During the 4th of July weekend, we had a CMB Cross-Country BBQ Sauce-Off.  John from NYC Hot Sauce helped us out with the sauce-off.  The contest consisted of the following sauces.

Scott’s BBQ Sauce

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Scott’s spicy, BBQ mop sauce is truly what it claims to be…an all purpose sauce! The thin texture and strong vinegar base make this a great compliment to barbeque chicken, seafood, and grilled vegetables.  If you like it thin and hot, Scott’s is for you!  For an off the wall recommendation, try using it as a salad dressing for a grilled flank steak, Southwestern-style salad! $3.95

Rufus Teague Made Some Sauce— Touch O’ Heat

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que— Sensuous Slathering

Upstate, New York

Just like the Harley riders that created it, this sauce is loud, smoky, spicy and a bit aggressive.  However, under that hard exterior is a tad bit of sweet making this a local must for your serious summer barbequing. Sensuously slather some of this delectable sauce on a rack today and make sure to leave some on the side for dipping. $7.50

The Salt Lick, Original Recipe

Austin, Texas

This is a great traditional, Texas-style BBQ sauce that nicely accentuates the smoky flavor of your barbeque chicken, brisket, pork, and of course, ribs.  The sweet yet spicy mustard-like aroma, coupled with its nice thick texture and subtle tastes of spicy mustard, garlic, onion and Worcestershire sauce will bring conjure up those childhood memories of family grill-outs and neighborhood block parties. $6.50

17th St BBQ Sauce, Original

Murphysboro, IL

Lots of flavors will hit your palate with this award-winning BBQ sauce.  A subtly sweet brown sugar undertone combines with the traditional flavors of ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire to delight your senses. This sauce’s thinner texture helps it really seep into the grooves of the meat providing delicious to-the-bone flavor. It’s no wonder that this sauce has coated the ribs that have earned “Best in the US” status. $6.95

American Spoon Cherry BBQ Sauce
Northern Michigan

This sauce is a great way to creatively experience the taste of Michigan cherries in New York!  The tart of the cherry in this grilling sauce balances out the sweet bringing this perfect Yin and Yang relationship to your summer dishes.  This sauce is a must, must, must for your pork tenderloin.  It also would be great on plump grilled shrimp or even on barbecue duck. $8.50

American Spoon Apple Cider Sauce

Northern Michigan

Like the Cherry BBQ Sauce, American Spoon’s Apple Cider Sauce is another great way to experience the fruit of Michigan all the way over here on the East Coast.  This is definitely for those desiring a sweet sensation. The roasted onions give this marinade a unique and addicting flavor making this a sauce you can use on just about anything! $8.50

After an intense day of tasting, we have two winners in the CMB Cross-Country BBQ Sauce Off. The results were based on trying each sauce on pulled pork, that was slow cooked in orange juice, scoring them on a scale of 1 thur 3- the bbq sauce with the highest average won the round.

In the first round of tasting:

• 1st place: Michigan’s American Spoon Cherry BBQ Grilling Sauce.
• 2nd place was Rufus Teague’s Touch of Heat
• 3rd place was North Carolina’s Scott’s Barbecue.

In the second round:

• 1st place: New York’s upstate contender, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• 2nd place: Texas’ Salt Lick Original
• 3rd place: 17th Street BBQ Sauce from Murphysboro, IL

Apparently CMB tasters like their sauces sweet or smoky.

Our neighborhood has changed so much in the 14 years that we have been in Chelsea Market.  I notice the changes more when I take visitors, and I  see how different the place looks and how it has changed. Yesterday, I walked home to the Upper West Side and started my walk by walking north on the High Line Park, I was curious to see Phase Two of the High Line Park, which begins at 20th Street.

I am happy to report that it makes for a bit more of a rigorous walk to 30th street and visually has a very different look to Phase One of the High Line Park(section that was opened in 2009).  The walk is generally narrower, and does kind of meander through new and old architecture, with urban views that are both very different and very New York.  The design of the walkway is attractive yet understated, and allows you to enjoy the buildings that surround the walkway. Similar to the more southern section of the High Line, the walk is well landscaped.

I did go up to 30th street and descended into what is being called-The Lot, an area with live Hispanic music, lots of people, beer on tap, play ground and an interesting collection of trendy food trucks. In addition, AOL has funded the Rainbow Lot with very animated inflated amusements. Now there is lots of life on 30th and 10th Ave, a neighborhood that had been very remote in the past!

For more about the High Line Park – www.thehighline.org