It is not as good as some say but believe it or not my answer is yes, although not for the reasons you expect.

If you have been on social media lately, you have likely seen videos about the food at the Bryant Park Winter Village.  One of the most popular foods has been the cheese wheel pasta.  Last year, I only saw glowing reviews, so naturally I had to go try it.  Immediately after trying it, I would have said, “Absolutely do not get it”.  In fact, I was planning on writing a review to deter people from going.  Looking back a year later, I have changed my mind.

Is the pasta good?  No!  It’s horrible!  It’s the worst pasta alfredo I’ve ever had, but that is not the whole picture.  Yes, the pasta is overcooked.  I don’t think any of the cheese wheel melted onto the pasta.  The sauce is bland and hardly coats the pasta.  It’s a bit chunky: the opposite of rich and velvety.  By the time you find somewhere to sit, it is going to be cold.  I was disappointed and irritated after eating it, but in hindsight I would not trade anything in the world for that $20 and 45 mins.  It is a one of a kind New York experience I’m glad to have had. 

 I went on a cold December night.  I had to worm my way through the crowd packed into Bryant Park like sardines searching for the sign that said, “Cheese Wheel Pasta”.  Then I had to trace my way along the unorganized line until I found the end asking, “Is this the line for the pasta?” 

The couple in front of me replied, “I hope so.  That’s what we are trying to get,”.  We waited in line praying it would lead us to the correct window.  I ended up chatting with the couple about the different foods at the village that they should try.  We bonded over our excitement to try the famous pasta and flipping out wherever it looked like someone might cut in front of us.   Once I paid and got my ticket, we excitedly watched as our steaming batch of pasta was tossed into the giant cheese wheel,  covered in sauce, torched along with the cheese wheel, and mixed performatively.  I eagerly pushed my way to the window to get my pasta making sure ticket #5 behind me did not get ahead of me and take my long awaited pasta.  I said goodbye to my new friends wishing them the best for their enjoyment of the pasta and hurried to find myself a seat.  I did not enjoy the pasta, and I’m sure that couple didn’t either, but the experience was one of a kind.  If you want delicious pasta, Bryant Park does not have it.  If you want the New York Holiday experience, go get that cheese wheel pasta!  What says New York Christmas more than making your way through complete chaos to freak out and bond with strangers about over-priced, subpar pasta?  Will I get it again?  Absolutely not.  Am I glad to have had that experience?  Definitely!

If you want something that is always fantastic, go get the raclette from Baked Cheese Haus instead. It is the perfect, warm, cheesy winter treat that is made with real culinary excellence!