Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
Despite the fact that it’s overrun with tourists, Chelsea Market has always done a really great job of curating excellent food options. So whenever something opens inside the market, I get a good sense it will be worth fighting the crowds.
The newest spot, Eat Offbeat, is no exception.
It’s a bit further back in the market and when I stopped by for a late lunch, there really wasn’t much in the way of crowds. This was good for me, but I do hope this place finds an audience.
Similar to The Migrant Kitchen and Emma’s Torch, Eat Offbeat has a social mission to represent and support the immigrant community. This business has been around for a few years now, catering and doing delivery. The Chelsea Market location is their first storefront.
The menu features global dishes from different immigrant chefs, from varied countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Venezuela, and more, that are designed to be mixed and matched into hearty, flavorful bowls.
Could this be a metaphor for our global society and when it functions at its best?
I absolutely loved the idea of mix and matching food from different cuisines.
I chose for my base the Chicken Yassa, a traditional Senegal stew of chicken and onions slicked with a sauce made from lemon juice, garlic, and mustard. It had a wonderful sweet-spicy-tangy flavor with bursts of salt from green olives. The chicken fell off the bone and completely melted in my mouth. This was home cooked food at its finest.
To pair with the chicken, I had the obligatory rice, but also a side of Sri Lankan dhal, a creamy red lentil stew that was aromatic and spicy.
I truly love Eat Offbeat and while I still think visitors should visit Los Tacos No. 1, Seed + Mill, and Miznon at Chelsea Market, they absolutely must save room for this unique, delightful new spot with delicious food and an even more delicious mission. Price: $15.90
| EAT OFFBEAT |
| 75 Ninth Avenue (between West 15th and West 16th Street), Meatpacking District Inside Chelsea Market (646) 889-8006 |
| eatoffbeat.com |
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