A Taste of Rockland Promises To Be A Five-Star Culinary Extravaganza

The 18th Annual A Taste of Rockland on Monday, Sept. 23 considered as the area’s only five-star culinary extravaganza will feature signature foods from chefs and owners of 39 restaurants.

Proceeds from A Taste of Rockland ticket sales benefit people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities who receive services through ARC of Rockland.  The event, which is ARC’s premier fundraiser, encompasses the main level of the Hilton Pearl River and begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

Chefs and owners of 39 of local restaurants, including Restaurant X, Marcello’s, Union, Hudson Water Club, Wasabi, Pasta Cucina of Stony Point, The Hudson House of Nyack, The ’76 House, Bella Gianna’s, Restaurant 1915 and Blue Roof Tapas Bar at Bear Mountain Inn, Giulio’s, Two Spear Street and Del'Arte, will prepare and serve their signature dishes. Another 12 will showcase their finest desserts, including newcomers: 8 North Broadway in Nyack, Crowne Plaza of Suffern, Hudson Valley Cakery of Valley Cottage and Baked by Angels of Pearl River.

Tickets are all inclusive for unlimited tastings of food and beverages. They cost $150 each with $110 tax deductible. Purchase tickets by calling ARC of Rockland at 845.267.2500 ext. 3118 or visit www.arcofrockland.org and purchase online via PayPal.

“We are proud to be in our 18th consecutive year and to present the area’s only five-star culinary event that’s truly one of a kind,” said Carmine Marchionda, ARC of Rockland executive director. “The restaurants and all of our participants generously donate their time and menu of delectable foods and beverages – many for all 18 years.”

Doors open promptly at 6 p.m. and guests are treated to tastings of 14 restaurants in the kickoff hour and their choice of seven beers, 19 wines and various cocktails. While savoring the dishes guests can bid on silent auction items. 

At 7 p.m. guests are invited into the Hilton’s grand ballroom where 23 restaurants will have prepared their signature dishes for the main event. Each guest is assigned a reserved seat at tables of 10 and 12. The “Dessert Showcase” in the Conservatory Room features 12 dessert purveyors offering sweet samplings from 8:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 ARC’s 18th Annual A Taste of Rockland participants:

Entrees: Alain's French Bistro & Alain's Wine and Tapas, American Burrito, Antoine McGuire's Oyster & Ale House, At Your Service NY , Banchetto Feast, Bella Gianna's, Blind Boar Bar-B-Que, Commissary Restaurant, Confetti Ristorante, Crowne Plaza Suffern, Del'Arte Family Ristorante, 8 North Broadway,  Giulio's, Hudson Water Club, Italiana’s, Jimmy’s on Main, Marcello's  Ristorante, Maura’s Kitchen, Mt. Fuji, Pasta Cucina of Stony Point, Pomona Chophouse, Ravi Continental Cuisine, Restaurant 1915 and Blue Roof Tapas Bar at Bear Mountain Inn,  Restaurant X & Bully Boy Bar, The ‘76 House, The Filling Station, The Hudson House of Nyack, The Market Eatery, The Porter House Restaurant, The Regency Ballroom in the Comfort Inn  & Suites, The Turn, Two Henrys, Two Spear Street, Union Restaurant & Bar Latino and Wasabi.

Beverages: Southern Wine & Spirits, Trinchero Family Estates Wines, Absolut Vodka, Manhattan Beer Distributors, New York Wine & Spirits and Defiant Brewing Company.     

Desserts: Alain's French Bistro, Aunt Mia's Sweets, Baked by Angels, Carousel Cakes, Cookie Girl, Dingman’s Dairy, Hudson Valley Cakery,  Just Buns, Matisse Chocolatier, Patisserie  Didier Dumas, Rockland Bakery and The Hudson House of Nyack.

More details about the event are available at the A Taste of Rockland Facebook page. The ARC Foundation of Rockland, Inc., sponsors a Taste of Rockland along with premier sponsors MindWorks, Aetna, Med World Pharmacy and Chestnut Ridge Transportation.

ARC of Rockland was founded 59 years ago and now provides programs and services to 1,000 people throughout Rockland County including Early Intervention Services, a preschool and day care; special program emphasizing Applied Behavior Analysis for preschool and school age children with autism; school-age program for elementary, junior high school and high school age students with autism; year round teen activities; employment training and job placement; residential opportunities, family support services and a senior citizen center