During this past weekend on Randall’s Island, in spite of Mother Nature and Father Airplane Traffic trying their best to dampen things, Panorama 2018 truly brought us the hottest music, food, and cultural festival that this year has seen. Whether you were jamming to the powerful rhythms of St. Vincent, getting candid and crunk with SZA, or enjoying the many other musicians and attractions that this event brought, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The Maraschino cherry that topped this diverse sundae, though, was the gorgeous assortment of food available to festival goers. While you sort through the aesthetic photos you took at The Lab and clean your shoes of mud, here’s a comprehensive list of the best #EEEEATS that Panorama offered this year.
1. Ice Cream from Eggloo:
Waffles and ice cream are inseparable, kind of like Panorama and cancellations. Pairing Hong Kong style egg waffles with only the creamiest of ice creams, Eggloo doled out the most exciting dessert of the weekend. The OG, pictured left, used vanilla ice cream as base for two delightfully vibrant Asian desserts — mochi and Pocky. Meanwhile, Death by Chocolate, pictured right, served all kinds of decadence with levels upon levels of chocolate goodies.
#SpoonTip: Tired of soft serve and sugar cones? Head to Eggloo’s Chinatown location for all the waffle, cookie, and ice cream combos imaginable.
2. Gyros and Corn from Gertie:
Gertie, which is set to open in Williamsburg later in the year, gave us a scrumptious sneak peek of their menu that had us dying to return for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their casual philosophy towards creating an all-day culinary experience emanated from their summery vegetarian gyro and crunchy corn pieces, both pictured above.
#SpoonTip: To experience more of their rotisserie-inspired cuisine once they open, be sure to sign up for updates on their opening!
3. Shrimp Nachos from Lolo’s Seafood Shack:
The “LoLo” is a type of small Caribbean restaurant that boasts traditional flavors and a chill environment emphasizing community and togetherness. LoLo’s Seafood Shack seeks to replicate that experience in the heart of Harlem, with plenty of seafood-infused dishes that use simple and whole ingredients. The lobster and shrimp nachos paired crunch with chew as harmoniously as Sigrid’s vocals, only rivaled by the enchanting hibiscus tea.
#SpoonTip: Tune into PBS on July 31st to watch LoLo’s champion chef Raymond Mohan work his culinary magic on No Passport Required!
4. Watermelon Matcha from Matchabar:
Whether the sun has you sweating in places you didn’t know you could sweat in or the rain has your spirits low and chance for seeing Dua Lipa or The Weeknd even lower, you can count on MatchaBar to meet you with a refreshing and energizing splash. They specialize in all types of matcha products, but the Watermelon Matcha definitely took Panorama by storm (no pun intended) with its unique twist of flavors.
#SpoonTip: Craving a fix of Matcha? Check if your grocery store is stocked up on Matcha Hustle: their newest product that has other energy drink companies shook. You can buy them on Amazon, too!
5. Dragonfruit Juice from John’s Juice:
As Janelle Monae once said, “I got the juice.” We also got the juice, courtesy of John’s Juice, a festival powerhouse known for marrying sustainability with authenticity. This native New York brand hawks organic juices straight from the source, and we just can’t get enough of them. The dragonfruit juices are cuter than Blue Ivy on vacation, and definitely sweeter. Scrape the sides for fresh chunks of fruit, you won’t regret it.
#SpoonTip: Dreaming of sipping juice from a coconut in the Bahamas but stuck in the office? Head to John’s Juice Gansevoort Market locale for the next best thing: sipping pineapple juice in the Meatpacking District.
6. Mozzarella Sticks from Big Mozz:
Synonymous with pizza parties and endless appetizers at your local chain restaurant, mozzarella sticks are always the dependable standby. Big Mozz, a heavy hitter of the NYC festival scene, gives this appetizer a well-deserved upgrade. Coated generously in well-seasoned breading and fried to perfection, these mozzarella sticks are not a snack, but a whole meal.
#SpoonTip: Freezer aisle mozz sticks not cutting it? Head to Big Mozz’s Smorgasburg stand in Williamsburg and Prospect Park every Saturday and Sunday.
7. Avocado Toast from Avocaderia:
Arguably the most millennial thing ever, avocado toast had to make an appearance at Panorama, an event that’s one big love letter to pop culture. Avocaderia didn’t disappoint, doling out an avocado toast equally pretty and tasty. With avocado shaped into an intricate rose and seasoned with chili powder, salt and, black pepper, this toast was everything an avocado toast should be: simple and filling.
#SpoonTip: Do you order avocado on, well, everything? Head down to Avocaderia’s Brooklyn and Chelsea locations for a shrine to your favorite fruit.
8. Nutella Pizza from San Matteo Cucina:
If you’re looking for authentic Neapolitan pizza, San Matteo is the place to go. Their expansive menu features all types of fresh ingredients that’ll make you feel as if you’ve walked the streets of Salerno. However, the true winner of San Matteo’s lineup was the Nutella Pizza. The pie, which was a product of a partnership between the restaurant and Nutella, encapsulates its smoky base with a complementary drizzle of sweetness.
#SpoonTip: Stop by the restaurant on the Upper East Side to check out the newest seasonal addition to their Italian-themed cuisine!
After all’s said and “mud”, Panorama 2018 truly defied the odds to deliver an unmatched caliber of sound and taste. Be sure to check out the vendors above – your stomach will thank you for it!
