Staff Writer Via Kelly becomes a tourist today.

Like many Barnumbia students, I love New York City. I love the food. I love the culture. I love it all. But, as a first year student, I haven’t yet had a chance to see all that the city has to offer. Luckily, I have the perfect remedy to this problem. This past year, I was given a New York tour guide book for my birthday. In the months since then, I have been highlighting, doggy earring, and marking anything that looks even remotely interesting. So, like any reasonable person who approaches life with a why-the-hell-not attitude, I have decided to check all of the things off my list. This is merely the first in a series, where I have decided to become the very thing every real New Yorker hates most in this world, a tourist.

To begin, I spent this past weekend traveling to little Italy for the Feast of San Gennaro. The Feast of San Gennaro comes to Mulberry Street every year around mid-September, and is a celebration of Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. It is a grand celebration with lights, food, and rides. Although, while the festival is a feat to witness, there are some things that are helpful to know. 

First, prepare yourself, because the festival will be crowded. Think John Jay around 8 pm. It is a massive affair, and therefore a large tourist attraction. Crowds flock to it like birds to breadcrumbs. Second, bring a bottle of water with you. While I can guarantee that there will be a lemonade stand on every block, finding water will be a bit more difficult. I had to go to three different vendors before finding a single one selling a bottle of water. Of course, since waters are a little more rare, count on the fact that they will also be more expensive. In addition to the water, be sure to bring some cold, hard cash as well. While many of them do, there are also many vendors who will not accept Apple Pay or certain credit cards. Finally, unless you are looking to visit one of the sit-down restaurants on Mulberry Street, do not expect to find any seating for those visiting the smaller stands. The majority of food you will find will be finger foods, and you will be practicing your multi-tasking skills of walking while eating.

While I was there, I had the opportunity to try an arancini, the Dubai chocolate cannoli, and a bowl of cheese wheel pasta. Before I begin, I should say that many of the vendors in the festival were selling variations of the same things. There were many sausage and shish-ka-bob vendors, many sweets vendors, and a great many pasta vendors. Should you decide to get any of the things I previously mentioned, they may very well be from different vendors, and therefore of different quality. 

First, the cheese wheel pasta. If I am being honest, I was a little disappointed by this pasta. After seeing a cheese wheel full of pasta on every block, my hopes were high with lofty ideas of cheesy goodness. I was sadly mistaken. The cacio e pepe was bland and lukewarm. After sitting in a cheese wheel for who knows how long, it was not actually very cheesy. It was creamy instead, with what I suspect was the addition of actual cream. In this instance, I believe I had simply chosen the wrong vendor. My pasta looked very different from that of other vendors. For those of you who are still curious about finding delicious cheese wheel pasta, look for one that is less… wet. 

Second, the arancini. I loved this arancini. While I was apprehensive when I saw the chefs reheating it, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it. The outside was nice and crispy while the inside was still gooey and warm. It was cheesy, savory, and the tomato sauce added a pleasant tartness and freshness. 

Finally, the Dubai chocolate cannoli. I don’t know what else to say about this one other than just get it already, It is Dubai chocolate and cannoli. What more do you need in this life? 

As a final recommendation, I would say go later in the day—the evening really. This gives you the opportunity to see the lights that line the path. The Feast will be going until this Sunday. If you have a sudden craving for Italian food, why not go to the heart of New York‘s little slice of Italy?

Images via Author