Eating your way through the holiday market 

Over the past five years, pop-up holiday markets in the city’s larger public spaces (Union Square, Bryant Park, Columbus Circle) have become progressively monochrome, the Brooklyn-handicraft version of the tube-sock street fair. What were once venues for unique creative endeavors are now awash with the same five booths—hilariously screenprinted baby onesies, beaded jewelry straight out of summer camp, hand-carved Peruvian wooden wine boxes, framed illustrations torn from old science textbooks and purses made from license plates—repeating over and over like an M.C. Escher nightmare.

Paradoxically, the food options at these fairs have been getting better and better. Much as summertime events like Mad Sq. Eats and the Hester Street Fair have bested plain old street fairs by acting as incubators for small businesses and emphasizing variety over sheer abundance, so too do the holiday food vendors outshine their surroundings. No longer just a sugar-rush ghetto on the outskirts of town (though don’t worry, there are still plenty of sweets), these are bona fide food courts—with seating, even!

Now, if you spend too long ogling the hand-carved wind chimes, you have somewhere to restore your faculties—and maybe decide on a few edible gifts instead. Here are some of the best bets around town:

Taste of Persia (Union Square) undersells at the same time that they massively over-advertise—their menu is nonexistent save for a couple of scrawled-on styrofoam cups taped to the side of the booth (small and large, with prices. Meanwhile, the accolades they received from their appearance at the market last year literally paper the walls. The menu is secondary, really, as all they sell is a handful of soups, chief among them the “Persian vegetable noodle soup,” another remarkable understatement. (This glory has a proper name, ashreshteh, but that was apparently too much marketing for these guys.) The soup is rich and thick, but what really makes it is the à la minute assemblage of toppings afterward. From a compartmentalized condiment tray, spoonfuls of garlic, a yogurt-like whey and fried mint, black as night, add a welcome bitter, fragrant edge to an otherwise mellow cup. Eat it immediately—the toppings do not travel.

The bratwursts at German Delights (Columbus Circle) are to street hot dogs what the neighboring booths’ vintage subway map mugs are to a street fair’s plastic piña colada horns: higher quality, classier and way less embarrassing to carry around. Though the preparation is minimal and very street-dog-like—your options for topping are sauerkraut and mustard, though they are better versions of both—the robust flavor of the sausage shines through, making embellishments a moot point. Unless you’re willing to trek up to Yorktown, there are very few sources for fuss-free German fare in the city; take advantage of this one while you can.

The winner for most original vendor is Bryant Park’s Daisy’s Grits, the “only grits shop in the entire world and all of explored space,” according to them. I believe it. There aren’t many people who would stake their livelihoods on selling gussied-up versions of the Southern staple—options include Cantonese crab and vegan meatball—but bless their hearts, they’ve gone and made it a hit. Some flavors work better than others, and you’re generally better off erring on the side of tradition—creole chicken and collard greens are particularly good—but if you’re not sure, there’s always the option to add a pile of cheese (their words!) for $1. Now that’s money well spent.

For several years now, the good people at Stuffed Artisan Cannolis (Union Square) have been hoping theirs would be the next sweet nothing to hit the big time. After having suffered through the cupcake, mini cupcake, macaron and cake pop trends, we feel the same way. Their version of the old-school favorite is smaller than the one you might find on Arthur Avenue but not so small as to be foolishly “mini”; they’re just big enough to try a couple of flavors without having to roll yourself home. Oh, that’s right—did I not mention the flavors? In addition to good old-fashioned vanilla, seasonal flavors include pumpkin pie, eggnog and peppermint bark. Grab a box for your next holiday party and get ready to outshine all those who brought cupcakes.

By Sharon Feiereisen

The end of Labor Day Weekend and the beginning of Fashion Week may signal the end of summer for many New Yorkers, but there are still a good two weeks left to soak up the sunny weather and take part in downtown summertime shenanigans.
Here’s a look at 10 things to check out downtown before summer ends:

Kayaking on the Hudson
You may not want to swim in it, but thanks to the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization Downtown Boathouse, you can kayak on the Hudson free of charge through mid-October. Head to Pier 40, where every weekend and holiday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and every Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. you can take a kayak out for a 20-minute paddle inside the protected enclosure in front of the boathouse (no experience is required). You’ll get life jacket along with some tips on paddling, and there are lockers, a changing room, and shower and hose to rinse off at the pier.
Downtown Boathouse, Pier 40, downtownboathouse.org

Hester Street Fair
Hester Street Fair has built an incredible reputation for launching small businesses from coast to coast (they recently unveiled their highly anticipated Indie Design Market in Los Angeles), and now through October, while the weather is still warm, you can eat and shop the racks of the fair’s vendors outdoors. Expect a mix of vintage wares, up-and-coming designer brands, and niche food vendors selling everything from alcohol-laced cupcakes to specially sourced artisanal coffee.
Hester Street Fair, Essex Street, 917-267-9496, www.hesterstreetfair.com

Shape Up NYC
While there’s no denying the appeal of the likes of SoulCycle and Barry’s Bootcamp, for the days you don’t feel like shelling out $30-plus, Shape Up NYC offers free fitness classes for adults and kids—including aerobics, African dance, cardio abs, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates and zumba—at dozens of locations, with all classes taught by expert instructors.
Shape Up NYC, various locations, www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/shape-up-nyc

