On Oct. 19, the Howard Hughes Corporation in partnership with the South Street Seaport Museum hosted the tenth annual Taste of the Seaport event in Lower Manhattan. The festival was held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pier 16 and 17 and featured tastings from over 40 restaurants in the area. Visitors could also enjoy beer and wine tastings while listening to musical entertainment and taking in the views of Historic Seaport. The Seaport District has long since been known as the commercial hub of New York City.
Located on the East River in Lower Manhattan, Seaport boasts views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty making it the perfect venue for festivals and events alike. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy slammed the east coast and inflicted millions of dollars in damage. The Seaport District fell victim to the carnage, wiping away decades of history and charm. The Howard Hughes Corporation would later step in to help return Seaport to its former glory and now sponsors Taste of the Seaport as a way to celebrate the progress made since Hurricane Sandy.
Anyone hoping to achieve the true New York food experience can find exactly what they’re looking for at Taste of the Seaport, as the festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. Purchasing one “taste ticket” provides five tastes and is perfect for solo visitors planning to have a relaxing day off on the pier. The Family Pack allows for 20 tastes and is enough for four people to enjoy the signature cuisine of the Lower East Side. The VIP friends and family tables come with an expensive price tag but are well worth it for the extra tastes, personal food runners, reserved seating and gift bags. Taste of the Seaport is sure to give every attendee an experience that they will never forget.
While the stunning view of the Brooklyn Bridge is impossible to ignore, the food is the real show-stopper during this celebration. 40 food and beverage vendors from the district gather on the pier to highlight the city’s vibrant culinary scene. University sophomore Matt Cartwright said, “I look forward to Taste of the Seaport every year! The food can’t be beat and I always get to try something new.” From Asian delicacies to French pastries, and even Italian comfort food, Taste of the Seaport accentuates the many different cultures that make up the melting pot of New York City.
For aesthetic seekers in search of the ultimate cuisine photo for their Instagram page, look no further than Hole in the Wall. This Australian cafe and bar makes an appearance at the food festival every year and leaves an unforgettable impression with their lavish plating and fresh flavors. Those in the mood to embrace their inner sommelier (professional wine taster) should head over to Stout NYC or Il Brigante. With an impressive selection of beer and wine, both vendors love to help their visitors find the perfect drink to complement their dish. With a setting just along the East River, the festival would not be complete without a sample of seafood. Quickly becoming the heart and soul of South Street Seaport, Dorlan’s Tavern and Oyster Bar ensures that every festival-goer satisfies their seafood fix. Famous for their baked oysters, mouth-watering jumbo lump crab-cakes and their fried catfish fingers, Dorlan’s is a must-have for those in town for the festival.
Although Taste of the Seaport is only in town one day a year, people can enjoy the unique atmosphere and thriving culinary scene all year round at one of the district’s many other restaurants and eateries. Taste of the Seaport will continue to live on as a symbol and celebration of New York City’s diversity, resilience and rich spirit that can be seen throughout the cobblestone streets of the historic South Street Seaport.
