Is it Worth the Hype: San Gennaro Festival

Where: Feast of San Gennaro, Little Italy

What: For 11 days a year, the streets of Little Italy are closed off. But this time, it isn’t for construction or traffic problems, it’s for the Feast of San Gennaro. The festival, which took place from September 10-20 this year, combines a mix of restaurants, food stands, carnival games, and shops. Each day, it opens around lunch, and closes at 11 PM (or midnight on Fridays and Saturdays).

We visited the festival on a Sunday night. There are plenty of food options, both savory and sweet, from food stands, but we decided to sit down and eat dinner at a restaurant, then try out different desserts from the stands. We had dinner at the appropriately name Da Gennaro Restaurant, where we had no trouble getting a seat even amongst the crowded streets, because they had lots of additional outdoor seating set up along the street. We ordered the carbonara, cannelloni, and rigatoni. The menu was extensive, and contained every classic Little Italy specialty.

Afterwards, we walked through the streets, and stopped for fried oreos (not exactly Italian, but definitely still a fun and classic street fair treat) and a Sfogliatelle Ricce, which is an Italian pastry filled with ricotta cheese. It was almost like a cross between a croissant and a cannoli.

If you’re brave enough to stand the crowds, the Feast of San Gennaro is a fun and delicious outing in New York City! It’s only once a year, so you’ll have to wait until next September to partake in it again, but we think it’s worth the wait.

Union Square Holiday Market: Is It Worth the Hype?

 

Where: Union Square Holiday Market, Union Square

What: From November 20th to December 24th, the Union Square Holiday Market takes over the southwestern corner of Union Square in a celebration of holiday spirit. With tons of vendors to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list. But, they also have lots of food, which is why we went to see if it’s worth the hype. The food options included Momofuku Milk Bar, Sigmunds’ Pretzels, Bar Suzette, and many more.

We made a beeline for the Wafels and Dinges tent. They didn’t offer any of their savory options or a few other ingredients that are offered on their food trucks. Nonetheless, we still had trouble choosing. We decided on “de throwdown wafel”, which included spekuloos spread and whipped cream, and “de turtle wafel”, which was chocolate, walnuts, and caramel. Both were lightly topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. The waffles were served warmed, making our treats extra gooey and delicious. The walnuts in “de turtle” added a nice crunch to the chewy waffle and the spekuloos was spread in a generous layer. We sat in the park to eat our waffles, but the cold temperatures were almost too much. We suggest walking with your food to see the other booths.

After finishing our waffles, we walked around to check out the other stalls. There were many jewelry, home, and mens and women’s shops. We enjoyed seeing unique items and vendors that carry products you won’t find in other stores.

Once you’ve hit all the big-name stores on nearby 5th Avenue, head over to Union Square Holiday Market to grab some unique gifts while sampling an array of NYC’s fun food options.

 

Le Pain Quotidien: Is it Worth the Hype?

  

Where: Le Pain Quotidien, 801 Broadway, Union Square

What: Le Pain Quotidien offers a perfect morning spot to relax before the hectic day ahead. Their warm, inviting atmosphere, along with their healthy, organic food choices makes LPQ a great way to start your day. We checked out the chain to see if their breakfast selections were worth their health food hype.

We ordered a latte and coffee in addition to the organic steel-cut oats with fresh berries and organic granola and yogurt parfait. Our selections tasted fresh and satisfying. Both of  our orders came without added sugar or sweeteners, allowing us to choose how much we wanted to add. The portion offerings were nicely sized and reasonable for the price. The service was friendly, but slightly slow, considering most people were on their way to work or class.

The interior of their 801 Broadway location was large and open, offering two big communal tables in addition to multiple other small tables. The space was divided into two areas, one designated for sit-down meals while the other, smaller section was ideal for ordering a pastry or drink and the counter to-go. The store was adorably decorated for the season, with colored leaves cascading down the light fixtures.

Overall, LPQ is a relaxing spot to stop by for a health-conscious, but still extremely delicious, bite to eat. Enjoy their many offerings, including lunch, dinner, and dessert, without sacrificing taste for healthiness.

Shake Shack: Is It Worth the Hype?

 

Where: Shake Shack, East 86th Street, Upper East Side

What: By now, you’ve already heard of Shake Shack. With thirteen locations in New York alone and more across the East Coast and abroad, they’re quickly becoming a leader in the competitive burger arena. It seems whenever you go to a Shake Shack, there’s always a line sprawling out the door or across the park. You might be wondering: is it worth the hype? We stopped by their Upper East Side location to find out.

