By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
LINCOLN CENTER — Fashionistas and foodies aren't on the same wavelength at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, as most attendees prefer to look outside the tents for dining options.
Inside the tents, one main food option exists: the pop-up Fashion Cafe, which offers a variety of soups, sandwiches, and snacks for show-goers.
Soups run at $5 a pop, and sandwiches, salads, and sushi options are $10. While the food is prepared fresh to order in the tents, similar choices at nearby delis cost at least a dollar less.
"If I wanted a real meal, I'd go somewhere in the neighborhood and just walk around and find a place," said Jonathan Burnham, a human rights activist and self-proclaimed fashion guru from Montreal, who was snacking on a chocolate chip cookie from the pop-up cafe.
"There's always a very small line at the cafe and there's a ton of people here in the tents, so that says something," Burnham added.
Others felt the food choices in the tents were limited, and the food at the cafe wasn't conducive to fashionistas on the go.
"I've been living on the drinkable yogurt, the Fiji water, the free wine, and the DHL-sponsored cookies," said Midtown West resident and entertainment professional, Madeleine Russell.
"They should have smaller, little bite-sized sandwiches because we're all on the run between shows and there's barely a second to eat," Russell said.
While models have free catered snacks and water backstage, show attendees are forced to fork over money for food at the cafe.
"It's way too expensive for what they offer at the cafe," said Lola Saab, a fashion writer from Paris. "But it's too cold to go out, so I suffer through the food and prices inside the tents."
Fashion Week's executive director said thought was put into the menu for the event's second season at Lincoln Center.
"Season one was a learning experience for us," said Christine Neault. "We learned what people liked and what they could eat quickly, and they seem to be enjoying it."
Some first timers to Fashion Week were pleased with the food choices in the tents.
"This is our first time eating here and I don't think it's too unreasonable," said Colette Rodbell, who owns a trunk show business in Larchmont, NY.
"The free beverages are nice, so I'm okay with the price and the sandwiches aren't bad."
For another tent diner, the made-to-order aspect of the menu was appealing.
"The sandwiches are nice and the bread isn't soggy. It's not like they're coming pre-packaged," said interior designer and Chelsea resident Suzanne Shapiro.
