Chef Nelki Rosario of Fat Annie's Truck Stop with his Frito Pie (en papillote!). (Photo: Michael Anstendig)

Nearly 1,000 hungry foodies jammed into Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall last evening to sample more than 30 area restos at the 2009 Grand Gourmet—the Flavor of Midtown tasting event. The Feed was there, along with its sharp elbows, to paw at the meatcentric samples and to fist-bump friendly chefs like Josh DeChellis of La Fonda del Sol.

Prime cuts of cows were all the rage, given the prevalence of nearby meateries like Bobby Van’s Steakhouse, Benjamin Steakhouse, The Capital Grille and Michael Jordan’s The Steak House NYC. Pera Mediterranean Brasserie kept it raw with its cig kofte, uncooked beef kneaded with bulgur wheat and spices.

For seafood fans, the Grand Central Oyster Bar had some “live oyster” shooters in a tangy tequila lime mignonette, and Kellari Taverna had nicely pan-seared skate with a convincing garlic-almond mousse. Noticeable by their absence were female chefs. Chef Patricia Williams of Nios appeared to be the sole distaff toque, but she held her own with a spritely green and white asparagus salad. Rhum Clément cocktails, numerous wines, and beers like Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Leffe kept us tipsy and satisfied.—Michael Anstendig