Edible Winter Warm-up: glorious free foodie-fest at L Haus Condos

Manducatis Rustica’s cookies & cheesecakes at the Edible Winter Warm-up, LIC

With their RSVP list maxed out and then some, Edible Queens Magazine packed LIC’s L Haus Condo with hungry foodies this past Sunday afternoon for their very first event: an Edible Winter Warm-up. In addition to rounding up a group of local restaurants and food vendors for free tastings, the event also featured a book signing with the Astoria-based authors of “Forking Fantastic!”, a panel discussion about the Queens food scene, live jazz from LIC’s Steve Blanco Trio, and the kickoff of a month-long canned food drive at L Haus for local organization Hour Children.

LIC Market preparing carrots and tapenade at the Edible Winter Warm-up, LIC

Among the vendors were sweets from This Chick Bakes, good ol’ Stumptown coffee from none other than Sweetleaf, and also Astoria’s Bareburger, who unfortunately couldn’t bring their exotic patties along but did offer up some tasty organic milkshakes, brownies, and blondies. Vernon Blvd’s own Manducatis Rustica also broke out an array of sweets in addition to some savories like escarole pie and lentil & wild mushroom soup. Pestos With Panache and Dolce Nonna were also in attendance peddling their wares, and even the anticipated newcomer LIC Market was on hand to introduce themselves to the crowd before their March/April opening on 44th Dr. They served up dainty Fig Mostarda with Maytag bleu cheese as well as Tapenade with carrots and watercress, and guests received their own nicely packaged little jars of the Fig Mostarda and Tapenade to take home.

Edible Queens editor Leah McLaughlin introducing the Queens food panel, LIC

Later in the afternoon, the panel – intently observed by a room crammed with listeners (and sometimes hardy commenters..) – was moderated by food writer Joe DiStefano, who also writes Edible Queens’ new blog. Sounding off on their Queens food faves were “Forking Fantastic!” co-author Zora O’Neill, award-winning food writer Josh Ozersky, NYT food writer and “Eating in Translation” blogger Dave Cook, and Top Chef’s Lee Anne Wong. Cheers to Edible Queens for a well-attended and tasty first event – and, of course, props for keepin’ it local.

• Edible Queens Magazine [Website]
• L Haus Condo [Website]
• Edible Winter Warm-up recap [Edible Queens]
• Joe DiStefano’s recap of the Queens food scene panel [Edible Queens]
• liQcity’s Edible Winter Warm-up photo set [Flickr]