These are exciting times for robots, as we’re beginning to find out how easily they can replace humans, and even “influencers”; just ask Jeremy Jacobowitz. We wanted to see if it could replace us as well, so we turned to ChatGPT and asked it to write this week’s Must-Eats article to give ourselves a much needed break. Here’s how it went:

TEAM 8it: Hey ChatGPT, write me a weekly article about food pop-ups and dish drops in NYC

CHATGPT: First up, we have the "Mac & Cheese Pop-Up" at the Clinton Hill branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. From March 7th to March 12th, the library will be hosting a special pop-up featuring macaroni and cheese from some of the city's best chefs and restaurants. Some of the participating vendors include Emily Pizza, The Meatball Shop, and Miss Lily's.

Next, we have the "Bao Pop-Up" at Essex Market. From March 12th to March 14th, Essex Market will be hosting a pop-up featuring steamed buns filled with a variety of delicious fillings. Some of the vendors participating in the pop-up include Bao by Kaya, BaoHaus, and Yumpling.

Finally, for those who love seafood, don't miss out on the "Lobster Roll Pop-Up" at Smorgasburg. From March 6th to March 7th, Smorgasburg will be hosting a pop-up featuring some of the city's best lobster rolls. Some of the vendors participating in the pop-up include Red Hook Lobster Pound, Lobster Joint, and Luke's Lobster.

Based on our research, none of these pop-up events ChatGPT mentioned above are real. I mean, Smorgasburg isn’t even open. ChatGPT lied to us.

I guess AI can’t replace us all…yet. While it’s a great tool for quick research and brainstorming, it can’t replicate the hours of curation that goes into this article. So without further ado, this week’s Must-Eats features a tasting menu straight out of Top Chef, movie night in a doughnut, a chicken sandwich from halfway across the world, and more. See how ChatGPT stacked up against the pop-ups below for a good laugh.

As always, this article is just a small taste of the pop-ups and drops in the 8it app. Hit the green button below each dish to access 8it and get all the deets. (Private Beta password: NYCPOPUP)

The Peoples Brunch
Williamsburg // 3.5

What ChatGPT said:
I apologize, but as an AI language model, I don't have access to real-time information. Additionally, my knowledge cutoff is September 2021, and I don't have access to current events or future information.

What 8it says: Chef Lonnie Love’s brunch series ‘The Peoples Brunch’ is popping up at Rise Radio this Sunday with a menu that would put any eggs benedict to shame. Maximalist creations like oxtail braised for twelve hours with coconut cream grits, lemon & herb savory waffles with crispy snapper, chorizo crumble, and aji verde, passionfruit yogurt with pistachio crumble, and more will be plated up while DJ Marcus Logan spins tracks. With a lineup that strong, Sunday is looking like a bad day to be a bagel. Tap the ox below for all the info.

Hoppers x Daily Provisions
Union Square // 3.6

What ChatGPT said: While I don't have information about a specific collaboration between Hoppers and Daily Provisions, it's possible that they could work together to create a special menu or offer Sri Lankan-inspired dishes at the bakery.

What 8it says: This one’s for all the spice fiends looking to get their lips tingling on Monday. Hoppers, a Sri Lankan street food restaurant with three locations in London is collabing with Daily Provisions for one night only, dropping a special menu available for dine-in and pickup from 4PM until close. The offerings will include Sri Lanka’s signature curry in sandwich form, a whole chicken encrusted in spicy kalupol curry, a curried squash soup, and coconut tapioca pudding. Tap the flame below for all the info.

Top Chef Tasting Menu
Murray Hill // 3.7 & 3.8

What ChatGPT said: I'm sorry, but I don't have any information about a Top Chef tasting menu at KJUN. It's possible that this is a new or limited-time offering, or it may not exist at all.

What 8it says: Jae Jung had a great run on Top Chef: Houston and to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her appearance, her Pete Wells-approved Cajun-Korean fusion joint, KJUN, is dropping a tasting menu that features dishes she made on the show. This is a chance to channel your inner Padma Lakshmi and indulge in a six-course menu featuring seafood gumbo with okra kimchi, bbq brisket grillades and grits with cherry tomato kimchi, szechuan style stir fried udon noodles with Korean melon salad, and more. Tap the Top Chef button below for all the info.

Alf Bakery
Bed-Stuy // 3.4

What ChatGPT said: A pop-up event is a temporary event or retail location that is used to showcase a particular product, brand, or concept. In the case of ALF Bakery, a pop-up event might be a one-time or limited-time opportunity for the bakery to showcase its products and gain new customers.

What 8it says: Jean-Georges alum Chef Amadou Ly will soon be opening Alf Bakery at Chelsea Market. But first, he’s popping up at Ostudio to show out his baking style, “le pain vivant,” which is characterized by minimal interaction with the dough. The direct translation from French to English is “living bread” so one can expect yeastiness in full affect. One product of this baking style is the laminated baguette, a bread-croissant hybrid with layers as airy as they are buttery. Ly is additionally known for flan boulanger, the vanilla-flavored French custard pastry pictured above. Tap the croissant below for all the info.

Caramel Corn Crème Brûlée Doughnut
West Village // 3.3-3.5

What ChatGPT said: The doughnut is made with a classic brioche dough and filled with a creamy caramel corn pastry cream. The top of the doughnut is then coated with a layer of torched sugar to create a caramelized crust, similar to the topping on a traditional crème brûlée dessert. The doughnut is finished with a sprinkling of caramel popcorn pieces on top. This flavor combination brings together the sweet, buttery flavors of caramel and popcorn with the rich, creamy taste of crème brûlée.

What 8it says: When The Doughnut Project drops a crème brûlée doughnut, to be anywhere else besides the West Village would simply be tragic. There are few sensations on this planet better than biting through caramelized sugar-encrusted fried dough as pastry cream erupts in your mouth on Morton Street. This weekend, a bite through house-made caramel corn and that irresistible sugary crackle will lead to a popcorn-steeped pastry cream filling. The joys of movie night packed into a doughnut. Tap the popcorn below for all the info.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for most current info about NYC’s must-eat food pop-ups and limited-edition eats, then ChatGPT is not the vibes. Unless you want to eat at non-existent grilled cheese pop-up at the Brooklyn Library this weekend 😂

The 8it team is out in these streets with the insider intel you’re looking for. Who knows, we might have to collab with ChatGPT at some point in the future, but til then there’s only one place for you to trust 🤝

Beta password is: NYCPOPUP

Psst…If you’ve made it this far, you probably give a damn about what we’re doing at 8it. Our founder Steve would love to get to know you. Hit this link to lock in 15 minutes to say what’s up.