(All photos by Faaris Ahmed)
Winter is one of the most magical times of the year for the Big Apple. From the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to ice skating at Wollman Rink, New Yorkers won’t grow bored by the numerous activities offered.
Every year, the Bryant Park Winter Village, sponsored by Bank of America, consists of over 200 local businesses displaying crafts, provisions, and exquisite gifts from around the world. In addition, visitors can enjoy ice skating, cozy igloos, and bumper cars on ice, they should be able to enjoy at least a few hours! I visited Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan to explore the market and see if it lived up to the hype, stopping by several kiosks to share my thoughts on whether it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
Curds the Word is new to the Bryant Park Winter Village. The business is based at a Wisconsin Dairy Farm. They serve fried cheese curds which are sometimes [unfried] used in Canada’s poutine. I got the small cheese curds which cost me 11 dollars plus the dipping sauces which cost 50 cents each.
It was a cold day outside, so taking a bite of the warm cheese curd was a reliever. The cheese inside tasted like a mozzarella stick having that nice thick string-like cheese get stuck on your tongue. The dough was fried perfectly and had a nice crunch to it. I’d give this an 8/10 as it tastes good for the quality it is intended for, however, the portion size is small for the absurd price that comes along with it.
Wonderen serves stroopwafels of many flavors at their stall. Customers are able to see the stroopwafels being created in which the worker places chocolate on half of the waffle and decorates it. Flavors were kept simple from Oreos to more luxurious sweet tooths such as Lotus Biscoff.
I don’t have a big sweet tooth, so I got the Oreo one. When I took my first bite, the waffle wasn’t warm at all. It even felt a little frozen. That was a shock to me especially seeing the worker hand make it on-site. However, the stroopwafel still had a pleasant flavor and the Oreo gave it a nice combination. I’d rate it a 6/10 because while it had the familiar, enjoyable flavor of a pre-packaged stroopwafel, it didn’t offer anything beyond that. Considering the price, the portion felt underwhelming.
Gnocchi on 9th is a new store that has opened multiple locations across NYC. On TikTok, this pasta staple was one of the most viral places to try in Bryant Park and throughout the city. I was super excited to get my hands on gnocchi since I love Italian food. The two options at this location were Vodka or Cacio e Pepe. Other locations include Pesto and Pomodoro. I tried the vodka one because it was the most popular flavor.
The pasta was served in a Chinese food takeout container. The smell of the pasta delighted my senses and the heat of the box helped me stay warm. The pasta had a delicious flavor and the overall quality of the ingredients was yummy. Although it can’t beat the amazing pasta in Italy, this is one of the best Italian options in New York. However, they didn’t distribute the cheese appropriately and I felt the portion was small for the price you pay. Overall, I give this a 7/10.
The Hudson Valley Farmhouse serves treats perfect for the Fall season. Items include apple cider (hot or cold), coffee, donuts, and other pastries. Out of all the places I went to, this was the most affordable with the apple cider donut costing $3 and the Small Hot Apple Cider costing $5. The donut tasted really good as it is made fresh on-site. However, the apple flavor was hidden and it tasted more like a sugar donut. The apple cider was normal, but it was a little too liquidy and the apple wasn’t present again. I think this establishment could work on its flavors a little better as the food and drinks themselves are fresh and of good quality. I’d give this a 5/10.
For those visiting New York for the holidays or locals who enjoy sightseeing, Bryant Park Winter Village is a must-visit. With local artisans and food options from local vendors, the Winter Village has everything you could ask for. Just be prepared to spend a lot of money, the items are crazy expensive!
