New York (July 31, 2003)

HARVEST IN THE SQUARE - 8TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2nd

WITH MORE THAN 45 RESTAURANTS FROM MANHATTAN’S BEST-TASTING NEIGHBORHOOD

Harvest in the Square, presented by the Union Square Local Development Corporation, showcases the best tasting restaurants in the Union Square neighborhood on Thursday, September 18, 2003. For the eighth year in a row, Harvest in the Square will erect a tent in Union Square Park, at the corner of 17th Street and Union Square West on the North Plaza, where chefs from more than 45 top-rated restaurants will provide “tastes” of their signature dishes.

Participating chefs from such restaurants as Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Water Grill and SushiSamba 7 will feature fresh farm produce from the Union Square Greenmarket Farmers Market, and their dishes will be paired with wines from Long Island, New York state and around the globe. General admission to the event is $75.00 per person advance purchase, and $90.00 per person at the door (cash only).

“Harvest in the Square is a fabulous neighborhood celebration of the restaurants in Union Square. This event offers New Yorkers the first taste of the fall harvest,” say highly acclaimed chefs Todd English and Victor LaPlaca (Olives NY), restaurant co-chairs for the event.

Harvest in the Square is a fundraiser benefiting the Union Square Local Development Corporation’s neighborhood initiatives. This year, the LDC is pleased to announce the launching of a Capital Campaign for the Redesign of Union Square Park’s North Plaza. Net proceeds from Harvest in the Square 2003 will be used to kick off this exciting public/private initiative that will enhance and beautify the playgrounds, concession, Greenmarket Farmers Market and open spaces.

LDC and BID Executive Director Karen Shaw said, “The redesign of Union Square Park’s north end has been a very successful community effort. The funds raised by Harvest in the Square, will go a long way toward helping the neighborhood realize its goal of a glorious ‘Northern Gateway’ to the park.”

This year’s participating Harvest in the Square restaurants are:

Aleo, Amuse, Angelo & Maxie's, AZ, Bambou, Belmont Lounge, Beppe, Black Duck Restaurant, Blue Smoke, Blue Water Grill, Café Deville, Café Spice, Candela, Chango, Chat ‘n Chew, The City Bakery, City Crab & Seafood Company, The Coffee Shop, Dos Caminos, Eleven Madison Park, Fleur de Sel, Flaco’s & Tequilla Company, Galaxy Global Eatery, Gramercy Tavern, Havana Central, Heartland Brewery, Kitchen 22, Knickerbocker Bar & Grill, L’Express, Luna Park, Morrells, National Arts Club, Park Avalon, Republic, Sage, Sciuscia, Steak Frites, Strip House, SushiSamba 7, Tabla, Tamarind, Tocqueville Restaurant, Todd English's Olives NY, Union Square Cafe, Verbena, Wichcraft.