When the weather is good, I try to frequent all my fav outdoor-by-the-water restaurants in Manhattan, from the Frying Pan to the North River Lobster Boat, with Grand Banks in between. These establishments are open only when the weather is good, and each offers awe-inspiring views. Grand Banks is in the water at the southwest edge of Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 in Tribeca.

These on-the-water locations are all special for different reasons. Grand Banks is the celebrated oyster bar aboard the historic wooden schooner Sherman Zwicker, whose chef is Kerry Hefferman. We went to celebrate my friend’s big birthday.

The crew raised the bar on birthdays, with each and every person greeting my friends with “Happy Birthday” and then offering us bubbly comp.

We decided to share everything, starting with their extra large poached shrimp ($26 for 6) and an order of fries with sage aïoli and spiced ketchup ($12). Our main was their huge Maine lobster salad with a half-pound of shelled meat atop a lightly dressed salad with romaine, kale, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fennel, tomatillo and pickled red onion ($80), which was more than enough to satisfy three people.

I highly recommend a visit to Grand Banks, weather permitting.

Pier 25, Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park
New York, NY 10013
(212) 960-3390
crewny.com/grand-banks