Michelin Bestows Three-Star Status On Lower Manhattan

12/02/2019
Michelin Bestows Three-Star Status On Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan has been named a three-star destination, Michelin’s highest honor, in the 2019 Michelin Green Guide for its quintessential mix of old-school charm and modern flair.

The recognition comes as more than 100 editors at the 100-year-old institution evaluated the neighborhood across nine criteria that fall within three themes, including first impressions, heritage and quality of visit. Lower Manhattan earned the recognition for offering a wealth of history, culture and architecture alongside an exceptional food scene. The neighborhood boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants within one square mile. Crown Shy, chef James Kent’s New York Times-hailed dining room inside the beautiful Art Deco space at 70 Pine, was awarded one star earlier this year. L’Appart, the intimate, 28-seat restaurant in Le District, was awarded Lower Manhattan’s first Michelin star in 2017.

Lower Manhattan has long been a destination for its legendary attractions — old and new. On the southern tip of the neighborhood, the Statue of Liberty has stood tall for 133 years as a symbol of freedom, while just up the road, the New York Stock Exchange faces Federal Hall, the birthplace of American government where George Washington was sworn in as the nation’s first president. Recent additions like One World Observatory offers visitors breathtaking views of the entire city from over 1,300 feet high and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum pays tribute to nearly 3,000 people who were lost but will never be forgotten. 

Lower Manhattan is also home to a number of best-in-class New York City chefs. Nobu relocated its flagship NYC location to the historic AT&T Building where diners sit under the 40-foot ceiling and Doric-style columns to enjoy top-notch sushi. Jean-Georges’ latest restaurant The Fulton on Pier 17 offers a scrumptious high-concept seafood menu with some of the most spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge. Danny Meyer, a longtime advocate for dining Downtown and who helped establish the local scene, most recently opened Manhatta, an immaculate crow’s nest perched atop the 60th floor of 28 Liberty where patrons dine between the tops of New York’s iconic skyscrapers. The Beekman Hotel houses two renowned NYC chefs: Keith McNally, whose brassiere Augustine serves up exquisite bistro fare and Tom Colicchio, who experiments with classic dishes inside Temple Court. And no list of Lower Manhattan dining would be complete without paying tribute to Delmonico’s — the oldest restaurant in America — and creator of eggs Benedict and baked Alaska. 

“Downtown New York City is a must-see neighborhood of Manhattan,” Philippe Orain, editorial director and editor-in-chief of the Michelin Green Guide, said. “Personally, I love the Woolworth Building, St. Paul’s Chapel and a drink at the Dead Rabbit. I also love that when Verrazano discovered the Hudson Bay and Manhattan, he named the place Terre d’Angoulême, after the French city where King Francis I was born. Historical and contemporary in its architecture, lively in its lifestyle and almost surrounded by water, it really is worth the journey.”

Jessica Lappin, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, added: “One of our favorite tag lines is ‘New York’s oldest neighborhood is new again.’ It captures how Lower Manhattan, while steeped in history, has become a hub for emerging industries. That’s what makes the district thrilling. It’s a highly desirable place to be because it’s authentic and historic, yet vibrant enough to embrace change.”