I’m no stranger to food halls. Europe has fantastic ones like Galerie Lafayette in Paris, Stockmann’s in Helsinki, KaDeWe in Berlin and Harrods in London. They are like an upscale cafeteria with gourmet eats and I like that you can quench your cravings with a variety of small plates from around the world. So I was excited when The Plaza Hotel invited me to check out the Todd English Food Hall.
I had an idea of what to expect from my food hall experiences throughout Europe. Typically you pick up a tray and you can choose from a variety of stations offering different cuisines. Sometimes there is a cash register at each station and you pay like you’re visiting a bunch of different restaurants under one roof.
But the Todd English Food Hall does it better.
We toured by a variety of the stations as the host guided us to our table. I’ve written about how I wanted to be a chef at one point, so I always love show kitchens and watching the chefs prepare art on a plate. Each station has bar seating, so you can sit and watch at your favorite one.
There’s a menu with all of the selections available from the various stations. The only problem is choosing from all the delicious sounding items available.
Our conversation over the menu went something like:
“Ooh, lobster mac and cheese.”
“I haven’t had tacos in ages. Chicken or steak?”
“Dumplings! We must have dumplings!”
Thankfully our server had some wonderful suggestions and you’re invited to get up and go check out what’s happening at each station. I like seeing what other diners are ordering and what looks as good as it sounds.
The wine selection is also excellent with a variety of reds and whites from around the world. There are also some specialty cocktails and beer available if wine isn’t your thing.
Our server brought each of our menu selections one by one, giving us plenty of time to enjoy each dish while it was freshly made.
We started with a baby kale salad. I know, I know. It sounds a bit boring to come to a food hall and order salad, but this was an excellent starter. It had toasted hazelnuts, cranberries and apples. Pretty much Fall on a plate with a spicy kick from the vinaigrette.
I love dumplings and lemongrass, so couldn’t resist an order of the chicken and ginger dumplings with lemongrass pesto. They were even better tasting than their description on the menu made them sound.
Next, Peking duck buns arrived. They were like mini tacos with the duck, hoisin sauce, scallions and carrots inside of steamed lotus buns.
I can never resist lobster and the Todd English Food Hall has no shortage of it on the menu. It was tough to choose between the lobster guacamole, lobster mac and cheese, a lobster cocktail…I can’t even recall all the ways you could enjoy lobster.
At our server’s suggestion, we went with the lobster sliders. They were basically mini lobster rolls on buttery slider buns with a bit of mint mixed in to the chunks of lobster. So good I didn’t want to share!
I had every intention of skipping dessert, but it was like our server knew the way to my heart. “We have macarons,” he told me. Well, if you’re going to twist my arm with macarons…
You might even meet Todd English himself. He pops in regularly to check up on his restaurant and he happened to be there on our visit. He was out and about the whole time checking in with guests and ensuring everyone was having a great time.
The Plaza Hotel is a New York institution and the Todd English Food Hall is a great way to enjoy a visit there. It’s upscale, yet casual enough that you can pop in after a day of touring the city and not feel undressed. There are selections to please even the pickiest of eaters. And the portions are perfect for sharing a bunch of plates between friends. Definitely a must when visiting New York City.
Our meal at Todd English Food Hall was provided by The Plaza Hotel in order to bring you this story. However, Luxe Adventure Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel are entirely our own.
Amanda says
Goodness gracious, you had me at “mac & cheese, tacos, and dumplings.” Dang, this is quite a spread! Todd English has never entered my radar when I head up to New York. This would be such a great spot to end a day, though. Thanks for highlighting it! Adding another one of your suggestions to the list. 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I knew the food hall opened a few years ago, but I never thought to eat there either. I’m really glad I finally had the opportunity to check it out!
Rachelle says
OMG. I always get lost taking photos in food hall and then can never decide on what to eat … it all looks so good! Chicken and ginger dumplings with lemongrass pesto — WOW! Pete and I will have to visit next time we’re in NYC!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
You would love this place, Rachelle! And the whole food hall is a show kitchen. A waiter takes your order from the menu, but if you have questions you can ask the chefs at each station or you can sit at the bar at each station and watch as your meal is prepared.
Liz says
I want to go here so badly!! I’m a long time fan of Todd English from my years living in Boston and eating in his restaurants!!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Which of his restaurants is your favorite, Liz? We’ve never been to Boston, so we need to fix that and sounds like a Todd English restaurant should be on our agenda when we do make it there!
Christina Conte says
I was just in NYC in August and missed this! Sounds like a food lover’s delight! I’ll definitely be checking in when I’m back next time, which shouldn’t be too long, I hope!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely a food lover’s delight, Christina! Hope you make it back to NYC soon.
Lori says
Well, I’m in New York City quite often, so this is a great resource to know about!! It’s awesome that you can choose from so many options. And hey, I’m happy to hear that Harrod’s has one too as I’m headed to London soon and staying near Harrods!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Awesome, Lori! You will have to let me know how you like both food halls. Happy travels to London!
Katie says
One of my favorite places in the city. And I love it so much because even though I have been probably a dozen times there is always something new to try! Those buns have my name all over them! Yum!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Sounds like you’re a regular, Katie! What has been your favorite dish you’ve tried there?
Ashley says
I haven’t been to a Todd English restaurant that I didn’t love and this one looks amazing too! Did you say lobster mac and cheese? And those macarons are the perfect way to end the meal!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
You can never go wrong with lobster mac and cheese! Which Todd English restaurant is your favorite Ashley?
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
I”m not familiar with a food hall, but now I think I need to make a point of locating and visiting a few (with this one first on my list). Those Peking duck buns and those lobster rolls look out of this world!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Food halls are awesome! They’re like upscale cafeterias. You’ve got to visit one Heather!
Kimberly says
I would go crazy trying to decide what to choose – I would want to try everything! The Todd English Food Hall looks and sounds awesome – we’ll definitely have to stop in next Summer when we visit NYC!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
They have a portion of the menu that is all tasting plates. They’re perfect to share so that you can sample a variety of the dishes on the menu. Go hungry!
Sommer says
Wow, that looks delicious! I’ve never been to a Todd English restaurant either, but am adding this to my bucket list.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It was my first Todd English restaurant and based on the experience, I’d definitely try more of his restaurants!
Julie D says
Umm, I need to make it here the next time I’m in NYC…the duck bao (buns) look amazing!!
Marlene dombrowski says
I am a fan of his and will definitely be trying it my next trip to NYC it all looks fab will be hard to choose
Marlene dombrowski says
I am a fan of his and will definitely be looking forward to putting that on my list of things to do on my next visit to NYC. It all looks delicious that it will be hard to choose. Thanks for the info Jen!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
You’d like the Food Hall! There are a lot of choices on the menu, so there’s definitely something for every taste.
Dalia Lourenco says
The Lobster sliders with buttered buns look so delicious. 🙂 I’m sure you had a great time there. Plus, the fact that you can watch them prepare your meal is a huge PLUS. 😀