Feeding the Frenzied: Taste of Santa Monica

Thanks to a couple of pulled strings, I got to go to this years gastro-fueled event on the pier. That is the East Side of the Pier right next to the rides. (I accidentally went over to the adjacent LA Barbecue Festival on the West side of the pier, that just happened to be on the same day!)

Anyways, it was great, if you can forgo the gargantuan lines for each morsel. Apparently, the turnout this year was a lot more than last year. Maybe it had something to do that the food and wine aspects of it were priced differently? (Thus, the more affordable cost vs. other "what the"...prices of other food events). A rarity in local food events around here, but haven for those food-only foodies (or just "poor, starving students", like me)

It was fun to see the mix of the "food for the masses" booths:
Hot Wings from Hooters, Chili from Barney's Beanery), Fried Rice from Buddha's Belly, Taquito's, Chimichangas, from Mariasol restaurant.

And the "food making a statement" booths:
A Rare Roast Duck with Pistachio, braised greens and Rhubarb Sauce from Whist at the Viceroy Hotel (most exciting for me)
Freshly Shucked Oysters, Bay Scallop Ceviche marinated with minced Mango and Lime Juice and an enticing Albacore Poke with roasted Hazelnuts out of nowhere courtesy of Ocean Avenue Seafoood. Five Spice Foie Grass Pineapple Skewers from Bon Melange Catering?

Anyways, kudos to the Art Intitute's Culinary Arts Molecular Ice Cream Labs, very interesting, not to mention for not running out of food and having so many booth maintain half-hour line free.