Now’s your chance to sample Central Brooklyn’s unique cuisine at Crown Heights’ first “Tastes of Franklin Avenue” food crawl.
Crown Heights’ food scene is electric, and chefs from top eateries — from the Michelin-rated Chavela’s to the classic Mayfield and authentic Caribbean-themed Island CZ — will be offering tastes and drinks to support a good cause.
The foodie frolic takes place on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. on Franklin Avenue north of Eastern Parkway, near the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
“This is our first-ever event in Central Brooklyn east of Prospect Park,” Tastes of Brooklyn Director Nancy Katz told the Brooklyn Eagle. Given Crown Heights’ diverse population, “We’re highlighting the cultural richness of Brooklyn” for food lovers who have not yet discovered the scene.
“Crawls are a great way to draw people to a neighborhood they might never go to otherwise. Now they get to check it out,” Katz said. Roughly 18 restaurants are participating.
Restaurants along the crawl are also offering mixed drinks that bring the flavors of the Caribbean, including sorrel, to Tastes of Brooklyn.
Island CZ is serving a libation called African Rose. “It’s hibiscus inspired,” Katz said.
Like previous Tastes of Brooklyn food crawls (past events have sampled the restaurants of Gowanus, Williamsburg, Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill), Sunday’s stroll includes live music (starting at 2 p.m.). It also features a block party between Park and Sterling Places from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free soccer and tennis for the kids. The Crow Hill Crafts Fair, at Franklin Street and Sterling Place, takes place from 12-6 p.m.
The event not only features delightful munchies, but it benefits local children, Katz said. The money raised from the festival will go to a nonprofit called Seeds in the Middle, which Katz directs.
“We work in food deserts, fighting obesity and malnutrition. Cooks come into schools and cook healthy meals at the same cost as a fast-food combo,” she said. The areas in which the organization works are “swamped with fast food and liquor stores.”
Children will be manning the “Hip2Be Healthy Market” at the crawl, where they will be making fresh snacks, snow cones and lemonade. Funds will also go towards Crown Heights youth soccer and basketball.
Tastings start at four tastes for $20. Buy tickets at tastesofbrooklyn.com, and pick up more as you stroll.
