Rocco DiSpirito, Mezze on the River to Whip Up Grilled Octopus on “Dine Around Downtown: Cooking at Home Edition”

When last we checked in with celebrity chef and best-selling author Rocco DiSpirito, he was overseeing our Dine Around Downtown food festival at Fosun Plaza (28 Liberty St.) — a smashing IRL success and we don’t mind saying so. Now, DiSpirito and Dine Around will reenter the virtual world with a new episode of the Downtown Alliance’s “Dine Around Downtown: Cooking at Home Edition.” 

On Thursday, August 10, DiSpirito joins Antelmo Ambrosio, executive chef of Mezze on the River (375 South End Ave.). Together, they will show participants how to make the Battery Park eatery’s signature grilled marinated lamb chops with tzatziki; plus, grilled octopus with a spicy feta dip and roasted, Moroccan-spiced fingerling potatoes. 

Register for the free event to receive digital copies of the recipes prior to the online stream. The Alliance also encourages you to support World Central Kitchen, the food-security charity chosen by Mezze on the River.

And if your inner chef is calling, whip up your best version of a featured recipe and upload a photo of your plate to Instagram with #DineAroundAtHome. Then tag @DowntownNYC to enter to win a 30-minute, private virtual class with the guest chef. (Also, be sure to tag @MezzeOnTheRiver!)

“Dine Around Downtown: Cooking at Home Edition” has zoomed into the kitchens of Lower Manhattan, where chefs share recipes and tips on everything from complex gastronomic delights to go-to comfort foods. The series launched in June 2020 with America’s first restaurant Delmonico’s, followed by a number of dining rooms including Seamore’s, Bar Room at the Beekman, Malibu Farm and Nobu. 

All previous episodes are available on YouTube.

photo: Mezze on the River