When it opens this week as the new home of the New York Islanders, UBS Arena will feature a distinctly “New York” flavor for its food and beverage offerings.
As the foodservice provider for the highly anticipated venue – located in Belmont Park on Long Island – Delaware North has partnered with an array of New York Metro area food providers and brands to create a unique culinary program that fans will experience through concessions areas, VIP suites and premium clubs that merge boutique hospitality with a live entertainment setting. Throughout the venue, fans can expect chef-driven menus and locally inspired signature dishes.
“The focus on bringing a true local New York flavor throughout the culinary offerings will provide our guests with a unique experience they can only find at UBS Arena,” said Hank Abate, President of Arena Operations at UBS Arena. “In working with our colleagues at Delaware North to bring this to life, we’re excited for fans to taste all these creations starting this month.”
At UBS Arena, Delaware North will source 75% of food ingredients from within a 300- mile radius based on seasonality and has partnered with local and regional vendors to source products that support New York state’s Taste NY initiative.
Local branded highlights include:
- The Harrison, a popular local eatery known for its scratch-made dishes and cocktails, will have a major presence at an in-arena food hub, and its famous cheeseburgers and French fries will be featured at three outlets in the general concessions area.
- Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, a fast-growing, New York-born barbeque concept, will offer its slow smoked brisket, burnt ends and pulled pork sandwich varieties as part of the general concessions lineup.
- Milk Bar, the famous dessert brand and company founded in Manhattan, will have a featured presence at UBS Arena with three concessions outlets offering its popular Cereal Milk™ soft serve, among other signature treats.
- Blue Line Deli & Bagels, whose flagship deli is located in Huntington, N.Y., will have its iconic blue and orange bagels available at several of the market locations throughout the arena in addition to classic deli style sandwiches and specialty bagel sandwiches.
- The Sausage King of New York will have its Italian sausage and other premium meat products available throughout concessions as well as in premium suites.
Delaware North has transformed traditional concessions service for UBS Arena and will feature 13 market-style outlets that offer a mix of hot, fresh prepared food selections complemented by a variety of ready-to-go meals and self-serve snack and beverage options. The markets will use a streamlined checkout process, with mobile ordering and other cashless payment technology.
Market and concession stands will offer a wide variety of food options, including street tacos, seafood, modern Chinese, Halal and sausages, a carving station and deli, as well as classics such as pizzas, cheesesteaks, chicken tenders, ice cream, burgers and pretzels. Specialty items throughout the arena will include gluten-free, vegetarian and kosher items.
Portable stands will also offer great variety with both food (popcorn, sushi, BBQ and nachos) and beverages (Vide canned cocktails, Ilegal Mezcal craft cocktails, Claffey Pop spiked seltzers and grab and go locations offering beer and other canned beverages).
Leading the culinary direction for Delaware North is Executive Chef Ted Donnelly. Donnelly, a Tri-State Region native, has nearly 15 years of experience in high-profile settings, including four years with Delaware North at MetLife Stadium and major events such as Super Bowl XLVIII, the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, the 2016 NHL All-Star Game and 2015 MLB All-Star Game. Prior to rejoining Delaware North to lead culinary operations at UBS Arena, he spent five years as senior executive chef for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“The New York Metro area is known for its food and that will be on full display at UBS Arena,” Donnelly said. “Fans have a much more elevated expectation of their food and drinks when attending events these days, so our goal is to provide a culinary experience that matches the world-class sports and entertainment events they’re coming to see.”
PHOTO CAPTION (above): A rendering shows one of the hospitality areas where Delaware North will be serving New York Islanders fans once the team’s new home, UBS Arena, opens later this month on Long Island. Most of the food and beverage options throughout the arena will come from local New York Metro-area partners and brands.
PHOTO CAPTION (below): In addition to serving as the new home of the New York Islanders, UBS Arena will play host to major music and entertainment acts. Delaware North will operate concessions and premium dining services at the venue, including 13 market-style outlets in concessions areas.