Despana. (Jinx!)
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I think everyone has a different definition for “Tourist Trap”. For me its Touristy + Mediocre. And after over 100 visits, I find Chelsea Market increasingly touristy but for good reason. @small_h hit on some of places I like, but there are really too many for me to mention. To me its far from mediocre. I even (rather briefly) entertained the possibility of running food tours there. Its still the best if not one of the best food halls we have. I go there to eat, while I go to Eataly, Despana, Essex to shop.
I do have a hard time with Little Spain. Went a couple of times, ate a couple of things. Just cant get excited about it.
I do like the new Tin Building, and especially the hidden Chinese restaurant
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We were in NYC end of January this year. Weather was good, walked a lot. Started at Chelsea Market after a visit to the Whitney (and to the Taschen bookstore), always fun to see the shops, good tacos in the past and Miznon is worth a look. There was a nice little wine bar that we enjoyed but they seemed to be gone.
Walked the high line to the end, ate at Little Spain, LeBarra specifically. It was ok, nothing was terrible but nothing was wonderful. we really like Jose Andres and all that he does, so I’m glad we went but once was enough. We’ll just send donations to his organization.
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The reason why I put Chelsea Market on the list was because it is en route to our final destinations of Hudson Yard and Little Island. Assuming our tasting menu luncheon at ’ The Modern ’ might not be too filling, we are hoping that Chelsea Market will provide us with a snacking spot where we can indulge on a chowder and some raw clams and oysters at ’ Lobster House '.
As for ’ Little Spain ', we are actually more interested to see what Spanish products are available at the Mercado?!..especially hard-to-get items not readily available in Toronto, like canned char-grilled razor clams. If available, they are priced at least CAD10 cheaper in the States than up north!..plus may be hot chocolate and churros at the food court?!
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As much as I detest the whole idea of Hudson Yards, I love the food at Little Spain. It’s not even all that outrageously priced for New York. I like how you can sit anywhere and everyone get what they want. You can also eat at a real restaurant. However, I like the Tortilla, the pan com tomat, boquerones, bravas etc. Some of the best spanish food I have had outside of spain. I really don’t get Chelsea Market at all. I would rather go to the Essex Market on the LES even though that has been gentrified beyond recognition. At least the ramen I had was good and the choices seem a whole lot more interesting.
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You are better off going to D’espana on Broome street if you want spanish products to take home.
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$26 a jar for whole Navarra peppers? I know these are pricey, even in Spain, but whew!!
Agree on Despana.
I used to go Chelsea Market often to shop for foods to cook at home, (Buon Italia, Lobster Place, fruit and veg store–Bowery (??)) not to eat there. They have a few good stores, but since it’s not so convenient to where I live, there are alternatives that offer many of the same items. (Di Palo, the tourist central of Eataly, USQ Greenmarket)
Inside Chelsea Market, FAT WITCH has decadent brownies, which they (used to, not sure if still) sell at half price just before closing…
You can put them on your $29 ham sandwich!
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Good grief on the $29 ham sandwich! But keep in mind, it is WRAPPED, not only sliced!!! And no mention of type of ham? Doubt if it is jamon Iberico, or even prosciutto.
Not only that, a ham sandwich on their very-seeded, small slices of “health bread???”
That is is one of their most popular sandwiches tell us a lot!
And no mention of type of ham? Doubt if it is jamon Iberico, or even prosciutto.
According to the article, it’s " thinly sliced roasted glazed ham".
