US Open unveils sumptuous mix of menu items for tennis fans and foodies
A tasting event held during Fan Week revealed a mix of old favorites and new additions for those looking to complement epic matches with epic meals.
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NEW YORK—Replete with Michelin star chefs, the US Open becomes less a Grand Slam and more, as the saying goes, “a food event with some tennis,” and it’s tough to argue given the sumptuous options available to fans and foodies alike.
The 2022 US Open announced that among the top chefs in attendance in Flushing Meadows Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and her on-site restaurant, Fare by Alex Guarnaschelli, is returning after a successful 2021 debut.
“Compared to last year, I feel like we’re going to blow the roof off,” says the celebrity chef, who spoke of a “girl power” energy around the grounds in the wake of what will likely be Serena Williams’ final tournament.
Guarnaschelli is bringing back some fan favorites like her watermelon & feta salad, and the cavatappi pasta and yellow tomato sauce and is also introducing new dishes like her play on a “pigs in a blanket” with a Pat LaFrieda beef hot dog in a puff pastry with grainy mustard and spiced ketchup.
“I think this is the premier athletic event of the year, but if you don’t like whoever is winning the match, you can go eat some really good food and have a really good cocktail. The food and the experiential aspects are as important as the matches themselves.”
Home to the iconic Honey Deuce cocktail, the US Open welcomes an intriguing new dessert addition in Van Leeuwen, which replaces long-running staple Ben & Jerry’s, and four other new restaurants: Nourish Spot, Taqueria Nixtamal, Crabby Shack and Gourmet Garage.
According to a press release provided by the tournament, the US Open will serve approximately:
- 750,000 melon balls
- 90,000 pounds of beef
- 9,000 pounds of lobster
- 7.5 tons of crab, shrimp and lobster
- 400,000 individual berries
- 225,000 hamburgers and hot dogs
- 85,000 pounds of poultry
- 12.5 tons of lettuce
- 66,000 bananas
- 35,000 pounds of tomatoes
- 7,000 specialty tennis ball cookies