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"What makes a truly memorable dinner party? Warm, engaging company, a killer playlist, and knock-your-socks-off food. And when it's for a good cause\u2014as it was with last night's\u00A0&lt;a href=\"http://esynyc.org/spring-benefit-2014-3/\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Edible Schoolyard NYC Spring Benefit&lt;/a&gt;\u2014well, that's pretty much the best dinner party ever.\r\n\r\nWhat is Edible Schoolyard? The nonprofit partners with public schools to get kids learning about gardening, growing, cooking, and eating real food\u2014in other words, it's a mission we at &lt;em&gt;Bon App\u00E9tit&lt;/em&gt; can definitely get behind. Here's a look at the people, dishes, and drinks that made last night so special\u2026and that reminded us how important our connection to food really is. &lt;p&gt;The whole gang had time for a quick photo before diners arrived.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Oysters with roe, from &lt;a href=\"http://estelanyc.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Estela&lt;/a&gt;\u00A0chef &lt;strong&gt;Ignacio Mattos&lt;/strong&gt;, made for a refreshing, briny snack to welcome guests.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Edible Schoolyard NYC executive director&lt;strong&gt; Kate Brashares&lt;/strong&gt; kicked off the night with some inspirational words about the group's Mission.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;We fell hard for this cocktail from &lt;a href=\"http://momofuku.com/new-york/booker-and-dax/\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Booker &amp;amp; Dax&lt;/a&gt;'s &lt;strong&gt;Dave Arnold&lt;/strong&gt;. \"The First Date\" combines whiskey, hot dates, and bitters; it's bracing and faintly sweet.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Creamy house-made mortadella and a raw turnip for some crunch\u2014this one-bite wonder came from &lt;a href=\"http://www.maialinonyc.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Maialino&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Who needs ice? Dave Arnold chilled cocktail glasses with liquid nitrogen, spreading a dramatic fog over the bar.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Every table ate a different multi-course meal\u2014instead of working together on a banquet-style dinner, each chef cooked a unique menu for just one table.\u00A0&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Bon App\u00E9tit editor in chief &lt;strong&gt;Adam Rapoport&lt;/strong&gt; and his wife,\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;Simone Shubuck&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Even though they were busy, the chefs found time to goof around. &lt;strong&gt;Mike Anthony&lt;/strong&gt;, of &lt;a href=\"http://www.gramercytavern.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Gramercy Tavern&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;strong&gt;David Chang&lt;/strong&gt;, of &lt;a href=\"http://momofuku.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Momofuku&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In an inspirational wink, &lt;a href=\"http://missionchinesefood.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Mission Chinese&lt;/a&gt;'s\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;Danny Bowien&lt;/strong&gt;\u00A0dubbed this show-stopping dish \"Suckling Pig 'David Chang.'\" Crispy skin to end all crispy skin.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=\"http://empellon.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Emepellon&lt;/a&gt;'s\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;Alex Stupak&lt;/strong&gt;'s first plate was jaw-dropping: sweet fresh mango, a flurry of arbol chile, lime, and peekytoe crab.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=\"http://balaboostanyc.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Balaboosta&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;'s\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;Einat Admony&lt;/strong&gt;\u00A0proved that seasonal and simple is best: artichoke hearts, feta za'atar cream, and chile chimichurri.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Joe Ogrodneck&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Walker Stern&lt;/strong&gt; of &lt;a href=\"http://www.battersbybrooklyn.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Battersby&lt;/a&gt; put spring on a plate with morel mushrooms, shaved asparagus, and a scallop seared to a perfect golden brown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;With so much amazing food, it's a good thing the room\u2014at the landmarked former J.P. Morgan headquarters at 23 Wall Street\u2014was big enough to hold it all.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Questlove\u00A0&lt;/strong&gt;served as D.J. for the night, keeping the party pumping and guests dancing in their seats.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Nutty, crisp and crumbly biscotti from &lt;a href=\"http://www.lincolnristorante.com\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Lincoln Ristorante&lt;/a&gt;'s\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;Jonathan Benno\u00A0&lt;/strong&gt;was a surprise sweet ending to a beautiful evening.&lt;/p&gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.bonappetit.com/events/slideshow/edible-schoolyard-spring-benefit>