NYC Wine & Food 2011: Grand Tasting

Grand tastings are usually pretty much that—a large area, usually a tent or a gritty warehouse space, lined with and endless supply of tastes. It's all very grand. At this year's New York City Wine and Food Festival, over 100 restaurants, wines and spirit brands presented their goods in a marathon 7-hour session. I'm pretty sure people were in for the long haul. They are still there as I write! I lasted 90 minutes and tried some dishes from all over the culinary spectrum—Tuscany, Oaxaca, Bangkok, France, Cupcakeland. Here are some highlights: