Chelsea Market/Meatpacking Dist Food Tasting Tour

This was a wonderful tour that started in the Chelsea Market. We visited and ate at most of the stores/shops, a great varied selection of foods and drink (Chocolate Milk that was to die for and Red Tea). Then our guide Darrell, who has to be one of the best, walked us around the area, telling us about the past, present, and future of the area, esp the Meat Packing District. We went to the top of a hotel, whose name is the same as one of the streets but I can't remember it except it started with a G, and we were able to see the area from way above so that was really interesting. Again Darrell was nice, informative, funny, an excellent guide! Take this tour and you will not be disappointed. Also they give you a booklet/handout of the area that describes what you will be seeing. The 3 hours went by way too quickly. I had such a good time I went back a couple of days later and did some shopping at the Chelsea Market. And my next trip to New York will definitely include a visit to Chelsea.

Although this tour is booked as just bites here and there, I found that we got more than enough to eat and drink. Our tour guide was friendly and had quite a bit of knowledge of the area. I felt a little rushed at the end, as I think we fell behind schedule inside the Market. But overall, it was a fun tour and I would recommend it, even if you are just a party of one.

Sam was a great guide, the market was very interesting, the food was plentiful and delicious, and the group was fun. What more could you ask for?

my husband works in the city several days a week and I had the chance to accompany him. Had the chance to go on the tour and what a great treat it was. not only did i get a chance to sample some of the great food items available at the market, but had an opportunity to go into several wonderful restaurants and learn quite a bit about the neighborhood and how it is changing.

We first came to know about this Food tasting tour by an article published in one newspaper published in Finland called "Helsingin Sanomat" (January 12, 2008, page D 12, you have a copy). The circulation of the newspaper is well over one million, in a country of five million people. Market leader by far, that is. Todd Lefkovic was our guide on Sunday. Apart from other things, he told us - the only foreigner couple among the Americans - that he has indeed received a copy of the newspaper article, but he cannot read it. Thus, herewith a concise summary translation: The article first features the "physical" experiences like Italian salamies, creamy lobster soup, different types of breads by Amy's, and the 240 tea flavours. The report goes on to say that in the Meatpacking Distict one gets to know such a culinary world which eludes most New Yorkers, not to mention tourists. The idea of guided tours has penetrated other American cities. The underlying thinking is to pay tribute to simple, traditional foods that call for skill to prepare. The tours are not only about food. The tours are also about local culture. The guide will tell about the history of the area, about people and about their way of living. Meatpacking district is swiftly getting on its way to a modern area incapsulating restaurants and entertainment. The meat packing activity is a sunset business here. New lux-hotels, condos etc are being built. Fashion shops are finding their way there. Stella McC is made mention of. The report goes on to tell about Chelsey market, size of a block. It is the home base of Oreo Cookie, known to most Americans. Then the building got derailed and went silent, for tens of years. But not for good. Today, it houses 12 food outlets, and restaurants, as well as wholesalers. All of top level quality. Upstairs, there are ICT - companies, advertising agencies and other businesses in creative fields of business, including Food Network TV. Their (newspaper's) guide was Curt Upton at that time. The report goes on to describe the tour in other respects. Cold milkchocolade is made mention of in particular. And the story of the milk, too. The article mentions Todd, who had advused that no photo shooting is allowed during the first steps of the tour. The team giggled that they are food spys (secret agents?). The article recommends early reservations, due to high demand. Tood's background is said to be artistic, but his father was running a meat shop. Todd's first food tour started 18 years ago in the Greenwitch Village, with detailed explanations on different types of pastas and canneloni. ********************************* Please bring this to the attention toTodd, too. It very simply great, that walk on Sunday 6, noon time. And thank him one more time. Rgds from the lone foreigners, the two Finns!!! Kristiina and Jaakko

This tour was very worthwhile. I enjoyed the food samplings and the meatpacking district cultural background. Our guide was very friendly and well informed. Altogether, a rewarding experience.

This tour was fabulous! Our tour guide Bobby, possessed a wealth of information about the Chelsea Market as well was the shops and restaurants in the Meatpacking District. His enthusiasm and charm went a long way with our group! The foods we sampled which were generous in portion and delicious. I can't wait to take the other tours your company offers!

This tasting tour was excellent with a great guide that was positive and outgoing but not overbearing. We enjoiedd it and recommend it to anyone who is intersted in learning about NY city.

Even if you only have a couple of days in NYC, make sure you book this tour and meet Kurt, the fabulous tourguide and you'll have a brilliant time including some really good food and lots of laughter. He's brilliant, he made this tour very special. If you want to challenge him, tell him you have a really awkward name, he remembers all names within 10 sec and then includes them throughout the tour. The 3 hours seemed to be passing by and he tried to show us lots of places, even though they didn't have agreements. So we ended up going into empty bars and night clubs, into hotel bars having the best view over NYC and my personal highlight of the show, you get to see some very cool funky modern toilets...with loads of buttons to press (make sure you ask him to see this). It's a great door of the chelsea market, mainly indoors (in case it's raining or cold) and definitly worth the time & money.

This tour was a GREAT time. Worth every penny! I would reccomend this tour to anyone! This was the third tour I took through this company and they have all been great!