Food halls are an ideal stop for those who suffer with decision fatigue when it comes to overwhelming dining options. Out of the many food halls I’ve visited around the world, Time Out Markets always seem to hit the spot, from the one in Lisbon to the one in Brooklyn. Luckily for me, New York City recently opened Time Out Market Union Square in lower Manhattan.
After months spent out of the country, when I finally returned to NYC, a stop by the new Time Out Market Union Square was at the top of my list. To make up for lost time, I decided to try at least one thing from all seven stalls. Here were the best bites I had from each.
The “Al Roker” Pizza from Fornino
The Al Roker pie from Fornino
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
I’m a massive fan of Fornino’s brick and mortar shop in Brooklyn, so I was excited to see them at the market. As someone who previously lived in Naples and has spent more time in Italy than New York as of late, I can say with my whole chest that Fornino does Neapolitan-style pie just as good as its done on the other side of the Tyrrhenian. Fornino’s soft, chewy crust is met with a char that can only be achieved by a proper wood-fire oven, and out of the many toppings I’ve tried from my years’ worth of visits to Fornino, the Al Roker just might be my favorite one. Sweet peppers and caramelized onions are met with spicy soppressata, making for a truly addictive bite.
Classic Single Smash Patty from Smashed Express
In my happy place with a smash burger and glass of wine
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
I am what many of my friends would argue as a burger aficionado. I had an Instagram series called “Burger Queen” where I conspicuously ran around New York City taste-testing burgers anywhere from dive bars to steakhouses. I wrote a dining column for the Daily News for nearly three years, and though my job wasn’t solely to cover burgers, I naturally did cover a lot of them since New Yorkers have strong opinions on them (and just about everything else). So, safe to say, I’m a tough critic when it comes to the classic Americana dish, and the single smash patty from Smashed Express was one of the most memorable bites from my day at Time Out Market Union Square. I love when a smashburger gets that proper cheese meets fatty meat crust around the edge, and the one at Smashed Express achieved just that. She was juicy beyond belief, and for only $10, at the very least, this is the best bang for your buck.
Curry Patty Sandwich with chicken from Patty Palace
Curry Chicken Patty Sandwich from Patty Palace
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
I was excited to see Patty Palace by chef Kwame Onwuachi at the market. Jamaican food remains largely underrated with limited options in Manhattan, so having Patty Palace at the market is a great way to introduce people to the Caribbean nation’s cuisine that would otherwise miss out. The menu here is small, but everything is done right. I went for the Curry Patty Sandwich with chicken (though a mushroom option is available, too). The sandwich is quite the creation with a Jamaican curry chicken patty stuffed between fluffy coco bread. The result is a messy, decadent, flavor bomb of a sandwich, and with its hefty portion size, this alone will keep you full if you only have time to stop by one stall.
Mini Samosas from Kebabwala
Mini samosas and mint chutney from Kebabwala
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
Kebabwala comes from the same folks at Unapologetic Foods that are behind some of New York’s top Indian restaurants like Adda and Semma, so I was very excited to see them at the Time Out Market Union Square. You cannot go wrong with any of their items, from the housemade Paneer kebabs to the NY Strip kebabs (and side note, both of their “dunk it” sauces are great, but I could quite literally drink the butter masala), however, one of my favorite options here are the mini samosas. Most of the stalls at the market have a limited menu which means predominantly large portions. I loved that Kebabwala offers something small — I mean, who doesn’t love a good app? These fried morsels with vibrant mint chutney are a great way to start your rounds of eating your way around the market.
Hat Yai Fried Chicken from Kam Rai Thai
Southern Thai chicken at Time Out Market
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
Thai food is much more than just Pad Thai and Pad See Ew, and Kam Rai Thai has a wonderfully diverse menu of both northern and southern Thai dishes. While every fiber of my being wanted to order Khao Soi, I had ironically already eaten that exact Northern Thai dish earlier that day, so I headed to southern Thailand instead with the Hat Yai Fried Chicken. This order took the longest to prepare, which is not a bad thing by any means and proved that they were making everything fresh (and for context, it was only about 15 minutes of waiting time). The chicken came out piping hot with a thick crispy batter that was eggy underneath. Underneath the chicken was a good heap of rice. Despite having visited Thailand several times, and having eaten my body weight in Thai food around NYC over the years, this was a new Thai dish for me and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Who knew you could be so global at a market in New York?
Sicilian cannolo from Paninoteca by Anthony
Holding a cannolo in NYC
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
If there’s a cannolo on a menu, it’s going to take a very light twist of my arm to order one. The Sicilian dessert is, in my humble opinion, what dreams are made of, and the one at Paninoteca by Anthony did not disappoint. Don’t get me wrong — this place also has incredible sandwiches, stuffed to the brim with cured meats, cheeses, and veggies, but overall, sweet treats are lacking at the market, and the cannoli here make up for it. What I especially loved was that, instead of a traditional chocolate shell, this baby is dripping with ooey gooey chocolate, and they don’t skimp on the pistachios. 10/10, just get extra napkins.
Hugo Spritz from the Bar
$6 for a spritz? Best deal in Manhattan!
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
While not a bite of food, per se, but if you fancy a beverage, the Time Out Market Union Square does indeed have a bar. And in a city like New York where even happy hour prices will still run you $10-$15 a cocktail, the best kept secret of the market might be their $6 spritzes on Happy Hour. I went for a Hugo Spritz, though Aperol was tempting. You really can’t beat that price, especially in Manhattan, so even if you don’t come hungry, come for a drink.
Dining and Cooking