Urbanspace

signFood halls are everywhere.  This is not a new idea.  It is an update of something that has worked for years.  What makes them better is the outpouring of new restaurants and new concepts that fill these spaces.  Seriously good food.  People clamor to these places for an activity, to meet and greet others, to be in a shared space, to get something on the go and all of the above.

squarreI went over to Urbanspace to check it out.  Certainly going on a Saturday mid-day is the call.  Urbanspace is located right next to Grand Central so the crowds die down on the weekends.  I can only imagine the insanity during the week.  My guess is that every single booth was so overwhelmed they could not breath.  On Saturday you get to see what the crowds prefer vs what has the quickest line.  Love that everyone is using Square.

gelatoThe space is really well done.  A gelato truck when you walk in.

othersideBig wide aisles.  One on the right.

onesideThen one on the left of the 45th Street entrance.

tablesThen in the middle there is an area with picnic tables to sit and other food stands surrounding it.

doughHere are the Dough donuts.  Always a good call.

Ovenly is across the way from them and there is also a Crepe stand over that way including a few food shops.

delaneychickenI had a plan.  It was to taste Delaney’s Chicken.

chickenI ordered two drum sticks.  The chicken is insanely good.  Crispy yet juicy skin and the meat is moist and tasty.  I thought about only eating one and then saving the rest for later but I couldn’t help myself.  I gobbled up both including the skin that I had set aside.  It was just too good.

slowbraisedThen I took a stroll around.  Josh had come home to do a few things and I hit him up to see if he wanted something.  I had to share the chicken.  I picked him up chicken, slow cooked pork sandwich from Mayhem and Stout (it was called the spicy pig) and a lemon poppy, mocha nut and chocolate dip from Dough.

bagThe pork sandwich was also a huge hit.  I tried it a few hours later at home.  Dough…well you kind of can’t go wrong there.

Great addition to this neighborhood for sure.  Not sure I will be back soon unless of course I can’t get help myself from the chicken.

 

 

Comments (Archived):

  1. Tim Loonen

    Was so excited about Square when buying an iPad in NYC last year. It would be the perfect solution for the many markets we’re doing with http://www.buyriceback.org/. In the Apple shop they told us it would work in the UK as well. When we arrived back home, it turned out not to be available and still isn’t. Tons of other options out there (we’re using Payleven in the Netherlands), but none of them quite as affordable to get started as Square.

  2. AMT Editorial Staff

    Tried to find website for the Grand Central location…Did they open this huge food hall and not get their website current? Or are we in the wrong place? http://urbanspacenyc.com/ab

    1. Gotham Gal

      The link you have is another UrbanSpace that was opened as a pop-up. This new one is permanent and is located at 45th and Vanderbilt behind Grand Central.

      1. AMT Editorial Staff

        But no website?

        1. Gotham Gal

          look under the our markets tab

  3. Stuart Willson

    I work across the street. Two things: 1/ definitely changes the game lunch-wise. 2/ The price point is ~30% higher than my typical “run out/run back” lunch (Chop’t, etc).

    1. Gotham Gal

      I’m sure. Better and more expensive

  4. Pranay Srinivasan

    wow definitely adding this to my list to explore this weekend.looking forward to exploring NYC

  5. laurie kalmanson

    hungry now. also: chelsea market food hall

  6. pointsnfigures

    We have a few of these in Chicago. When I was in Singapore, it was my first experience. They call them Hawker stands and they have insanely good food. I couldn’t wait for them to come to the US and they are popping up all over. The fried chicken looks pretty darn good. My fav is in New Orleans at Dookie Chase’s.

    1. Gotham Gal

      garden and gun does a good job

  7. CCjudy

    I remember a market on lower east side indoors and I dont think it was any prepared food. It was a great place!

    1. Gotham Gal

      Still there. Essex Street Market.

  8. Sari Nickelsburg

    My friend Fany is the chef behind Dough doughnuts. She is a partner in Dough, owner of La New Yorkina, and a James Beard award nominated writer. I never would have guessed when we first met so many years ago that she would become such a force in the culinary world and such an amazing and inspirational entrepreneur. Fany would be a great subject for your Monday series, assuming you can catch her. Hardest working woman I know, and constantly on the move.

    1. Gotham Gal

      I know Fany. I hope she is getting what she deserves with the people that invested in her talents.

      1. Sari Nickelsburg

        I would say the same.