Posts Tagged ‘La Maison du Chocolat’

This Mother’s Day Show Mom Some Lower Manhattan Love

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and Lower Manhattan has some great deals and specials to celebrate the love that only a mother can give.

Win a Free Posh Mommy Loop Pendant for your Mom

DeNatale Jewelers
111 Broadway, Lobby
(212) 349-8900 | www.denatale.com

Win one of three Posh Mommy Loop Pendants for your mom. Simply visit our Facebook page and upload a baby picture of yourself, or child and get the most ‘likes’. The three with the highest number of ‘likes’ will win a personalized pendant. It’s quick and easy – you can find out more on our Facebook page by clicking here.  Valid from 05-01-2013 to 05-12-2013.

Thank Mom with a Gift She Will Remember Forever!

Ray’s Jewelry
3 Hanover Square
(212) 425-2250

Come in Monday-Friday from 9 AM-5:45 PM (Friday until 4:30) and mention this ad and receive an additional 15% off the sale price of ANY item in the store. Treat Mom to something special this year! We have the largest selection of jewelry, diamonds, and watches in the entire Wall Street area including hot new brand names like Alex and Ani, Chamilia, Lauren G Adams, Oliver Weber, and much more!! Valid from 04-30-2013 to 05-14-2013.

25% off on $500 minimum purchase for Mother’s Day

William Barthman Jeweler
176 Broadway
(212) 732-0890 | www.williambarthman.com

To celebrate Mother’s Day, William Barthman Jeweler offers 25% off on a $500 purchase or higher. A Pandora jewelry piece is the best gift for Mom. Come to explore our Manhattan Store at 176 Broadway and visit our Pandora Boutique. Certain luxury brands are excluded from this offer. Please talk to a sales associate for details.  Valid from 05-01-2013 to 05-31-2013

La Maison du Chocolat’s  Mother’s Day Collection

La Maison du Chocolat
63 Wall Street
(212) 952-1123 | www.lamaisonduchocolat.com

To celebrate Mothers of all around the world, this year La Maison du Chocolat offers an exclusive gift box with two special recipes of fruits and florals. A dark chocolate ganache infused with fresh raspberry pulp, hibiscus, rosebud and cornflowers and a milk chocolate ganache infused with lemon, orange and grapefruit. This dazzling shiny and bright coral gift box contains 18 pieces for $34.00. Valid from 05-01-2013 to 05-13-2013.

Mother’s Day…it’s all about Mother’s love!

Fabio Doti Salon
40 Exchange Place
(917) 261-6865 | www.fabiodotisalon.com

Mother’s Day – time to cherish the love only a Mom can give! Let’s celebrate this month & every day! We would like to show our appreciation to Mom’s with 15% off any service! Moms, treat yourself with a beautiful blow-out, glamour up with a make-up application or shape-up that style with a master cut! It’s your month and you should look and feel your best! YOU DESERVE IT! Valid from 05-01-2013 to 05-31-2013.

Bring Your Mamma, Get 20% Off

Pasanella and Son Vintners
115 South Street
(212) 233-8383 | www.pasanellaandson.com

On Mother’s Day, show mom you love her by bringing her by the store for a 20% discount! There will be wine to taste that day as well. Valid on 05-12-2013.

Mother’s Day Brunch Deals

Church & Dey Restaurant
55 Church Street
(212) 312-2000 | www.newyorkmillenium.hilton.com

Treat Mom to Brunch this Mother’s Day at Church & Dey Restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal for $35 per person plus stunning views of the World Trade Center Site and Memorial! For reservations, click here. Valid on 05-12-2013.

Smörgås Chef Restaurant
53 Stone Street
(212) 422-3500 | www.smorgas.com

Join us for Mother’s Day brunch and dinner on festive Stone Street! We are offering our regular a la carte menu all day as well as some amazing specials like pan roasted scallops, farm eggs with morel mushrooms and drink specials for your family! Valid on 05-12-2013.

