U.S. Open Expands Culinary Options for 2014
The USTA, in conjunction with Levy Restaurants, have announced that the world’s best tennis action again will be complemented by one of the world’s best sports and entertainment dining experiences. Renowned for its innovative food program, the U.S. Open will again showcase the best flavors from around the world, as well as the freshest local and regional ingredients. The U.S. Open is expected to attract more than 700,000 fans over the course of the 15-day event. Overseeing all culinary efforts is Levy Restaurants Regional Chef Jim Abbey, who will have a 250-person staff to serve guests at 60 concession stands, five restaurants, 100 luxury suites and the Player’s Lounge.
This year’s menu includes unparalleled variety for all fans to enjoy, highlighted by local “street eats” from celebrity chef Richard Sandoval’s Maya in the Food Village, the U.S. Open’s first-ever on-site food truck, and brand-new dining locations featuring the best local dining establishments in the Club Level in Arthur Ashe Stadium. In addition, this year’s menu reflects the unparalleled variety of culinary choices and includes specialty dishes crafted by celebrity chefs Masaharu Morimoto, Tony Mantuano, and David Burke.
This year’s Open will feature more offerings and more culinary styles than ever before. Highlights for the 2014 U.S. Open include:
New culinary offerings
The U.S. Open continues to build on its first-class hospitality by introducing several fresh, new and local options for all fans to enjoy throughout the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
►Food Village: Two new stands join the Food Village this year, showcasing crowd favorite local specialties from celebrity chef Richard Sandoval and Pat LaFrieda, New York’s “King of Meat”.
►Maya: New to the Food Village, Richard Sandoval’s Maya serves the freshest selection of classic Mexican flavors with a modern twist, including Sandoval’s famous tacos, Grilled Steak with Cilantro and Salsa Roja or Shredded Chicken with Chipotle Tomatoes, as well as Mexican Street Style Corn on the Cob.
►Pat LaFrieda Meat Co.: Pat LaFrieda expands his involvement at the U.S. Open with the addition of the Pat LaFrieda Meat Co. Stand, featuring his signature LaFrieda Steak Sandwich. Additionally, the stand brings fans their favorite carnivorous creations including LaFrieda’s juicy Filet Mignon Sandwich, signature Italian Sausage and Special Blend Meatball Hero.
►Morris Grilled Cheese Truck: The U.S. Open’s first-ever on-grounds food truck located at Court 17 uses local, artisanal breads, meats and cheeses in its gourmet grilled cheese menu, which includes: Delicate Cheese: Featuring truffled cheese, truffle butter and caramelized onions and shallots and The Original: Featuring aged New York Cheddar and New Hampshire Landaff.
Ashe Stadium Club Level has expanded its dining options to highlight fans’ favorite Open bites:
►Farm to Fork: Food Village favorite Farm to Fork adds a second location on the Club Level of Arthur Ashe Stadium, serving its popular, locally-sourced specialties.
►Carnegie Deli: One of New York City’s most famous delis, now serves its classic Pastrami and Turkey sandwiches at a new location in Center Court’s Club Level in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Celebrity Chefs and Restaurant Dining
The U.S. Open features championship quality dining in its world-class on-site restaurants, served up by a roster of acclaimed celebrity chefs including Richard Sandoval (Maya), Tony Mantuano (Wine Bar Food), Masaharu Morimoto (ACES) and David Burke (Champions Bar & Grill).
►ACES: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto showcases his famous hand-crafted sushi in ACES. The restaurant’s light and refreshing menu also brings fans the freshest local seafood specialties like Montauk Wild Striped Sea Bass and Sweet Garlic-Lime Shrimp.
►Wine Bar Food: Features perfectly-paired wine selections and tasty small plates from Chef Tony Mantuano, including his famous Flaming Ouzo Shrimp and local Brooklyn Salzarula Family Hand Crafted Whole Burrata.
