Lower Manhattan Dining Festival Returns After Nearly Three Years

09/30/2014
Lower Manhattan Dining Festival Returns After Nearly Three Years

Photo credit: @addzim

Lower Manhattan today welcomed back one of its most anticipated and well-attended public events, “Dine Around Downtown.” The 13th edition of the food festival featured an extensive array of restaurants and cafes from across Lower Manhattan and drew more than 15,000 visitors. The Downtown Alliance event was co-presented by Fosun International and sponsored by South Street Seaport/Howard Hughes Corporation, with additional media sponsorship from Observer Media. Dine Around Downtown made its return after a three year hiatus due to construction at One Chase Manhattan Plaza, the event’s location for many years.

In addition to the local restaurants, the event will welcome two guest participants from Shanghai, China: Lubolang Restaurant and Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant. Diners also enjoyed a live musical performance from the National Jazz Museum in Harlem’s All-Stars. 

Lower Manhattan is quickly establishing itself as a compelling destination for adventurous eaters, and many of the district’s most impressive culinary offerings were on display at the midday festival. With dozens of openings over the past year and more restaurant openings in the pipeline, more and more New Yorkers are heading to Lower Manhattan for some of the city’s best meals. From newcomers like the inventive sandwich makers at Num Pang and the kiwi cuisine of Nelson Blue to Lower Manhattan classics like Delmonico’s and Harry’s Italian, Dine Around Downtown had a bit for every appetite.

“As the thousands of visitors today showed, Lower Manhattan is the place to be for endless exciting food options,” said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. “Dine Around’s more than forty amazing restaurants are just the tip of the iceberg of what Lower Manhattan has to offer; no matter what corner of the culinary map New Yorkers are seeking out, they can find it downtown. From tiny cafes to four star gourmet establishments, we are redefining dining in Lower Manhattan.”

Bo Wei, Fosun International’s Chief US Representative said, “We are honored to work with the Downtown Alliance to host the Dine Around Downtown Festival for the first time since Fosun’s successful acquisition of One Chase Manhattan Plaza. We hope to bring tasteful Chinese food to downtown, a symbol of liberty and culture diversity, and to bring unforgettable culinary experiences to the community, residents, office workers and visitors. More importantly, we hope to show through this event Fosun’s great respect for New York’s tradition and history.”

This year’s event also featured celebrity host, Aarti Sequeira, bringing her special talent, flair and personality to the event. Sequeira is the author of the brand new cookbook, “Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul” and the host of “Aarti Party” on Food Network. The blogger and former news and documentary producer launched her cooking career after winning “Food Network Star” in 2010.

A transplant from New York City to California, Sequeira thrilled at the display of dining options, stating, “There are so many fantastic restaurants here in downtown Manhattan that I’m tempted to move back!”

Several guest Instagram photographers also partnered in the event, providing a unique visual perspective to an even broader audience than the thousands who attended the event. Thrillist’s Andrew Zimmer (@addzim), EatingNYC’s  Alexa Mehraban (@eatingnyc) and NYC Foodie’s Josh Beckerman (@foodiemagician) posted a host of photos documenting the afternoon; the photos can be viewed at their Instagram accounts.

Participating restaurants included: Adrienne’s Pizza Bar; ATRIO Wine Bar | Restaurant; The Bailey Pub & Brasserie; Barbalu; Bavaria Bierhaus; Beckett’s Bar & Grill; The Beekman Pub; Bill’s Bar & Burger; The Black Hound; BLT Bar & Grill; BonChon Chicken; Bobby Van’s Steakhouse; The Capital Grille; City Hall Restaurant; Clinton Hall; Delmonico’s Steakhouse; The Dubliner; Financier Patisserie; Gigino at Wagner Park; The Growler Bites & Brews; Harry’s Café & Steak; Harry’s Italian; Haru; Kitchenette; Les Halles; Lubolang Restaurant; Mad Dog & Beans; MarkJoseph Steakhouse; Mike’s Noodle House; Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant; Nelson Blue; Num Pang Sandwich Shop; OBAO Water Street; Pound & Pence; Route 66 Smokehouse; Smörgås Chef; Southwest NY; Stone Street Tavern; Stout Fidi; SUteiShi Japanese Restaurant; Trinity Place; and Ulysses’ Folk House.

Additional photos at http://instagram.com/downtownnyc.