A Somm On Somms

Eater brings us this great interview with Paul Grieco, the man behind the wines at Terroir.  He runs us through the changes he's seen in New York City's wine world since he moved here in '91 and started working at Gramercy Tavern.

When asked what it feels like to have someone look at his wine list and not recognize a single thing on it, he says, "That makes me feel good. That makes you feel uncomfortable. I realize I am in the hospitality industry so I know making you uncomfortable shouldn't be a goal, but if I am going to do that then it is my charge to take you by the hand and educate you. Find a way to drink and eat what we're doing so that at the end of the experience you're satisfied, but you can also say, "Fuck, I learned something too."

You'll be able to catch him, and his goatee, at The Great Googa Mooga next month.  An Extra Mooga ticket will get you access to the Spiegel Tent, where Grieco and Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery Brew Master, will host a chat about wine vs. beer.

Great Googa Music

So it's all in.  The wine, the food, the fame, and now the music has been revealed that will soundtrack the two day food festival May 19th and 20th in Prospect Park.  The news comes to us after some anticipation, and with a few exceptions, i.e. The Roots, Charles Bradley, and Hall and Oats (!), hands are left palms down and wiggling back and forth.

Performances start at noon both days and end at 8:30 Saturday and 7:30 Sunday.  Two stages will host the bands and there are still artists to be announced.  Did someone say Paul Simon?

I Say Googa, You Say Mooga

The Great Googa Mooga is getting closer and there's been a few more restaurants added to the roster.  Craft, Num Pang, Pok Pok Wing, and Dinosaur BBQ, who has a location opening next year at 604 Union Street in Brooklyn, will be feeding the masses May 19th and 20th.  General Admission tickets sold out in just a few hours when they became open to the public a couple of weeks ago, but all inclusive Extra Mooga tickets are still available for $249. 

The Wine Experience was also announced last week and includes a 120 foot tent and over 100 wines.  Paul Grieco, of Hearth and Terroir, will be on hand with other NYC sommeliers as part of an "Ask the Sommelier" station.