VENUE REPORT

HUNGRY HOSPITALITY

Food halls are a one-stop shop for satisfying every craving. BY KASSIDY TARALA

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE: You’re heading out to lunch with a group of people when someone asks, “What are you hungry for?” Everyone responds at once: “Italian!” “Chinese!” “Sushi!” “I could go for a burger!” Well, now what? ¶ Thanks to food halls, you no longer have to choose just one. Here are five food halls across the Northeast that will satisfy everyone’s cravings (and possibly serve as your next meeting venue!).

Federal Galley boasts a constant rotation of new food and beverage offerings.

BELL MARKET

Holmdel, New Jersey

Located in the heart of the Bell Works, a local destination full of businesses, startups, tech companies, retail shops and a new public library, Bell Market is a destination within itself. Since opening in summer 2018, Bell Market serves more than 1,000 lunches every day, and its catering for companies inside and outside of the building has gained popularity.

Chantelle Corbo, one of the owners of Bell Market and RBC Hospitality Group, says one of the most important qualities that sets Bell Market apart from other food halls is its hospitality.

“At Bell Market, we strive to create inspired, nourishing, craveable food daily. We own and operate all five operations in our 6,000-square-

Jozu at Bell Market serves ramen among other Japanese specialties (left); Bell Market was designed by Nema Workshop to create a communal environment (below).

foot food hall, and our team works seamlessly together to deliver delicious food with a high level of quality and service,” Corbo says.

Bell Market connects with local farmers and purveyors to showcase New Jersey agriculture and to support the local economy. It partners with companies like Local 130, Zone 7 and Harvest Drop. Restaurants at Bell Market include Broadfork, Bubz Deli, Corbo & Sons, Honeybell Bakery and Jozu.

The space was designed with Nema Workshop to create a banquet hall filled with comfortable chairs, shelves filled with cookbooks and live plant chandeliers. Bell Market also features 30-foot-long communal tables with charging stations and free Wi-Fi to encourage gathering and private events.

“We host a number of different private events and buyouts inside our food hall. We host seated dinners for up to 40 people, and cocktail parties/receptions for up to 150 people,” Corbo says. “We’ve had rehearsal dinners, graduations, baby showers, corporate events, holiday parties and brand launches.”

Additionally, Bell Market’s Chef Team has partnered with Events at Bell Works, which caters meetings and events in the conference space, roof deck, atrium and ballroom, which can accommodate up to 2,000 people.

FEDERAL GALLEY

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Since opening in December 2018, Federal Galley has become one of Pittsburgh’s top eateries. From locals to tourists, Federal Galley is a popular spot for family brunches, date nights and everything in between.

“Federal Galley’s prime location next to Pittsburgh’s two main sporting arenas attract a great amount of foot traffic,” says co-founder Ben Mantica.

In comparison to traditional food halls, which can often be crowded and more on the casual side, Mantica says Federal Galley provides a unique, hospitality-driven experience. “Our chefs have the liberty of creating dishes that you may order from a sit-down restaurant while our bartenders craft creative, seasonal cocktails,” he says.

Though food halls have become synonymous with a quick, convenient stop, Federal Galley serves as more of a gathering place for longer periods of time.

“Given the influx in food halls across the country, popularity will continue to rise, and expectations will be raised for service, quality of food and atmosphere,” Mantica says. “With so many options to dine and drink, guests are less willing to sacrifice quality in exchange for convenience, and they should not have to.”

Federal Galley caters to the trend of “experiential dining,” as there is a constant rotation of new offerings with food, drinks and programming, Mantica says. Federal Galley offers 6,000 square feet of bright, open space and several package options for large-scale events.

The space is large and highly customizable, so Federal Galley hosts a wide range of event styles. Buyouts of the entire space are available, as well as various event options from familystyle dinners to hors d’oeuvres and several beverage packages.

“We are seeing more and more guests interested in less ‘stuffy’ corporate events with white tablecloths and bite-size food,” Mantica says. “People are craving comfort, delicious food and an atmosphere that’s inviting.”