Stargazing on the High Line
Let your inner astronomer shine (brings back childhood memories, doesn’t it?), thanks to the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, which is sponsoring Stargazing on the High Line, every Tuesday through October at 7:30 p.m. Gaze at the stars, planets, moon—and who knows, maybe a shooting star or two—using high-powered telescopes. Astronomers from the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York are also on hand to offer insights on what you’re observing.
Stargazing on the High Line, between Little West 12th and West 14th streets, 212-206-9922, www.thehighline.org/events/all/2012/9/every-tuesday-stargazing-on-the-high-line

Common Ground
Common Ground is the Public Art Fund’s latest group exhibit, featuring 10 international artists whose work will be on display through November. The Public Art Fund has been peppering Manhattan with outdoor sculptures for over 30 years, and their latest exhibition is among their most memorable yet. The sculptures, displayed next to City Hall, reflect each artist’s interpretation of what a civic monument means today; i.e., as opposed to in the past when sculptures were predominantly heroic representations of men. Responses range from an engraved granite stone (Christian Jankowski) to a giant inflatable ketchup bottle (Paul McCarthy).
Common Grounds, City Hall Park, www.publicartfund.org/CommonGround/home.html

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Trapeze School New York
Ever wish you could soar high up in the sky? Through October you can do just that at one of the many flying trapeze classes hosted outdoors at Pier 40 (Hudson River Park) and Pier 16 (South Street Seaport) by Trapeze School New York. Whether you’re looking to fly away your worries, challenge your body with a unique workout or simply have an out-of-the-box experience, the school has you covered with classes for all levels (two hours; $50-$70), as well as intensive multi-session workshops for the most committed of flyers.
Trapeze School New York, Pier 40, 212-242-8769; Pier 16, 917-797-1872. Visit newyork.trapezeschool.com for more information.

New Amsterdam Market

New Amsterdam Market is held every Sunday through December in a sheltered outdoor site fronting the Fulton Fish Market. Their curated selection of vendors includes produce, fruit, fish, meats, dairy, breads, cheeses and a variety of specialty-product purveyors (think dry unfiltered varietal ciders and artisanal jams). The market also hosts a number of special events including Eat Your Vegetables! with chef Arthur Potts Dawson on Sept. 9 and the first annual East River Moon Festival on Sept. 30. This year, for the first time, they’ve got valet bike parking, so you can take advantage of the remaining days of summer and bike to the market.
New Amsterdam Market, 100 Peck Slip, 212-766-8688, www.newamsterdammarket.org

Madison Square Music: The Studio Series
Every Saturday from Sept. 15 through Oct. 6 at 3 p.m., you can enjoy a free concert in the park. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the yearly Studio Series event and includes folk, blues and Americana concerts set amid the park’s breathtaking fall foliage—not to mention conveniently located by Shake Shack for those feeling indolent about packing their own picnic basket. Performers this year include Jim Lauderdale, the Honeycutters, Rory Block and Heritage Blues Trio.
Madison Square Music: The Studio Series, Madison Square Park, www.madisonsquarepark.org/news/mad-sq-music-the-studio-series-lineup

‘Ghosts in the Machine’ at the New Museum
Spread across the New Museum’s three main galleries, “Ghosts in the Machine,” which runs through September, examines artists’ relationship with technology and how technology can transform subjective experiences. Over 140 works are included, ranging from films and sculptures to paintings and drawings, all by contemporary artists spanning the last 50 years.
“Ghosts in the Machine,” the New Museum, 235 Bowery, 212-219-1222, www.newmuseum.org/exhibitions/view/ghosts-in-the-machine

Feast of San Gennaro
The 86th Annual Feast of San Gennaro, which celebrates the spirit and faith of the early Italian immigrants, will take place in Little Italy from the 13th to the 23rd of September. In addition to parades and various religious processions, you can expect the likes of a cannoli-eating competition and live musical performances along with lots of food vendors and cooking demonstrations.
Feast of San Gennaro, Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston and Grand Street between Center and Mott, www.sangennaro.org

via Prohibition Cupcake

by Adel Manoukian

It’s a cupcake re-imagined.

Classically trained chef Brooke Siem and longtime baker and bartender Leslie Feinberg are the creative minds behind Prohibition Bakery that serves customers alcoholically flavored artisan cupcakes like Margarita and Mojito. Their new-age cupcakes are based off of what flavors compliment each different type of alcohol. For example, the Strawberry Daiquiri is a strawberry and lime flavored cupcake enhanced with rum.

And for those looking to fulfill their sweet tooth with out alcohol, the ladies have put out two unique virgin flavors—For the Love of Bacon, which consists of bacon, bittersweet chocolate and toffee and L’Italiano, a cranberry, rosemary, and almond-flavored cupcake.

The bakery, founded in 2011, takes orders 48 hours in advance but will soon open up shop on 9 Clinton Street in the Lower East Side. The minimum to order is two dozen and the rate is $38. But if you aren’t hosting anything big, and just want to try one of their savory treats, find the business at street fairs. The duo recently sold cupcakes at the Hester Street Fair on July 12th in the Lower East Side.

Just make sure to bring your ID.