W New York Downtown Hotel – Mother’s Day Super Cool Sale

W New York – Downtown
123 Washington Street
(646) 826-8600 | www.wnewyorkdowntown.com

Super Cool Sale for Mother’s Day @ W New York Downtown Package includes complimentary upgrade to Cool Corner Room and 2 Sip Drink Cards upon arrival. Rates are prepaid, non-refundable and non-changeable. Valid from 05-10-2013 to 05-12-2013.

 

For more information on other retailers in Lower Manhattan, visit the Alliance for Downtown New York website, or download our mobile app by clicking here.  For more Downtown Deals click here.

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Show Mom How Much you Care by Treating Her at These Lower Manhattan Destinations

Friday, May 4th, 2012

With only a week to go before Mother’s Day, you’ve got multiple ways to show your appreciation for Mom in Lower Manhattan. The Downtown Alliance has compiled a list of special events and dining options for you to celebrate Mother’s Day 2012 in the district:

SHOPPING:

J&R Mother’s Day Shopping Event May 5th and 6th
23 Park Row
(212) 238-9000

Not sure what to get Mother’s Day? Come down to J & R’s two-day shopping event on May 5th and 6th and J & R will help you out! Skip the flowers this year and get her something a little more cutting edge — such as a tablet, digital camera, or mp3 player. Receive a pearl necklace with any purchase of $200 or more. This is an in-store-only offer available both days, while supplies last.

Bloom
255 Murray Street
www.bloomflowers.com|(646) 414-6269

The newly opened Bloom luxury flower and interior shop is a great place to purchase something to brighten mom’s day. The boutique sells unique flower and terrarium arrangements with one-of-a-kind gifts like throw pillows, scented candles from Christian Tortu and coffee table books as well as furniture for the home and garden.

MORE FLOWER SHOPS: City Blossoms, Downtown Florist, Eden Flowers, Flowers of the World, John Street Florist, and L’Atelier Des Fleurs

Hallmark Gold Crown
140 Church Street
www.hallmark.com | (212) 227-3674

A simple Mother’s Day card can’t be beat to show how much you care. Every mom likes to hear she’s doing a great job.

MORE GREETING CARDS: American Greetings, Diamond’s Hallmark and Papyrus

DINING:

Statue Cruises
Pier 40
(201) 604-2800

Enjoy wonderful cuisine, complimentary glass of champagne and live entertainment as you sail along the scenic New York Harbor. Help your mother indulge by relishing a two-hour yacht cruise with a full brunch buffet for $57.50 per person. A three-hour cruise is also available with a four-course seated dinner, DJ entertainment and one rose per mother for $99 per person.

Blue Planet Grill
120 Greenwich Street
www.bpgnyc.com | (212) 566-8300

Come to Blue Planet Grill with your mother and family and celebrate the special day together. Also, receive complimentary glass of wine with your meal.

Francois Payard Bakery
210 Murray Street
www.fpbnyc.com | (212) 566-8300

Indulge your mother with Francois Payard’s decadent pastries. The French pastry chef has mastered the art of sweets, and his Battery Park City location will transport your mother to faraway France.

MORE SWEETS: Fika Espresso Bar, Financier Patisserie, Godiva Chocolatier, La Maison du Chocolat and Leonidas Belgian Chocolates

Vintry
57 Stone Street | (212) 480-9800 | www.vintrynyc.com
230 Murray Street | (212) 240-9553 | www.vintryfinewines.com

Vintry luxury wine bar, now in two great locations, offers 80 wines by the taste, glass or bottle as well as over 230 different whiskies. Step into the distinctive, handcrafted interior and show your mother you appreciate her sophisticated palate.

MORE WINE & LIQUOR: Fulton Wine and Liquor, California Wine Merchants, New York Wine Exchange, Pasanella and Son Vintners, New York Vintners, Financial District Wine and Liquor, and Rosetta Wines

EVENTS:

Spring Thyme Spa
40 Exchange Place
www.springthymeny.com/specials | (212) 385-4937

Help mom get that much-needed relaxation she never finds time for at Spring Thyme Spa. Mother’s Day services include aromatherapy hot oil massage, aromatherapy hydrating facial, eye and lip moisture booster, hand and foot treatment – all for $170. Also choose from varying kinds of massages.

