City-wide: Last September, more than 100 restaurants in the greater New York City area offered their services for Dine Out Irene, a community effort to help provide relief funding for local farms devastated by Hurricane Irene. The profits have been totaled, and New York City residents helped raise nearly $50,000 for the charity. Way to go. [Grub Street]
Lower East Side: Antibes Bistro received its full liquor license and has launched a cocktail menu, featuring such concoctions as the Frida, which has Herradura Silver, honey-lemon syrup, cilantro, orange essence; A Clinton Affair, with Tanqueray, celery, lime juice, pink peppercorn; and classics like the Last Word (Tanqueray, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, Lime Juice). [Grub Street]
Grotto, known for its sprawling gem of a garden, wants to install sailboat sails to keep the outdoors open during rain, and they’re asking for donations to do it. Anyone who contributes to the cause can qualify for free drinks, meals, and even mixology lessons. [Lucky Ant]
Midtown: The International Association of Culinary Professionals will host its annual conference tonight at the WYNC’s Jerome L. Greene performance space in the Empire State Building. This year’s discussion examines the relationship between food and fashion and will be moderated by food writer Peter Kaminsky. The panel will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. [Eater]
Noho: Much-anticipated market-driven Italian trattoria, Perla, will open tonight under rising star Chef Michael Toscano, who will be serving up lobster and caviar with robiolina and leek vinaigrette; agnolotti al sugo d’arrosto (stuffed pasta with roast-meat drippings); and guinea hen with Brussels sprouts and foie gras sugo, among other specialties. Toscano has most recently gained recognition for his direction at Manzo and Babbo. [Eater]
SoHo: Eat Drink MoMA, a celebration of Mexican cuisine and the work of painter Diego Rivera, will take place at Cafe 2 on Wednesday, March 28. Chef Lynn Bound’s Mexican-inspired menu will include Chicken and Vegetable Sopes; Braised Duck with Oaxacan Mole; and Lemon Corn Cake with Blackberries and Sweet Cream. Dishes will be accompanied by Mexican wines. Tickets are $195 per person, and $170 for members; call 212-333-1220 for reservations. [MoMA]
Tribeca: Heritage Radio Hosts will celebrate over 100 shows and counting with great food and drink, including artisan spirits, craft beers, and wine; farmstead cheeses; heritage bean dishes from Cayuga Pure Organics; chocolate curated by Clay Gordon; heritage pork cooked in maple sap, and more on Wednesday March 21 at Santos Party House. Tickets are $50 per person. [Brown Paper Tickets]
