Todd English Food Hall

The Todd English Food Hall is underneath the Plaza Hotel. The first thing I think about when someone mentions The Plaza is the movie Eloise at the Plaza. That is not at all relevant to anything, but I just wanted to get that out there.

I had no idea that there was a big food scene going on at The Plaza aside from the dining in the actual hotel, but I was incorrect. Below The Plaza there's a huge food court area with some of New York's most well-respected artisanal restaurants and shops. The best part about this area, in my opinion, is the Todd English Food Hall. It takes up the most space of the food court, and it has the most variety. From kick ass sushi to gluten free pizza to fire grilled octopus to handmade dumplings, you can find a million dishes you will love.

My personal favorite item on the menu, and the reason I keep going back, is their gluten free pepperoni pizza.

The crust is crisp and has a slight cheesy taste, and the pepperoni is some of the best I've ever had. For being gluten free, this pizza is incredible. The sliced basil on top bolsters the flavor of both the pepperoni and the crust. 

The sushi at Todd English is also amazing. It doesn't really make sense for me to order sushi and pizza in the same meal, but alas, that's what I've found myself doing. 

I stuck with the avocado and cucumber vegetable roll, and even though it was a simple roll it was very well executed. The rice was perfectly sticky and didn't fall apart when I tried to eat it (that's a major pet peeve of mine and a sign of poorly constructed sushi). The avocado was ripe and tender, and the crunch of the cucumber added a great textural element.

The Todd English Food Hall is definitely a place you want to visit for lunch or dinner. The variety and quality are impressive, and it's pretty cool to eat at The Plaza.

Todd English Food Hall -- 768 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019