By Katherine Mobila

This past weekend, my friends and I decided to escape the usual dining-out options that the Bronx has to offer and venture out into the city. We decided on S’mac, short for Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese, a restaurant entirely dedicated to mac n’ cheese. It is safe to say that we were more than interested, and once we arrived at the quaint, homey restaurant located in the East Village, we were immediately hooked.

Upon our arrival, a friendly hostess quickly seated us and handed us short, but irresistible menus. S’mac offers a wide variety of macaroni and cheese recipes, from Mediterranean style with goat cheese and sautéed spinach, to Nepoletana style, complete with fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes and basil. Since my friends and I are all equally indecisive, we decided to get a sampler that had nine different flavors so we could taste everything. I found myself gravitating toward the All-American, which is described as “just the way you remember it as a kid” on the menu. We all seemed to love this classic take on macaroni and cheese, complete with breadcrumbs on top. Not only does it bring a comfortable sense of nostalgia, but it is delicious. We completed our meal with some coffee and cookies to go, which was the perfect end to this casual, yet gourmet meal.

Aside from the amazing macaroni and cheese dishes on the menu, S’mac also offers a create-your-own option, vegan and reduced lactose dishes and different types of pasta, including multi-grain and gluten-free. They also cater parties and offer an online ordering option to make enjoying their food even more convenient. I recommend S’mac to anyone who loves macaroni and cheese, especially during this chilly November weather. Take a trip to the city on your next day off, take a break from the cold and cozy up with some friends and some gourmet-quality mac n’ cheese.