Bodies Exhibition Health Screenings
19 Fulton Street
(212) 732-8257

Show mom you care by making sure she’s healthier than ever! With overwhelming schedules and constant care of others, moms often forget to worry about their own health.  In honor of Mother’s Day and National Women’s Health Week (May 13th – May 19th), take mom to the BODIES exhibition on Saturday, May 12th. There you can  learn more about staying heart healthy. The event runs from 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

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A Love Story: ‘We Built a New Life with Each Other in Lower Manhattan’

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Tara Clark and Matt Cooney (Photo by Rick and Bernadette Johnston of Narrative Images Photography, San Diego, CA)

The Downtown Alliance proudly announces the winner of the Lower Manhattan Love Story, a contest in which 45 people told us how they fell in love in – or with – the district. We were amazed and impressed by the entries, which spoke of favorite spots and romantic encounters. We’d like to thank our judges from Andaz Wall Street, La Maison du Chocolat, Greenwich Jewelers, and Flowers of the World. We’d now like to present you with the winning entry from Tara Clark.

My fiancé, Matt Cooney, and I met in San Diego in February 2009 while out with friends for a night of dinner and drinks at a bar. He is a flight officer for FA-18 fighter jets for the Marine Corps and he was due to leave for Japan in two weeks to serve a six-month deployment.  We decided to stay in touch while he was gone, and got to know each other better during that time through our e-mails, letters and phone calls.  He even called me on my birthday (not knowing it) and made my birthday wish to hear from him come true (which he didn’t know about at the time, either).

When he returned to San Diego in September 2009, we got together for our first date in Laguna Beach.  Sparks flew, and we immediately started falling in love.  He took me on my second date the next weekend to a U2 concert — my favorite band.  We were inseparable after that, even when we discovered a month into dating that Matt had been transferred to New York City.  After three months of dating, we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and decided to move to New York together to pursue our dreams and further grow our love.  I had to leave my friends, family and job behind, but as long as we were together we would be happy.

We decided to make our new home in the Financial District for several reasons.  We loved the small neighborhood feeling we got when we walked down Stone Street and how quickly we made friends.  The history of Lower Manhattan charmed us as well — we were charmed by how we uncovered historical spots every day.  The easy access to Battery Park, running paths on the Hudson River and running over the Brooklyn Bridge were appealing to us because we are admittedly running addicts.  Most importantly, Matt felt compelled to live in the area where our country was so suddenly and heartlessly attacked — because the events of 9/11 altered his remaining education at the Naval Academy and he dedicated himself to serve his country as an officer in the Marine Corps in a time of war.  He felt his service was in rightful memory of those that were lost — a reminder of what he works for each day — and I supported him fully.

We built a new life with each other in Lower Manhattan over the next year and a half.  One of our favorite things to do on Sundays was to take a walk together in Battery Park and talk about our future.  This last August, Matt suggested walking to one of our favorite restaurants, Gigino Wagner Park, for dinner.  As we walked along our typical path, Matt completely surprised me and proposed to me!  Lower Manhattan means so much to us because the life that we built here together has further solidified the love we felt when we first met.  We are getting married August 18, 2012 — exactly one year from the date Matt proposed — and we cannot wait for the next step for our lives in New York together.

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Where to Find That Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift? Look No Further than Lower Manhattan!

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Love is in the air this month in Lower Manhattan, and what better way to show someone you care than with the classics: red roses, candy hearts and thoughtful words on beautiful stationery. This year, the Downtown Alliance has gathered a list of great places to suit all your Valentine’s Day shopping needs.

For all the up-to-date Valentine’s activities and promotions, visit the Downtown Alliance’s Valentine’s Day page.

Whether you already have some ideas for your sweetie, or whether you’ll need to make a last-minute dash to pick up a bouquet or some chocolates, the Downtown Alliance is excited to present you with some holiday options below Chambers Street.

