U.S. Open tennis attracts top culinary talent, too

When it comes to serves, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto can hold his own against the likes of a Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova or Kim Clijsters. At this year's U.S. Open, running Aug. 30 to Sept. 12, Morimoto will be just one of several top-seeded culinary players lobbing it to hungry spectators.

True, not everyone in the stands will be able to sample Morimoto's sushi, to be featured at the restricted-access restaurant Aces, on the Club Level. On the other hand, anyone with a ticket can visit the star-studded new Master Chef Café, located in the South Plaza Food Village. The grab-and-go concession is the brainchild of a group of chefs who came together while competing on the champion round of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters." Spearheaded by Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia in Chicago (whose Wine Bar Food at the Food Village enters its third season), the group includes: Susan Feniger, formerly of Food Network's "Too Hot Tamales;" Carmen Gonzalez, former chef-owner of Carmen the Restaurant in Miami; Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto in Manhattan; and Rick Moonen of Oceana, Molyvos, the Water Club and RM in New York.

Moonen's "Moon 'n doggie," a well-spiced but oddly textured shrimp hot dog, was one of the dishes up for sampling at a tasting Monday. Mantuano proffered an antipasti platter with Niman Ranch dry-cured salami. Among other dishes to be served at the cafe: a pulled pork sandwich with mango slaw on brioche from Gonzalez, roast chicken panino with basil aioli, greens and mozzarella from Waxman, and carne asado tacos with braised achiote pork from Feniger. Prices range from $9.50 to $17.50.

The public can meet these five chefs on Sept. 4, as they face off in a charity competition.

Something new at the Food Village is the all-organic Stonyfield Farm stand, offering a menu of salads, main dishes, beverages and desserts.

Returning once again is the Carnegie Deli stand, serving its inimitable hot pastrami sandwich. Now that's a grand slam.