I was hungry. The day had passed me by as I tried to tie up some loose ends and finish some projects before heading out on a new adventure with the boys and I just didn’t get around to eating, even though I managed to feed my kids.
Luckily our adventure today was taking them to one of NYC’s most overlooked, but incredibly appetizing gourmet destinations, Grand Central Market.
As the boys and I made our way to the market from inside Grand Central Terminal, people moved past us in a hurry, almost at the speed of light in comparison to my easy, non-rushed pace. I love Grand Central Terminal (or station as most of us call it). Best described in one of my children’s favorite cartoons, Madagascar, “It’s Central, and it’s Grand.” And that it is. No matter how many times I come here, I always have to slow down, even if at the risk of disrupting the hurried flow of commuters passing by, to take it all in. It’s really just too beautiful to take for granted. Even my boys seemed to forget the busy-ness around them when they entered the central terminal, ooooh’ing and ahhh’ing the entire time it took them to make their way across.
Many would never think of Grand Central as a fabulous eatery destination. The restaurant selections are incredible, and if embracing New York City is what those rare date nights are about, the location really cannot be beaten. Places such as The Oyster Bar, Metrazur, and Cipriani Dolci are my date night recommendations there for a romantic and special night out in my beloved city.
We made our way towards Lexington Ave. entryway and right into the Grand Central Market. The market was busy and very active. Today the market hosted a Premier Sampling event to kick-off Grill Week, where the various eateries and vendors were giving everyone who came up a taste of their best treats. We were thrilled!
Right there, amidst all the commotion of running back and forth, to and from somewhere, is this wonderful place where everything smelled so great, looked so fresh and appetizing. It’s really amazing the number of people that pass by not knowing, or ever stopping to take advantage of it all. The boys and I stopped at every eatery and tried something, from iced coffee (for me of course) to cheeses, to sweets, to even hot dogs!
We had eaten so much and had tasted so many different things that agreeing that it was time to move on was not a problem. But we definitely have a favorite spot to stop into when hanging out around the area or passing through on a train ride to Connecticut or anywhere else we may go to from the terminal.
We decided to take a walk and reached the library. The boys got a kick out of the famous lions, inspiring my 3.5-year-old to pose as one of the lions for photographs.
It was the cutest thing ever!
We took a long way home, first stopping in to see and congratulate some friends, and then getting on the train, with our bellies full, our palates pleased, and our need to make sure we try at least one of the many wonderful things the city has to offer, satisfied because, well, that’s what you do when you call The Greatest City in The World “home”.
MJ Tam
What a great article!!!
Justice Jonesie
Another article by you that makes me want to move to NYC! The food sounds so good, gotta love it!
Mr. Man
Two things:
1) I need to come to NYC for a couple of months just for the food (I could eat from street carts all day).
2)Awesome pix (especially of the 3.5 yo lion)
Daphne
I used to love it when I had time to browse between trains. Especially when they were giving out samples. Gorgeous picture of the cheeses and of course, those adorable lions!
Joe
Many years ago, I worked at a deli called "The Gourmet Market" the owners were the Kadushin family
that was in the 1970's I worked for 3 years there,I fond memories of those days..