The Lower East Side has always been food-centric with its pickles and bialys and kosher bakeries. But only in the past few years has it become foodie-centric.
The biggest changes to the neighborhood have occurred below Delancey Street, which used to be a ghost town but is rapidly becoming a destination. Below are a few places that I recommend your taste buds get better acquainted with:
1. Doughnut Plant, 379 Grand Street (one block east of Essex Street): Doughnut Plant has been featured on just about every “Best Doughnut” listicle ever made, and for good reason–the doughnuts are uh-mazing. They are made on site from fresh ingredients using no trans fats and come in two general varieties: cake and yeast. The yeast doughnuts are bigger and squishier whereas the cake doughnuts are smaller and solider. You can’t leave here without trying the Tres Leches, which is a cake doughnut with three different types of cream filling. Also get yourself one of their daily specials which are always delicious and feature seasonal fruits and other yummy ingredients.
2. The Ten Bells, 247 Broome Street (between Ludlow and Orchard): Okay so I know this is actually a bar and not a restaurant, but they have an excellent oyster happy hour, other French-y nibbles, and an extensive wine list. Besides, we’re Crasstalkers. Drinking is what we do. Oysters are $1 from opening (usually around 4pm) to 7pm every day and come with a delicious vinegar sauce. Splash some on and suck ’em down with a glass of wine.
3. The Fat Radish, 17 Orchard Street (between Canal Street and Hester Street): I don’t know if it’s the lighting or the antiqued mirrors or what, but everybody looks 34% hotter when they’re at The Fat Radish. The restaurant describes its menu as “simple, healthy, delicious dishes created with well-sourced, seasonal ingredients.” That’s pretty accurate, except for the “healthy” part. And with that, I’m going to recommend the bacon cheeseburger with duck fat chips and house pickles. Or, the green curried monkfish with wild rice and sheep’s yoghurt raita. But it’s up to you. (Psst! You’ll want to get a side of the duck fat chips with your monkfish!)
4. Hester Street Fair, open every Saturday from 10am to 6pm through October (at the intersection of Hester Street and Essex Street): If you go to only one food destination on the Lower East Side this summer, it should be Hester Street Fair. This is my go-to place for breakfast, lunch, or a snack on Saturdays. It helps that I live within spitting distance, but I would travel over bridge and through tunnel for some of the food offerings. The selection changes weekly, but there are a few “regulars” that I can wholeheartedly recommend: Poffertjes Man cooks up the most delicious mini Dutch pancakes covered in butter and powered sugar (I call this breakfast); La Newyorkina has Mexican ice pops (try the mango-chile, it has just the right amount of heat); Luke’s Lobster dishes out lobster, shrimp and crab rolls on toasted buttered buns; and Mighty Balls has some tasty meatball sliders and heroes. There are also crafts, jewelry, vintage clothing and some other unique items and a nice lawn out back for sitting and chilling. Come hungry, eat, then stay a while and get hungry all over again.
5. Bacaro, 136 Division Street (between Essex and Ludlow). Bacaro is like a tapas restaurant, only with Italian food and an extensive wine list. The food is good, but the atmosphere is great. Wine comes in three sizes–a small glass, a larger glass, and a mini-carafe (go for the carafe, you know you want to). The upstairs looks like a typical cafe wine bar, but follow the staircase down into the dungeon and you’ll find yourself surrounded by brick vaulted ceilings and tables tucked into private, candlelit nooks. Try the spicy meatballs and the mushroom gnocchi, or go whole hog and eat an entire turkey leg Medieval Times-style.
Are you hungry yet? Good. The easiest way to get to this neighborhood is to take the F train to either Delancey Street or East Broadway. And while you are there, walk around a bit. There are hidden gems on every block. I also recommend taking one of the neighborhood walking tours and other offerings at the Tenement Museum (108 Orchard Street, between Broome and Delancey). Oh, and Il Laboratorio del Gelato (95 Orchard Street, between Broome and Delancey) is right across the street from the museum, and there’s always room for gelato.
