A big trend in cities recently has been the reutilization of large buildings, usually warehouses, into multi-purpose spaces that include restaurants and retail areas, along with apartments and offices. The restaurants are small and look more like food stands rather than a traditional restaurant, and they usually emphasize quality food and ingredients. The result is a large food court. We really enjoy visiting these spaces–we appreciate the reutilization of space, the industrial feel that goes along with it, and the variety and quality of the food offered. The best known of these spaces in New York is Chelsea Market, located in, as the name suggests, Chelsea.
The market is a long but winding hallway with shops and restaurants on either side, along with a few offshoot passageways that lead downstairs or to small side areas. The building itself is a beautiful example of an industrial structure, with openings made into the walls that still reveal the original brick design. Make sure when you visit to look around you and above you, rather than just looking at the shops and restaurants.
We have visited Chelsea Market on a few occasions and have been to three of its restaurants. The first is The Tippler, a speakeasy-style bar in the basement of the complex. The bar is beautiful, with large, wooden beams overhead and plenty of brick all around. Our drinks were enjoyable, and we had a nice time hanging out with friends, although as we learned, it’s a popular place to do that, as it got quite busy in the evening.
On another trip to the market we ate at Filaga Pizzeria, which makes Sicilian-style pizza, a thin-crusted pizza with fresh ingredients. Patrons can buy pizza by the slice and peruse their options beforehand, as the pizza is elegantly displayed in windows at the front of the stand. We enjoyed two slices, the Margherita and Diavola, both of which were very tasty and flavorful.
On the same visit we also ate at Berlin Currywurst. Although the food stand has a few other options, the restaurant offers a step-by-step way to choose your own version of Berlin’s popular street food. Visitors can choose the type of sausage they want and the style in which they want it. They can also choose from a few different sides. We got the paprika sausage with sauce on top and a bun on the side, along with an order of fries. The currywurst was delightfully flavorful and savory, and we enjoyed it immensely.
Chelsea Market offers many more food options than we have been to, and that is part of the fun. We love going to such places as it’s very easy to try something new and pick a cuisine that you’re in the mood for. It’s also a good place to go if you’re in a group and can’t decide on one place to eat.
Tip: If you enjoy going to Chelsea Market, be sure to also check out DeKalb Market Hall in Downtown Brooklyn, which offers a similar experience in a more modern environment.
A Living Scrapbook 