Tonight: Potato pancakes get the foodie treatment at Latke Festival

When you’re trying to beat bubbe’s recipe, you’ve gotta do better than your best. Twenty-five restaurants around the city accepted the Latke Festival challenge — be ready for a lot more than sour cream and applesauce for the toppings, too.

Veselka’s bringing the tradition with a pork goulash latke with prunes and red beans, while Tres Carnes is putting brisket smoked for 16 hours a bed of ancho-chile tamarind-date mole and pickled onions. There will be juried and people’s choice winners so come hungry and, unlike at the holiday table, don’t hold back on what you really thought of the food.

Proceeds from the event will benefit The Sylvia Center, which teaches children cooking skills to encourage healthier eating habits.

Latke Festival
Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 W. 18th St.
$60 general admission
$100 VIP with admission at 6:30 p.m.