Save The Seaport: SmorgasBar

The Seaport took a beating during Hurricane Sandy.

Seven months later, stores are still boarded up with wooden planks. Apartment building entrances are chained shut, with notices declaring "restricted access" and letters to former residents stating how to go about making an appointment to access their belongings.

The area is in need of some serious TLC — and that is exactly what Brooklyn-based Smorgasburg's spin-off SmorgasBar is looking to do this summer.

The newest Brooklyn Flea offshoot this side of the bridge is taking over Front Street between Beekman and Fulton streets with 11 food vendors, a few crafts vendors, and two full bars at either end of the block.

The project launched on Friday before Memorial Day to a somewhat washed out opening (much like everyone's Memorial Day weekend thus far,) but with the expertly procured line-up of vendors, open-air picnic table seating with two bars serving dark and stormys and cocktails mixed with Brooklyn Soda Works' grapefruit-jalapeno-honey soda out of a booth, and a pop-up stage for music performances and movie screenings, we expect it to be packed all summer long.

The vendors will change every two weeks, with the opening crew featuring Red Hook Lobster Pound (highly recommend the CT style roll, pictured above), Brooklyn Oyster Party (Beausoleils and Saint Simons were our favorites today,) Asia Dog, Fonda, Pizza Moto, Blue Marble Ice Cream, Brooklyn Soda Works, Landhaus, Milk Truck Grilled Cheese, Rice & Miso Everyday (need to try the maple mochi next time.)

Come by and do your part to help revitalize the Seaport following the damage — one lobster roll at a time.

SmorgasBar at South St. Seaport

Front Street between Beekman and Fulton

Seven days a week

Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm

Through October