►Champions Bar & Grill: Delivers inventive American fare from acclaimed chef David Burke. This year fans can sink their teeth into specialties like Bacon on a Clothes Line (candied bacon with black pepper and a maple glaze), East Coast Oysters with American Caviar or Burke’s famous Filet Slider.
►Maya: Former professional tennis player Richard Sandoval returns to the US Open, serving up modern Mexican fare from Maya, his flagship New York restaurant.
Culinary highlights
The South Plaza Café features several of the US Open’s signature fan favorite dishes, handmade sandwiches and healthy match day alternatives including:
►Super Salad: Fans can customize their favorite salad combo with several fresh, healthy mix-ins.
►Liberty Pier features the signature Lobster Roll, the U.S. Open’s famous gourmet creation made with fresh, buttery lobster.
►Carnegie Deli, available in the South Plaza and on the Club Level, serves up hand-crafted sandwiches from the New York institution:
►Carnegie Knish: Carnegie Deli’s famous knish is the perfect savory selection to take on-the-go.
►Turkey and Pastrami Sandwiches: Carnegie Deli’s signature stacks created with its juicy, freshly-carved meats.
►Heineken House: Fans can sample two Italian-inspired sandwich creations courtesy of New York’s Parm restaurant, including The Godfather and Zesty Italian Combo.
►Farm to Fork: At its original location in the Food Village, or its new spot in the Club Level, fans can enjoy Farm to Fork’s menu of mouthwatering sandwiches made with locally-raised meats.
►Murray’s Locally Raised Chicken Sandwich: Juicy stack of locally raised chicken on a homemade roll.
►Pork and Broccoli Rabe Sandwich: Decadent combination of house roasted pork loin and luscious broccoli rabe on a homemade roll.
►Hill Country Barbecue is the U.S. Open fan’s one-stop shop for rustic country flavors and hearty, hand-crafted barbecue, featuring the Cowboy Pie Cup, a creamy and sweet treat made with velvety dark chocolate, butterscotch and toasted pecans, and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, featuring Hill Country’s signature homemade fried chicken.
Spirits and libations
►Grey Goose: Back by popular demand, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open, The Grey Goose provides fans with a refreshing way to beat the Open heat. Last year, more than 180,000 melon balls were used to make the custom cocktail, which features Grey Goose Vodka, lemonade and a touch of raspberry liqueur, topped with honeydew melon “tennis” balls. New for 2014, The Grey Goose Le Melon Royal is a simple but elegant cocktail pairing bursts of juicy, ripe cavaillon melon with complementary citrus flavors, finished with a refreshing effervescence.
►Heineken will introduce its Strongbow Gold Apple Hard Cider which will be available at the Heineken House, Heineken Red Star, a dedicated Stongbow mobile cart and all restaurants. With refreshment at its core, Strongbow Gold Apple Hard Cider delivers a perfectly balanced, crisp apple taste that hits the “bull’s-eye” by capturing the sweet and tart notes of the Golden Delicious apple, along with hints of Honeycrisp apple and pear.
Sustainability and local sourcing
In its commitment to reduce the tournament’s overall carbon footprint, the USTA is locally sourcing more food for the Food Village, suites, stadiums and restaurants than ever before. Levy Restaurants has increased use of locally-sourced ingredients, and this year, 40 percent of all produce will be sourced from the region.
Area farms include Satur Farms, Eckerton Hill Farms, Latham Farms, Lynette Farms, Philips Mushroom Farms and Red Jacket Orchards. The US Open also is using locally-sourced meat, seafood and poultry from Creekstone Farms, Murray’s Chicken and Gosman’s Fish Market in addition to sustainably raised Skuna Bay Craft Raised Salmon.
Player dining
Coming off its inaugural successful season, the Balance Kitchen concept, a state-of-the-art dining experience dedicated exclusively to the health and wellness of each player, will return with expanded options. Levy will be updating their salad bar selection to include grain salads, and the expansion of the specialty espresso bar also has been completed to double the specialty coffee drinks available.
