Updated: Aug. 01, 2024, 11:57 a.m. | Published: Aug. 01, 2024, 10:50 a.m.

By Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Red trolleys roll back over the South Shore’s serpentine streets this August for a one-day-only food crawl. The seventh annual, premium restaurant touring event returns on Sunday, Aug. 11 focused solely on select Annadale, Great Kills and Eltingville eateries.

The sumptuous sojourn runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It comes courtesy of the South Shore Business Improvement District (BID) and Councilman Joe Borelli’s office.

Tickets cost $30 and are limited. Tickets can be purchased through SouthShoreBID.org.

Attendees will receive a complimentary tasting at each participating location, a keepsake South Shore BID bag, and access to the unlimited trolley rides. The shuttles run non-stop for the four-hour event. Guests also can opt for their own transit mode.

There are 22 restaurants on the DIY tour, so noted on the accompanying list. Upon check-in guests will be given a map highlighting participating locations as well as a coupon booklet to be used to redeem the complimentary tastings.

Three separate registration locations where guests can check in are as follows:

  • Flagstar Bank in Annadale, 820 Annadale Road
  • Flagstar Bank in Eltingville, 4523 Amboy Road
  • Flagstar Bank in Great Kills, 3879 Amboy Road

“I look forward to this event each summer,” Borelli enthused.

As one of the organizers of the event and BID founder, Borelli added, “It’s the perfect way for folks to experience all that these great towns have to offer, and to support our small businesses.”

The South Shore BID was created to promote the economic vitality in the towns of Annadale, Eltingville, and Great Kills. Through this and other business-focused events, the group’s goal is to make the towns it serves a better place to live, work, and shop, as per its mission statement.

“Our restaurant crawl gets bigger and better each year, and this year is no exception,” said Gary Fleming, president of the South Shore BID and broker/owner of Emerald Elite Realty.

And there’s a friendly competition component as well. Guests may cast their vote for a favorite participating location. The winner receives a “Best of The BID Award.” Last year’s winner was Richmond Republic with Sofia’s Taqueria a close second.

These are the venues open for visits on this year’s tour:

Annadale

  • Annadale Bakery
  • Annadale Terrace
  • District
  • The Pizza Parlor
  • Mona Lisa
  • Brooklyn Italian Heroes

Eltingville

  • Alfonso’s Bakery — Italian bakery for pastries, breads plus occasion cakes
  • Campania — Known for coal-fired pizza and Italian fare
  • Joyce’s Tavern — Irish pub with full menu including sliders and corned beef
  • Holiday Beverage — Beverage distributor with notable collection of craft beer
  • Arirang — Hibachi haven with sushi component
  • Richmond Republic — Vibrant brunch spot with continental menu
  • Sofia’s Taqueria — Mexican-style brunch, lunch and dinner, craft cocktails

Great Kills

  • Mimmo’s Restaurant — Italian fare with pizza specialty and outdoor seating
  • Talk of the Town — watering hole where everyone knows owner Larry’s name
  • Village Maria Pizza — Parlor of Grandma and pan pie fame
  • Top Tomato — Grocer with strong deli and fish departments
  • JD’s Tavern — Replaced Flannagan’s with sports pub fare
  • Anthony’s Paninoteca — Award winning panini and curated sandwich program
  • Brew Bar — Gourmet coffee and dessert spot with dainty desserts
  • Vintage Tea — New eatery with high noon tea format
  • Nonna’s — Flagship location for new Tottenville pizzeria on Page Ave.

https://www.silive.com/dining/2024/08/tastes-of-the-towns-22-restaurants-in-2024-food-crawl.html