NYC’s South Street Seaport: A Hidden Gem!
The South Street Seaport surely invokes visions of dreaded tourists dancing in your head. Before I moved down to this neighborhood I felt the EXACT same way. I was so close to SoHo, TriBeCa and the West Village – why would I dream of hanging out in a neighborhood that is overrun with fake Coach handbag carrying Midwesterners and the guys who sell them?
Well, when you’re facing a fifteen minute walk to the 4 train in the dead of winter on a rainy Saturday night in a leather mini-skirt, 4” stilettos and a sleeveless shirt you’ll begin to think differently. At first I would jump on the train at all hours and head to Marquee or Cain in an attempt to catch Lindsay Lohan make her clothes disappear or to verbally abuse reflective sunglass-wearing guidos. The following winter at the Seaport something changed – I grew up – and began to explore the area. Would I really want to date some guy who hangs out at those “hotspot” clubs and lounges on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night anyway? Not anymore.
Once a good friend of mine moved into 45 Wall Street we began exploring since we had each other and were always too cold to head uptown. Now keep in mind that we didn’t hang out at the actual Seaport, we headed a block west and north of the Seaport – this hidden gem of an area begins on the corner of Front Street and Beekman Street.
On the corner of Front and Beekman you will come across Salud Restaurant and Bar, a homey Spanish tapas spot that has knock-you-out coconut mojitos, live Cuban music on Thursday nights and fantastic happy hour specials that attract lots of the AIG men. I’ve never had a bad time here, but then again, I don’t think I’ve managed to leave sober – the drinks are so addictive you can’t have just one!
Next door to Salud, towards Water Street, is Fresh Salt. It’s one of the neighborhood’s best kept secrets. It’s a borderline divey, nautical-themed bar/restaurant that’s jam-packed with local businesspeople and natives who are attracted to the dimly lit interior, fresh munchies, drink specials and late night hours without the tourists.
On the other side of Salud on Front Street is Stella Maris, a dark and sexy Irish Restaurant and Bar that serves lots of traditional cuisine and seafood. After work it’s a bit of a meat market scene – married men tend to congregate at the bar and always offer to pay our tab – not that we’ve ever minded this. While disapproving single women in corporate wear shoot nasty looks in our direction … it’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it. The wine list is impressive and the pours – well, they’re even better!
Diagonally across the street from Stella Maris is Bin 220, a cozy, mellow and romantic Italian wine bar. A local fave – Bin 220 is not only a fab date spot, but you can also converse with friends or clients without being interrupted or hit on – which can be very annoying when you’re frantically searching for a chilled out evening.
A few doors down from Bin 220 on Front Street is Jeremy’s Ale House. Jeremy’s is the less classy version (but I LOVE IT) of Brother Jimmy’s at the Seaport. This no-frills dive bar is a great place to catch the game, play beer pong, suck down buffalo wings, play a round of SORRY or Connect Four, practice your New “Yawk” accent with local firemen and drink from a 32 oz. foam cup that’s overflowing with Budweiser. The juke box – well it could use some fine-tuning. A dive bar needs dive bar music. Patrons seem confused and annoyed when “Living on a Prayer” is suddenly interrupted by traditional Spanish music.
Across from Jeremy’s is one of my favorite spots in the city, Nelson Blue, New York’s first authentic New Zealand restaurant and wine bar. Resident Kiwi, Pauli, along with the vibrant and fabulous Michelle, man this tight ship – even the décor is reminiscent of a traditional New Zealand boat. Nelson Blue can boast one of the best views in the city – it’s on the corner of Peck Slip and Front Street – a straight shot of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. Nelson serves true taste bud ticklers – their New Zealand-style mouthwatering crabcake (I know my crabcakes, I grew up in Baltimore) and the corn & zucchini fritters are delightful. The wine – well, this is one of the main reasons why we started coming here in the first place – New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the best. I’m completely addicted to the grapefruity flavors and I swear this wine might be the death of m. Nelson Blue attracts a well-heeled happy hour crowd, but it remains busy throughout the evening with locals who are thrilled to see that this pristine bar is still a bit of a secret.
Oh – make sure to ask for a glass of the “Cat’s Pee on a Gooseberry Bush”.
If you cross Peck Slip and head towards the Brooklyn Bridge you will discover many more bars and restaurants – most notably, MarkJoseph Steakhouse. Bet you didn’t know this Zagat-rated, testosterone-charged meat mecca is located practically underneath one of the most famous landmarks in the country – the Brooklyn Bridge! Ladies – if you’re looking for a Wall Street man on a Thursday night after work, this is your spot!
There are many more places to review on Front Street and I will highlight them at a later date. If you’re looking to impress a woman on her first date I’d suggest you hop in a cab and head down to this neighborhood. It’s not only romantic, but it’s nostalgic and uncluttered. Just don’t go past Beekman Street towards the actual Seaport – you might end up buying a fanny pack.
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