Grey Goose’s Honey Deuce cocktail at the U.S. Open.Photo:Grey Goose Vodka
Grey Goose Vodka
While Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, the holiday also signals the start of tennis season in New York City.
From Aug. 26 to Sept. 8, thousands of tennis fans will descend upon the grounds of the US Open Tennis Championships to watch the world’s best players compete in the final grand slam tournament of the year. And they certainly won’t go hungry.
The tennis tournament in Flushing, Queens is known for offering some of the best and starriest dining options in all of sports. With dozens of diverse choices — from celebrity chef-run restaurants and gourmet food stalls to outdoor cocktail bars and classic game-day concessions — there’s an option for everyone.
US OPEN FAN WEEK
Tennis mania starts extra early this year with the return ofthe US Open Fan Week, a pre-tournament kick-off with free and ticketed events to give visitors a taste of the tournament. Events include theStars of the Open(Aug. 21) where current and former tennis legends play exhibition matches — including an epic doubles lineup of Andre Agassi and Carlos Alcaraz taking on John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic — theUS Open Block Party(Aug. 22) with headliner DJ D-Nice, and the annualArthur Ashe Kids’ Day(Aug. 24).
For fans looking for a literal taste of the tournament, theFlavors of the US Openevent on Aug. 22 is the ticket to snag. Guests can wander around Louis Armstrong Stadium and sample the signature dishes that will be served during the next two weeks — and meet many of the celebrity chefs who created them. Expect to see culinary stars like Food Network’sAlex Guarnaschelli, Kwame Onwuachi,Iron ChefMasaharu Morimoto, Simon Kim and more, along with tennis pros like Dominic Thiem, Juan Martín del Potro, Gabriela Sabatini and others.Tickets for the Flavors of the US Openare available now.
Also on Aug. 22,Citi’s Taste of Tennis NYevent features a roster of tennis stars and celebrity chefs as well. Taste foods from some of the most popular restaurants in the city, check out cooking demonstrations and keep an eye out for tennis stars like Agassi, Caroline Wozniacki and others mingling among the party.UPDATE: Tickets for the event at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall are now sold-out.
DRINKS
Cocktails.Ah, the annual existential question: If you didn’t post a photo of yourHoney Deuceat the US Open, did you even go? The tournament’s signature drink is a vodka-spiked lemonade mixed with Chambord raspberry liqueur, garnished with three honeydew melon “tennis” balls and served over ice in a commemorative US Open cup. For something even cooler during hot day sessions, try a Frozen Honey Deuce — a blended, slushy version of the cocktail. For those who can’t sip one in person, shake up a Honey Deuce at home with theofficial recipe Grey Goose shared with PEOPLE. Fans living in New York City and Chicago can also order home delivery of ready-to-drink canned Honey Deuces. The package includes four cocktail cans, metal straws and an insulated tote. Just remember to pick up a honeydew at the supermarket, so you can scoop out your own melon balls.
Grey Goose’s Honey Deuce cocktails at the US Open.Brad Barket/Getty
Brad Barket/Getty
Ashley Park, with an Aperol Spitz in hand, is dressed in the brand’s first tennis-themed capsule collection for the 2024 US Open.Jocelyn Prescod/Peacock
Jocelyn Prescod/Peacock
Champagne.Every celebration deserves some bubbles. Moët & Chandon will be serving their award-winning champagne at locations around grounds, including the brand’s Clubhouse Bar. Order the brand’s Ice Impérial or Ice Imperial Rosé, which will be served over ice and in exclusive USTA x Moet & Chandon goblets.
Beer.During breaks in the matches, pop into the Heineken Red Star Patio Café, a 360-degree open-air sports cafe in the center of the tennis complex, that features screens for watching live matches and offers an assortment of food, drinks and beer — including the brand’s lower-carb and lower-calorie Heineken Silver, which will be available on tap for the first time at the US Open. Concession stands and drink carts around the grounds will also be pouring Heineken original and their non-alcoholic beer Heineken O.O, which will transformed into “L0VE.L0VE” just for the tournament this year. Pick up the limited-edition cans with the cheeky nod to both a love-love tennis score and the amount of alcohol (zero!) in each drink.
Coffee.For a mid-day or night-time pick-me-up, Lavazza will be serving up hot and iced coffee beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, espressos and, boozy coffee cocktails. Look for the Coffeetail Bar within the Food Village to order the Zesty Espresso Martini made with cold brew and an orange twist or pop into the Main Village Cafe to sip on a Blue Foam Iced Cappuccino topped with, yes, frothy, blue-tinted milk. And for a cool boost on-the-go, grab one of theirready-to-drink cold brew cansin four flavors (classic cold brew, nitro cold brew, double shot with oat milk and cappuccino) at the Lavazza Cafe near the food village.
Lavazza Zesty Espresso Martini and Blue Foam Iced Cappuccino at the US Open.Courtesy of Lavazza
Courtesy of Lavazza
CELEBRITY CHEF AND FULL-SERVE RESTAURANTS
COQODAQ:One of the hardest reservations to snag in Manhattan, the restaurant has made Korean fried chicken and champagne the ultimate pairing. This year, restaurateur Simon Kim is opening a pop-up at the tournament, serving up their ultra-crispy, rice-flour-breaded pieces and juicy Black Golden nuggets generously topped with black truffle mayo and freshly shaved seasonal black truffle.
ACES:Joining returning chefs Ed Brown and Masaharu Morimoto, Kwame Onwuachi is completing the trifecta at the gourmet restaurant within Arthur Ashe stadium. Menu items include Onwauchi’s black bean hummus with berbere spiced lamb and sweet pickled sultanas, Brown’s crispy chicken wings with Cool Ranch Dorito sauce, and Morimoto’s selection of fresh sushi and sashimi.
source: people.com