Yelp Brooklyn Presents: Summerfest!

The summer of '12 is sure to be epic, and last week Yelp Brooklyn kicked it off right with the hottest event around. Literally. With temperatures reaching a record-breaking 98 degrees, New Yorkers needed the breeze of the Brooklyn waterfront, and Summerfest delivered. We don't think Nick Lachey made it out, but over tons of NYC yelpers checked into the gorgeous Liberty Warehouse in Red Hook to sample some of Brooklyn's best restaurants, indulge in an adult beverage or three and revel in all sorts of summer fun. Check the amazing video here from Man With a Cam, and read on below for more details… 

Brooklyn's finest arrived in style thanks to the New York Water Taxi's special shuttle (among other transportation options), and were treated to a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline and the sun setting beside the Statue of Liberty. Once inside, yelpers were in for two floors of scrumptious summer samples. As DeShaun C said, "The entire event will have to be committed to the Yelp Asylum for the Deliciously Disturbed." Some started off with the succulent shrimp toast from amazing Aussie eatery The Sunburnt Calf BK, others flocked to the (five-hundred!) fresh-shucked oysters from Littleneck and the mind-blowingly creamy sausage polenta courtesy of The Saint Austere.  DuMont's delightful white gazpacho with cucumbers and almonds won over many a partygoer, and Lara G insisted Benchmark's pork parfait was the most dazzling dish of the night.

 The tasty treats didn't end there! There was magnificent crawfish Maque Choux from Tchoup Shop, the most succulent brisket sliced fresh from Mable's Smokehouse and chilled corn and crab soup courtesy of Kiwiana. Sips & Bites had an awesome array of eats including mini-meatloaf sammies and cookies. Similarly sweet, the legendary Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory kept cones coming for all, and the sea salt brownies from Robicelli's rocked the yelpers' world. Super Wings NY put out an impressive spread including award-winning ginger and tamarind options; as Jaimie L attests, "these wings are the truth." And of course, two of the best food trucks in town posted up on the patio: it wouldn't be summer in Red Hook without official mini lobster bruschetta from The Red Hook Lobster Pound, and Korilla killed it, offering up their entire incredible menu and serving 'til long after the sun went down!

It wasn't just eats at Summerfest! Heartland Brewery's beer was free-flowing with five different options available including the crowd-pleasing Summertime Apricot Ale. The crack Liberty Warehouse bar staff was slangin' seasonal cocktails from Effen Vodka, Red Stag and Skinny Girl, while wine from Pass the Bottle circled the room. In this heat, hydration from Hint Water was more than necessary, and it washed down all the snacks from Perky Jerky (jerk suits and all!), Kind, PopChips, and Popcorn Indiana quite well. DJ Marvilous was on the 1s and 2s getting the crowd moving, and the patio peeps relaxed to the sounds of City Rain and Bern and the Brights firing off sizzling sets on the patio.  

Don’t believe everything I'm telling you? Read the reviews (and add your own if you were there)! Make sure you check out all the photos from Melanie Fidler, the photobooth shots from BK Booth, and what people are saying on Talk. There's still time to donate even more to our worthy charitable partner, the NYC Coalition Against Hunger.

By the way – have you connected with YelpBrooklyn on Twitter or Facebook yet? Downloaded the mobile app? What are you waiting for? Summer has officially started, and how else are you going to find out about the best of Brooklyn…

Until next time, keep those reviews coming, and we'll see you on Yelp!

Cheers,
Peter D and the rest of the NYC Yelp Team