Sneak Peek At Hudson Eats: Downtown's Upscale Food Hall

Manhattan's Financial District, once known as a downtown ghost town, is getting a serious retail and culinary makeover with the reopening of Brookfield Place, a sprawling shopping center at the water's edge near One World Trade. We got to take a first look at Hudson Eats, the upscale food hall and culinary center of Brookfield Place, which officially opens later this week. It boasts outposts of famous New York food purveyors like Num Pang, Black Seed Bagel, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Mighty Quinn's BBQ, Umami Burger, and nine other eateries.

The design of this food hall is meant to be chic and modern, with counter tops and sleek barstools dotted throughout the complex. Later this year, another food hall, Le District — the so-called "French Eataly" — will be joining Hudson Eats. By 2015, Brookfield Place will also be home to five upscale restaurants.

Each of the 14 restaurants had to go through an interview process just to be considered for a spot inside the Financial District's great food hall. Adam Schneider, co-owner of Little Muenster grilled cheeses, said that he was excited just to be considered.

"We couldn't turn this offer down," said Schenider. "We always try and take the kids' favorite and do some interesting things with it. Here, we will be offering a brand-new lobster grilled cheese, as well as a corned beef grilled cheese."

The owners of Dos Toros Taqueria, a popular burrito and taco lunch spot, were also excited to open up a location at Hudson Eats. Co-owners and brothers Leo and Oliver Kremer said to expect a very similar menu to their standalone locations, including burritos and tacos with either chicken, carnitas, or steak fillings. They may now be tempted to add a breakfast burrito to the menu.

At Dig Inn, a seasonal, organic market, owner Adam Eskin will be adding a grilled fish special with wild Alaskan salmon as well as a rotating grilled vegetable special. Right now, grilled asparagus with shaved parmesan cheese is on the menu .

"Everything they're doing here between the transportation hub and the retail, it really seems like it's going to be part of a big revitalization downtown and it's sort of mind-blowing," said Eskin. "Plus, there's lots of amazing food and wonderful co-tenants."

Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi