Sean Bansi

To celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month this April, Time Out New York and Openhouse held another edition of our high-stakes, grilled cheese competition, The Big Cheesy. (The contest where everyone goes home a winner.) This time around, the Midtown Parisian bistro, Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro, took home the title after a two-day, weekend tasting showdown. Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro’s winning creation was a special five-cheese blend on toasted country bread. It beat out a number of innovative creations including runner up The Wheelhouse’s El Toro Bravo with Jamon Serrano, Manchego, Gouda, Romesco and Guava Preserves on Ciabatta.  Participants who stopped by the event at Openhouse—and helped decide the winner—also got to sample Twist ’n Smash’d’s fried chicken grilled cheese, Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen’s bacon guac version, as well as La Maison Du Croque Monsieur’s truffle oil-flavored rendition and Depanneur’s spicy, sriracha grilled cheese on buttered sourdough. Beer was provided by Goose Island, and a portion of the proceeds from the event benefit the Food Bank For NYC. Congrats to the Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro team: Chef John Creger, Fromagerie Charlie Mahal, Line Cook - Dominique Hamilton and new Proprietor Sarid Drory! 

More than 250 readers joined Time Out New York and Tequila Herradura for Tequila Express: a day of tequila tasting, craft cocktails and delicious Mexican fare. Guests at the event experienced the world of tequila through guided tasting stations where they had the opportunity to make their own margarita, learn about the history of tequila and try different tequila expressions paired with tastings from Tacombi Café El Presidente.