20th Annual Taste of Times Square, NYC

The Times Square Alliance announced the return of the 20^th annual Taste of Times Square, an outdoor food and music extravaganza featuring international flavors from the district’s top restaurants and the city’s bands and best street performers at the Crossroads of the World. More than 50 of Times Square’s most popular culinary destinations will set up booths on the street to offer “tastes” of their finest, most popular and in some cases unusual dishes – most for under $5 – on Monday, June 3^rd from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Attendees will also enjoy live entertainment from New York City’s top street performers and select bands, including award-winning vocalists, jazz ensembles and Broadway performers.

The event, which annually draws thousands of music lovers and foodies, will be held on 46th Street between Broadway and 9thAvenue, including historic Restaurant Row, and on the Broadway Plazas from 45th to 47th Streets in Times Square.

“Taste of Times Square brings together the best of the best when it comes to cuisine, allowing us to put together an incredible, eclectic food experience in Times Square – everything from Spanish paella to New Orleans jambalaya to Argentina empanadas,” said Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance. “And this year, we’ve added some of the city’s top street performers and other musical performances, so it will be an amazing, global block party for the whole city to enjoy.”

Notable newcomers to the food festival this year include: Bareburger, Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar,  Jekyll and Hyde Club, La Pulperia, Lillie’s, Playwright Celtic Pub and Shake Shack.

Participating restaurants include Barbetta Restaurant, Becco, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, B. Smith’s, Blue Fin, Bourbon Street Bar & Grille, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Buca di Beppo, Carmine’s, Da Rosina, Dervish Mediterranean Restaurant, E&E Grill House, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Firebird Restaurant, Gallagher’s Steak House, Ginger’s Restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe New York, Havana Central Restaurant & Bar, Hourglass Tavern, The House of Brews, Joe Allen Restaurant, John’s Pizzeria, Junior’s Restaurant, Le Rivage, Meson Sevilla, Nios Restaurant, Nuchas, O’Lunney’s Times Square Pub, Orso, Palm West Restaurant, Paramount Bar & Grill, Patzerias Perfect Pizza, Planet Hollywood, Rickshaw Dumpling Bar, Ruby Foo’s, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Sangria 46, Shula’s Steakhouse, Snackbox, Sofia’s, Toloache, The View Restaurant & Lounge, Virgil’s Real Barbecue, and more.

The Iridium Entertainment Tent will feature top talent from Iridium and Ellen’s Stardust Diner, including The Les Paul Trio, and Terese Genecco & Her Little Big Band, The Copa Boys, and Ellen’s famous Stardusters.

The Les Paul Trio, comprised of award winning Lou Pallo on guitar, John Coliani on piano and Nicki Parrott on bass, continues to keep Les Paul’s music and memory alive by performing every Monday night at The Iridium with featured special guests including some of the country’s best known guitar legends. The Copa Boys featuring Jimmy Cargill, Tony Apicella and Sonny Von Murray with  special guests, The Stardusters and Musical Director Barry Levitt. They will be joined on stage by the talented Ellen’s Stardusters who have appeared on and off Broadway, American Idol and more.

The multi-award winning, multi-talented vocalist, bandleader Terese Genecco is currently the longest running nightclub act on Broadway, appearing as a headliner at The Iridium every month for more than 72 performances since her opening in March 2009. Genecco is the recipient of two MAC awards and named one of the Top Ten Best Cabaret shows or the year by Time Out New York Magazine. Ms. Genecco’s music is deeply rooted in the 1950’s -60’s the colorful last gasp of the of era of swinging’ lovers, and as such, draws equally from Louis Prima, Sammy Davis, Ray Charles and Elvis.

Highlighted street musicians provided by Hard Rock Cafe New York include Mariachi Real De Mexico, Maestro Moses Josiah playing his musical saw, Paul Mueller with a hammered dulcimer, Baby Soda Jazz Band, The Jazz Collective, classical guitarist Don Witter, Jr., and The Ebony Hillbillies performing bluegrass.

Other entertainment locations include: the Drum Café, an interactive African drumming circle where attendees are part of the show.

The food and music festival, organized by the Times Square Alliance, has no admission fee.   Each “taste” ticket is $1 with most dishes ranging from $1 to $6.  Tickets will be available for purchase in advance at the Times Square Museum and Visitor Center on 7^th Ave. between 46^th and 47^th Streets and on the day of event, as well as at the Official NYC Information Center – Midtown on 7th Avenue between 52nd & 53^rd. For more information, visit ww.TimesSquareNYC.org/Taste.

Participants are encouraged to take photos via Instagram and tag them with #TasteTSq. Follow @TimesSquareNYC on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TimesSquareNYC  or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/TimesSquareNYC.