Let Me Show You How to Shmorgasburg!
Last year I became a diehard Smorgasburg attendee, and I learned a few tricks that I'd like to pass on to the people to maximize your foodie experience.
1. Dress comfortable. It's not a fashion show and your stomach might expand after you visit a few tables. Seating is limited as well and the grass is sometimes your best bet to sit comfortably. (Hint: bring a blanket and it can be a picnic if you tune out the hipsters)
2. Budget yourself. You can easily find yourself spending $100.00 in an hour and portioning isn't always a strong point, so keep that in mind before you order. My friends and I group up to split the cost and try everything that we agree on. It's not about filling up as much as it is about enjoying the variety of food .
3. Don't ruin your good clothes. The vendors carry a array of sauces, aiolis, chutneys, cremes, vinigarettes and marinades. Come to eat, not to style. You'll regret spilling curry on your Yeezy's.
4. Spin the block before you buy. Walk a complete circle before you buy anything. You'll see so many good things that it's your best bet to assess the situation before you dive in.
5. Expand your pallet. Of course you're gonna try whats familiar, but also try some things you haven't had before. You may find a new variation to an old favorite or something new all together. I set out to try 2 things that I love and 1 thing that I've never had before.
6. Stay active. This is a rule best used outside of Smorgasburg, something to live by if you're gonna be attending foodie events all summer. If you don't workout at all you can put on winter pounds in the summer. Don't take the nice weather for granted. Take a walk, go for a bike ride or hit the gym if you can.
This week in Brooklyn Smorgasburg is back and I had to attend the opening weekend in Prospect Park. This year we ran into some old friends like Mighty Quinn's, serving mouth watering brisket, Fedoroff's roast pork sandwiches with the broccoli rabe and roasted peppers and Big Mozz NYC, showing people how to master mozzarella via fried sticks of cheese, but this year we're looking to make some new friends .
As far as new recruits to the Smorgasburg roster there was something delicious from under the sea, at Handsome Hanks Fish Chips and Shrimp, with massive servings of all 3. Your plate runneth over for sure kinda like good Friday. It's good fried food. Brunch street brought breakfast to the party on skewers. French toast pork sausage and quail eggs served eastern style (with a savory dim sum sauce) or western style (with Parmesan and truffle). All served on wooden skewers. I didn't eat the quail eggs, but people loved 'em and I can speak for the syrup marinated French toast and sausage. I'd recommend if you're an early bird looking for a quick breakfast fix. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but the Mozzarella Maestros, Big Mozz NYC, held down 2 spots this year. One crusted mozzarella sticks that I love and one margherita and pesto pizza. I don't recall ever seeing pizza at Smorgasburg in Prospect Park but I must say it's "crust" in time for the summer pizza fanatics like myself. Ah ha see what I did there? Lol.
This year's vendor with the longest line, which is usually something I never truly understand, was the Rain Drop Cake stand (last year it was Ramen Burgers). The Raindrop cake took the cake (no pun intended). The Raindrop Cake is a Japanese recipe that just touchdown in NY and people are going crazy over it . It's made out of mineral water and Agar, a gelatinous substance extracted from red seaweed, served with a brown sugar syrup and roasted soy flour. Look's like 2 fake tidday implants or a man of war jelly fish minus the tentacles, but what do I know? It sold out at Smorgasburg at the pier and I'm sure it did at Prospect Park also.
