Seaport Food Lab at the Seaport District
The Seaport District is being transformed in a multitude of ways. Both creatively from a retail standpoint (Corso Como and Scotch & Soda) and with a nod to dining. They launched a new food concept known as the Seaport Food Lab this summer and it has been received with much praise and appreciation from food lovers everywhere.
The concept is simple in nature, but a big undertaking for a destination known for its cobblestone streets and not necessarily as a mecca for foodies. The Seaport Food Lab has brought some of the most well-known and respected master chefs from across the nation, for a five month food experience. Each master chef has been granted a two-week residency at the Seaport Food Lab. The master chefs have their own unique style and spin on food and are giving New Yorkers a chance to really experience food at its essence. Some of the dishes that diners will get to taste are only being offered at the Seaport Food Lab so don’t expect to find all of the dishes on their menus in the future. The family style seating is an intimate and fabulous atmosphere, with great people watching and ambiance, which can be enjoyed nightly at the nightly seating. And, don’t be late – each master chef will revel the crowd with stories of their introduction to their specialty, review the menu and offer a face to face encounter, that doesn’t normally occur in NYC. The dinner begins at 7pm and typically ends by 9pm.
Chef Acheson is a six-time James Beard nominee for Best Chef Southeast and his signature Southern style was on full display.
And, as part of this incredible dining experience, there is also a charitable component, as a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the South Street Seaport Museum, located across the way from the Seaport Food Lab.
Our FiDi Families team had a chance to meet and mingle with the incredible Hugh Acheson and he did not disappoint. We had become fans of his, while he was a judge on the Emmy award winning program Top Chef. He regaled the crowd with his love of Southern-style cooking, his thoughts on the misconception that all Southern food was greasy and fried and explained his choices on the menu and the excitement he felt at being a part of the Seaport Food Lab. He was gracious and charming and a true authority on the evolution of the culinary industry.
The decor has a very hip and trendy vibe. The staff was affable, fun and extremely knowledgable. There are also signature cocktails and plenty of bubbly, as Veuve Clicquot is one of the sponsors of the food series.
Next up is Alon Shaya; this James Beard Award winner will bring his Israeli-inspired menu to the Seaport for two weeks, beginning July 30th.
The full line up, with each of the master chefs, from June through October is listed below:
Paul Kahan, Cosmo Goss + Erling Wu-Bower: June 20 – July 2
Hugh Acheson: July 9 – July 21
Alon Shaya: July 30 – August 12
Dale Talde: September 10 – September 23
Wylie Dufresne: September 29 – October 11
To purchase tickets and to learn more, visit the reservation page HERE