Beatrice Masters

There is a mac 'n' cheese world beyond the wildest imagination of anyone who grew up on Kraft macaroni. Those who try the gourmet macs of Manhattan will never be content with boxed pasta again. With cheeses from gruyere to smoked gouda and add-ins from figs to duck confit, mac 'n' cheese is the ultimate epicurean comfort food. The city boasts two eateries devoted exclusively to the delicacy as well as dozens of other restaurants that indulge in it. Macbar The bright yellow, macaroni-shaped interior of Macbar (54 Prince St., between Mulberry and Lafayette streets) leaves no doubt that this is the macaroni capital of Manhattan. Everything—from the round yellow tables to the yellow plastic take-out boxes—sings mac ‘n' cheese. The menu includes three sizes of the specialty and a variety of flavors, ranging from velvety four-cheese to lobster with cognac and mascarpone. With seating for no more than a dozen people, Macbar isn't made for eating in, but students can grab some of their indulgent mac while walking through SoHo or call to order delivery. There is nothing cheesier than Macbar—except maybe their macaroni and cheese. S'MAC S'MAC (345 East 12th St., between First and Second avenues) is New York's other establishment devoted exclusively to mac ‘n' cheese. The separate takeout location two doors down does not diminish the crowds that overwhelm this tiny East Village restaurant. The menu is intoxicating to read—there are 12 macaroni options, each more fascinating than the next. Not all of the options are as good as they look: Splurge on the fig-studded brie of the Parisienne and avoid the burnt pizza taste of the All-American. To evade the crowds, order to go or pick it up "take and bake" style. Cafeteria Cafeteria (119 Seventh Ave., between 17th and 18th streets) is a restaurant that is both electric and eclectic. Seeing the hosts who wear sunglasses and fedoras inside, cynics will say Cafeteria is too hipster by half, but no one can deny the appeal of great food available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Though the portions are no smaller than S'MAC's, Cafeteria's three varieties of macaroni are available only on the appetizer menu. Try the macaroni with gouda and bacon. The smoked flavor permeates the cheese sauce without overwhelming the pasta and the bacon is salty, chewy and fresh. For students that never sleep in the city that never sleeps, try a restaurant that never sleeps. Ferris Booth Commons Looking for comfort food closer to home? One hundred blocks closer than any other pasta place on this page, Columbia's own Ferris Booth Commons serves up mac ‘n' cheese, though not on a daily basis. Recently, they offered mac ‘n' cheese with a sausage that delivered a salty kick of flavor. A confetti of vegetables provided color. Don't think too hard about this pasta dish—or the faintly grainy texture of the thin white sauce might start to be noticeable. While there is obviously far better mac ‘n' cheese available in Manhattan, it's nice to know there is an option free on the meal plan that can be picked up on the way to class.