Time Out Market New York, Union Square opened Friday, the company’s first neighborhood format designed to fit into a smaller footprint.
The new market features seven local food vendors, including notable chef-restaurateurs like Kwame Onwuachi with his debut concept, Patty Palace, serving up beef, curried chicken and jerk mushroom Jamaican patties on coco bread.
Jamaican patties from Patty Palace. | Photo courtesy of Time Out Market, Union Square
In addition to Onwuachi’s Caribbean specialties, there’s Kebabwala with Indian fare from Unapologetic Foods, the company behind popular Semma restaurant; Taqueria el Chato with a variety of street tacos and quesadillas; Kam Rai Thai with pork buns, coconut curry and other Thai specialties; Paninoteca by Anthony, a Staten Island-rooted Italian-American sandwich spot; Fornino, a Brooklyn-based artisan pizza destination; and Lori Jayne, famous for its LJ Burger, black garlic chicken wings and Sichuan shrooms.
Taqueria el Chato's tacos. | Photo courtesy of Time Out Market, Union Square
This isn’t Time Out’s first market in the Big Apple. Time Out New York opened in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn in 2019. But that one is massive, boasting 24,000 square feet compared to this new market’s 10,000. The Dumbo location is constructed over two stories with 21 eateries, three full bars and a rooftop terrace. It’s part tourist destination, part buzzy food hall.
The Union Square market, on the other hand, is really geared to the neighborhood, which includes hungry New York University students, office and hospital workers, and residents of Greenwich Village and surrounding areas. The communal atmosphere and prices reflect that intention.
“I think they made the price points here more college-student friendly compared to the Market in Brooklyn. It seems to be almost half,” said a publicist for one of the food vendors. Indeed, the price of a chicken tikka kebab with a mound of house-made mint chutney at Kebabwala is $7.50. Deliciously sticky black garlic chicken wings at Lori Jayne are $9, while Taqueria el Chato’s al pastor, lengua and chorizo tacos with house-made salsa in fresh corn tortillas are $5-$7 each. The portions are on the small side, but the chef-driven items all under one roof makes this a worthwhile culinary destination.
Lion King-themed cocktails. | Photo by Pat Cobe
The market also sports a full-service bar up front, with a curated wine list, local and craft beers and signature cocktails unique to this locale. These include a bourbon-ginger sour and a smoky mezcal-pear refresher; all the cocktails are also available as mocktails. The Lion King on Broadway is an opening sponsor of the new market, and two show-themed cocktails are currently on offer: Lion’s Pride (Maker’s Mark, amaro, ginger, pineapple and lemon) and King of the Jungle (Patron, cantaloupe, lime and red bell pepper).
Time Out Markets also aim for a cultural connection, and The Lion King will figure prominently over the next couple of months. The team has developed a campaign blending digital and in-market activations on screens throughout the Union Square space. Additionally, customers ordering food and sitting at the communal tables will be treated to digital updates on nearby cultural events.
And for those wishing to stop by for coffee and a treat, there’s a Coffee & Pastry showcase with croissants, cinnamon rolls, seasonal shortbread from Shortbread Society and Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding and brownies.
“Time Out Market New York, Union Square is a celebration of outstanding local culinary talents spanning diverse influences and flavors,” said Virginia Rector-Birbal, VP US Time Out Markets, in a statement. “Each of our Markets around the world features a curated mix of the city’s best talents––this too is at the heart of our Union Square site. Compared to our existing larger flagships, this is our first smaller neighborhood Market, dedicated to highlighting rising talents alongside local favorites as well as emerging home-grown artists, and to being a space for the local community to come together, from people living and working in this neighborhood, students from nearby universities, or visitors wanting to experience local food and culture.”
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