Lower Manhattan is your one-stop shop for Valentine’s Day

FLOWERS: City Blossoms, Downtown Florist, Eden Flowers, Flowers of the World, John Street Florist, and L’Atelier Des Fleurs

CARDS: American Greetings, Diamond’s Hallmark, Hallmark Gold Crown, and Papyrus

SWEETS: Fika Espresso Bar, Financier Patisserie, Godiva Chocolatier, La Maison du Chocolat and Leonidas Belgian Chocolates

JEWELRY: Broad Street Jewelers, Charles Patrick Jewelers, DeNatale Jewelers, 14 Wall Street Jewelers, Greenwich Jewelers, Kenjo Jewelers, Tiffany & Co., and William Barthman Jewelers

WINE & LIQUOR: Fulton Wine and Liquor, California Wine Merchants, New York Wine Exchange, Pasanella and Son Vintners, New York Vintners, and Rosetta Wines

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Cupid Shares His Valentine’s Day Destinations in Lower Manhattan

Friday, February 10th, 2012

It’s that time of year again, time for candlelit dinners, red roses, and loved ones – Lower Manhattan style. This year the Downtown Alliance has gathered a list of Valentine specials from an array of restaurants, and shops, along with a great Valentine’s Day list of ideas for you to enjoy. For all the up-to-date Valentine activities and promotions, visit the Downtown Alliance’s Valentine’s Day page.

Here are the latest ideas we have to share:

Valentine’s Day Dining

Wall & Water
Friday, February 10-14, 2012
75 Wall Street | (212) 699-1700
5:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Wall & Water at the luxurious Andaz Hotel is offering a special Four Course Aphrodisiac Prix-Fixe Menu. For $160 per couple, enjoy East Coast oysters, baked Robiola cheese, Maine lobster or grilled rack of lamb and chocolate fondue along with a complimentary champagne toast.  Make a reservation for your special night!

Regis Royal
Saturday, February 11-14, 2012
21 Rector Street | (212) 321-3000
11 AM – 12 AM

Regis Royal Restaurant is offering a Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe menu, for $65 per person.  This menu includes a bottle of Rose wine per couple along with choices ranging from heart-shaped lobster ravioli, to Chilean sea bass, to Porter House for Two, to strawberry shortcake to chocolate soufflé cake.  Don’t miss out. Make reservations today!

SamSara
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
277 Water Street | (212) 444-9443
5 PM – 11 PM

SamSara is offering its regular menu along with Valentine’s Day specials including a complimentary glass of champagne.  Call to make your reservation.

The Porterhouse at Fraunces Tavern
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
58 Pearl Street | (212) 968-1776
11 AM – 4 AM

The Porterhouse at Fraunces Tavern is offering a three-course pre-fixe menu for $65 per person that includes a complimentary glass of champagne — or for $90 per person with a complimentary bottle of wine for two.

Treat Yourself or that Special Someone

Financier Patisserie
90 Nassau Street │(212) 748-6000

Beginning February 9, all Financier Patisseries are offering heart-shaped cakes in two sizes:  Serves Two for $13.50 or Serves Four-to-Six for $32.50.  Enjoy your choice of chocolate mousse, tiramisu coeur de cafe or raspberry white chocolate mousse.  In addition, check out Financier’s delicious heart-shaped pastries, berries tart, chocolate-dipped strawberries, heart cookies, Valentine’s macaroons and bonbons.

Free delivery February 10-14.

La Maison du Chocolat
63 Wall Street │(212) 952-1123

Allow yourself to be captivated by decadent chocolate this Valentine’s Day! La Maison du Chocolat introduces a collection of chocolates infused with rich, exotic spices from the farthest reaches of the world, ready to capture any heart. The recipe boxes open to reveal four new creations: chocolates for love and romance, to share and enjoy together.

NYCleaning Pros
37 Wall Street | (917) 975-0733

What better way to say “I love you” than with a clean home! Get $15 off from NYCleaning Pros for the entire month of February. Their cleanings are 100 percent guaranteed, starting at $35/hour. This offer is also available to new clients!

Events

Skyscraper Museum
Valentine’s Day Card Creations
Saturday, February 11, 2012
39 Battery Place | (212) 945-6324
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Give that special someone a structural smooch with a homemade skyscraper card.  It’s the best way to climb your way to the top of his or her heart.

