September 18, 2014 | Short Order

Garment District Gets its Own Food Bazaar
by Ana Lopez

           I emerge from the subway, ravenous for a late lunch on the opening day of the Garment District’s Urban Space food mart.
           Joining the ranks of Madison Square Eats and Broadway Bites, the Garment District’s new outdoor eats runs along Broadway, with Times Square overlooking from a distance. It’s early enough that the tourists haven’t stumbled onto it, leaving this foodie haven for the locals and more than enough tables.


Amali americanized their gyros by adding a lone fry. Maybe I'm not American enough to appreciate it.

           I dive in, picking up a few plates at a time and returning to my table where my beau holds down the fort. First up is Amali, a new take on the permanent location’s typical Mediterranean fare. “This time,” the girl explains, “we’re serving American-Greek street food. Not authentic Greek food.” I order a shredded pork gyro ($10), surprised to find a French fry peeking out. Is this what they mean by American-Greek? Hmm apparently not. It’s just a lonely fry that’s lost its way. Sadly, Onigiri’s shiitake mushroom rice ball ($5) is mostly rice with a mean little slice of shiitake.


A full meal of pork cutlet, rice, pickled veggies and curry makes a satisfying lunch on the go.

             Go Go Curry, is my first experience in Japanese style curry. I’m used to the spicier Thai and Indian stews. Yet the katsu pork curry ($8) fried in panko crumbs and served over rice proves to be a killer at our table.
           Scents of fresh pizza from Roberta’s brick oven attack. I overhear a fellow pizza enthusiast asking if he can taste a sample, cut off by a resounding “No.” We agree to share a whole pie. 


Roberta's never fails to satisfy, just make sure you have someone to share with.

           It turns out my pizza mate is Gerald Scupp, Vice President of the Garment District Alliance. “I’m very excited we’re hosting this new Urban Space location,” he says. Then leaning in, “We’re also planning a holiday market, with local vendors and New York themed gifts. I’d like to be ready for this holiday season, but it’s still too early to know.”
           Moving down the line, I spot Paella Shack. I hope for a heaping bowl of this traditional Spanish rice but all that’s available is a sample of their croquettes, mushroom-truffle and Serrano ham ($5 for 3) -- mushy and devoid of ham.

           Zai Lai Chinese Grille offers more finger food; Lion’s Head Meatballs ($11.94) with inedible hunks of watercress tucked inside. Lemongrass and ginger seasonings are a saving grace. 
 


Brazilian  pillows of cheese and dough offer endless possibilities.


           My guy and I are close to bursting seams and office types are pouring in, so we agree to fast closing bites and dessert to go. I grab Wok Shop’s for duck dumplings ($8). The moist duck inside was filling, though I would have preferred fried dumplings to steamed. Café Patoro’s jalapeño and maple bacon cheese breads ($2 each) gave a modern twist to traditional Brazilian pao de queijo, a childhood favorite of mine. These tiny buns are filled with hearty chunks of jalapeño, but I’m still searching for the syrupy half of the maple bacon.
          Domo Taco’s Mexican-Japanese Lemongrass Chicken Taco ($3). Don’t ask me what Mexican-Japanese is, I can only say its titillating. My Mexican instinct is to eat the overstuffed taco with my hands but I succumb to the fork they provided after many failed attempts. Who knew spicy mayo and tortillas could compliment each other so well?


Grab dessert to go with Batter & Cream's Milk n' Whoopie set for $3.

          We finish off the evening at home with our collection of cupcakes from Billy’s ($3 each). Moist carrot cake stuffed with walnuts, rich banana bread and red velvet. Batter & Cream offers a sampler of mini whoopie pies for $8. I choose S’mores, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter, Fig Honey & Goat Cheese, and Pumpkin Spice in anticipation of fall’s most cherished flavor.

          We lick the icing off our fingers and lean back in our seats, relishing the afternoon’s indulgences, planning to return.

Urban Space Garment District will be located along Broadway, between 41st Street and 39th Street from September 15th to October 17th. Open 11 am to 9 pm daily.

Patina Restaurant Group





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