Left rectangle ads redesigned
Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
First Impressions: Tartinery
The latest in a series of flash reviews of the restaurants at Hudson Eats in Brookfield Place. Previously: Black Seed Bagels, Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Little Muenster, Umami Burger, Olive’s.
My first visit to Tartinery was for coffee. The beans are from Blue Bottle, and the guy manning the espresso was very slow. (If memory of Blue Bottle at All Good Things serves, that’s right on brand.) It didn’t help that the workers decided not to make my americano because they thought I had left—even though I had paid—when I had simply sat down 25 feet away, within eyesight, to eat a breakfast sandwich while it was hot. Also worth knowing: They pour the milk.
Returning for lunch, I sat at the counter. It was so refreshing not to wait in a line and such a treat to have waiter (bartender?) service. I wish that more of the Hudson Eats restaurants had dedicated seating; it’s logical to hope that Blue Ribbon Sushi will. Other pleasing touches at Tartinery: You’re given a carafe of tap water with a cucumber slice, and salt and pepper grinders are within reach.
Feeling the need to eat vegetables after a week of barbecue, grilled cheese, sloppy Joe, cupcakes (more on those in a later post), and so on, I ordered the artichoke salad and the asparagus-avocado tartine. Both should have had “arugula” in the name, because it was definitely the main ingredient. I don’t know that I’ve experienced this before, but I enjoyed the dishes very much even though neither had a ton of flavor. The avocado didn’t, the asparagus didn’t, the artichoke didn’t, and the arugula definitely didn’t. (Don’t get me started on how industrial agriculture has leeched the flavor out of arugula.) But dishes both looked beautiful—the salad had pretty shavings of fennel, pine nuts, and little crumbles of Parmesan—while the tartine used Poilâne sourdough (for $1 extra). It was more food that most people would likely order, but I was so happy sitting at the counter watching the corporate world swirl by that I also got dessert: Steve’s Authentic Key lime pie. It was more of a tartlet, and it was so cold that it bordered on frozen. I left of half it on my plate, which is rare and remarkable for me, but the waiter didn’t say a word.
Tartinery now sells wine, so you have an alcoholic option at Hudson Eats besides beer.
How was Tartinery for you?
P.S. A general thought regarding Hudson Eats: I think it’s getting cleaner!
Recent New Kid on the Block/First Impressions articles:
• Hudson Eats: Black Seed Bagels, Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Little Muenster, Umami Burger, Olive’s
• Tutto Il Giorno
• Union Bar + Kitchen
• Bâtard
• Il Principe
• Arcade Bakery
• Sweet Green
• Hotel Hugo
• El Vez
• Racines NY
• Juice Press
• Daruma-Ya
• By Suzette
Update: Comments have been turned off due to spam. To have them turned back on, email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.
9 Comments
Medium rectangle #1 (top)
Right column rectangle ads
Mega rectangle
Restaurant guide icon
Shopping Guide icon
I wonder how much Erik is getting paid by Hudson Eats?
Zero, but thanks for asking. If you doubt my integrity, why on earth do you read this site?
Most of his reviews have been critical of Hudson Eats. Not sure why you say that.
I wonder how much lovetribeca is getting paid by Erik Eats to wonder how much Erik is getting paid by Hudson Eats?
I wonder home much Jim Smithers is getting paid by Erik Eats to wonder how much lovetribeca is getting paid by Erik?
Not much when you factor in inflation.
I’m pretty sure I saw you eating at Tartinery, I sat at the bar with coworkers and ordered the quinoa salad which was very cold and not very good. However, I had the asparagus tartine before and enjoyed that.
when we went they were slow and the baguettes were stale, but it was early on and they have great booths near them and I would definitely give them another try. The cucumber water was refreshing and delicious and the juices, again slow to make, but clearly very fresh, were very good.
I went early and wasn’t impressed. I think I paid for the the niçoise (which I kept trying to order) but got the mozzarella because the order-taker couldn’t distinguish between the pronunciation of the two and kept trying to give me the mozzarella, but I didn’t want any more hassle so I just kept it. I usually prefer small portions but this was unconscionable–a small flip-flop-sized piece of cardboard with a bit of watery cheese, a few half cherry tomatoes, and some lemon rind–$19 with a small soda.
The seating in the back is much nicer than the big crazy room.