Be sure to bring your appetite when you head over to the transformed Madison Square Garden. The much-anticipated new amenities offer a wow factor that starts from the moment you arrive.
The Garden’s new, expanded concourses with sweeping city views offer fans the perfect space in which to gather with friends before the show. But it’s not just the spectacular new space that will be attracting visitors — the new restaurant and food concessions will have people cheering.
“In addition to ensuring that Madison Square Garden remains THE destination for historic, unforgettable sports and entertainment moments for generations to come, the transformation was designed to ensure we become a destination for some of the very best food in the city,” says Hank Ratner, president and CEO, the Madison Square Garden Co. “Along with enhanced menu options and upgrades for all of our food offerings, we’re proud that some of the best chefs and restaurateurs in the world will offer exclusive items in the completely transformed Garden as part of our signature collection, which will only be available to fans attending our events.”
Some of the A-list culinary stars coming to the Garden include Andrew Carmellini, who will be bringing his new concept, Sausage Boss, to life. Try The Frenchy — a first-rate beef sausage topped with caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese sauce and frizzled onions, or the Italian link pizzaiola with sweet peppers.
Other must-haves are the BBQ burger from Daily Burger, a Drew Nieporent brand, and the lobster shrimp roll from Jeremy Marshall of AquaGrill.
It’s truly going to be difficult to decide where you should blow your daily calorie quota when other tempting options include Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s newest baby, Simply Chicken. Choose a grilled chicken sandwich with Thai mayo, basil-fried onions and house-made pickles, or go for the chicken hot dog with spicy slaw and mustard — these are just some of the signature dishes that are already generating lots of foodie buzz.
Vongerichten and partner Phil Suarez say that: “Simply Chicken is our vision of a great option for Garden fans — at the same time healthy and delicious; both familiar and uniquely exciting; affordable, yet made from all-organic, locally sourced ingredients. Just as MSG is reinventing itself to cater to the needs of the modern sports fan and concert-goer, Simply Chicken reflects how people are eating today.
Each item on the menu features modern and eclectic twists, prepared with equal attention to our customers’ cravings and their desire to eat healthily. We are honored to be launching this addition to our culinary repertoire inside the World’s Most Famous Arena.”
In addition to the Madison Square Garden signature collection, other super popular and delicious dining destinations are Hill Country Barbeque and Carnegie Deli. Both locations are on the Madison Concourse level, and part of the Garden Market. Expect the best BBQ brisket and pulled pork sandwiches from Hill Country, while Carnegie Deli is naturally serving its famous “stacked high” corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches on rye — don’t miss out on classic deli sides and the perfect pickles!
Still hungry? Then check out La Esquina, which serves up some of the best nachos con queso in the city, and the pepperoni and sausage pizza from Casa Nonna. Cochina Tacos features phenomenal short rib tacos with habanero relish and frizzled onions, and things only get sweeter with the addition of the beloved Magnolia bakery cupcakes and treats.
Never mind half-time snacks — your best option may just be to get there early and call it dinner.