By Shani R. Friedman
On a balmy, beautiful Saturday last month, historic Front Street played host to the 8th annual Taste of the Seaport, a daylong fest that was a feast for the stomach, eyes and ears with food, music and kids’ activities. The proceeds from the food ticket sales will benefit arts and enrichment programs at PS 343 The Peck Slip School and PS 397 Spruce Street School in Lower Manhattan.
This was no minor-league operation; over 40 food and drink establishments from the Seaport and Financial Districts participated, such as Trading Post, Haven Row, Fresh Salt and Hole in the Wall. There were also bands such as The Cleftomaniacs and Queen V, face-painting for the kids, stations where young and old could learn to make pasta, and a Downtown Alliance prize wheel that was a hotbed of excitement for kids (and at least this adult).
This foodie fanatic was not disappointed, even with turning up late in the day. Starving when I arrived, I made a beeline for the Keste tent and picked up a Margherita slice and then visited the friendly ladies at the SUteiShi where I where I offset the carbs with a seafood dish, awkwardly juggling both as I sat on a rock to eat. There were lines but nothing too lengthy. Walking around, everyone was clearly enjoying themselves, laden with an assortment of plates. Next up on my food exploration was The Malt House, which had blackened salmon sliders. Putting my carb coma over the top was Barbalu, where I scored the last of their delicious pasta. The nice folks at Financier Patisserie unearthed a dark chocolate tarte for the road after having just run out of another chocolate dessert they’d been handing out. Fittingly, before I concluded my time at the Seaport, I stopped by the table for Lewis Gross, D.D.S., who has a holistic dentistry practice. I did a before and after on the pH in my mouth, the fizzy tooth-whitening mouthwash tablet providing an inner balance restored, if not inner harmony.
Hopefully next year we will be as lucky with the excellent summery weather accompanying the delicious eats.
(Almost) anything and everything was available to sample at the Seaport District.
Live bands wowed the crowd from the Main Stage throughout the day.
Face painting booths kept little hands busy during the festival.
And the Downtown Alliance prize wheel delighted kids and kids-at-heart.
SUteiShi’s Japanese fare was among the most popular of the day.
But Barbalu’s pasta was so good, they ran out! Next year in Italy!
—
For more information, visit tasteoftheseaport.org, or follow Taste of the Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To learn more about the ongoing revitalization of New York’s Seaport District, visit southstreetseaport.com or follow the Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login