Jamie Bissonnette is the James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner of Toro NYC, Toro Boston and Coppa. He also wrote The New Charcuterie Cookbook.
Read MoreKARI JOHNSON
Kari Johnson is the events and marketing director for Hearth and Terroir Wine Bars in NYC.
What was the food highlight of your year?
There were so many excellent meals shared, with good friends at amazing places - Cosme, Toro, The John Dory stand out - but I have to give the honors this year to Gramercy Tavern. Every aspect of my meal there - from the professional, hilarious and friendly staff, to the special care I was given (it was my birthday!), from the perfection of each and every course to the outstanding beverage pairings, led to the overall perfection of the meal. It may not be the trendiest or most cutting edge restaurant in New York, but it is surely one of the best, and has proven itself time and time again. It's a classic, a favorite, and easily, the best meal the year.
What was the music highlight of your year?
Without a doubt, being one of the lucky few to be in attendance at Nirvana's secret club show at Saint Vitus in Greenpoint was the music highlight of my year - and possibly my life. Nirvana was the first band I truly loved, and due to my age, I was never able to see them play live. After attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction with a group of friends earlier that evening, I would have been happy. However, I was one of the luckiest people, for being able to attend the secret after-show - at my favorite bar/venue, no less. There was such excitement, joy, and shock in the room - it was unreal. Nirvana. In a room of 250 people, at 2 in the morning. To be there, to be right up front, singing along (and getting hit in the face with J Masics' hair for most of the set) will always be one of my favorite memories of my entire life. The icing on the cake of a perfect night was thanking Krist Novoselic for everything, and him responding with "No, Thank YOU." Seriously?!?
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
I feel like there wasn't one specific moment that stands out, but rather many. Living in Brooklyn, i'm spoiled in that I can walk mere blocks from my apartment and grab a fantastic meal and listen to perfect music while doing so.The big ones that stand out, where food and music and your mood combine perfectly, were: brunch at the Grand Bar and Grill, where we listened (and sang along!) to Cock Sparrer, hearing Pet Sounds on vinyl at Five Leaves, and all those late night Afghan Whigs nights at Over the Eight. Of course, there are always the barbecues thrown by my dear friends Geoff Rickly and Liza DeGuia - the ultimate food/music power couple - where the food rivals any top NYC restaurant and the music is always perfectly curated.
ZACH BROOKS
Zach Brooks co-hosts the Food Is The New Rock podcast and founded Midtown Lunch.
What was the food highlight of your year?
I’m going to have to go with the 8 person meal I had at Chi Spacca, here in Los Angeles (not by myself obviously, but with 7 other people.) We took over the counter and had enough people to tackle a good portion of the menu - including the $175 bisteca fiorentina and the insanely rich and delicious bone marrow pie. Also, their charcuterie is hands down the best in the city.
Update: Ate at State Bird Provisions last night, and it wasn’t even close. Best meal of 2013.
What was the music highlight of your year?
Matt & Kim at Outside Lands and Haim at Life is Beautiful. Both surprised me in the best way possible.
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
This is an easy one. We had Chef Jamie Bissonnette from Toro (NYC & Boston) on the podcast this year when he was in L.A. doing a pop up dinner with Viet Pham and Ricardo Zarate, and during the interview he mentioned how much of a huge Fitz & the Tantrums fan he was. Coincidentally enough we were talking to Noelle from Fitz about coming on the podcast that same week, so we surprised Jamie by bringing her to his pop up dinner. The food was amazing (naturally) and we created a life long friendship.
KARI JOHNSON
Kari Johnson is the Marketing Director at Whisk.
What was the food highlight of your year?
Dinner at the chef’s plancha bar at Toro in NYC. It was an amazing meal in an amazing new restaurant. The smoked beef heart, veal sweetbreads, blowfish tails, blood sausage and tripe stew were mind blowing and the bocadillo de erizos is still in my dreams…
What was the music highlight of your year?
Saves the Day playing my favorite (and their best) album, Through Being Cool, at Saint Vitus Bar in Greenpoint as a secret show. I watched from the side of the stage, and sang along to every lyric - it made me feel like a teenager again.
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
We had a big, delicious dinner at Mission Chinese Food after my friend Geoff’s concert. The lovely Danny Bowien brought us everything on the menu, and between sharing delicious bites and drinking ourselves silly, we listened to Lifetime at full blast.