The Feast

There are a few things you should know about The Feast:

• It's dirty, noisy, and forever-crowded.  
• You can't find parking.  
• It's overrun w/ bridge & tunnel types, they flock to it like moths to a flame. 
• It's obscenely over-priced.
• It's the same shit year after year.

That being said, I encourage everyone to check it out at least once. There are some genuinely tasty treats to be had, so long as you know where to look.  Go during the early afternoon hours, preferably during one of the first few days --  there will be less of a crowd and the food will be most fresh.

The Feast of San Gennaro dominates Mulberry Street for a week and a half each year in late September. This year,  the festivities took place between September 16th - September 26th -- so if you're reading this, you already missed it -- maybe next year.

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If you only try one thing at the Feast, make it one of Mr. Fontana's Artisan Cannolis. The minis are like none you've ever had -- pumpkin pie, peanut butter & jelly, birthday cake -- some real inventive stuff.  Check out their website, they deliver cannolis to your door!  Otherwise, wait until next year and visit the stand located on the  corner of Hester & Mulberry.

Stuffed Artisan Cannolis

http://stuffedcannoli.com/

Pumpkin Pie Mini Cannoli

Delicious?  Absolutely.

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As far as other edible goodies go -- there are plenty of places to load up on zeppoles, sausage & peppers, bracioles, and torrone, however, there is only one place to get my favorite, the mozzarella steak sandwich on garlic bread.  The stand is located on the corner of Kenmare & Mulberry.  The meat is gristly and the price is high, but I still have one every year.

Sausages & Braciole.

Zeppoles.

Gristle.

Clog up those arteries!

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Even if fatty meats and deep fried sweets aren't your thing, you should visit just to people watch.  What a
colorful array of patrons this year!  Let's see who passed through in 2010 (extra special video footage after the jump!) --

Wasted NYC tax dollars.

1930's style freak show.

San Gennaro, the patron saint of health code violations.

Old Asian woman who picks through trash.

Guys who look like this...

A bunch of slack-jawed prancers all dressed in red.

A man you wouldn't trust alone w/ your child.

...and of course, the Mogwai Man!

© 2010 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable" - http://www.missioninsatiable.com