Absolutely Amazing Arancini

Arancini the size of eggs - so what do they use for packaging?  Egg cartons - Genius!

I just may have a new favorite food in New York City.  Aside from the theatre, the best part of going to Manhattan is trying all sorts of new and wonderful restaurants that serve all sorts of yummy food.  I have this thing for finding a new restaurant or snack shop - it's like finding buried treasure.  It's just as exciting and so much more rewarding, since you can eat what you find.  New food is much more delicious than eating gold coins...

Anyway, last month I found myself in Bryant Park on opening weekend.  They always have some great snack choices. Up until this year, my favorites were the dumplings (that are sadly no longer there), Woops! macarons and La Sonrisa Empanadas.  However, after discovering Arancini Bros, my heart now belongs to the gentleman that make these delicious pieces of magic.  

An Arancini is an Italian snack.  It's basically a ball of rice, stuffed with meat or veggies, then breaded and deep fried.  Super healthy, right?  Just avoid that part and focus on the deliciousness.  Anyway, they're often huge, heavy and just not that great.  However, Arancini Bros have taken them to a new level.  First off, theirs are smaller - about the size of an egg. They're not super heavy - the coating they use is super light and very crunchy.  

And lastly, they put all sorts of wonderful things inside.  None of that plain jane meat and veggies for these dudes.  Some are filled with fresh mozzarella and basil.  Others are filled with pesto sauce or a Turkey and stuffing dinner.  They even had a dessert Arancini filled with nutella and dredged in cinnamon sugar.  They have an ever changing selection, so on any given day you could try something completely different.

I tried the Mozzarella and basil, the pesto, the Nutella and one filled with mac and cheese instead of rice.  I'm not sure which one was my favorite because every ball was more delicious than the last.  I am currently craving them terribly.  I only wish I didn't have to wait until next month to be back up there.  This is a time when living in NYC would really help matters.

Anyway, if you find yourself in Bryant Park before Christmas, I highly recommend trying Arancini Bros in the food section.  And make sure you order some of their tomato sauce for dipping.  That stuff makes a good snack, even more heavenly.  I promise you won't be sorry!