More than a dozen local restaurants set up shop at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Port Washington Sunday to serve up their specialty foods to scores of hungry taste testers.
The Kiwanis Club of Manhasset-Port Washington hosted the 3rd annual Taste of the Town with the help of a number of local sponsors.
Area officials could also be spotted around the room, including North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, North Hempstead Town Clerk Wayne Wink and Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson.
There was entertainment for people of all ages. Children could enjoy balloon animals twisted up by Port Washington Chamber of Commerce Co-president Mitch Schwartz as well as a face painting station and a cotton candy machine. For adults, there was a wine tasting and classic rock performed by Porch Light LITE.
Adults took to the dance floor when the band played a cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.
Hannah and Sophie Roth, Port Washington twins and Schreiber High School seniors, were collecting plastic bottle caps for an environmentally conscious mural they are helping to create at their high school. As a statement on global warming, the mural will depict an hourglass containing a dwindling earth and be comprised entirely of plastic bottle caps.
Despite their busy schedule, the twins did try some food, which can sometimes be a challenge due to their vegetarian diets.
Their favorites were the eggplant parmesan from Umberto’s and the pear salad from Wild Honey in Port Washington.
Among the other restaurants that participated in Taste of the Town were Secrets of Flight, Cactus Cafe, Dominick’s Deli, Stresa and Ayhan’s Shish Kebab.
Jeffrey Stone, lieutenant governor of Kiwanis Long Island North Division, said it was great to see so many of the local restaurants that participated.
He said he started the event with “the whole intent of helping out restaurants in their slow time.”
He envisions the Taste of the Town as a meet-and-greet where locals can come and be introduced to what may be their new favorite restaurant.
Stone said this year the bash drew about 150 attendees. The profits from the event will sustain Kiwanis’ ability to support various children causes throughout Port Washington and Manhasset throughout the year.
Next year the club plans to go even bigger, he said, by incorporating a dessert table and offering Girl Scout cookies.
Stone said the Port Washington-Manhasset Kiwanis Club is “upping our game to be a more active partner with Port Washington and Manhasset.”
