I’m trying out a new diet for the new year, so naturally I’m reminiscing about foods I’ve eaten in the past. I know I’m having a really great meal when I’m completely full but feel like I need to keep eating, and one memorable time where that happened was this past summer when I ventured to Time Out Market in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Living in the Upper East Side, the easiest way to get to DUMBO is actually by ferry. Right on the water at E 90th Street is the ferry stop that services two lines. They’ll both take you down to Wall Street/Pier 11, where you can transfer to another ferry that takes you right to DUMBO. (The ferry is one of my favorite ways to get around the city, especially if I’m going to Brooklyn, Roosevelt Island, or Lower Manhattan’s east side. It costs $2.75 each way and has a snack bar with beer! For more info on the ferry routes and schedules, click here).
Entering Time Out Market can be pretty overwhelming because it’s designed in a cafeteria-style service. Multiple local restaurants have counters where you can order food, and then you can either eat at tables on the main floor, or bring your food up to the rooftop. On the top floor there are even MORE restaurant counters as well as another full bar, and tables outside with gorgeous views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline. It can be kind of a fight to get a good table, but it’s well worth it.
Because there are so many options at Time Out Market, I decided to try a little of everything, which was a very daunting task.
Mr. Taka Ramen
What I Ordered: Black Garlic Tonkatsu (pork broth, thin noodles, sliced pork belly, scallion, bean sprouts, kikurage mushrooms, black garlic oil, crispy garlic chips, spicy oil and paste) and Pork Belly Bun
The ramen was so delicious that I actually ate almost the entire bowl on a hot summer evening. The pork broth was creamy and oh-so-flavorful, and all the toppings were perfect without being too much. As for the pork belly bun, I think it was the most tender, melt-in-you-mouth pork belly I’ve ever had and it was the perfect little size to share as an app.
Chote Miya
What I Ordered: Magic Masala Fries and Samosas
Sure, a side of fries seems simple, but it also seems crazy that a masala spice blend hasn’t been more popular as a french fry topping because it was AMAZING. Spicy and delicious, but not too spicy and just overall unexpectedly good. If you're a fan of crab-fries or any other spiced french fry, or you know, looking to try a new kind of fry, this is a great side for you and anyone else you might be sharing with. The samosas were also really tasty and perfectly crispy. They were another perfect plate to share as an appetizer and a great introduction to Indian cuisine and spices for anyone who hasn’t had much experience with it before.
Jacob’s Pickles
What I Ordered: Honey Chicken and Pickles Sandwich
If you come to the market hungry, you’ll want to get a sandwich from Jacob’s Pickles. These chicken-biscuit sandwiches are MASSIVE and so filling I could only stomach a few bites since I was trying a little of everything. The biscuit was very well-baked and the pickles are what really give the whole sandwich a nice flavorful kick.
Ivy Stark Mexology
What I Ordered: Guacamole, Chips, & Salsa
A simple little dish, but when it’s done well, it’s really good. This guacamole was a little fancy with pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds on top. Plus, all three of the salsas brought something a little different to the table. I just wish we had more chips to go along with it!
Felice Pasta Bar
What I Ordered: Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
If you’re craving some delicious, freshly-made pasta and some mouth-watering sauce, this is your place. All of the quality of a high-end Italian restaurant without the formalities, because I think we can agree that what we all needed was a quick-service pasta spot.
Tiki Chick
What I Ordered: Frozen Daiquiris
To be honest, I just assumed these had alcohol in them but I’m still not 100% positive if they do or not. I mean, you would assume that daiquiris and hurricanes have alcohol, but for $10? I wasn’t really so sure. On the main Tiki Chick website it specifies the type of rum in each drink, but at the Time Out Market location there aren’t as many details. Either way, they were quite yummy, alcohol or not, and a super refreshing choice on a hot summer evening. And who doesn’t love a cool souvenir cup???
I can’t recommend checking out Time Out Market enough if you’re in the city. I tried a lot of the vendors at once and loved them all, and would love to go back and try some of the others I didn’t get a chance to grab something from.
I’ve found that a lot of people who visit New York, my family included, want to see Brooklyn but don’t know where to go or what areas have enough going on to warrant a whole afternoon spent there on a limited trip. DUMBO is a perfect area to get acquainted with Brooklyn, and what better spot than Time Out Market to appease everyone in your group and try a little of everything, all while admiring the views of the Brooklyn Bridge. After you stuff your face with all of the unbelievable options, a walk across the bridge back to Manhattan might be just what you need.
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