Welcome back to Mess Around Downtown!

Hello to all of my fellow Downtowners out there in blogland.  Is it me, or is the food getting better and better down here? More and more options keep popping up on streets all over Lower Manhattan for both lunch and dinner. Just a few days ago  I, along with some of my fabulous foodie co-workers, had the pleasure of lunching at SHO Shaun Hergatt in honor of Restaurant Week. The experience was certainly a five star delight for my sensory system. But it’s not just high falutin’ cuisine that’s showing up in droves.  Common folk need food too. And that’s why joints like Baoguette on Maiden Lane and the hip new Bon Chon Chicken on John Street are doing our common folk palates proud. Below are the additions and changes I’ve made to the Downtown Directory this past week. If you see any new retailers or changes to existing retailers, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at tre@downtownny.com and let me know.

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Bon Chon Chicken – 104 John Street: 646-682-7747

The Korean style fried chicken at this place is so tasty and crispy that my co-worker and I have written and choreographed a theme song and dance that is done every time we even think about eating it. Word to the wise, if you’re in a hurry, call ahead to order. They make each batch individually and lunch time can get backed up. If you’re not in a hurry, go in, hang at the bar, and drink a beer while you wait. It’s worth it.

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City Blossoms – 62 Trinity Place: 212-346-0756

This is the second Downtown location for City Blossoms. Their other location is at 2 Washington Street. City Blossoms specializes in the art of floral arranging European-style. Click around their site to find out how they can teach you at their European School of Floral Design.  Hire City Blossoms for your daily arrangements, wedding, corporate account or landscaping.

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Wall & Water - 75 Wall Street: 212-590-1234

Hungry for some locally grown Hudson Valley farmers market fare, cooked and served in a simple and elegant setting? Stop by the Andaz’s new restaurant for a tasty meal inspired by the flavors and ingredients of the Hudson Valley. Chef Maximo Lopez May is cooking up breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. Who wouldn’t want to eat a meal cooked by a guy named Maximo? Make a reservation for up to 12 and enjoy dishes like braised veal cheeks, Hudson Valley duck salami, smoked venison, and prune ice cream. Check this out for their menu and pics.

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TSC Training Academy – 2 Cortlandt Street, 2nd Floor:718-878-1076

Get your OSHA certifications here. This new TSC Downtown location is conveniently located near the WTC site. You can get your 10 hour OSHA Construction Safety Training and your 4 hour User Supported Scaffold Training here. Check out their Web site to register and see their class schedule.

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Extended Hours Alert

Duane Reade at 200 Water Street is now open 24/7.

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Vacancy Alert

Color Me Mine Seaport at 190 Front Street has closed.

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As always, thank you for being on the look out and please continue to send any changes you come across to tre@downtownny.com