Iwalked New York City’s One If By Land, Two If By Sea

Iwalked New York City’s One If By Land, Two If By Sea - One If By Land, Two If By Sea is a trendy (and pricey) American cuisine restaurant that resides within a former carriage house built in 1754. The restaurant is often cited as one of the most romantic locales in the city complete with twin fireplaces and evening pianist to accompany such exquisite dishes as its signature beef Wellington. The restaurant’s Mezzanine area is said to be the site of the carriage house’s former hayloft.

One If By Land, Two If By Sea

This original carriage house was built in 1767 for former Vice President Aaron Burr. Burr maintained this property until 1804 when he exiled himself to Europe in the aftermath of his dual with Alexander Hamilton. The building would take on a succession of tenants in the following years (including a fire station, silent film theater, and brothel) but many suspect that Mr. Burr and his daughter Theodosia never really left the premises. Aaron’s troubling years in European exile after murdering Hamilton are well documented; however, an unfortunate series of events in 1813 may have discouraged Theodosia from deciding to pass along peacefully into the afterlife.

While beginning to embark on a voyage to visit her father who had recently returned State-side in 1813, Theodosia’s ship was hijacked by pirates. Upon her capture, Theodosia was believed to have been murdered by the pirates at the tender young age of thirty-years old. Thus in recent years when female patrons have claimed to have been harassed by an unknown entity playing with their earrings, the culprit is rumored to be the troubled and unrested soul of young Theodosia who was just not ready for life after death.

Aaron and Theodosia are not the only reported ghosts said to haunt One If By Land, Two If By Sea though. Reports on the upwards of twenty-three various spirits have been attributed to the former carriage house. Workers and guests have claimed to see a white woman named Elizabeth who is said to have a gravestone within the basement. A former Ziegfeld girl who died within the building in years past appears to show a dislike for “rude” guests. And heavily perfumed ghosts are even said to leave their “essence” wafting within rooms with no other feasible explanation.

• Website: http://www.oneifbyland.com/


• Address: 17 Barrow Street, New York City, NY


• Cost: $$$$.


• Hours: Mon-Thur 5:30 pm-10 pm; Fri-Sat 5:30 pm-11:30 pm; Sun 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30 pm-9:30 pm