New York Academy of Sciences
Matchmaking in the Digital Age
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 40th Floor |  (212) 298-8640
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Come enjoy a behind-the-scenes look into human mating in the 21st century, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Founded by a mathematician, OKCupid analyzes dating data to draw funny, revealing, and downright strange conclusions about the sex lives of humans. OKCupid’s resident blogger, Christian Rudder, will give a behind-the-scenes look into human mating in the 21st century, just in time for Valentine’s Day. You’ll never look at your love life the same way again.

Places to Shop

Tourbillon Boutique
45 Wall Street | (212) 797-2503

Faithful to the spirit of masterpieces designed by Breguet, Blancpain, Glashutte Original, Jaquet Droz, Tiffany & Co.and Omega, as well as special collections by Swatch. Tourbillon Boutique constitutes the prestigious distribution network of the Swatch group’s high end timepiece brands. Please join us for a Valentine’s Day complimentary glass of champagne when you visit our boutique. With a bright contemporary interior and the staff’s friendly welcome and professional expertise, Tourbillon Boutique New York invites you to discover a variety of breathtaking delights – from fabulously exclusive wristwatches to gem-set jewelry.

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Got a Prize-Winning Love Story?

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

A romantic dinner at a neighborhood restaurant. A walk along the Esplanade in Battery Park City. A blind date that led to a lifetime of happiness.

So many special moments can be captured in the one square mile that is Lower Manhattan.

So why not share the love – and be eligible to win a prize?

The Downtown Alliance proudly announces the Lower Manhattan Love Story, a chance to tell us how you fell in love in – or with – Lower Manhattan.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’d like to hear your story (in less than 500 words please). We’ve assembled a prestigious panel of Lower Manhattan judges who will pore over all contest entries and determine the winner.

What are we looking for? Personal accounts of how you met your life partner in Lower Manhattan, moved to the neighborhood because it was so special to you, fell head-over-heels in love with a park, view, or any other spot.

Our judges will be looking for the best “love” stories and choose a winner before Valentine’s Day.

Our panel: Toni Hinterstoisser, General Manager, Andaz Wall Street; Melissa Andreev, President, FiDi Association, Manager of La Maison du Chocolat; Christina Gambale, owner, Greenwich Jewelers; and, Sara Cancellaro, General Manager, Flowers of the World.

The contest ends on February 8, 2012. So send entries to ContactUs@DowntownNY.com  (subject line: Lower Manhattan Love Story) or Downtown Alliance, Att.: Lower Manhattan Love Story, 120 Broadway, Suite 3340, New York, NY, 10271. Entries must be received by midnight on February 8.

Because this is all about love, we have the ideal prize: a dinner for two at the upscale Wall & Water restaurant and a one-night weekend stay at the Andaz Wall Street hotel. Plus, Greenwich Jewelers is providing a $250 gift certificate to its store. And, the Downtown Express – our neighborhood’s premier local newspaper – will feature the winner in an upcoming issue.

Visit http://www.downtownny.com/lovestorycontest to learn the basic rules before you submit an entry.

We can’t wait to hear your story!

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Sweet, Sweet Lower Manhattan: Your One Stop Neighborhood for Chocolate, Candy, Pastries Galore

Monday, December 5th, 2011

chocolate_2

Did you know that according to the National Confectioners Association, shoppers spent on average $58.92 each last year on all types of chocolate candy? Well, if you’re a chocolate treat lover, Lower Manhattan is home to some of the best-known chocolatiers and patisseries around the five boroughs. To guide your holiday sweet tooth, the Downtown Alliance is excited to share its favorite chocolate, candy and pastry shops south of Chambers Sweet… ahem, Street.

