Before this year’s fireworks begin, we had to narrow down the best places to eat. While the lot of firework-watchers flee with pizza boxes and Chinese takeout on a scram to 12th Avenue (the barges are on the Hudson between 20th and 55th Streets again this year), all you’ll need to focus on is bribing your Chelsea-based friend to lend his rooftop or finding a clean place to park your to-gos on the West Side Highway.
With Cajun-spiced seitan, a salad with miso-ginger dressing and a goji berry shake, we think these takeout spots will get you oohh-ing and ahh-ing well before the first sparks shoot over the river. We even have a slow-roasted alternative for you fried chicken-craving folk.
One Lucky Duck
Quickly becoming a go-to among health conscious celebs in the city, this Chelsea Market (and Flatiron) locale earns its fame with the likes of spicy Thai wraps of mango, pea shoots, mint and tamarind sauce; a falafel salad with tabouli, lemon tahini and red pepper hot sauce; and the zucchini-tomato lasagna with pistachio basil pesto and pumpkin seed macadamia ricotta—the latter two, gluten-free. Finish with the moon pie and a goji berry shake.
Better Burger
From beef to chicken, turkey and even soy, all Better Burgers come antibiotic- and hormone-free with a toasted whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles. Add a side of organic, air-baked Better Fries, dairy-free smashed potatoes or the veggie chili with organic beans.
Blossom Du Jour
For the non-meat-eaters, pack some sandwiches from this joint that’s helping to change the stigma of fast food. Take the Midtown Melt (Cajun-spiced seitan, agave guacamole, lettuce, chipotle aioli), the Raw Burrito (flax-seed wrap, pico de gallo, brazil nut sour cream) or the gluten-free quesadilla with black beans, corn and salsa. Wash it down with kombucha, a fresh-pressed juice or smoothie.
Organique
Here you’ll find classic combos that always work: panini with grilled vegetables, smoked mozzarella and basil mayo; country ham sandwich with gruyere, greens and dijon mayo; smoked salmon with cucumber and dill cream cheese. Also find create-you-own-salads with sun-dried cranberries, artichoke hearts and a miso-ginger vinaigrette.
Dirty Bird To-Go
We didn’t forget about you fried chicken eaters. This place deserves our seal and that of any lover of a good crispy-skinned fowl. Choose from the buttermilk-dipped batch (if you must) or the slow-roasted with a side of beets, sautéed kale or smashed potatoes. All-natural Boylan sodas are on offer as is homemade lemonade. Then finish with a pack of freshly baked “bad-ass” cookies.
Photo via pixietart, Flickr
