Winter Warm-Up: NYC’s Best Feel-Good Grub
There are a lot of wonderful things about wintertime in New York: the first snowfall, ice skating at Bryant Park, and the complete absence of that (wtf?!) sewage smell that takes over in August. But post-holidays, all of that goodness morphs into face-shattering cold, traffic-stopping storms, and absolutely no Christmas presents in sight. The best way to combat those inclement days is to play hooky and warm your insides with a couple of feel-good food staples. From soups and sammies to pot pies that redefine pot pies, these calorie-worthy dishes can be found at 17 of NYC's hottest spots (pun intended). If you're feeling guilty about the potential extra-poundage, don't. It's called insulation.
Talk Soup
Gazpacho rules as the sole soup of summer, but winter provides a bottomless pot of melting medleys.
Mrs. K’s Matzo Ball Soup at Kutsher’s Tribeca ($11)
Nothing says winter like this steaming bowl of chicken broth, studded with carrots, celery, dill, and the fluffiest matzo balls in the nation. Don’t tell your bubbie.
Kutsher’s Tribeca, 186 Franklin Street (between Greenwich and Hudson streets); 212-431-0606.
New England Clam Chowder at Littleneck ($7)
A clam shack on the Gowanus Canal? Yes, indeedy — but don’t worry, the choice clams in this creamy bowl of aren’t sourced from the Superfund site. They’re probably from heaven.
Littleneck, 288 3rd Avenue (between President and Carroll streets), Gowanus; 718-522-1921.
Cassoulet at Mas (la grillade) ($38)
Chef Galen Zamarra’s temple to wood-fired food is heartwarming enough, but this stew of white beans, duck confit, and smoked sausage is like a cozy Nice château in a bowl.
Mas (la grillade), 28 7th Ave South (between Downing and Clarkson streets); 212-255-1790.
EAK’s Bowl of Red at Hill Country Barbecue ($5.50-$20)
“Chili Queens” used to dot the nighttime landscape of San Antonio, serving scorching bowls to ice-cold cowboys. Hill Country keeps the tradition alive with a just-rightly spiced meat stew.
Hill Country Barbecue, 30 West 26th Street (between Broadway and 6th Avenue); 212-255-4544.
Photos: Courtesy of Matthew Zuras, Littleneck, Galen Zamarra/Mas (la grillade), and Hill Country
Talk Soup
Gazpacho rules as the sole soup of summer, but winter provides a bottomless pot of melting medleys.
Mrs. K’s Matzo Ball Soup at Kutsher’s Tribeca ($11)
Nothing says winter like this steaming bowl of chicken broth, studded with carrots, celery, dill, and the fluffiest matzo balls in the nation. Don’t tell your bubbie.
Kutsher’s Tribeca, 186 Franklin Street (between Greenwich and Hudson streets); 212-431-0606.
New England Clam Chowder at Littleneck ($7)
A clam shack on the Gowanus Canal? Yes, indeedy — but don’t worry, the choice clams in this creamy bowl of aren’t sourced from the Superfund site. They’re probably from heaven.
Littleneck, 288 3rd Avenue (between President and Carroll streets), Gowanus; 718-522-1921.
Cassoulet at Mas (la grillade) ($38)
Chef Galen Zamarra’s temple to wood-fired food is heartwarming enough, but this stew of white beans, duck confit, and smoked sausage is like a cozy Nice château in a bowl.
Mas (la grillade), 28 7th Ave South (between Downing and Clarkson streets); 212-255-1790.
EAK’s Bowl of Red at Hill Country Barbecue ($5.50-$20)
“Chili Queens” used to dot the nighttime landscape of San Antonio, serving scorching bowls to ice-cold cowboys. Hill Country keeps the tradition alive with a just-rightly spiced meat stew.
Hill Country Barbecue, 30 West 26th Street (between Broadway and 6th Avenue); 212-255-4544.
Photos: Courtesy of Matthew Zuras, Littleneck, Galen Zamarra/Mas (la grillade), and Hill Country
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