Here's
ABA's inside scoop from our new Blogger, Trevor: If you want to try some of the best food from
all around New York City go to Madison Square Eats. Mad. Sq. Eats is an outdoor
food festival that features New York City’s most mouthwatering grub as well as
finger-lickin’ food from Chicago, North Carolina, Atlanta and Hong Kong. Think
of Mad. Sq. Eats as a festive, international, gourmet food-court. It opened on
September 27th and will be around until October 25th,
2013. This is its final week and if you haven’t been yet, you have to go.
Mad.
Sq. Eats is essentially 28 food stands from New York City’s and other city’s
most trendy restaurants, all lined up in a one block radius. Better yet, Mad.
Sq. Eats has great hours, with all restaurants open from 11am-9pm everyday! The
best part might be that all the food inexpensive - a nearly impossible feat in
New York City!
Madison
Square Eats is not simply food though; it stimulates all of the senses. Music
is playing, delicious aromas float around and beautiful lights are suspended
above you with the New York skyline in the background. Additionally, one can get
drinks varying from craft beers to margaritas creating a funky, festive
atmosphere. Even the people are cool, seemingly coming from all around the world
sharing happiness together.
Because
of all the different types of customers and extra exposure, many of the stands
add experimental items to their menu to try them out. These items are
unbelievable. I recommend the Lobster B.L.T from the Red Hook Lobster Pound or
the Chicken & Waffle slider from Slide. Both were fresh cooked right in
front of me and both were delectable. The lobster was incredibly fresh and the
Chicken & Waffle slider had an amazing honey butter that complimented the
waffle and chicken perfectly.
If
you live in Casa or 777 6th Avenue, Mad Sq. Eats is only a few
blocks a way. No matter where you live, Mad. Sq. Eats beats schlepping to
Italy, Spain or Hong Kong to try some
tasty food. One can get there with ease by taking the N, R, F, M or 6 train to
23rd Street. The exact location is 25th Street and
Broadway. I recommend going with friends or family so that you can try a little
bit of everything. If you can’t get a table, don’t worry, there is an entire
park to eat in called Madison Square Park. You can really make a day out of it,
eating, spending time in the park and checking out the Flatiron Building. (and
for a little NYC history...after the completion of the Flatiron Building in
1902, it was the tallest building in New York City). I hope everyone enjoys
this literal taste on New York.
If
you can’t make it before October 25th, a new food festival called
Broadway Bites will open on October 28th and last until November 24th.
It will be located on 33rd and Broadway and feature many of the same
restaurants but have a deeper focus on comfort food since the weather will be
getting colder.
For a list of all the
restaurants at Madison Square Eats, click here: http://urbanspacenyc.com/mad-sq-eats/
Here are some photos of the food:
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| Slide: Chicken & Waffle Slider ($6) |
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| Roberta's: Margherita Pizza ($9) |
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| Arancini Bros: Rice Balls ($5 each) |
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| Red Hook Lobster Pound: Maine-style Lobster Roll ($16) |
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| Asiadog: The Mash and The Vinh ($5 each) |
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| TacoTown: Chopped Brisket Taco ($5) |
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| Hong Kong Street Cart: Pork Belly Bun ($4) |
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| Doughnuttery: Purple Pig and Cacaoboy ($6 for 6) |
