Discovering New York’s eclectic culinary scene: from seafood to Mediterranean cuisine

A Seaport, le paradis des foodies

French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, star of New York cuisine for thirty years, opened the Tin Building last fall. His lair is housed in a former fish market closed for years in Manhattan’s Old Harbor, in the shadow of the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

A spectacular and gourmet place that has something to cheer up post-pandemic foodies: no less than 5,000 square meters, six gourmet restaurants, six fast food outlets, four bars, a bakery, flower, candy and meat markets , fish… There is something for all tastes and all budgets.

A tribute to New York’s culinary eclecticism, it celebrates flavors from all over the world, in a happy mix of styles, moving from the counter offering the classic American breakfast egg sandwiches to Mexican tacos, after a detour to the oyster bar and seashells…

As a family, it is the guarantee of satisfying everyone, and of unearthing delicacies to taste on the spot or to take away to stroll on the neighboring quays.

For a more bistronomic stopover, our choice stops at The Frenchman’s Dougha typical New York Italian restaurant and its already famous Limone pizza, with ricotta and fontina cheeses topped with slices of lemon.

Vegetarians will find what they are looking for on the inventive menu Seeds & Weeds.

Practical information

Tin Building by Jean-Georges
96, South Street, NY 10038
Sunday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m.

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A marine stopover in Tribeca

From the first step placed on the deck of this old fishing schooner moored at the quay, the charm operates. The view is magical: the One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty in the distance and the sunset behind the buildings of Hoboken.

Inspired by the floating oyster barges that lined Manhattan’s waterfront in the 1800s^e and XIX^e centuries, this oyster bar serves beautiful plates of oysters and delicious cocktails, in a relaxed atmosphere providing the feeling of being on vacation.

Practical information

Grand Banks
Pier 25, Hudson River, NY 10013
From May to October.
Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.
Count 60 dollars per person.

Chinatown’s Japanese Surprise

Chinatown is a must, but be careful not to enter a random restaurant. Push the door of Dr. Clark instead, who is… Japanese! Cool minimalist interior decor, honey wood walls, bouquets of dried plants above the bar.

On the plates, the cuisine comes straight from Hokkaido: a dozen lamb specialties including jingisukan, marinated lamb barbecue, bean sprouts and onions. But also excellent sashimi and sea urchins. The plate of dried, sweet and smoked salmon, a specialty of the indigenous Ainu communities, will remain as one of the best salmon you have tasted, accompanied by an ice-cold Sapporo beer.

After dinner, let yourself be tempted by a karaoke or a nightcap at the River, their retro bar next door.

Practical information

Dr Clark
104, Bayard Street, NY 10013
Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

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The Hispanic touch of the High Line

After a walk on the High Line green corridor, a break is essential at the Mercado Little Spain (10, Hudson Yards, NY 10001) for take-out tapas, legendary flautas (thin baguettes with tomato, serrano, manchego) and churros for dessert.

A Mediterranean break at Jack’s Wife Freda

Burgers, chicken wings, fries, but also kebabs, courgette aioli chips, shakshuka eggs: the street food menu, with a Mediterranean twist for dishes to share without fuss in a lively atmosphere, will delight young and old. We recommend the halloumi, grilled cheese with fresh grapes.

The brand has spread to West Village, Chelsea, Union Square and Williamsburg, but we particularly like the one in Soho, with its large south-facing terrace.

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Practical information

Jack’s Wife Freda
226, Lafayette Street, NY 10012
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, until 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.
Price: dishes between 15 and 25 dollars.

File coordinated by Gaëlle Macke, produced with Frenchmorning.com
Contributors: Alexis Buisson, Olivia Garcin, Elisabeth Guédel