Review: Tin Building by Jean-Georges (New York City)

During a recent visit to New York City, I visited the Tin Building on the lower east side and am so glad I did. 

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Location

I was staying in the Financial District at Gild Hall where one of the staff members suggested I try the Tin Building just a short walk away (about 10-12 minutes.) On the lower east side of Manhattan, the Tin Building is located on the South Street seaport just below FDR Drive with some of the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge. Walkable from Wall Street, Battery Park, and located on Pier 16, it’s hard to find a better place to spend lunch on the water.

Phone: +1 888-777-0942

Address: 96 South St, New York, NY 10038

Google Maps Link

Concept

As an immigrant to the United States, French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten was inspired by the Fulton Street fish market when he first arrived in New York. The celebrity chef and cookbook author has a string of successful restaurants but returned to the fish market to open his own take on a specialty grocery store and food hall mix. Some have compared it to Eataly, but I found that Tin Building differentiates with its wide range of cuisines and waterfront location.

Restaurants and Offerings

Tin Building has four segments to the business. There are two types of restaurant products: “Fine Dining” and “Fast Casual.” Respectfully, I think the term “fine” used in this context is really just to say that the food is great and this is a sit-down dining room experience but not necessarily white linen.

Several markets sell a combination of fresh seafood, meat, baked goods, and groceries. Lastly, there’s a commissary above the building that’s not open to the public.

The Fulton Fish Market restores what first inspired Chef Jean-Georges after the fish market moved locations. The market supplies a raw bar on-site and a caviar bar. Mercantile East offers Chinese food products (some of which I had not seen outside of Asia.)

Fine Dining

The venue has a collection of half a dozen full-service restaurants that touch a variety of cuisines, some with interesting twists. Here’s a list of those restaurants:

• House of the Red Pearl (Chinese)
• Seeds & Weeds (Vegan/Vegetarian)
• The Frenchman’s Dough (Italian)
• Shikku (Sushi, Sake)
• T. Brasserie (French)
• Fulton Fish Co. (Seafood)

Fine Dining venues are found on the main level, the second floor, and in both the front and rear of the building. T Brasserie offers outdoor seating for comfortable days.

On my next visit I will be sure to try the wood-fired cheesecake at The Frenchman’s Dough.

Fast Casual

For food and beverage options both less expensive and prepared faster, Tin Building offers four vendors:

• Sandwich & Salad
• Double Yolk (Breakfast)
• Taquito (Mexican)
• T. Cafe (Coffee, Pastries)

I arrived in the late afternoon so while the Double Yolk egg sandwich was highly recommended, I went straight to Sandwich & Salad. The menu looked great, but the sandwiches in the window did all of the selling. I ordered a Proscuitto and Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich.

I’ve been to Italy many times, lived in England – this is the best sandwich I’ve ever had anywhere. Sundried tomato in lightly burnt, pocked foaccacia balanced fresh mozzarella, basil, and the smokey proscuitto has lived in my dreams since my visit. Every table in the sandwich shop was taken; a recognizable TV financial reporter was getting take-away while I crunched bite after bite.

Conclusion

This is one of the first places I’ll be sure to bring friends and family on my next visit to New York City. I imagine that summer months will bring large crowds and make it harder to try the impressive offerings. If you’re in New York and find yourself near the Financial District, I highly recommend stopping by the Tin Building if you’re able.

What do you think? Have you tried the Tin Building? What’s your favorite venue?