Downtown’s premier food festival, Taste of the Seaport, returned for a day of food, fun and fundraising on Saturday, October 19th at Pier 16 and 17 in the Seaport District of New York City. 15,000 hungry ticket holders set out to sample over 40 of the best restaurants in Lower Manhattan along with a scattering of local vendors, artisans, entertainers and family-friendly activities.

For the first time ever, a block-party on Front Street followed the main event with drink discounts and even more entertainment. This Lower Manhattan Food Festival & Block Party raised funds for P.S. 343 and P.S. 397 – both of which had volunteers helping throughout the day.

An easy to navigate event with stunning views of the water, Taste of the Seaport was the ideal fall afternoon activity. Adult and kids alike could enjoy an eclectic mix of the top-notch food and beverage retailers and brands that came together in support of the arts and enrichment programs at Public School 397 (The Spruce Street School) and Public School 343 (The Peck Slip School.) 

Foodies were able to choose from a variety of culinary options from the Seaport and Financial District, some including:

• The Fulton
• CUT by Wolfgang Puck
• Hole in the Wall
• Barbalu
• Fresh Salt
• Financier
• Cowgirl Seahorse
• Taco Playa
• The Fulton
• 10 Corso Como Restaurant & Café
• Cobble & Co
• Malibu Farm
• R17
• Suteishi

Standout dishes included juicy beef sliders, Mexican street corn, delectable cookie sandwich, fresh crudo, truffle mac & cheese, creamy guacamole, tender short rib sandwich and petite French pastries.

Guests were also invited to hangout in the Pier Bar with wine, beer and soda while live musical performances took place on the main stage throughout the afternoon. Kids were easily entertained with family-friendly activities at the festival’s KidsZone, presented by New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. Other sponsors included The Howard Hughes Corporation, the leading real-estate developer working to revitalize the Seaport District after Hurricane Sandy, the South Street Seaport Museum, New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, Basil Hayden, Olivia’s Organics, White Claw, the Old Seaport Alliance and the Downtown Alliance.

If you missed the fall afternoon this year, put it on your calendar for 2020! 

– Lauren

Photos by Eddy Garay