New York Daily Photo Analytics

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

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.

8 comments:

indieperfumes said...

The photo makes NYC seem like a cozy old place, doesn't it...

Anonymous said...

On n'a pas l'impression que cette photo a été prise à New-York. On pense plutôt à un pub anglais. Une adresse de plus à noter !

• Eliane • said...

Hmmm, lovely. I shall visit and patronize soon! There used to be the fish market there which was worth the detour but I understand it moved to the Bronx about the time I arrived here.

Felicia said...

Interesting...it looks like a very unassuming place for a mayor to dine.

Anonymous said...

What a positively beautiful building. Are there ANY other wooden buildings in NY? Seems so out of place.

Ioanna said...

Beautiful street cafe! I wonder how is it from inside.

Anonymous said...

I visited last year for Thanksgiving. The food is great, and the people are great. My grandma owns the place, and the family all had dinner and desert there.

Unknown said...

I have stopover many epoch here and really take pleasure in a lot. Bridge Café is a peace offering lay. I like to spend utmost time here to unwind my wits. Everyone should go there at least on one occasion.
New York Marble