PARKVILLE MARKET Hartford, Connecticut

New to Hartford, Connecticut, is Parkville Market, which just opened this past December. The 20,000-square-foot food hall and European-style market offers food, retail and communal seating.

“Parkville Market is expected to become a popular destination, attracting visitors not only from the Greater Hartford region, but from throughout Connecticut and the

BA-CO tacos at Smallman Galley (above); a spread from Which Came First at Federal Galley (right)

Northeast, as well,” says Chelsea Mouta, director of operations.

Mouta says the food hall is aiming to provide an assortment of food, products and experiences for the local community, including families, young professionals and university students throughout the area.

One of Parkville Market’s greatest attractions is its convenience. With more than 180 parking spots and a location that’s only 100 feet from a CTFastrak stop, Parkville Market is easily accessible to people from across the country.

Parkville Market features approximately 50 vendors of culturally diverse, delicious and affordable food offerings—many of which are under $10. There are also multiple bars with locally made beverages, and community retail and event space, which is offered for co-working or meeting spaces throughout the week.

“As the first market and food hall of its kind in Connecticut, Parkville Market is a gathering space for the community where folks can eat, work and engage,” Mouta says.

Parkville Market has a 1,500-square-foot bar and event space that can be used as a meeting room during the week and an event venue on nights and weekends. Another 500-squarefoot event space offers a more open setting that can be reserved for private parties.

“It seems like great employers today are working hard to create engaging and creative environments for their employees, and part of that is getting outside of the office to meet, brainstorm and ideate,” Mouta says. “Food halls and markets provide inspirational spaces with a high concentration of entrepreneurs and great food to enrich a meeting experience and potentially even support team bonding.”

THE PENNSY

New York, New York

Open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., The Pennsy serves as a New York staple for a meal at any time of day (or night). The food hall features a variety of restaurants including The Cinnamon Snail, Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, Ribalta, Sabi Sushi and Taco Dumbo.

If you aren’t there for the food, The Pennsy Bar will surely give you something to talk about. Open during all hours of the food hall, The Pennsy Bar is a convenient spot to grab a drink any time from happy hour with coworkers to the middle of the night with friends.

The Pennsy Bar serves a wide range of cocktails including classics like mimosas and bloody marys as well as some original sips like the Pink Diamond (Absolut Peach, Crème de Pêche, pink grapefruit juice, simple syrup) and the Pennsy Long Island (Titos Vodka, Bombay Gin, Bacardi Rum, Cazadores Tequila, triple sec, blood orange soda).

The Pennsy also serves as a unique event space with The Platform At The Pennsy. This 6,000-square-foot private event space can be combined with the 8,000-square-foot food hall for large events. There is also an adjacent 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with tenting capabilities.

The Pennsy’s location above Penn Station offers direct transportation from the Long Island Railroad, New Jersey Transit, and 1, 2, 3, A, C and E subway lines, making it a convenient location for travelers coming from all directions.

SMALLMAN GALLEY

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Like Federal Galley, Smallman Galley is a food hall in the Galley Group located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Open since December 2015, Smallman Galley is located in the historical Strip District and features 6,000 square feet of space available for private events, buyouts of the entire space, and other packages.

Smallman Galley’s food offerings include tacos at BA-CO, American comfort food at Home, salads, sandwiches and bowls at Steel City Subs, and a pastry-centric menu at Sultry. The food hall also features a full bar of beer, wine and cocktails, and Commonplace Coffee.

“It really has something for everyone, and that stands true for any type of larger event or meeting that we host as well,” says co-founder Ben Mantica.

“With four distinct restaurant concepts, a full bar program, and ample indoor and outdoor space, food halls—particularly Federal Galley and Smallman Galley—are ideal for event and meeting customization, without having to worry about any lack of quality or service,” Mantica says.

