Taste of the Seaport

A year after Hurricane Sandy, the fourth annual Taste of the Seaport took place on Front Street on Sunday, October 27th. Local merchants came together to raise money for P.S.237, the Spruce Street School, enjoying food, music, and arts and crafts.

"The turnout is wonderful, it's a beautiful day, you cant beat this," said Sammy O'Connor, owner of the Trading Post at 170 John Street. "We sold out of food by 2 p.m. today, so we are feeling optimistic about going into the winter, there are people who live here who still walk to Tribeca, when they could walk 5 minutes to us."

According to Learan Kahanov, chair of the Taste of the Seaport 2013 and PTA Co-President of the Spruce Street, even though there were half as many restaurants participating as there were last year, they surpassed their sales from 2012.

"While many of the restaurants in the Old Seaport district still have not re-opened, some in the neighborhood have gone away for good. What we have proven is that we have an amazing community who came out to support our local businesses and our kids at the Spruce Street School (next year we plan to include the new Peck Slip School)," he said. "I have been chairing this event since its inception and it is wonderful to see the yearly return of participants and sponsors without whom the event couldn't happen and our school would be lacking much needed funds."

Participating restaurants included Acqua, Barbalu, Bin 220, Cowgirl Seahorse, Fresh Salt, Jack's Coffee, Keg 229, Made Fresh Daily, Mark Joseph Steakhouse, Pasanella and Son, Suteishi, and The Trading Post. The event was sponsored by the Howard Hughes Corporation, Historic Front Street, Radeberger, the Downtown Express, and Nova Graphics.

"It's great to see so many kids and parents out and having a good time," said Calli Lerner, co-owner of the newly re-opened restaurants Bin 220 and Keg 229, both on Front Street. "It's always amazing to see people showing up to show support for our community!"