Meet 15th Street
Beginning and ending in parks and bisected by Union Square, 15th street stretches through Stuyvesant Town, the residential area of Chelsea, and the gentrification of the Meatpacking District. I have walked many neighborhoods in Manhattan, seen the variety and versatility in each, and 15th is yet another proud example of that side street potpourri.
As I always walk from east to west, my first encounter on 15th was Stuyvesant Park, which stretches between 15th and 17th Street. The land was a parcel of the venerable Stuyvesant family’s farm set aside in the 1830’s specifically for use by the City of New York as a public park. Its splendid cast-iron fence has marked its borders for nearly two hundred years, the largest and longest iron fence in the city.. Although peaceful and pleasant to walk through during any season, the springtime always promises beautiful flowers within the gates.
After that slice of history, I side stepped into a lighter mood and visited the host of bars that line the blocks between Stuyvesant and Union Square, such as Shades of Green Pub and Headless Horseman. Varied in theme and specialties, these watering holes all nonetheless capture a welcoming neighborhood feel.
I then continued on to several restaurants that left a fine impression. The sushi at 15 East is classically prepared and delectable, thanks to chef Noriyuki Takahashi’s impeccable taste for local produce and Japanese tradition. The quiet ambience at Tocqueville came as a complete surprise, but a much needed respite. Further west, late one weekend afternoon, my husband and I appreciated the wine selection and Turkish-French tapas at Pierre Loti (Lost Gem).
Dining and theater go hand-in-hand and 15th Street offers several options for both, including the Vineyard Theatre and Daryl Roth Theatre. What really caught my attention, however, was realizing that perhaps the most highly regarded acting school in the world is between Irving Place and Union Square. The Lee Strasberg Institute has been training actors for close to fifty years, turning out a multitude of famous names.
Just before Hudson River Park and its river view, the one-hundred-year-old Nabisco bakery now houses office space for major corporations and TV stations as well as the underground gourmet promenade, Chelsea Market. Whether one starts or finishes their street foray at the Hudson River, it is essential that everyone experience this epicurean delight. Filled with cafés, boutiques, markets, kitchen supplies, breads, and cupcakes galore, there is no doubt that everyone will leave smiling and fully satiated.
Compact, yet full of hidden gems, 15th street has the flavor of history and contemporary vibe that can satisfy many a side street rover.
