Scene by Laurie

Two of the reasons why I love New York so much are 1) I never stop finding new treasures and 2) the people are so friendly. Last night I discovered both on Stone Street. I have to credit my friends Wendy and Sandy for originally turning me on to this gem and I finally made a point to get down there to check it out.

It’s a quaint little restaurant row packed with international flavors. People spill out of the restaurants and fill the tables that take over the cobblestone street for an evening under the stars enjoying tasty food and libations. If you’re planning a visit to NYC you should add Stone Street to your downtown itinerary for a great way to experience a slice of local New York. Not only is it packed with fun, it’s rich in history.

It’s a winding narrow alley tucked away downtown almost at the southern tip of Manhattan near the water and Wall Street. Bordered by William Street, Pearl Street and Hanover Square, this area was designated the Stone Street Historic District in 1996 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Stone Street is as old as Gotham City itself and was the first paved street. In its earliest days it flourished near the East River waterfront but over the centuries it has both nearly fallen to oblivion and rebounded several times. It was fairly recent that the area was restored once again – at a cost of nearly $2 million with funding received from the city, the Alliance for Downtown New York and private sources. The makeover restored it to its original 19th century feel complete with old fashioned lamp posts and cobblestone street. Restaurants started opening up in 2003 and it’s been growing ever since.

There are about a dozen eateries and bars offering an eclectic mix of culinary delights for lunch and dinner from pizza and pastry to Mediterranean, Scandinavian and pub fare. At night when the sun sets and the street is lit by restaurants and street lamps and the alley is humming with happy people it reminds me of the same scene you’ll find through the wee hours in Sevilla or Granada Spain. For the full experience, visit on Thursday night when it’s at fever pitch.