September 30, 2016

NYC: On Rivington Street; things to do + restaurant review + hotel review

On Rivington Street


The first few blocks of Rivington Street on NYC's Lower East Sides feel like a small neighborhood.  I visit the area almost every time I am in New York.  It would make a great place to stay.

Rivington Street at Rabbi Yaakov Spiegel Way in NYC's Lower East Side
Rivington Street at Rabbi Yaakov Spiegel Way in NYC's Lower East Side


mural door on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
mural door on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side


THINGS TO DO
#4 at Bowery, (212) 226-7226.  Tu-F 10-6, Sat 12-7, closed Sun-M.  Exuding a mysterious aura, Leekan Designs specializes in beads, wood carvings, gongs, birdcages, jewelry, and much more from Asia, Oceania, and Africa.  It provides a superb browse, and I always seem to find something I must have--most recently a pair of silver cicada-charm dangle earrings.   
 
Leekan Designs on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
Leekan Designs on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side


bracelets at Leekan Designs on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
bracelets at Leekan Designs on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side


Rivington Playground  

#14 at Forsyth St., in Sara D. Roosevelt Park.  This park is the largest open space in the neighborhood, and has a senior center and a roller skating rink as well as this lovely Rivington Playground.   
 
Rivington Playground on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
Rivington Playground on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side


Streit’s matzo factory 

#148-154


WHERE TO EAT
#108

The Falafel Shop  

CLOSED  #127 at Essex St.  There is often a line to order this spot’s delicious hummus, warm pita bread, and outstanding falafel.  Sabich (pronounced "sob-beek") is a full meal consisting of fried eggplant, a hardboiled egg, tahini, fried potato, pickles, pickled turnips, and mango chutney.  Tasty curry lentil soup makes a good side, and the ginger-mint lemonade is a don’t-miss.  Unfortunately, this place is very small, with only a few seats. 

Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten  

#7 at Bowery, (212) 253-7077.  Though the patio in back at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten is cement and wall to wall with picnic tables, allowing for very little green, it is outdoors and sheltered and makes quite a nice spot to be with a 0.5 of draft--I vote for the house specialty Gaffel Kolsch, a light top-fermented ale from Cologne--and a delicious bratwurst sandwich with fries. 
 
exterior of Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
exterior of Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten on Rivington Street
in NYC's Lower East Side


biergarten at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
biergarten at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten on Rivington Street
in NYC's Lower East Side


Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream  

#2 at Bowery, (212) 209-7684.  The unusual flavors at Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream include burnt honey vanilla, Vietnamese coffee, black coconut ash, banana durian, and raw milk.  Cones include cake, sugar, and monster-sized.  Unfortunately, the line is often extremely long--I’ve heard of a wait time sometimes approaching two hours!  
 
Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side


WHERE TO SLEEP
#107 at Ludlow St.  Unimpressive from the outside, this stylish contemporary hotel has a small lobby on the second floor.  Beds have a termpur-pedic mattress, and they still provide a goody here at turndown.  Upper-floor rooms have some great views, even from the bathroom, and some rooms are Japanese-style with a steam shower and large slate soaking tub; others have big tubs with a city view.  A continental breakfast is served on the 20th floor.

Off Soho Suites Hotel New York  

11 at Chrystie St., 800-OFF SOHO, (212) 353-0860.  This lodging provides an alternative to overpriced, undersized hotel rooms.  Each unit is equipped with a full kitchen, and the property has a laundry room.  The lobby doubles as the Eleven Rivington art gallery
 
Off Soho Suites Hotel New York on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side
Off Soho Suites Hotel New York on Rivington Street in NYC's Lower East Side

 


More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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