Flavour's Coming Out Party

When restaurateurs began developing the promotional consortium known as Flavour, a collection of more than three-dozen restaurants, bars, and other assorted eateries in Red Bank, they conceived a showcase, something to introduce – or reintroduce – the public to everything they had to offer.

On Thursday, more than 600 people packed the separate second floor ballrooms of for – squeezing in and out of large crowds and waiting in long lines for a sampling of the culinary offerings – for the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event.

Dishing a crab salad concoction for a seemingly endless line of waiting foodies, George Lyristis, owner of the , said though the idea of Flavour had been years in the making, the holiday event was introduced less than a month ago. The large crowds that turned out, even in short notice, was testament to the quality of Red Bank’s eateries and an appeal that Hip City still retains.

“Everybody is loving it,” he said. “It’s long overdue. This thing (Flavour) has been two years in the making. It’s our time to shine now.”

Flavour was finally introduced after much planning earlier this year by Lyristis and several other restaurant owners who thought it in their best interest to combine forces and handle their own marketing. Interest in Flavour grew rapidly as more and more Red Bank eateries joined the cause.

On Thursday, more than two-dozen restaurants served samples of their food to the hungry hoard.

“You won’t find this kind of camaraderie anywhere outside of Red Bank,” Lyristis said. “Getting 25 restaurants together, you just don’t see that. We don’t compete with each other; we’re competing with other towns. We want people to come to Red Bank to enjoy the town. We’ll all get our fair share.”