For those that would have loved to take a culinary trip around the world but couldn’t afford the air fare, Thursday’s A Taste of Hoboken was the place to be. The annual event, a fundraiser for the local YMCA, was a food-lover’s dream where more than 700 people from Hoboken and Hudson County sampled delectable delights from more than 40 restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops.
“The Taste of Hoboken has become one of the biggest events of the community calendar,” said Rick Evans, who sits on the YMCA’s Board of Directors. The event annually raises over $50,000 for the Y. “Not only is a social event, but it gives people a great opportunity to sample food from the city’s best and most respected restaurants.”
Now in its 16th year, it has become one of the most popular social gatherings in Hoboken. Originally, the Hoboken North Hudson YMCA’s Board of Directors thought up the plans for establishing a fundraiser that would showcase the town’s restaurants. As a result, A Taste of Hoboken was born, and began very modestly with the support of a few eateries. When Taste of Hoboken first started, it was held in the gymnasium of the YMCA on Washington Street and only 150 people attended the first taste.
But as Hoboken’s reputation for having a diverse selection of excellent restaurants continues to grow, so does the popularity of the YMCA’s A Taste of Hoboken.
“This is an event that just keeps getting better every year,” said Dave Carney, the owner of the Madison Bar and Grill. “[The taste] offers a true cross section the city’s culinary diversity.”
Some of the restaurants that participated in this years taste were Amanda’s at 908 Washington St, La Scala at 159 14th St., Company at 86 Garden St, Ganache at 1300 Clinton St., Oddfellows Rest Louisiana Bar and Restaurant at 80 River St., Frankie and Johnny’s On the Waterfront at 163 14th St., Ali Baba at 912 Washington St., Vale Restaurant at 832 Washington St., Margarita’s Café at 740 Washington St., Maxwell’s Bar and Restaurant at 1039 Washington St., Sparrow Wine and Liquor at 126 Washington St. and 1224 Shipyard Lane, La Isla at 104 Washington St., Amanda’s at 908 Washington St., Three A’s Bar and Grill at 500 Grand St., Leo’s Grandevous at 200 Grand St., Madison Bar and Grill at 1316 Washington St., Anthony David’s Gourmet Specialties at 953 Bloomfield St., Starbucks at 1205 Hudson St., Liberty Bar and Grill at 61-63 14th St., and Kings Fresh Ideas Supermarket at 1212 Shipyard Lane and Wolfgang Puck Express at 100 Sinatra Drive.
This year’s major sponsors included Palisades Medical Center, The Hoboken Reporter, Applied Development Corporation, Fresh Ideas Kings, Haven Savings Bank, Metro Homes, St. Mary Hospital, Hudson United Bank and PNC Bank.
All for the Y
The Taste of Hoboken is the local YMCA’s biggest and most successful fundraiser. The YMCA was established in the mile-square city in 1927. Since its arrival, it has provided athletic, recreational and community programs for area residents.
Located at 1301 Washington St., the YMCA has become an important part of the mile-square city. Last year they awarded 21 children with summer camp scholarships, 14 children with after-school scholarships, and 41 memberships to low-income families.
All of the proceeds from the evening went toward maintaining the Hoboken North Hudson YMCA’s mission of providing services to the community.