Fill up on holiday spirit with delicious seasonal menu items

With finals approaching, it’s understandable that many students would hesitate to call this the most wonderful time of the year. Nevertheless, when the going gets tough, the tough get treats. Stores and restaurants throughout NYC boast plenty of tempting holiday goodies and menu additions. One need travel no further than Columbus Circle to bask in the seasonal offerings.

Kitchenette

On weekends, it’s best to get to Kitchenette (1272 Amsterdam Ave., between 122nd and 123rd streets) at 10 a.m. By 11, a mix of students and locals fills all the tables. After snagging a seat at the counter or a table, enjoy perusing the incredibly decadent menu options. Kitchenette makes an effort to be seasonal, hence the menu adjustments when the leaves start to turn color. Right now, diners can enjoy a platter of gingerbread pancakes with pumpkin butter. The dish arrives with a platter of perfectly round, thick, 6-inch-wide pancakes. Its gingerbread element manifests itself as a subtle, pleasing hint of spice. The pancakes are tender with a much-appreciated crisp on their surface. A bright orange dollop of pumpkin butter amps up the flavor quotient. This “butter” is not a typical mixture of plain butter, a little pumpkin flavoring, and spices. Rather, it is pure pumpkin puree infused with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sugar. The harmony of the spice and sweet butter are sure to delight palates for weeks to come.

Godiva

On weekends, it’s best to get to Kitchenette (1272 Amsterdam Ave., between 122nd and 123rd streets) at 10 a.m. By 11, a mix of students and locals fills all the tables. After snagging a seat at the counter or a table, enjoy perusing the incredibly decadent menu options. Kitchenette makes an effort to be seasonal, hence the menu adjustments when the leaves start to turn color. Right now, diners can enjoy a plate of gingerbread pancakes with pumpkin butter. The dish arrives with a platter of perfectly round, thick, 6-inch-wide pancakes. Its gingerbread element manifests itself as a subtle, pleasing hint of spice. The pancakes are tender with a much-appreciated crisp on their surface. A bright orange dollop of pumpkin butter amps up the flavor quotient. This “butter” is not a typical mixture of plain butter, a little pumpkin flavoring, and spices. Rather, it is pure pumpkin puree infused with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sugar. The harmony of the spice and sweet butter are sure to delight palates for weeks to come.

Bouchon Bakery

Bouchon Bakery (10 Columbus Circle, at Broadway, third floor) opens at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. To be guaranteed a seat, get in line at 11:25 a.m. If this isn’t possible, the wait is certainly worth it—especially for the sweet potato sandwich. This beauty consists of slices of roasted sweet potato, slivers of apple, purple cabbage, and melted crescenza cheese, all of which are pressed between slices of pumpkin-seed bread. It is a marvelous medley of textures and flavors. The soft, savory sweet potato is nicely foiled by the crunchy, sweet apple and the nutty, melted cheese. The pumpkin-seed bread ads a light touch of earthiness. Overall, it is a terrific way to eat seasonally. Finish with a frothy, soul-satisfying latte and a cranberry-pumpkin seed brioche. The brioche is pull-apart tender and studded with a generous number of cranberries and seeds.

Mondel Chocolates

If a subway ride seems onerous, Mondel Chocolates (2913 Broadway, at 114th Street) is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the 116th gates. The caramel Santas, white chocolate snowmen, and peanut butter-filled tin soldiers all come highly recommended. All too often, caramel-infused desserts end up being cloying, but the caramel hiding within these chocolate Santa shells is just sweet enough. The snowman have a surprise of chocolate mousse inside. Lastly, the peanut butter tin soldiers taste like a Reese’s cup but are more decadent and, overall, better.