Glen Rock’s neighboring city, New York, is home to a winter wonderland. Bryant Park offers the best holiday shopping experiences, where you can discover artists from around the globe and indulge in exquisite foods that open your palate to various cultures. I took a quick trip into the city so I could try the most popular and highly-rated food stands such as Casa Toscana, Pickle Me Pete, Frida’s favorites, and two well-known hot chocolate shops. Although this winter-themed escape is a sight to see, I’m going to tell you if it’s actually worth your money and not just an overhyped zoo. 

   Casa Toscana is known for their healthy food options and sandwiches but with my sweet tooth, their bombolone donuts instantly grabbed my attention. These fun-filled donuts were one of my favorite items I tried. They offered diverse options for fillings, such as apricot, orange creme, strawberry, pistachio, and Nutella, for about $5.00 per donut. I tried one of each because my mom and I couldn’t decide which to try, but the apricot was my favorite for sure. It was similar to a jelly donut but with a stronger flavor and a fresher taste.  The only thing I didn’t like was that there wasn’t enough filling, the dough was served warm and very airy, but most of the filling was on top for display, so for that reason, I would rate this shop an 8/10.

   Pickle Me Pete was one of the most crowded stands in the park, by far. This shop was a unique experience for all pickle lovers, including myself. They offer a variety of flavors from classic dill, to spicy horseradish, and many more experimental ideas. I got their “pickle flight” which was a sampler pack of 6 fresh pickles for $12.00. Since they were not labeled, it was a fun surprise to see which one I would end up with next. Each one had a very unique taste, there was a wasabi sour pickle that had a kick to it which I really enjoyed.  I think they were reasonably priced, especially for being in the city, so it was definitely money well spent, I would rate this shop a 10/10 overall.

   Frida’s Favorites offers a great taste of authentic Mexican dishes, featuring a colorful and decorative design inspired by Frida Kahlo throughout the stand. I bought a grilled chicken quesadilla for $21.00. It was very flavorful but I think this was significantly overpriced for the portion I received. It was about the size of my hand with my fingers spread, which is enough for a snack, but if you’re really looking for a meal, Frida’s is not for you. They offered multiple options for your protein such as grilled steak, spicy chipotle chicken, sauteed shrimp, grilled chicken, and birria, but for an extra $5.00 which seemed like a scam to me, but then again, it’s New York so prices are always sky high. Honestly, I would still recommend this shop because it had a spice that was addicting, but I would only rate it a 6.1/10, just because it was overpriced and left me wanting more.

   For me, a winter walk isn’t complete without a cup of hot chocolate, so I tried two of the park’s favorites: the United Chocolate Works and the North Pole, both had their own distinctive qualities. First, I managed to squeeze through the crowd to the North Pole. Initially, I wasn’t impressed—$7.00 for a basic styrofoam cup, no whipped cream, just an unfestive drink unworthy of an Instagram story. But the second I took a sip, I was hooked. This was easily one of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had, it was rich and sweet but not overly so, more like if they used heavy creamer instead of milk, but in the best possible way. I give this shop a rating of 9/10. After that, the United Chocolate Works had some serious competition to face. I heard plenty of praise for their decorative ideas and their playful approach to chocolate. When you first approach the United Chocolate Works, you’ll notice a beautiful display of detailed chocolate molds shaped like tools, such as wrenches, bolts, and gears, which you can buy as gifts or use to dip into your hot cocoa. With expectations set high, I decided to try their regular hot chocolate for $9.00 since the themed cocoas had gone up to $11.00 to $13.00, which is way too pricey for a drink, in my opinion. While lots of people love United’s cocoa, I was not a fan. It was nice to look at but I wasn’t fond of the overall taste. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was but there was a hint of cinnamon that caught me off guard, for this reason, I would rate it a 6/10. Though the United Chocolate Works had a more artsy and unique presentation, the North Pole ultimately won for its perfect balance of flavor and indulgence. In the end, I had an amazing trip full of fun taste tests, I would 100% recommend visiting Byrant Park this Holiday season!