New York Songlines: Downing Street

The street's namesake has been variously identified: It may have been named after Downing's, an oyster restaurant popular with politicians in the early 19th Century (which was not here, but on Broad Street); the restaurant's owner, George Downing, was a black supporter of the Underground Railroad. The street could also have been named after a different George Downing, a British diplomat who helped negotiate the handover of New Amsterdam. Or the name could have been borrowed from the London street.






S <===                         VARICK STREET                         ===> N

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39: Mas, noted for its Guiness ice cream. Was Isla, described by Zagat's as "Jetsons-in-Havana."

35 (corner): Blue Ribbon Bakery, a spinoff of Blue Ribbon on Sullivan Street.

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64: Junno's; hip, non-sushi Japanese









S <===                         BEDFORD STREET                         ===> N

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10 (corner): The equivalent of the British prime minister's address is a dry cleaners with a Union Jack awning.


S <===                         SIXTH AVE / BLEECKER ST                         ===> N

S <===                         BLEECKER ST / SIXTH AVE                         ===> N


Is your favorite Downing Street spot missing? Write to Jim Naureckas and tell him about it.

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