La Maison du Chocolat
63 Wall Street
(212) 952-1123
www.lamaisonduchocolat.com

Godiva Chocolatier
33 Maiden Lane
(212) 809-8990
www.godiva.com

Paradise Candy
South Street Seaport, Pier 17
(212) 374-0460

Financier Patisserie
62 Stone Street |(212) 344-5600
3-4 World Financial Center |(212) 786-3220
35 Cedar Street |(212) 952-3838
90 Nassau Street | (212) 748-6000
www.financierpastries.com

FPB (Francois Payard Bakery)
210 Murray Street
(212) 995-0888
www.FPBNYC.com

Crumbs Bakeshop
87 Beaver Street | (212) 480-7500
40 Broad Street | (212) 480-7500
www.crumbsbakeshop.com

Leonidas Belgian Chocolates
3 Hanover Square
(212) 422-9600
www.leonidas-chocolate.com

Need something in a pinch? Travel no further than the Downtown Alliance as your one-stop holiday shopping resource! We can give you access to more than 1,300 places to shop, dine, and explore in Lower Manhattan.

You can get this information one of three ways:
•    Visit the Downtown Alliance website
•    Download our mobile app at iTunes (search for “Downtown NY”)
•    Order a free hard copy of the new Lower Manhattan Shopping and Dining Guide here.

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Lower Manhattan Is Where I Want to Be for the Holidays

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
shooting stars

Downtown Alliance is launching holiday lights for the 2011 season.

By Liz Berger

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year, a time to appreciate what’s really important in life: family, friends and community.

It’s a time when Lower Manhattan seems most like a little village, with decorative lights glowing warmly from lampposts on cobblestone streets, and great festive trees brightening City Hall Park, the South Street Seaport, the Stock Exchange and countless building lobbies. I love how Lower Manhattan, the city’s oldest neighborhood, seems to harken back to an earlier era, from Stone Street to Front Street to Trinity Church. And, I love how our one square mile has everything we need.

It’s a time to think about all we’ve been through together, all the places we’re going, and the enormous changes that are making our community stronger and even more dynamic. It’s a time to bake cookies for neighbors, nod to the college students who now call Lower Manhattan home and bundle up for a stroll to the water’s edge. It’s a time to meet old friends for hot chocolate, at La Maison du Chocolat or Financier, stop in for a snack at Crepes du Nord or Takahachi Bakery, or use the Downtown Connection to window shop from Front Street to Warren Street and every street in between.

The holidays are a time to take time—to enjoy old favorites, like The Nutcracker at the World Financial Center, The Messiah at Trinity Church, the Family Hanukkah Celebration at the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Victorian Celebration in the British Garden at Hanover Square, or to start a new holiday tradition with a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian at Bowling Green or the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York Harbor.

It’s a time for good cheer—even if the national economy is giving us precious little to cheer about—and a time for presents, small or large, store-bought or homemade. This year, two of Lower Manhattan’s signature retailers are celebrating milestone anniversaries: 50 years in Lower Manhattan for Century 21 Department Stores and 40 years for J&R Music and Computer World. At the same time, T.J. Maxx has opened a brand-new store at 14 Wall Street. That gives Lower Manhattan more than 625 places where shoppers can find the perfect gift, from My.Suit on Broad Street to the World Trade Art Gallery on Trinity Place.

It’s a time for old and new—for exploring restaurants and retailers that have opened in the past year, and for going back to time-honored favorites. And, it’s a time to invite friends and family to see what Lower Manhattan has to offer, perhaps with a stay at one of our 18 hotels.

This year, the Downtown Alliance is making it easy to take advantage of all of Lower Manhattan’s attractions. We’re releasing a new shopping and dining guide, we’ve expanded our mobile phone app, and we’re constantly updating the event calendar and searchable map on our new website at www.DowntownNY.com—all in time for your holiday plans.

Meanwhile, the Downtown Alliance joins City Hall in supporting Small Business Saturday on November 26. American Express cardholders who shop at independently owned small businesses can get $25 off their next credit card statement. For more information, go to www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.

The numbers tell the story. With 56,000 residents, 309,000 workers, and nine million annual visitors, Lower Manhattan is where everyone wants to be—every day, in every season. But home is where the heart is, and during the holidays, Lower Manhattan is more compelling than ever. It’s where I want to be.

Liz Berger is President of the Downtown Alliance.

