EVENT: Two food-centric tours explore the history and culture of the East Village

When we point the finger at gentrifying neighborhoods, the East Village often gets a lot of heat thanks to its quickly climbing rents, shift from a more diverse population (today, roughly 40 percent of the ‘hood is between the ages of 20 and 34), and loss of small businesses. And though this final fact is certainly true, especially as it pertains to eateries (just this past year we said goodbye to Angelica Kitchen, The Redhead, and Lanza’s), the East Vill still has a wealth of independent restaurants that pay homage to its rich immigrant history as well as a crop of new establishments that are sensitive to the community and represent the new wave of foodie culture. 

This weekend, two events will explore the past and future of the East Village through its food establishments–a walking tour led by 6sqft’s Senior Editor Dana Schulz for GVSHP will take you through the Italian, Ukrainian/Eastern European, and Indian history and A Taste of 7th Street will offer a self-guided chance to taste samplings from 10 local favorites.

East 7th Street has become the hub of the contemporary food scene in the East Village, unique for the fact that many of its business owners are committed to preserving the spirit of the neighborhood. In celebration of this, a Taste of 7th Street will give guests a chance to sample 10 tastings from the following spots: Agavi Juice Bar, Big Gay Ice Cream, Butter Lane Cupcakes, Caracas Arepas, C&B Cafe, Luke’s Lobster, Jimmys No. 43, Le Petit Parisien, Rose & Basil, and Zum Schneider.

Tickets are $30 and will secure you tastings on any day from tomorrow, Thursday, through Sunday. Ticket sales end today, so get yours now.

“Culture and Cuisine: Dishing Up the East Village” is being hosted by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation this Saturday at 2:00pm as part of Jane’s Walk, a global event of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by activist Jane Jacobs. Each walk aims to promote community and encourages people to explore their cities, share their knowledge, and connect with their neighbors.

This specific tour will explore the history of several immigrant groups who established restaurants in the East Village to serve their own community and, in the process, changed the flavor of the city. Stops will include John’s of 12th Street, Veniero’s, Veselka, Moishe’s Bakery, and Curry Row. Spots are officially sold out, but 6sqft readers have a special chance to book the last remaining spots. The first few to email [email protected] will score a spot on the tour.

You can also check out what other 200+ walks are being offered as part of Jane’s Walk here.

RELATED:

• Spotlight: Douglas Quint on How Big Gay Ice Cream Became a New York Foodie Phenomenon
• Explore the East Village Through Poetry and Poets of the 1950s to Present
• Kleindeutschland: The History of the East Village’s Little Germany

Lead image via Matt Green/Flickr