Get Connected

BELL MARKET bellmarketnj.com | 732.365.2500

FEDERAL GALLEY federalgalley.org | 412.517.6400

PARKVILLE MARKET parkvillemarket.com | 860.777.5986

THE PENNSY thepennsy.nyc | 917.475.1830

SMALLMAN GALLEY smallmangalley.org | 412.517.6100

LOGAN INN

@loganinnpa loganinn.com New Hope, Pennsylvania

Photo-Worthy Features: With new renovations coming soon, Logan Inn is an Instagrammable venue with even more photo ops to come. Located in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Logan Inn is known for its bar, restaurant, cozy breakfasts in bed and photo-worthy lobby. “It’s warm, inviting and intimate. Logan Inn is where locals and travelers linger together,” says Maddy Cretella, director of marketing for Landmark Hospitality. The quaint, small-town vibe of Logan Inn is perfect for an intimate event, team-building retreat or an overnight getaway.

The Details: Currently, the Logan Inn can host private dining events and small parties, but once its expansion is complete, it will have a multitude of private spaces and larger event space in a similar modern and colonial design. Part of the Landmark Hospitality portfolio, Logan Inn has two sister properties in town, Hotel du Village and The Mansion Inn. Between these three properties, they can host events for anywhere from 10 to 300 guests.

EASTWIND HOTEL & BAR

@eastwindny eastwindny.com Windham, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: Eastwind’s beauty begins with sweeping views of Windham Mountain in the Catskills and extends into the creature comforts of the Scandinavian-designed interior spaces. Once a former bunkhouse for hunters and fly fisherman, Eastwind was renovated by a group of friends who met through their work in the hospitality, fashion, and food and beverage industries. There are a variety of rooms, ranging from three Lushna A-frame wooden cabins to the Writer Studio, which comes with a writer’s desk and typewriter as well as 270-degree views of the mountains. “We wanted to create a cozy space where you can curl up after a day of hiking or skiing, and just relax,” says co-founder Bjorn Boyer.

The Details: The Salon (capacity: 30 guests) features a midcentury-electric look with a hint of clean urban design energized by the hotel’s backcountry. The space includes a full-service cocktail bar, thoughtful design touches purchased from local antique vendors and vintage board games and books. The Upper Lawn (capacity: 125 guests) can host outdoor or tented events with the vast Catskill backcountry and Windham mountain as its backdrop. The lawn includes the property’s fire pit where guests can roast marshmallows. Large family-style supper and open fire cooking are two of the hotel’s preferred serving styles, with the intention of instilling a sense of home and comfort into a gathering.

Ace Hotel New York is cool, creative and comfortable.

ACE HOTEL NEW YORK

@acehotelnewyork acehotel.com New York, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: At the corner of Broadway and 29th Street in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, Ace Hotel New York’s lobby is abuzz with creative activity, the kind that can only be found in New York City. In collaboration with New York-based design firm Roman & Williams, Ace Hotel New York is layered with a mix of styles, historical periods and objects. At every turn there’s something that catches the eye, from the graffiti mural by collage artist Michael Anderson to the curio cabinet containing taxidermic birds. The myriad seating options have a comfortable, worn-in feel that invites guests and patrons to intermingle (or simply people watch), whether it’s at the 18-foot laboratory table or around a coffee table at a leather couch. A Stumptown Coffee Roasters adjoins the lobby, as does The Breslin (the Michelin-starred Englishstyle restaurant from April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman) and John Dory Oyster Bar.

Rooms feel like handsomely outfitted, industrially hip apartments and some are appointed with full-size Smeg refrigerators stocked with food and feature views of the Empire State Building.

The Details: Liberty Hall is the largest space and can host a wide range of events like fashion shows, corporate meetings, cocktail parties, gallery shows and live concerts. The flexible 2,700-square-foot event space has parquet floors and 10-foot ceilings. The Boardroom is ideal for meetings, presentations or screenings and features a custom 20-seat walnut meeting table, Smeg refrigerator and office supplies. The 700-square-foot corner Loft Suites can host small meetings or cocktail parties.

