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www.theconnectionsnj.com
Holiday Markets
Are Back
By: Linda Seigelman
There are many reasons to venture into
Manhattan this time of year: the exciting
theater season, blockbuster shows at the
museums, new places to eat and foods to
try, and – the Union Square and Columbus
Circle Holiday Markets are back. There is
nothing better than spending a few hours
outdoors browsing the markets, finding
great gifts, and stopping for some delicious
eats along the way.
Designed in the tradition of holiday mar-
kets located in the public squares and piaz-
zas of major European cities, the Union
Square Holiday Market has been attracting
crowds of locals as well as tourists from
around the country and the world for more
than 20 years. It marks the official start of
the holiday shopping season in New York
City and is open from November 19th to
December 24th.
Over 100 merchants are arrayed
throughout the brightly lit and festively
decorated square. Each year sees the return
of old favorites and the debut of some
exciting new ones. Among the hot items
this year are candles, soaps, handmade
jewelry and winter accessories, gourmet
items such as truffle salts, olive oils and
vinegars, and a large selection of organic,
fair trade certified and made in the U.S.
items. Grab a hot cider and take a break on
a park bench to watch the action. The peo-
ple-watching is as good as it gets.
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is
the younger sibling to Union Square and
has its own special flair. Located directly off
Columbus Circle near the entrance to
Central Park, it opens a bit later – on
December 1st. This market also has many
distinctive items for sale such as handmade
wooden puzzles, artisan chocolates and
truffles, home accessories and handcrafted
jewelry to name a few. There are numerous
food vendors offering snacks and holiday
treats from around the globe.
Both markets are open late – until
8:00pm Monday through Saturday, and
until 7:00pm on Sunday. Be sure to leave
time to explore the streets beyond the mar-
kets. Downtown, you can stroll through the
Village and NYU or to Madison Square Park
and Eataly. The shops in the Time Warner
Center, a walk through Central Park, or a
visit to Lincoln Center are excellent add-ons
uptown. Though it is hard not to eat your
way through the Holiday Markets, Union
Square and Columbus Circle are two great
food neighborhoods so take the opportuni-
ty to head to a café or restaurant for a com-
fortable chair, a warm environment and a
good meal.
SOME FAVORITE SPOTS
NEAR UNION SQUARE
Blue Water Grill,
31 Union Square
West (at 16th) – long-time favorite of the
area, seafood specialties, always crowded,
great brunch and lunch choices, overlooks
the square
Cafeteria,
119 Seventh Avenue (at
17th) – you can’t go wrong here, consis-
tently good and reasonably priced, burgers,
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 eat-
ing, from pizza to steak, take out or eat in,
always crowded but worth a visit, great
place for gifts too
Irvington,
W Union Square, 201 Park
Avenue South (at 17th) – new Mediter-
ranean influenced restaurant in old Olives
space, tempting drinks menu, fresh ingredi-
ents, lovely ambience
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 COLUMBUS CIRCLE
Arte Cafe,
106 West 73rd Street (bet/
Columbus & Amsterdam) – long-time casu-
al Italian spot, prix fixe options for lunch,
brunch and early dinner, good food at
good prices
Bouchon Bakery,
10 Columbus Circle (at
60th) – Napa Valley, CA fave in NYC, take-
out bakery or sit-down café with great views
of Columbus Circle, excellent soups, sand-
wiches 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-Lincoln Center
Nougatine,
1 Central Park West (at 60th)
– Jean Georges Vongerichten’s more casual
French spot (next door to Jean Georges),
great food, prix fixe lunch is the real deal
Telepan,
72 West 69th Street (bet/
Columbus & Central Park West) – lovely
low-key decor, excellent service, wonderful
food choices a la carte or as a tasting
menu, a top brunch spot
• Fiesta Platters – Trays & Desserts Available
• Guacamole, burritos, enchiladas,
homemade Mexican sausage, empanadas,
tamales, soups, salad, tacos
– Daily Specials
• Wraps & Sandwiches
• Weekend Specials
• Breakfast all day
• Market foods
Hours:
Sun. 11-8
Fri. & Sat. 11-10
Mon.-Thurs.
11-9
450 Amwell Rd.
(Across from Hillsborough Post Office)
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-874-0091
Authentic Mexican Food & Market
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