Notes: Epic Farm Feast Upstate
Just as the New York summer heat gives way to the light breeze and fresh colors of fall, friends gather at restauranteur and my dear buddy Carlos' second annual Upstate Pig Roast at his welcoming home & farm. This year draws a similar intimate circle of friends, children and dogs as last year to celebrate the recent 1st harvest of Rosemary's Farm, the natural extension of Carlos' Greenwich Village rooftop farm-to-table restaurant.
Guests arriving on this clear autumn solstice are greeted with a welcome cocktail by the red barn for their short walk to the pool where more Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta fine bubbles and cocktails await along with Rosemary's assortment of salumi, an impressive wheel of Parmiggiano courtesy of the consortium, and colorful crudite arrangement from the farm. Children and dogs run around freely and conversation and laughter fill the air.
Farmer Jill shows curious guests around the farm and answers questions about the harvest while other guests peruse the curated silent auction lots from which proceeds will go to a new tractor for the farm. Items include airfare for two to Tokyo and dinner at Rosemary's outpost there, dinner for two at Le Bernardin, a weekend upstate, dinner party for 10 guests at Rosemary's and many more exciting experiences.
To the other side of the house, the long table is set for 80 and linen napkins and Rosemary's menus are meticulously laid out for each guest. Chef Wade Moses of Rosemary's Enoteca & Trattoria has prepared a whole pig cooked in a Caja China roasting box and a tasty assortment of favorites from Rosemary's verdure dishes and signature pasta. Lunch is served!
Over a feast of fine wine and food across the long farm table old friends catch up and new friendships develop. As the colorful Hudson Valley sunset peeks its way through between the trees, the playlist picks up with more vibrant tunes and guests make their way over to the fire pit. The disco ball catches the light from the moon and the fire, casting a pretty light over the trees with the sway of the light breeze. The auction becomes a final live bidding war with new packages added on the spur to meet the enthusiasm from guests not to leave without an exciting item of their own!
For the grand finale, we lit Japanese lanterns and made wishes as we let them go into the dark night sky above the fields. Many of us wishing to be here again next year for another celebration of friendship, fine food & wine and nature.
