(NYC) Fighting cancer with music...and mezcal
*This post was written by The Style Gourmande and edited/formatted by The Lunch Belle. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs were captured by The Style Gourmande.*
Yellowchair - a free, membership-based social media network for foodies - collaborates with chefs, restaurants, interesting venues and brands to create one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Members have access to curated dinners, tastings, private events and culinary adventures making it the perfect backdrop for “Dinner with NEW friends.” And the ideal sponsor for last week's agave-infused dinner at Casa Mezcal, hosted by Corey Wade (third place finisher and first homosexual male contestant on America's Next Top Model, musician, TV personality, and LGBT spokesperson) and Sound Affect, a platform that partners with celebrity musical artists to promote their appraoch to revolutionizing the war on cancer. Pretty cool, eh?
Our famous - and gorgeous - musical entertainment for the eve: Corey Wade (Photo courtesy of Yellowchair)Casa Mezcal is a modern and eclectic Mexican restaurant located in Manhattan's super hip Lower East Side neighborhood. And, given its name, the perfect venue for a mezcal-fueled dinner!
We were given 2 types of mezcal to sample: Los Amantes (thrice distilled) and Santa Pedrera (twice distilled). While each version of the spirit delivered the traditional smoky flavor and aroma, the Santa Pedrera‘s notes were much heavier - or shall I say fuerte!
Chapulines estilo Oaxaca
Aside from the chips and salsa/guacamole, the first dish to be presented was the "Chapulines estilo Oaxaca" (Translation: Toasted grasshoppers seasoned with salt and lime). I could only bring myself to eat one. It wasn't that the insect tasted bad...I just couldn't get over what I was eating!! And that crunch! (Squirm!)
Grasshoppers!!!
Queso con Yerbasanta
The second dish we were served was the Queso con Yerbasanta (Translation: pan fried cheese wrapped in santa herb and served atop tomatillo sauce with tortilla on the side). As a self-professed cheese'oholic, I could not have been happier.
Entertainment
Post dinner, Cory Wade was our entertainment for the night! He sang tons of awesome cover songs and had the most sultry voice. After his performance, he sat down with us and had a few shots of mezcal!