Although the line was long, we moved quickly to the front of the store. Shake Shack’s menu boasts a wide variety of options for a burger joint. In addition to regular burgers, they also offer hot dogs and mushroom burgers. The restaurant chain distinguishes itself through its specialty menu items, chef collaborations, and constantly changing custard menu. We got the classic combo of Shack Burgers, fries, and two different custards. One of us got the chocolate mint fudge as a shake and the other got the limited-time Staple concrete, a mixture of vanilla custard, raspberry jam, and Doughnut Plant’s black sesame donut. The fries were of the freshly hand-cut variety. Some Shake Shacks still serve their signature crinkle cut fries, which will be making a comeback to all locations this November.

Like all other Shake Shack experiences we’ve had, this visit was simply delicious. The burgers were buttery, the fries were crispy, and the custard creamy. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve lost count, Shake Shack is a reliable New York burger staple that shouldn’t be missed.

Madison Square Eats: Is It Worth the Hype?

Where: Madison Square Eats, Madison Square Park, between 24th and 25th streets, Flatiron District

What: This year, from September 5th to October 2nd, Madison Square Eats takes over the west side of Madison Square Park. Over 30 vendors set up shop and sell a selection of their menu favorites. All the vendors have actual restaurants elsewhere in the city. Given its prime location next to Broadway, Madison Square Eats is always crowded, especially during the lunch time hours. But, that didn’t stop us from braving the lunch break crowd to see what the hype was all about. After taking a loop around the tents, we decided on Takumi Taco. It’s hard to pick where to eat when all the food looks amazing, but a good rule of thumb is to pick a vendor with a long line, letting you know that people already find their food worth the wait. We tried Takumi’s lunch box special, which came with two tacos, a small salad, and one side. We got the spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, beef curry, and vegetable tacos, along with the charred corn salad and the rice and beans. We also ordered one mango peach iced tea. For $12 dollars, we each got enough food to fill us up for lunch. The tacos were fresh, creamy, and had just enough spice to be flavorful but not overwhelming. We were able to find a table in the center of the setup, where there were both communal picnic benches and individual tables covered in bright Marimekko tablecloths. After lunch, we had saved room for dessert and headed over to Stuffed Artisan Cannoli, where we got mini nutella and mint chocolate chip cannolis. We also picked up a coconut from Pig and Khao, which also served Southeast Asian cuisine. The park served as the perfect spot to enjoy our desserts.

Don’t be scared off by the throngs of 20-something business people waiting in line to get food during their lunch breaks. If you’re willing to brave the crowd, you’ll find out for yourself that they have the right idea.

Cronuts: Is it Worth the Hype?

Where: Cronuts at Dominique Ansel Bakery, 189 Spring St., Soho

What: Ever since May of last year, cronuts have taken the world by storm.  Half doughnut, half croissant, Chef Dominique Ansel creates a new unique flavor every month.  Even outside of New York City, people have heard about this pastry and come line up for hours to get a taste.

We have tried the cronut several times, waiting for hours in the summer.  The bakery opens at 8 am, but people line up outside the shop several hours before.  Once opened, the employees let a handful of people in every twenty or so minutes.  Thankfully, there is no need to wait in line if you time your visit carefully.  On this visit, we stopped by the bakery on a Wednesday morning at 9:30.  The line was inside, with about 20 people waiting in front of us.  It still took around twenty minutes to get to the front of the line, but it was well worth the wait and there were plenty cronuts left.

This month’s flavor was raspberry lychee.  It was a good balance of tangy yet sweet, and the pastry itself was very substantial.  In addition to a glazed layer on top, the cronut is filled with more jam-like filling inside.  It has the heaviness of a doughnut, but the flakiness of a croissant.

Waiting for hours in the cold is probably not worth your time, but by showing up on a weekday around 9 to 10 you can avoid the line and still have a good chance to snag one of these illusive pastries.  Coming back to try other flavors is recommended.  We have tried Apple Creme Fraiche, Salted Dulce de Leche, and Valrhona Chocolate Champagne.  We hope this is a trend that becomes more widespread in the future!

Ladurée: Is it Worth the Hype?

Where: Ladurée, 398 West Broadway, Soho

What: When it comes to macarons, Ladurée is most likely the first place you think of.  They started their brand in France, and they have now opened two locations in New York City.  Sticking to their Parisian roots, the macarons are flown in from Paris a few times a week.  We went to their newly opened location in Soho to see if this trendy pastry was worth the hype.

We ordered candied strawberry, coffee, vanilla, and chocolate macarons.  Overall, we are not a fan of macarons in general.  But, if you know you do like macarons, Ladurée is worth your time.  The flavors were accurate and tasty, and they did taste better when refridgerated as suggested.

Unlike the location on the Upper East Side, the Soho location offers a much larger space, including a tea room in the back that serves meals.  The ambiance is very French.  The front room was filled with light, decorations, and displays.  The tea room was darker but still elegant.

If you like macarons, Ladurée is the perfect place to get the true French experience.  Otherwise, move on to the next trend!