The Real Fun Happens After Dark

The NYC Wine & Food Festival gets off to a strong start, with Chelsea Market After Dark bringing out the city's food intelligensia. Among last night's highlights: The chocolatey goodness cooked up by Jacques Torres (below). For slideshow, click here.

Erotic, Hypnotic

The National Arts Club showed off its lusty side last night (who knew?) during a night devoted to the study of eroticism. Hosted by artist Annika Connor and designer Danielle Schachter, the evening featured theatercraft, music, visual art and even an exploration of chocolate as an aphrodisiac. Engaging just about every sense (with the excpetion of touch) the salon was designed to titllate, and did not disappoint. Capping off the evening with Champagne and "Love Potion" bon bons by chocolatier Jacques Torres, the night's guests could not help but exit the Gramercy Park landmark feeling a little frisky. Anyone who didn't clearly wasn't paying attention.

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(Image at left is a portrait by photographer Sol Lang.)

All in Good Taste

Lever House, the New York restaurant treasure that looks as though it was lifted from an episode of Mad Men, was positively buzzing tonight, as delectable food and wines were passed—along with a healthy dose of animated conversation—during Share Our Strength's annual New York dinner. Host chef Bradford Thompson was joined in the kitchen by Anita Lo, Terrance Brennan, Jacques Torres, Marc Murphy, Alain Allegretti and Michael Laskonis, all of whom donated their time preparing a sumptuous series of courses (paired with wines donated by Empire Merchants) to titillate the palates of patrons who had paid $1,000 or more per ticket. Patron proceeds, combined with funds raised during silent and live auctions, will be used to further the charity's goal of eradicating childhood hunger in America by 2015. Dubbed "A Tasteful Pursuit," the evening was the kick-off for a series of similar nights that will be held around the country throughout the year, in cities including Palm Beach, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. Quoting Mother Teresa, Share Our Strength director Billy Shore expressed why he believes that goal to be attainable: "If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt—only more love."

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Strength in Numbers

Share Our Strength, the charity organization created to battle childhood hunger in America, held the New York outing of its "Tasteful Pursuit" dinner series at Terrence Brennan's Artisanal restaurant last night, raising $110,000 for a group that has achieved phenomenal success since its founding, in 1984. More recently, since launching its initiative to eliminate childhood hunger four years ago, it has served more than 40 million meals and taught nutrition to in excess of 200,000 students. Part of a continuing slate of Share Our Strength dinners around the country, last evening's menu was prepared by host chef Brennan as well as chefs David Burke (David Burke and Donatella); James Beard Award winner Bradford Thompson; Aáron Sanchez, (Centrico and Paladar); chocolatier Jacques Torres; and pastry chef Deborah Racicot (Gotham Bar and Grill). The series, which is sponsored by Lexus and the Balvenie whisky, continues through September, with local talent in Washington, D.C., Nashville, Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas and Boston next on the list for delightful dining for a good cause.