NYC's Must-Have Pumpkin Dishes For Fall: Sweet And Savory Bites
It's sweater weather! At last! And with sweaters come squashed and gourds and pumpkins. The city's best chefs and restaurants love to celebrate fall by incorporating the season's best produce into their offerings. Read on for our picks for NYC's best pumpkin dishes. By Jessica Allen.
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Pumpkin Dumplings at Dumpling Man
100 St. Marks Place
New York, NY 10009
(212) 505-2121
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As you may have guessed from the name, Dumpling Man specializes in dumplings, from seared pork to steamed veggie, soup dumplings and dessert dumplings. Among the latter category are steamed pumpkin dumplings, featuring house-made pumpkin pie mix and goji berries. Each and every dumpling is lovingly made to order at this no-frills East Village establishment. Add a side of miso soup, an order of steamed shrimp or seared veggie, and you've got a meal that covers just about all the major food groups.
Pumpkin Nuage at Lady M Confections
41 East 78th Street
New York, NY 10075
(212) 452-2222
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Every fall, Lady M makes its special pumpkin nuage, and hordes of hungry folks line up to gobble it up before the season ends. It's like if pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin pie fall in love, got married, decided to have a child, and created this decadent dessert. It's a little creamy, a little rich, a little warm (from the cinnamon), and a lot good. The bakers themselves call it "both ethereal and indulgent," but don't just take their—and our—word for it. Order a cup of tea and treat yourself to a slice. Then mark your calendar for the start of fall next year and every year hereafter.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal at OatMeals
120 West 3rd Street
New York, NY 10012
(646) 360-3570
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OatMeals is the world's first oatmeal bar, founded by a woman who really and truly loves the stuff at any time of day. Mind you, this is not the oatmeal of your youth, which you may recall as lumpy and light brown, and mostly served at breakfast. The oatmeal at this Greenwich Village restaurant is first and foremost delicious, topped with fresh, gorgeous ingredients like crystallized ginger, flaked coconut, poached egg, diced ham, and Manchego cheese. The "pumpkin pie" variety features brown sugar, pecans, whole milk, pumpkin spice, and a swirl of pumpkin puree.
Pumpkin Ravioli at Boulud Sud
20 West 64th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 595-1313
When you think about it, pumpkin makes the perfect ingredient for ravioli: it softens well, has a striking color, and its taste provides a nice contrast to the al dente shell. Contemplate exactly what we're talking about in bite after bite of the "Cindarella" pumpkin ravioli at Boulud Sud, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant helmed by Chef Daniel Boulud. The ravioli are lightly dressed with sage, brown butter, and an amaretti crumble. Go all in this season and get an autumn fruit salad with baby beets or a side of spaghetti squash, too.
Pumpkin Salad at Ruby's Café
219 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-5755
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Ruby's Café might be located in on the Lower East Side, but its heart belongs a world away, in Australia. Their beloved pumpkin salad starts with a base of baby spinach, which gets tossed and tickled by pine nuts, goat cheese and pumpkin seeds, then finished with balsamic. Doesn't sound like much? That's because you haven't tried it. Note: the space is tiny and fills up fast.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies at One Girl Cookies
68 Dean Street
Brooklyn, NY
(212) 675-4996
First the good news: the pumpkin whoopie pies at One Girl Cookies are freshly-made by hand and sold year-round. Now, the bad news: you won't be able to resist just one of these dainty, delightful little treats, each featuring a thick swipe of cream cheese frosting between two cake-like cookies. Paired with a cup of just-brewed coffee or tea, and you've got the makings of a nice morning, fitting into your pants be damned. The original Cobble Hill location boasts crystal-cut globe lights, vintage photos, pretty wallpaper, and other touches designed to make you feel as if you've stepped off the street and into grandma's house.
