Macaroni and Cheese
S'Mac's Classic Dish (Courtesy of EssG on Flickr)
Mac and Cheese on the 4th of July?
What’s more comfortable in the comfort food category than good ‘ole mac and cheese? I know…I know… you’re thinking that cookout season just isn’t the time for that creamy goodness but what about red hot BBQ, the ubiquitous hot weather standby? Hamburgers and hotdogs on a fiery grill aren’t exactly cool either and I don’t like macaroni salad. Anyway, the main strategy for staying cool is getting out of the kitchen and that’s just what you can do by heading over to S’mac in the East Village.
S’mac’s interior fittingly reflects the various orange shades of cheeses that are baked to perfection in the cast iron skillets they so deftly wisk to your table. If you don’t like a classic messed with, go for their All American: elbow noodles ensconced in a blend of American & Cheddar or the 4 Cheese with Cheddar, Muenster, Gruyere and a touch of Pecorino.
Those willing to challenge the palate and experiment have choices ranging from the Mediterranean Sea: Goat cheese, sauteed spinach, kalamata olives, and roasted garlic; La Mancha: Manchego cheese accented by fresh fennel and onions; or the Parisienne packed with Creamy Brie, roasted figs and shiitake mushrooms, & fresh rosemary. Weight watchers have the Garden Lite with low fat Cheddar, Parmesan, roasted cauliflower and portobello mushrooms, roasted garlic, broccoli. My favorite is the spicy Cajun brimming with Cheddar & Pepper Jack cheeses, andouille sausage, green pepper, celery, and some genuine Cajun seasoning.
Be on the lookout for their current specials. Past offerings have included Masala Mac jazzed up with East Indian spices and the Buffalo Chicken Mac with Cheddar & American cheeses, boneless chicken pieces, and buffalo wing sauce topped off with a crumbled blue cheese. You can choose from regular, multi-grain or gluten free macaroni with or without breadcrumbs. And if you’re on the go and don’t mind the heat after all, call ahead for a Take and Bake order.
345 East 12th Street
Subway: Take the L Train to 14th St. & 1st Ave.
