A Day in Two Bridges
Mee Cafe
You are at the gates of the city’s “New Chinatown,” which means that your morning wake-up attempts will include trips for bubble tea at Mee Cafe. The super small cafe offers an assortment of house-made and house-shaken iced, hot and bubble teas. Not surprisingly, many a visitor has called their bubble tea the best in New York City. But as you make you way through the menu, here’s what I found a useful suggestion: go green.
Sun Hing Lung Co.
You may have tried the food in the old Chinatown, but the best spot for lunch in Two Bridges is at Sun Hing Lung Co. The food, Fuzhou-style, is slightly different than the Cantonese style you may have had off of Canal Street. The eatery offers up the best rice rolls you will EVER have. The roast pork dumplings are out of this world – just make sure to add plenty of soy and peanut sauce.
Knickerbocker Village
At the center of the neighborhood is the Knickerbocker Village. The residential complex was completed in 1934 with a total of twelve 13-story buildings that housed more than 1,500 residents. The complex has a significant place in the United States history, given how it was the first housing development in the country to receive federal funding. The complex was also home to many members of the Bonanno Crime Family including Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, who was featured in the acclaimed film “Donnie Brasco.”
St. James Roman Catholic Church
There are many places of worship in the city that are worth a visit, but maybe none as much the St. James Roman Catholic Church. The Greek Revival-style church is quite a marvel. Built in 1837, it is the second oldest Roman Catholic church in New York City. St. James is a throwback to the European religious establishments, from its fieldstone to the pair of Doric columns flanking the entrance. At one point, the church had a domed cupola at the top of the building. The structure had a somewhat tumultuous past, having been saved from being condemned in 1983, and having survived a fire in 2011.
Little Fuzhou
Over the course of the last three decades, a section of Two Bridges has become the new Chinatown. The area is called Little Fuzhou and has become the prime destination for immigrants from Fujian Province of China. Little Fuzhou is located on East Broadway and houses many Fujianese restaurants and shops. Unlike the old Chinatown, which is nearby, and where most inhabitants communicate in Cantonese, this new-era Chinese neighborhood speaks Mandarin. The area has become such an influential part of Two Bridges that a statue of Lin Zexu, a Fujianese from the Qing Dynasty, was erected in Chatham Square.
A Night in Two Bridges
William and Rosamond Clark House
You are going to find many historical buildings in Two Bridges. The two most notable ones have a distinct flavor and are definitely worth a visit. The first is the William and Rosamond Clark House on 51 Market Street. The two-story gambrelled house was built in 1825 in Federal style. Two stories were added to the structure the late 1800’s. The house has been described as a “superb” example of the Federal style architecture, and has gone on to become a perfect example of the affluent building style in the former Lower East Side. The second building is the Alfred E. Smith building over on Oliver Street. The Victorian-style townhouse was the former home of the four-time New York State governor from 1907 to 1923.
Les Enfants de Boheme
The area’s best watering hole has become one of the city’s best-kept secrets. It’s not easy to find Mr. Fong’s as it inconspicuously hides in plain sight without any lighting or signage. The bar is stuck in-between the slew of Asian grocery stores and takeout joints. But once you land at 40 Market Street, you discover the atmosphere so inviting –
with an old-school jukebox and red leather couches – that you cannot resist but taste the cocktails. The drinks are Chinese-inspired, such as Yuzu Shandy. But they also serve up straightforward concoctions such as tequila and watermelon (peppercorn-infused tequila, watermelon, honey and lime). Another craft cocktail place nearby that you are sure to enjoy in the near future, is called Les Enfants de Boheme, and specializes in everything French.
49 Monroe
There’s a mini oasis that’s hidden within Two Bridges, at 49 Monroe. The French-Italian foodie destination is easily the most visited spot in the neighborhood. The decor features a tapestry of flora and greenery that is everywhere. The restaurant makes pasta on premises, making it a perfect selection if you have trouble deciding. But if you are a fan of the classics, such as chicken and eggplant parmesan, you will not be disappointed.