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What I Learned Downtown

Friday, September 18th, 2009

image_jeremyI’ve recently gone through a rough stretch Downtown. First, a friend of mine and I decided to go visit our favorite sandwich place, Casual Grill…only to be standing in front of it to find it was no longer there. Then I heard my favorite place for dessert in the whole world, Roy’s, had closed as well. And, just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, my favorite pizza place, Mardi Gras, closed shop. I nearly cried. Honestly.

You can get really attached to places down here. I spent hundreds of lunches at Mardi Gras, escaping the work world for a few minutes while eating my usual mushroom slice and four garlic knots. After it closed, I stopped by to look in the windows, in part, I guess, because I needed to see it to believe it.

But after my mourning period, I learned something quite fascinating about Lower Manhattan. I’ve been Downtown for almost 10 years and while the buildings and architecture remain constant, the retail continues to shift and evolve. Somehow, by losing my favorite places, I got a chance to find some new places that I could get attached to.

Without even trying, I had found a chocolate replacement for Roy’s, La Maison du Chocolat, which actually turned out to be better for me, because it has incredible chocolate as well as ice cream and I can buy treats for myself and bring some home for my family. When I asked for recommendations from my colleagues on a pizza place, I got so many, but the first one I tried, Big Al’s, was about as perfect as I could hope for. I’ve even found a number of places to eat sandwiches and (don’t tell anyone, please) even some salads.

It was pretty easy for me to find my “safe” places to eat lunch, but losing them ended up being an opportunity to find out what else is Downtown to enjoy.

What are some of your “safe” places to eat lunch? What are the places you just “always” go to?

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A Sweet Downtown Experience

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Do you know what I bought last Friday for my family? Chocolate. And not just any chocolate, my friends. I’m talking about the most unique and delicious chocolate I’ve ever had in my life (and I’ve had some chocolate, I’ve got to tell you). The coco beans were grown in Ecuador and then shipped to France and blended into the delectable dessert our family shared. Where did I get such exotic chocolate? La Maison du Chocolat.

Right here in Lower Manhattan!

Yes, the birthplace of New York City, one of the world’s premier business centers, the fastest growing residential community in Manhattan, also has some of the world’s best chocolates.

Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin.

Okay, that’s better. Let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Jeremy Schneider and not only am I a noted chocoholic, but I have worked Downtown for almost 10 years, the last seven of which have been with the Alliance for Downtown New York, Lower Manhattan’s Business Improvement District. If you have been Downtown in the past 15 years, you probably know our public safety officers in the red coats. You can learn more about us and what we do by visiting our website.

Downtown Diary – our brand new blog – is going to be about what makes Lower Manhattan different, what makes it special, and where you can find those interesting things to do, see and eat. Our employees are experts on everything Downtown; we have so much to tell you about our favorite people and places. Downtown Diary will give us a chance to make sure you know as much about Lower Manhattan as we do.

For instance, did you know that every week there are new retailers opening in our district? Just last week Burritoville (36 Water Street) and Tiatris Neckwear (100 William Street) opened. We actually have a guy who walks around the entire district tracking every single retail space – whether it is vacant or not. His name is Luke “I am not your father” Mess and we call his weekly posts Mess Around Downtown (get it?). He’ll tell you about every new retailer that opens up in Lower Manhattan.

As I’ve mentioned, I have been down here for quite some time now. Do you know one of the things I see that still makes me chuckle almost every single day? Walking down Broadway and seeing packs of people in business suits rushing to a meeting each holding a BlackBerry, while packs of tourists circle around one of their own studying their map, while couples are walking their dogs and parents are pushing strollers right through all of them. To me, this is the vitality of Downtown in action, where it all – literally – comes together.

There is so much more we notice and learn about Lower Manhattan every day and we’ll share it all with you right here. We’ll talk about new green initiatives by businesses and buildings, about art projects, about concerts and events happening here, about the latest news, and anything else we think you might want to know about Downtown. We’ll even have a regular post about My Downtown, a chance for our employees (and even you) to write about some of our favorite places down here. And as I’ve touched on, it is also your chance to share your Lower Manhattan experiences with us.

This is not only our diary, but yours as well.

This is the new gateway to Lower Manhattan.

Welcome.

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Posted in Dining, Meet a Lower Manhattan Business, My LM, Shopping | 6 Comments »