Taste of Harrison Hopes to Show off Downtown Flavor

Food-lovers from Harrison and beyond are in for a treat this spring, as the first ever "Taste of Harrison" event offers the chance to visit 25 different Harrison restaurants in a single afternoon.

The Friends of the Harrison Public Library have organized the event, scheduled for May 20. One $20 bracelet will get interested parties a sample at each restaurant, offering a wide variety of foods throughout Harrison's downtown. All proceeds will benefit the Harrison Public Library.

"It's actually a really super deal," said Mena Gambacorta, president of the Friends of Harrison Library. "You're getting 25 restaurants, you're getting two separate wine tastings, I’m told they are going to have wine from all over the world."

After seeing similar events achieve success in White Plains and Port Chester, Gambacorta said she has sought advice from surrounding communities during the organizing phase. The more she talked with Harrison's restaurants, she said, the more confident she became in the event.

"We really do have a lot of wonderful, wonderful, restaurants. I think people just aren't aware about some of the fine food we have," Gambacorta said. "We really have some jewels here."

Harrison's restaurants worked with the Friends of the Harrison Library to keep the price relatively low, and a large portoin of the downtown restaurants have already agreed to participate. ( for a list of participating restaurants)

Although similar events have been held in surrounding communities, one exciting thing about "A Taste of Harrison" is that participants will be able to visit each restaurant, rather than tasting the food at a central location. The town's senior bus will be available for anyone who has a hard time walking to the different locations.

This gives everyone a chance to not only taste food, but also to visit places they may not have sampled yet. It could also help spread the word about Harrison's various food destinations as the town works to revitalize it's business district.

"It will be a wonderful boost for the town of Harrison, we would like other people to try us out and I think they will be thrilled to death," said Gambacorta. "It will be a benefit to the town and also help out the library."

The event will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children under 12 are $10. Money raised will support activities at the Harrison Library.

Wristbands will be available on the day of the event at a sign-in table in front of the Halstead and Harrison Avenue Commuter parking lot or at the library on specified days leading up to the event.

Tickets are available in advance by contacting Mena Gambacorta 914-835-0544, Angela Kaufman 914-835-2429 or Connie Perrotta 315-1922, you can also email: cpcpone@yahoo.com.