FREEMANS RESTAURANT

@freemansrestaurant freemansrestaurant.com New York, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: Tucked away at the end of an alleyway in New York’s Lower East Side, Freemans Restaurant has a Colonial feel inside and out; lights are strung at the entrance and taxidermy adorns the tavern-like walls. “The building was moody and brooding and gothic, like an Edgar Allan Poe story,” says co-founder Taavo Somer, who opened the restaurant with William Tigertt in 2004. Its menu, which changes seasonally, features dishes that beg to be photographed first. BANZARBAR, the 20-seat cocktail bar located on the restaurant’s second floor, opened in January 2018. Inspired by early 20th-century explorers and the BANZARE Antarctic expeditions, BANZARBAR is a cozy retreat with a speakeasy vibe.

The Details: Freemans can accommodate 30-200 guests in its three private rooms or full restaurant buyout. The Wine Room is a working wine cellar and can seat 10-12 guests; the Blue Room seats 13-20 or up to 30 guests cocktail-style in an elegant dining room; the Red Room is the largest, seating 20-30 guests or up to 40 cocktail-style; and the Drawing Room can be used in combination with the Red Room and Blue Room and accommodate 30-80 guest seated or up to 100 cocktail-style. BANZARBAR can host parties up to 25 people.

ART FACTORY STUDIOS

Branford, Connecticut

Photo-Worthy Features: Used by Steven Spielberg in “West Side Story,” Martin Scorsese, the NFL, HBO, Universal Studios, BET and more, Art Factory Studios is more than just a venue; it’s practically a movie set. In other words, the entire venue serves as the perfect backdrop for your next Insta moment. Featuring a European-inspired courtyard, bridges, lofts, exposed brick and rustic décor, every spot of this venue serves as a photo op.

The Details: Art Factory Studios is 400,000 square feet and can be rented for private events of any size, retail space, creative studios, or film/photo space. Owner David Garsia says it’s frequently used for corporate events, weddings and bar/ bat mitzvahs.

@artfactorypaterson myfactorystores.com #tinysnyc

TINY’S & THE BAR UPSTAIRS

@tinysnyc tinysnyc.com New York, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: Wedged between two TriBeCa brownstones, a three-story pastel pink neighborhood eatery draws regulars as well as far-flung visitors and influencers in equal measure. But the now iconic façade of the narrow 1810 Federal-style townhouse is just one of the family-run restaurant’s photogenic features. Inside guests will find a whimsical mix of original and restored raw elements, from pressed tin ceilings, exposed brick, embossed wallpaper and salvaged wood paneling to vintage furniture, mismatched tableware, custom banquettes, pew seats and hand-made tile. With one of the city’s only remaining original wood-burning fireplaces, Tiny’s creates a charming, cozy and inviting atmosphere filled with old New York character.

The Details: The quaint townhouse on West Broadway offers groups a range of private event options. The first-floor dining room, featuring the restaurant’s fireplace, is well-suited for business dinners and intimate private social celebrations, while the second-floor “Bar Upstairs,” featuring a copper pressed and marble bar and charming neighborhood views, is ideal for semiprivate seated meals or cocktail-style receptions. Groups can also work with the Tiny’s team to coordinate full townhouse buyouts.

GRAMERCY TERRACE AT THE GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL

@gramercyparkhotel @gramercyterrace gramercyparkhotel.com New York, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: Adjacent to New York City’s only private park, the 18-story Gramercy Park Hotel has become a home away from home for creative minds and distinguished guests for nearly a century as a “modern grand hotel with a spirit of bohemia,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Danielle Choi. Originally opened in 1925, the art-focused Renaissance Revival property feels more like a gallery than a hotel, featuring a playful mix of color, texture, opulent custom-designed furnishings and an impressive rotating collection of contemporary masterpieces (displaying over $50 million of artwork at any given time). “Boasting a one-of-akind design by artist Julian Schnabel, the [Gramercy Park Hotel] is a true work of art in itself,” Choi says.

