Bryant Park Winter Village



Bryant Park is my favourite NYC at any given time of the year.  However, throughout the fall and into the winter, Bryant Park is transformed into a stunning winter wonderland, punctuated with strings of lights that create a magical atmosphere for visitors as they meander through the market.  Featuring a popular free-admission ice-skating rink, a vibrant European-inspired open-air market offering clothing, accessories, gifts, food, and Christmas decorations (of course), “The Lodge” by Urbanspace and an enormous Christmas tree, the park has something to put everyone in a festive mood.  The Rink and The Lodge are open until 10 p.m. each day through 3 March 2019 while the shops will remain open until 2 January.

Some of my highlights from the market (so far) include:

Empanadas from La Sonrisa.  Sadly they were sold out of the option with bacon (crispy pancetta, smoked gouda and mozzarella cheese sauce) but the plain mac and cheese option was super tasty.  Other fillings that intrigue me are the coconut curry chicken (chicken breast prepared with Caribbean curry and coconut milk) and the Cubano – pulled pork (pork shoulder prepared with citrus, lime, garlic and herbs and spices).

Urbanspace Provisions – a physical space for Farm to People, an online food and gift market with an overwhelming selection of handcrafted food, snacks and treats.   It was here that I tasted Gruyere caramels.  My tastebuds were apprehensive about this sweet and salty combination but after some initial confusion, they approved of the unlikely union.  I can also recommend the sugar cookies from Grey Ghost Bakery (specifically the molasses spice and chocolate bourbon flavours), as well as the asiago and black pepper cheese puffs from Fuller Foods, all available from the market.


S'mores from Squish Marshmallows.  These are no ordinary campfire creations.  Their s'mores feature light and mouthwatering marshmallows “made with unique flavors, fulfilling every palate from childhood favorite combinations, to sophisticated, grown-up confections”.  These fluffy delights are lightly toasted with a blowtorch before being sandwiched between two graham crackers together with a chunk of dark, milk or white chocolate.


Churros from Dulcinea.  I always enjoy a good churro, especially with a delicious dunking sauce.  Their website promises a churro revolution, taking the beloved Spanish confection to new culinary heights and, as such, their churros are “stuffed, dipped and coated with ingredients that will delight your senses”.  Dulcinea’s classic churros have three flavours: Nutella, dulce de leche and peach.  As always, for me there is no other choice besides dulce de leche.  Divine!

I will certainly be visiting the Winter Village again this holiday season so watch this space for more recommendations.


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