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www.theconnectionsnj.com
BACK TO THE
MARKETS
By: Linda Seigelman
It’s the perfect time to make a trip into
Manhattan because the Union Square
and Columbus Circle Holiday Markets are
back. There is nothing better than spend-
ing a few hours outdoors browsing the
markets, finding great gifts, and stopping
for some delicious eats along the way.
The Union Square Holiday Market is
an internationally renowned holiday
market located in Union Square Park.
Hailed as a must-visit destination for
unique gifts created by local craftsmen
and artists, millions of people from the
States and abroad browse the winding
aisles each year enjoying this eclectic
holiday experience. For 2017, the
Market has exciting new sections like
Little Brooklyn and Urbanspace
Provisions, a warming station, a kid’s
craft studio and live music. It marks the
official start of the holiday shopping sea-
son in New York City and is open from
November 16th to December 24th.
Favorite items such as candles, soaps,
handmade jewelry and winter acces-
sories will be featured along with exciting
new products such as small batch jams
and natural olive oils. As always, there is
a large selection of organic, fair trade
certified and made in the U.S. items.
Grab a Persian soup or a cup of thick hot
chocolate and take a break on a park
bench for some great people-watching.
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market,
now in its 15th year, is the younger sibling
to Union Square and opens a bit later –
on November 28th. It is considered one of
the most beautiful places for outdoor hol-
iday shopping. Located at the entrance to
Central Park, at 59th Street and Central
Park West, the Columbus Circle Market
also has many distinctive items for sale
including old favorites such as handmade
wooden puzzles and artisan chocolates as
well as some new handcrafted jewelry
and clothing items and fascinating gadg-
ets and tools. Food vendors offering
snacks and holiday treats from around the
globe should not be missed.
Both markets are open late every day.
Be sure to leave time to explore the
streets beyond the markets. Downtown,
you can stroll through the Village or to
Madison Square Park and Eataly.
Uptown, the shops in the Time Warner
Center and the pathways in Central Park
beckon. These are also two great food
neighborhoods, so take the opportunity
to head to a café or restaurant for a com-
fortable chair, a warm environment, and
coffee or a good meal.
SOME FAVORITE SPOTS
NEAR COLUMBUS CIRCLE
Blue Water Grill,
31 Union Square
West (at 16th) – long-time favorite of the
area, seafood specialties, always crowd-
ed, great brunch and lunch choices, over-
looks the square
Cafeteria,
119 Seventh Avenue (at
17th) – you can’t go wrong here, consis-
tently good and reasonably priced, burg-
ers, chicken, meat loaf, salads, busy all
day and night, open late
Eataly,
200 Fifth Avenue (at 23rd) – a
bit of heaven for Italian shopping and
eating, from pizza to steak, take out or
eat in, always crowded but worth a visit,
great place for gifts too
Le Pain Quotidien,
801 Broadway
(at 11th) – a city staple, communal
tables, good soup, salads, sandwiches,
delicious freshly baked pastries and
breads – take some home
SOME FAVORITE SPOTS
NEAR UNION SQUARE
Arte Cafe,
106 West 73rd Street (bet/
Columbus & Amsterdam) – long-time
casual Italian spot, prix fixe options for
lunch, brunch and early dinner, good
food at good prices
Bouchon Bakery,
10 Columbus Circle
(at 60th) – take-out bakery or sit-down
café with great views of Columbus
Circle, excellent soups, sandwiches and
more, the pastries are a must, take home
some bread and a treat or two
Café Luxembourg,
200 West 70th
Street (bet/ Amsterdam & West End) –
French bistro, an Upper West Side fixture
that is still great for lunch, brunch or
pre/post-theater or a movie
Nougatine,
1 Central Park West (at
60th) – Jean Georges Vongerichten’s more
casual French spot, great food, prix fixe
lunch a deal, an oasis of calm in the
neighborhood
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Dining
for the
Holidays
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