Columbia Waterfront Gets Its First 'Tastes Of Brooklyn' Event

COLUMBIA WATERFRONT, BROOKLYN — The Columbia Waterfront District is next in line to get its own food and drink crawl with "Tastes of Brooklyn," the organization announced this week.

The crawl will kick off Saturday, Sep. 14 and will include a dozen or so restaurants along Columbia and Union streets, who will offer tastings of their favorite food and drinks to ticket-holders.

It will be the first time the waterfront neighborhood, sandwiched between Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights, will host the "Tastes of Brooklyn" stroll that has previously set up shop in Gowanus, Red Hook and other nearby neighborhoods.

This round's pickings include famous calzones from the House of Pizza and Calzone, Longshoreman's fine fare and three south-of-the-border eateries, not to mention the specialty cocktails and beer selection.

Here's all you need to know to get in on the action:

When: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sep. 14

Where: Food and drink establishments along the industrial, artistic, historic Columbia and Union Streets in the Columbia Waterfront district, along the East River waterfront, just south of Atlantic Avenue and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

What: Ticket-holders just walk right up to the places of business to taste an international array of dishes, beverages or food items these business owners are proud of. Kids can check out the Hip2B Healthy Market stands with fresh juices and smoothies, a blender bike and free soccer. A scavenger hunt is available for all ages.

"Tastes of Columbia Waterfront" is the first fall event for "Tastes of Brooklyn." Next up will be a craw in Gowanus on Sep. 21 and the eighth Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill Crawl on Oct. 5. Check out the website to buy tickets and see a full line-up of fall tasting events.

Proceeds support Seeds in the Middle's programs to empower youth in central Brooklyn's food deserts, including the obesity and diabetes epidemic, to create Hip2B Healthy Markets.