DINING OUT: Around the world in Gravesend

It was a sea of red sauce – and lots of other goodies – as Our Lady of Grace Church in Gravesend celebrated its third annual International Food Festival, featuring local restaurants’ specialties as well as ethnic dishes made by parishioners.

Well over a dozen restaurants participated in the event, held in the Cutrone Gym at OLG’s neighboring school, Avenue W and East Fourth Street, their offerings spread along one wall, with the culinary contributions of those who worship at OLG ranged along the opposite wall. At the back were desserts, provided by area bakeries and parishioners alike.

Given the neighborhood, it’s no surprise that many of the dishes available for tasting were Italian.

Knapp Pizza on Avenue X contributed a variety of favorites, including its classic slice featuring a tangy tomato sauce and just the right amount of mozzarella cheese and chewy, comforting garlic knots, dusted with parmesan.

The cold cut sandwich from Papa Pasquale was another classic, combining dense, sesame seed-studded Italian bread with thinly sliced salumi and cheese, topped with shreds of lettuce and a thin slice of tomato.

The sweet and creamy Eggplant Parmesan from John’s Deli was a huge temptation, the kind of comfort food that draws you to take just another bite, just another bite.

Pisa Pork Store’s rice ball was another winner; filled with ground meat cooked in tomato sauce and peas, it was rich and flavorful and downright yummy.

Also scrumptious was Meat Supreme’s Eggplant Rollatine, sweet and stuffed with ricotta.

But, the restaurants are only half the story. The selection of Caribbean, Polish, Latino and Irish dishes cooked up by OLG parishioners provided a different perspective on the culinary traditions of Gravesend – from Rice and Peas to Empanadas to Pierogi and sausages.

The inclusion of home-cooked food is one of the things that makes OLG’s event stand out, said Mimi Camera, the event chair, who said that a percentage of the funds raised by the event — put on by the Monsignor Cafiero Columbiettes — goes to the church, with the remainder going to a ministry that feeds the homeless, bringing food to people living under the Boardwalk at Brighton Beach every Wednesday.

Besides raising funds for the church and the homeless outreach, the event can end up with a surfeit of food – even though attendees are encouraged to fill to-go boxes with whatever they want once they no longer have room to eat another bite.

Whatever is left over, however, is not wasted. Rather, it’s brought to the homeless, said Camera. “Nothing will be thrown out,” she stressed.

The camaraderie among those present at the event was palpable – almost like one huge family digging in for a very extended Sunday dinner. That atmosphere was part of the food festival’s charm.

“It’s like my wedding every year,” noted Camera, who’s been a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace for four decades.