The Tin Building, a NYC culinary destination

Go with a good appetite

The Tin Building has been calling to me for a while. Basically, because my friend Ken kept talking about going there. He and I are usually garden buddies, making trips to green spaces around the area, but we grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan (to be precise, a neighborhood called Two Bridges, between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges), so it’s not surprising we go Downtown on occasion to check out the old neighborhoods and get some food.

As a food destination, it’s hard to beat. Chinatown, Little Italy, all the newer spots in the Village, West Side and Financial District…..and now the Tin Building.

Part of the South Street Seaport, this food hall opened last year and is a culinary experience in a class of its own. It’s dining at its best, with more choices than you can appreciate (or more accurately, taste) in one visit. If you are counting calories, take the day off and enjoy. Go back on the food plan tomorrow. 

This historic building is located at the site of the old wholesale Fulton Fish Market, which opened in in 1835. In 2005 the fish market moved to Hunts Point in the Bronx, opening the door for the Tin Building’s latest incarnation. After much reconstruction that included rebuilding the pier, and elevating and moving the building, it is operating under the ownership of Jean-Georges, renowned chef who personally oversees every menu and product you will find in the building. (One of the chefs we spoke to confirmed this.) 

For some photos and history, here’s an article from New York YIMBY.

The building is huge (53,000-square feet) with a retro glam feel and so many international food choices, and at all price points, it’s difficult to decide where to land. The two levels offer some 20 restaurants, bars, food markets, retail shops and more, and each food area distinctly different in style. 

To give you an idea, in the fine dining category:

• The Frenchman’s Dough (Italian with a twist)

• Seeds & Weeds (vegan/vegetarian)

• Shikku (sushi)

• T. Brasserie (French)

• Fulton Fish Co. (Seafood)

• House of the Red Pearl (Chinese-inspired). With its speakeasy-style bar, it’s somewhat hidden behind the Mercantile sign just off the escalator.

  Reservations suggested for all above: https://tinbuilding.com/restaurants

Fast Casual: 

• Double Yolk/Burger Bar (breakfast and lunch)

• Taquito (Mexican)

• T. Café (coffee/pastries)

• Sandwich & Salad (Build your own and chef selection)

• Poke & Ramen (Japanese noodles)

• Crepes & Dosas (sweet and savory)

Bars:

• The Wine Bar

• The Cocktail Bar

• Beer Here

Since we already had eaten pork buns at Dim Sum Gogo on East Broadway, we arrived with less than the proper appetite for an emporium of this scope. (But the pork buns are really good here, so I didn’t regret it.) This was an unavoidable stop since the Second Avenue bus we took from Grand Central left us off a block away.

It’s a bit of a walk from East Broadway to the Tin Building, but we enjoyed checking out changes in the neighborhood. It’s bittersweet, but change is inevitable. The Tin Building is probably most easily accessed via the Lexington Avenue subway line to Fulton Street.

There is absolutely no way you can miss the building once you’re in the area. The facade is unmistakable. Going inside, we were surprised by how much there was to take in. It was almost overwhelming. A lot to look at, and many choices to be made. We decided right away this would have be a return place.

We ordered ham and Gruyère crepes (mine with buckwheat flour; Ken’s with an egg) made on the spot in front of us at Crepes & Dosas and enjoyed them at the Cocktail Bar with basil jalapeno margaritas. Unusual pairing, but don’t knock it till you try it! These crepes are delicious, quite large, easily a meal, more than a snack. Very reasonably priced. We thought this would be an appetizer, but decided it was actually lunch. Next time we won’t stop for dim sum on the way. The drinks (in the typical NYC price range $15 or so) were outstanding! (Crepes are sweet or savory, so maybe we should have saved that for dessert? Now we know.)

This could easily have turned in to a pub crawl, but we kept it to a food crawl and instead left with a small bag of grocery goodies that included specialty teas and spices (under $10). It was a beautiful day, and we had already made plans for an East River ferry ride to Brooklyn, so we couldn’t buy refrigerated items. There is much in the way of food to get here: condiments, meat, cheese, pasta, imports. It’s endless.

Our visit to the Tin Building wasn’t as long as it should have been. Next time it will be. And we’re heading right for the House of the Red Pearl and the speakeasy-style bar. I think we’ll be spending more money, but I am completely convinced it will be worth it.

When you go, bring a good appetite and an insulated bag for what you will buy. There are a lot of meats, cheeses and other treats you may want to keep cool on the way home.

The Tin Building, 96 South St., Pier 17, between Fulton and Beekman streets. There’s music on some nights. You really do have to explore it for yourself. At least, visit the website for a digital trip.