UNION SQUARE — Pumpkin empanadas, whiskey truffles and more are on the way to Union Square.
Union Square Partnership is hosting its 18th annual Harvest in the Square event on Tuesday, inviting ticketholders to sample seasonal dishes and drinks from 50 local restaurants and 20 wineries.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to highlight the strength of Union Square’s restaurant community and to raise funds for programs made available in the park,” said Jennifer Falk, executive director of the partnership.
The participating restaurants include 5 Napkin Burger, Blue Smoke, Dos Caminos, Craft, Kickerbocker Bar & Grill, Republic, Steak Frites, BLT Fish and Union Square Ballroom.
First-time participants this year include Singl Lounge, The Fourth, Breads Bakery and Quatrieme Espresso Bar, Falk said.
Chef Ivy Stark from Dos Caminos Park will serve pumpkin empanadas with apple mole, the Fourth’s chef Michael Davis will cook a rabbit porchetta with smoked bacon and summer squash lasagna and chef Armando Mendz of Singl Lounge will offer whiskey truffles.
All participating restaurants are encouraged to use ingredients from the Union Square Greenmarket to create their dishes, Falk said.
“Restaurants will have their executive chefs available to chat with guests about the menu and what they have back at their restaurants,” she said.
The entertainment will include a performance by the National Attitude and a photo booth.
All festivities will take place at the north end of the park, near 16th Street and Union Square West.
General admission tickets, which cover unlimited food and drink, cost $125 each, while VIP tickets cost $400 each and include early admission and special food and drink offerings.
VIP guests are admitted at 6 p.m. on Sept. 17. The event is open to general admission at 7:30 p.m. The harvest will end at 9 p.m., so early attendance is recommended, Falk said.
“I promise no one will go home hungry,” she said.
