Bridge Cafe

Many New Yorkers avoid the South Street Seaport area (barring an occasional visit for a performance like that of Spiegelworld - click here), seeing the area as too touristy. This is a legitimate complaint, but there are also good reasons to visit this neighborhood. Once one gets away from the beaten path of Fulton Street you quickly start to appreciate the charms of this area, the oldest area of the city. The buildings are beautifully restored, streets are cobbled and there are a number of establishments worth patronizing - museum, restaurants, bookstores, galleries. The Bridge Cafe, at 279 Water Street, is one of those places. The restaurant, at the end of Water Street and the corner of Dover Street, is virtually under the Brooklyn Bridge, housed in a wood-frame building erected in 1794 - click here for photo. This historic gem is believed to be the oldest business in NYC and the oldest drinking establishment - in 1847 Henry Williams opened a porter house in this section of Water Street, known for its saloons and brothels. The cuisine is eclectic New American. I have not eaten there but reviews appear to be consistently good - I intend to to soon ...

Notes: At the time the place was built, before land-fill projects expanded the area of Lower Manhattan, the East River actually came right up to the building.
When Ed Koch was mayor, he met here twice weekly at a private table.

Related Postings. Click on any link: Spiegeltent, Belle de Jour, South Street Seaport, Dead to the World, Fishbridge Garden, Jet Ski.