9.15 Drop Digest: NYC’s Running Tab of Food Pop-Ups, Dish Drops & Collabs
Fashion week might be over, but knowing where to eat in NYC never goes out of style. That’s why at 8it we curate food recommendations in real time, so you’ll never miss a trendy pop-up, an elegant new dish drop, or a head-turning collab. This week’s haul features a dinner series akin to feminist punk, a bagel competition more contentious than a fashion show, a raspberry eclair that belongs on the runway, and more. The 8it Drop Digest is just a small taste of what you can discover in the 🧨 Pop-Ups & Drops category on the 8it app, so go check it out for more.
Corn ground cherry custard with baked plum from a previous Din Din. (photo from @dindin_nyc)
Din Din
West Village // 9.23
What’s the drop?
Chef Courtney Sproule’s Din Din series are meals that taste as if “Julia Child had joined the riot grrrl movement,” according to James Beard Award-winning food critic Karen Brooks. Its latest edition will be at El Condor next Friday. “Aesthetically, our plates and atmosphere are a juxtaposition of antique and modern,” said Sproule. Expect pickled mussels, sturgeon conserva, braised pork, a bright salad, and show-stopping desserts at this Din Din.
Why should you go?
While Chef Sproule’s food embodies the riot grrrl movement, she draws inspiration from regional French cooking of the countryside home, which was taught to her by the late Chef Robert Reynolds. Those two contrasting themes at play make this an exciting dining opportunity. “I love the harmony of a menu written with a sense of place, the grace of an arched meal designed to gently land you on your feet, and the joy of spending time with your loved ones over a leisurely gathering,” said Sproule. Channel your inner riot grrrl, tap the green button below and reserve a table at Din Din.
(photo from @bagelfest)
Brooklyn Bagel Fest
Downtown Brooklyn // 9.17
What’s the drop?
Some of the most popular bagel shops in NYC including Ess-a-Bagel, Utopia Bagels, Tompkins Square Bagels, and (to the disappointment of many New Yorkers) out-of-towners including Kismet Bagels from Philadelphia, Bagelry at Olmo from New Haven, and Rhodo Bagels from Lisbon, Portugal will be battling for supremacy at Brooklyn Bagel Fest on Saturday. While you will be forgiven for showing up only to cast a vote for your local bagel shop and eat an unlimited quantity of their bagels, a panel of experts will be tasting every bagel so that only the most deserving will win Best Bagel. Along with bagels and the glory of all their toppings, fun vendors like The Social and Evil Twin Brewing will be bringing bacon, egg, and cheese flavored ice cream made with bacon, egg, and cheese bagels from Greenberg’s Bagels, and a Blueberry French Toast Bagel Sour Ale, respectively.
Why should you go?
Not only is this a celebration of all things bagel, it’s a competition where one bagel will be crowned as the best in New York (and therefore the world, of course). Last year, the winner was PopUpBagels from Westport, CT. “Our bagel is simply different….” said owner Adam Goldberg. “It’s a throwback to an older generation bagel. Sized right with a great crust and crumb.” Goldberg also alluded to one of their delicious spreads, Momofuku Chili Crunch Butter topped with trout roe, as a key to winning the title last year. Seeking to retain the crown on Saturday, PopUpBagels is coming with two new samplings and some tricks up their sleeves that you don’t want to miss. Tap the green button below and grab a ticket to Brooklyn’s biggest bagel battle.
Peach Mango Pie (photo from @kaylee_corner)
Jeepney sa Amerika
Astoria // 9.17
What’s the drop?
This Saturday, Radial Park along the East River will be deluged with Filipino street food vendors and nonstop musical performances. The Jeepney is a motive of transportation in the Philippines and there will be one at the festival, although you won’t be able to drive it. Instead, motor your way through 50 food vendors serving Filipino classics like sisig and lechon, including Sisig ng Bayan, Patok by Rach, and many more.
Why should you go?
Chef Kristine Mana-Ay of Kaylee Corner will be bringing her empanadas and handheld-sized peach mango pies. Sitting along the East River, listening to music, splitting one of these open and sharing it with a friend sounds like the ideal afternoon until the pie is finished and one of you needs to go back for another. So get there early and make sure you get two of whatever delicious dish you choose. Hit the green button below and tap into the festivities!
Raspberry Eclair (photo from @petitchou.nyc)
Raspberry Eclair
Stuytown // Available all September
What’s the drop?
Petit Chou is a French bakery focused on choux pastry, which is the base for all eclairs, cream puffs, and profiteroles. This eclair was sewn together by self-taught pastry chef Bassim Nasr. Its raspberry cream and jelly filling, raspberry glaze, and meringue finish with fresh raspberries make us feel as though fashion week never ended; in fact, we’ve pushed back its closing date. Fashion week isn’t over until Petit Chou’s last raspberry eclair is finished.
Why should you go?
Chef Bassim loves raspberries and he’s excited to bring the third version of his raspberry eclair to the pastry cases at Petit Chou. “I just want the natural tartness and delicate sweetness of the berry to shine thru while also showcasing the beautiful color-theres no food coloring being used just the raspberries,” said Nasr. Tap into the hottest look in pastries using the green button below. Even if you’re not a pastry person, strolling down the street with an eclair in hand is in right now.
Pork Belly Burnt Ends by Chef Joe Musgni (photo from @smokingofmeats)
SmoKing of Meats Pitmaster Takeover
Battery Park City // 9.16
What’s the drop?
Blue Smoke is hosting a series of pitmaster takeovers over the next few weeks where some of the biggest names in New York City barbecue will be in residence for one night only, cooking up their unique brands of barbecue. This Friday, SmoKing of Meats Chef Joe Musgni will be in the building serving up brisket dirty rice arancini, Filipino pork belly burnt ends, and smoked ensaymada bread pudding. “I'll be paying homage to both my Italian and Filipino heritage at the Blue Smoke takeover,” said Musgni. “Will be a new-school BBQ experience you won't want to miss!” The series will also feature Bark Barbecue on 9.23 and Smoke Sweats on 9.30.
Why should you go?
Barbecue tends to be more closely associated with parts of the U.S not named New York, but if you were at Pig Island last weekend, then you know, New York City barbecue can’t be slept on. The festival showed us that the NYC BBQ scene is both diverse and close-knit. That allows chefs to express themselves and their cooking backgrounds through barbecue and fosters immense support for originality. “I believe we're right on the cusp of showing the BBQ world what the NYC area is all about and it's time to put some RESPECK on our names! Haha,” said Musgni. Tap the green button below and get down with some Pork Belly Burnt Ends. It will be the best bite you’ll have all week.
YOU SHOULDA 8it!
Not to rub it in, but here’s a pop-up you may have missed out on. To stay in the know on all the hottest drops in real-time, check out 8it’s Pop-Ups & Drops category in the app.
Cajun Smoked Pork Loin by Blue Smoke.
Pig Island 2022
If you follow us on Instagram, then we’ve probably already served you a large portion of FOMO with our Pig Island content earlier this week. Every single dish there was a hit and we can’t stop thinking about the Cajun Smoked Pork Loin with Poblano Cheddar Grits and Pork Bone Sauce from Blue Smoke. Luckily, the grits are on Blue Smoke’s regular menu in their New Orlean’s Shrimp & Grits. This festival could make Staten Island your favorite borough. ‘Til next year, pig island.
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