The Details: While the hotel offers seven luxury guest suites, a nearly 2,000-squarefoot Penthouse suite and The Park Room—an intimate divisible event space—all well-suited for intimate dinners, business meetings and cocktail parties, the 4,300-squarefoot Gramercy Terrace is a true gem. Perched on the 18th floor, the Terrace’s interior salons feature the works of Andy Warhol, David Salle and others while lush gardens and views of the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building create a rooftop oasis for groups of up to 250. Fully weatherized with a retractable glass roof, the enclosable Terrace is also one of the city’s few venues where planners can organize an outdoor event without need for a plan B. #GramercyParkHotel

THE GOODWIN

@goodwin_hotel goodwinhartford.com Hartford, Connecticut

Photo-Worthy Features: Originally built in 1881 as an upscale apartment complex, the hotel was converted in the late 1980s in conjunction with the Goodwin Square project and later closed in 2009. The original English Queen Anne terra cotta façade was reserved then and again when it was fully renovated and reopened in June 2017. The hotel’s thoughtfully designed guest rooms and interior spaces feature original architectural elements as well as modern amenities. The Details: The Goodwin can accommodate corporate meetings and galas with its 3,000plus square feet of event space. The Atrium can seat about 250 guests. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Porrón & Piña, is the exclusive caterer.

#millwrightsrestaurantexperience

MILLWRIGHT’S RESTAURANT AND TAVERN

@millwrightsrestaurant millwrightsrestaurant.com 860.651.5500 Simsbury, Connecticut

Photo-Worthy Features: Between its waterfall, covered bridge, dining room, loft and tavern equipped with a cozy fireplace, Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern has more Instagrammable moments than you could ever dream of. General Manager Vanessa Walsh describes the venue as rustic, historical and stunning. “It’s great for all celebrations of life! We are known for our weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, corporate dinners, pharmaceutical dinners, birthdays and bar/bat mitzvahs,” she says.

The Details: The entire space is 8,000 square feet, which can accommodate 267 people. The dining room can host 90 people seated, the tavern can seat 80 people, and the Loft is the smallest space perfect for up to 50 seated guests. To create a unique event, Walsh says the team at Millwright’s is always willing to accommodate any event planner’s needs.

“We are happy to sit down and discuss any event details to make sure that we can tailor our menu and space based upon guest preferences,” she says. “We are extremely accommodating for food allergies and/ or dietary restrictions.”

GLASSHOUSES

New York City, New York

#experienceglasshouses #theglasshouse #glasshousechelsea

Photo-Worthy Features: With two locations in Manhattan, The Glasshouse and Glasshouse Chelsea offer sweeping views of the city and river. “We refer to our spaces as a blank canvas that allows our clients to create their vision through customization and branding. However, the most photo-worthy element is our views,” says Vice President of Strategy Megan Lerchenmuller. “We offer penthouse event spaces with floorto-ceiling windows and outdoor terraces with incredible views of New York City and the Hudson River.”

Because The Glasshouse is such a large space, Lerchenmuller says it’s ideal for fashion shows, large-scale conferences, trade shows and galas.

The Details: The modern, multifunctional space is equipped with built-in production infrastructure for hosting corporate, social and nonprofit events. The Glasshouse Chelsea is 7,500 square feet throughout two stories and can host 150 seated or 200 for a cocktail event. The Glasshouse, the newest location, is 75,000 square feet and can host 1,850 people.

@the.glasshouses theglasshouses.com

#wythehotel

WYTHE HOTEL

@wythehotel wythehotel.com Brooklyn, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: Designed to reflect the creative spirit of the Brooklyn borough, the 70-room Wythe Hotel is industrial-chic done right, blending old and new to breathe life into the nearly 120-year-old space. Exposing the former barrel factory’s original cast iron columns, pine ceilings and original brickwork, the Wythe’s meticulous restoration also included the creation of furniture and other accents from the factory’s salvaged wood. Stationed on the Williamsburg waterfront, the property features large and airy loftlike rooms with concrete floors and walls of windows, charming vintageinspired details like pendant lights, bistro tables and Thonet chairs as well as King Kong Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline views.

