Melt Shop

National Grilled Cheese Day is upon us! On April 12th we celebrate all things cheese between bread (not that we don’t worship the world’s best sandwich every day). Here are a few of our favorite places to get cheesy!

Murray’s Cheese

To wrap up their twelve days of specials, Murray’s will be offering their signature Murray’s Melt for just $1.12 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Head to the Melts counter at their flagship store on Bleecker Street for a good, old-fashioned classic. 254 Bleecker Street

Ed’s Lobster Bar

Looking for something super indulgent? Ed’s Lobster Bar stuffs their melty grilled cheese with fresh lobster for a can’t-miss treat. If you love to dip your sandwich, the lobster bisque makes a great accompaniment. 222 Lafayette Street

Clinton Hall

If you like your food to be a little extra, Clinton Hall has a showstopper for you. Their famous doughnut grilled cheese pairs melty mozzarella with a freshly glazed doughnut suspended above a bowl of classic tomato soup. Multiple Locations

Mother’s Ruin

This French onion soup grilled cheese at Mother’s Ruin will have you questioning why you don’t eat at bars more often. The inside is stuffed with the beloved combo of gruyere cheese and caramelized onions and the outside has crisped cheddar cheese and chives. There is a side of au jus for the soup component. 18 Spring Street

BLACKBARN Restaurant

This ooey, gooey grilled cheese is made with aged cheddar, tarentaise, manchego, and roasted garlic for a gourmet upgrade and served with a cup of tomato soup. 19 East 26th Street

BLACKBARN Cafe & Bar @ Chelsea Market

For something a bit more toothsome, BLACKBARN’S cafe has a brie and NY apple grilled cheese with watercress and jalapeño jam on toasted brioche. Weave your way through Chealsea Market for this flavorful combo! 448 West 16th Street

Boucherie

Le Croque Champignons is a truly glorified grilled cheese. The sandwich is stuffed with house made wild mushroom ragu and gruyere cheese with lots of extra cheese on top. There’s a mixed green salad on the side but you can totally ignore it in favor of more cheese. Multiple Locations

If you’re really ready to go all out, head to one of Melt Shop’s nine NYC locations for this month’s special: the Notorious CHZ. This triple-decker behemoth is loaded with muenster, pepper jack, brick cheddar cheese spread, and truffle mayo between three pieces of parmesan-crusted bread. Nothing has ever looked more indulgent! Multiple Locations

On Oct. 24 at 6:30 PM, the enCourage Kids Foundation is hosting their 2nd annual Serving Up Smiles Tasting Event at CURRENT, Chelsea Piers’ newest venue located at Pier 59 18th Street & Hudson River.

Master of Ceremonies, “Culinary Bad Boy” Chef Chris Nirschel, will emcee the evening aimed at raising awareness for the 275,000 children and families that enCourage Kids Foundation serves, supports and uplifts.

Proceeds from this event will help kids facing health challenges to be carefree kids by creating environments and experiences that help them through each step of their medical journey.

31 years ago, enCourage Kids opened its doors to children battling chronic, serious, or life-threatening illnesses and injuries with the mission of improving the lives of those children and their family members. Their programs use entertainment and technology to make hospital visits a little less frightening and have created exciting family outings that make everyday life a little more fun.

“We are incredibly excited and appreciative to have the enthusiasm of these amazing chefs and restaurants who are supportive of our mission. We’re looking forward to an incredibly successful evening,” says Michele Hall-Duncan, Executive Director, enCourage Kids Foundation.

Guests can mix and mingle with the city’s hottest chefs and sample signature dishes, delectable cocktails and delicious wines from an elite roster of restaurants.

Participating restaurants include:

Butter – Chef Michael Jenkins

El Toro Blanco – Chef Josh Capon

Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse – Chef Admir Alibasic

Robert Restaurant – Chef Luisa Fernandes

Melt Shop – Chef Spencer Rubin

Buns Bar – Chef Viko Ortega

Arcade Bakery – Baker and Owner Roger Gural

Jewel – Chef Tom Schaudel

Bryant Park Grill – Pastry Chef Anne-Marie Noonan

Café 2 & Terrace 5 at MoMA – Chef Dan Jackson

The City Bakery – Baker and Owner Maury Rubin

Melt Bakery – Pastry Chef and Owner Julian Plyter

Carlo’s Bakery (“Cake Boss”) – Baker and Owner Buddy Valastro

For tickets and more info, please visit https://encourage-kids.org/serving-smiles-2016.