rockland with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families
• Dress: Cocktail attire recommended
• Tickets: $150 ($110 tax deductible), purchase securely online at www.arcofrockland.org or call 845.267.2500 ext. 3118. Visit Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Taste-of-Rockland