201417 Wed May 21 12:32:33 -0700 2003 2 18 Manhattan 0 1074194 I just called the info. number and apparently this is taking place today despite the rain. Has anyone been yet? Wed May 21 12:32:33 -0700 2003 0 rockin-good 1 1074225 I went. While the Wall Street crowd was flocking to Captain Ketch for crab cakes on a bun and Kitchenette for vanilla sprinkle cake (????), I breezed right over to Danube (no line) for a superb Viennese Beef Goulash with new York State Wild Ramp Spaetzle. The huge hunk of beef was so tender, as was the spaetzle. The line in front of Harry's at Hanover Square was understandably long, the prime sirloin steak on bagette looked monstrous and luscious. I was too busy with my merguez sandwich from Les Halles. Is granite the new dessert fad? It seems like everyone is messing up a perfectly good dessert with that slop. Bouley topped their white chocolate mousse with strawberries, rhubarb and strawberry granite. I finished up with a very nice chocolate eclair from Financier, a lovely French bakery on Stone Street. I've loved every single soup I've ever had there. A really nice event, very much like a Taste of Tribeca. Too bad it was raining. Wed May 21 14:58:55 -0700 2003 1074194 0 Abbylovi 2 1074258 I went too- I worked it! The rain obviously was a deterrant, and most of us went home with half of the 750 portions we had to make...ugh! I was surprised by some of the dishes people were serving as signature itmes, although maybe they are- grilled chicken on a roll? Wha? I was looking for things that show me why a chef is a chef and I am not a chef...but, with all due respect, everyone was trying with the help of The Downtown ALliance(amazing organization) to promote their place and right on! I managed to try some of the chow that my husband so kindly plopped on my table while I was working- I tried Bouley -unbelievablly delicious white chocolate mousse with strawberry granite and rhubarb- I loved the granite, it added a tiny bit of texture to the creaminess of the mousse, which was perfect. The eclairs were very nice from Financier (new bakery) and had some ravioli from L'orto- a nice sized "plump" stuffed with meat with some great cheesy-tomato sauce and the Thai steak with Jalapeno Vinagrette from Vine was tender and balanced - a bit spicy but not overpowering. Of course I drank a Fizzy Lizzy- that great juice/sparkler from Liz-pineapple and the ruby-red grapefruit. whoever came -thanks for supporting downtown!!! These food events are incredible and watching people at them, ravenous, multiple plates in hand is half the fun for me- Wed May 21 17:06:53 -0700 2003 1074225 0 niki le bouquin