It’s time again for our New York area food event picks. This week we recommend saving up your appetite for the weekend, because that’s when all the awesome events are coming out to play. Bastille Day is its own animal, so this list doesn’t include any of those festivities. What it does include are an ice cream competition, the opening of the latest Smorgasburg, a good old fashioned pig roast, and a Spanish-style outdoor grilling fiesta.

Smorgasburg Queens
Long Island City, Smorgasburg is coming your way. Starting July 11 and running every Saturday 11am-6pm, the famed foodcourt pop-up is setting up next door to M. Wells Steakhouse in an empty 10,000 square-foot building with an adjacent outdoor lot. If you went to the LOT LIC Music and Film Series last summer, you know the place. In terms of fare, Queens-based food writer and culinary tour guide Joe DiStefano is assisting with curation and has come up with a tasty assortment of cuisines from both Smorgasburg regulars and newbies. Among the confirmed are Celebes Bakar Indonesian Grill, Kimchi Smoke, Rèst-âü-Ránt, Silk Cakes, Arepa Lady, Kulu Desserts, Papa’ Kitchen, and Wooly’s. 
Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 11am-6pm
Location: 43-29 Crescent Street, Long Island City, Queens, NY 11101
Free, pay as you eat

Cook Out NYC: Running with the Beef™
From the folks that brought you Pig Island and Brisket King of NYC comes a new Spanish-themed grilling fete on the banks of the East River. Happening at Stuyvesant Cove Park, this feast features top chefs, including Robbie Richter and Anthony Sasso, grilling up tapas-style dishes made from grass-fed beef. Plates should include traditional offerings as well as some unique creations, like Harry Hawk’s Spanish Schnack Burgers from Schweid & Sons. Beverages are in keeping with the theme and include a selection of Spanish craft beer, Kalimotxo (red wine & cola) and Sidra (Spanish cider). As for entertainment, DJs will be spinning European and Spanish disco, and Flamenco dancers will be strutting their stuff. A VIP ticket is available and grants its bearer early access to the eats and free Flamenco lessons.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 5pm-9pm, (4pm for VIP)
Location: Stuyvesant Cove Park (Solar One), New York, NY 10010
Tickets: GA $60, VIP $85

The Meat Hook Presents Squeal Real Pig Roast
If you like to pig out on pig, this is the event for you. Good Co., Meat Hook of Brooklyn and Brooklyn Brewery are teaming up for a good old fashioned Summertime Pig Roast. Limited to only 80 people, this outdoor soiree entitles ticket bearers to a pork-filled plate and a complimentary Brooklyn Summer Ale. In addition to the food and beverage, this party promises live music and games. Early ticket purchase is recommended.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 5pm
Location: Good Co. 10 Hope Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Tickets: $15 in adv/$18 day of

Ice Cream Takedown
The lactose tolerant can enjoy two hours of unlimited licks this Sunday at Matt Timm’s famed Ice Cream Takedown. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 amateur cream warriors are whipping up their most flavorful combinations for the occasion. Attendees sample and then vote on their favorite. From the nutty to the alcoholic, expect scoops and scoops of ice cold goodness. In year’s past, flavors have included Lemon Meringue Pie, Absinthe Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Stout and Bacon, and Sugar Mama Nut Cracker. And after you’re done deserting to your heart’s content, enjoy some shuffleboard, as the event takes place at Royal Palms.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, July 12
Time: 12pm-2pm
Location: Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, 514 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tickets: $20, 21+