The Details: “With over 8,500 square feet of meeting space, our seven versatile event venues are rich with original historic character and offer an elegant setting for everything from meetings and presentations to cocktail parties and weddings,” says Event Sales Director Ashley Edery. The 2,100-square-foot Main Hall, featuring masonry walls, a marble-topped wood bar, steel-framed factory windows and antiqued mirrors, can accommodate up 190 guests for conferences. The hall can also accommodate up to 250 guests for cocktails or 400 when combined with the adjacent Garden Terrace. The open-air, brick walled courtyard paved in European black and white tile is embellished with greenery and overhead bistro lights and comes with its own private entrance from Wythe Avenue and is an ideal fit for long-table dinners or al fresco cocktail receptions. The 550-square-foot Cooper Room’s reclaimed wood doors, vaulted ceiling and antique chandeliers create an intimate space rich in historic detail for groups of up to 60 while the 7th- and 8th-floor lofts offer stunning corner suites for presentations and meetings for up to 45 guests. Lemon’s, the Wythe’s nectarine-hued rooftop bar offers groups of up to 200 space for semi-private or al fresco gatherings or guests can descend through a private entrance to meet in the hotel’s speakeasy-style Screening Room and bar with access to a full HD digital projector and built-in A/V system. Bill Miller’s Castle is one part elegant, one part rustic.

BILL MILLER’S CASTLE

@bill_millers_castle billmillerscastle.com Branford, Connecticut

Photo-Worthy Features: Bill Miller’s Castle is a venue literally fit for a queen or king. With a blend of rustic and elegant features throughout the space, Bill Miller’s Castle is a large one-event-at-a-time facility, according to Victoria Smith, event coordinator. This venue offers a unique Instagrammable space as each event has exclusive use of the entire castle and grounds—both filled with indoor and outdoor photo ops.

The Details: The minimum requirement is 75 people, while certain days/months require more due to higher demand. The maximum capacity is 250 guests. “We are family-run and have been in business for more than 50 years,” Smith says. “We pride ourselves in exceptional service and attention to detail.”

#TheBeekman

The Beekman was one of New York’s first skyscrapers and still dazzles today.

THE BEEKMAN, A THOMPSON HOTEL

@thebeekmanny thebeekman.com New York, New York

Photo-Worthy Features: Originally one of Manhattan’s first skyscrapers, The Beekman’s rich history as a New York landmark may be a popular draw for visitors, but its striking ninestory glass-capped Atrium has become the hotel’s undeniably photogenic star. Featuring the building’s original wrought-iron railings, the Atrium, like many of the hotel’s spaces, provides an event setting steeped in Gilded Age grandeur. Furnished with vintage Persian rugs, rich leather, antique glass lamps, art deco and industrial light fixtures and chandeliers and accents of polished timber and warm exposed brick, the lovingly restored property blends classic glamour and contemporary charm to create luxe, cozy and Insta-worthy moments around every corner.

The Details: With four distinct event spaces The Beekman offers groups a total of 4,700 square feet of meeting space including the 1,200-square-foot Clinton Hall. Named after the library that once stood on the same site the stately space features arched entries, crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows for plenty of natural light. Groups can also book a combination of The Beekman’s lower level meeting spaces—including the Farnsworth Room, Kelly Room and an adjoining prefunction space—boasting vaulted ceilings and exposed brick, for groups of up to 225 guests. The hotel’s signature Turret Penthouse rooftop oases are also available for private events as well as Alley Cat, The Beekman’s hidden cellar lounge which is available to large party reservations and buyouts. Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio’s team is also on hand to conceptualize exclusive event menus.