What’s Happening This Week: Le Taste of France, East River Moon Festival

Thursday, September 27
Trader Joe’s Protest. Demanding “meat without drugs,” Consumers Union and other advocacy groups will hold a press conference/action outside of Trader Joe’s Union Square store on Thursday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to noon. They will deliver more than half a million petition signatures to Trader Joe’s from consumers nationwide who want the store to stock only meat and poultry raised without antibiotics.

Enlightenment Wines’ Tasting, Enlightenment Wines’ unfiltered natural fruit wines and herbal meads are made from locally sourced ingredients and typically unavailable in retail stores. For two Thursdays in a row, they will be opening up their archive of limited-edition bottles for pouring by the glass at a pop-up wine bar in Williamsburg on 254 South 2nd Street.

Saturday, September 29
Le Taste of France. New York’s first-ever two-day exhibition dedicated to French cuisine will be held for two days at Pier 54 on Saturday to Sunday, September 30. From the crepes and ciders of Brittany to the pastis and bouillabaisse of Provence, there will be food, a French flea market, live music, and even a French bulldog show. Participating chefs and personalities include chefs Jacques Pepin, Marc Murphy, Christian Delouvrier, Jean-Louis Dumonet, Jacques Sorci, Claude Godard, and Food Network personality Karine Bakhoum. Tickets start at $30.

Sunday, September 30
East River Moon Festival. There will be a moon festival celebration at the New Amsterdam Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It will feature a traditional lion dance performance, with paper lions ceremoniously awakened by NYC Council Member Margaret Chin, Asian-inspired market fare from regular vendors and special guest chefs, a dumpling making demo by Wai Hon Chu from Wholefoods Culinary Center, and paper lantern making for children with the Museum of Chinese in America. Red paper lanterns will be provided to all participants, and free refreshments will be available, including mooncakes from Chinatown’s Lung Moon Bakery, five-spice duck tartlettes from Runner and Stone, and berry-pumpkin cookies from Black and Blanco.

First Annual Pickle Palooza. On Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Greenwich Village Country Club, attendees will be able to taste an array of pickles and pickle-inspired foods including Japanese teriyaki pickle balls and pickle back shots for the alcohol enthusiasts. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music and participate in a pickle-eating contest. Horman’s Best Pickles and Brooklyn Brine will be among the exhibitors with beers provided by Pabst Blue Ribbon, the official event sponsor.