••• “Louis F. Latilla, 65, and his wife, Terrie Latilla, 59 [who] live in Tribeca and own the Manhattan Fruit Exchange at Chelsea Market,” told the New York Times about dining at the West Village restaurant RedFarm. No offense to the Latillas, but it’s a pretty dumb column—although not as dumb as the NYT article about how the Giants have fairy dust on their side.

••• “Battery Park City’s Liberty Luxe Penthouse Wants $29,500/Month,” laughs Curbed.

A few Seen & Heard items that don’t quite warrant their own post:

••• “Coming soon” signage has been put up at the new Kaffe 1668 (on Greenwich bet Beach and Hubert).

••• I hear Super Linda isn’t opening until at least Wednesday.

••• I had to spend most of Saturday night in the emergency room—not because of me (I would never get sick at such an inconvenient time)—and it was my first experience of any kind with the New York Downtown Hospital. I’ve never gotten the impression that anyone there reads this site, but if they do, thanks again for being extremely considerate.

Someone, I don’t recall who (Paul Bettany?), immediately tweeted Pane Panelle, the sandwich offshoot/new name of Stuzzicheria. And what came to my mind—although I had yet to try any—were the sandwiches on the lunch/brunch menu at Kutsher’s Tribeca. I wanted a photo of the pastrami one, so I went and had it for lunch. It was pretty damn good. If you’re only rarely going to eat meat, you might as well do it in style.

Enough about me: Where’s the best deli sandwich in the area?

From Twitter:
• “It’s not a deli, but the turkey curry sandwich at Kaffe 1668 is my favorite.” —LisaALeigh

Sex
68.7% female
31.3% male

Age
Under 25: 2.4%
25–34: 20.3%
35–49: 50.4%
50–64: 22.5%
65 or over: 4.4%

Children in household
I botched the formatting of this question. Live and learn!

Where do you live?
Tribeca: 71.6%
Battery Park City: 10.3%
FiDi (to the east or south of the WTC): 5.1%
Elsewhere in New York City: 7.6%
Elsewhere in New York State (but not NYC): .2%
Elsewhere: 5.1%

Do you work south of Canal or in west Soho?
Yes: 38.7%
No: 54.6%

Annual household income:
Under $200,000: 35.8%
$200,000–$500,000: 35.8%
$500,000–$1 million: 15.3%
$1 million–$3 million: 9.6%
Over $3 million: 3.4%

Do you own your apartment or house?
Yes: 51.7%
No: 48.3%

How many times a week do you eat out in the area?
Zero: 8.6%
1–2: 62.9%
3–5: 24.6%
More than 5: 3.9%

How often do you read TribecaCitizen.com or the Tribeca Citizen email newsletter?
More than once a day: 7.8%
Daily: 27.4%
Several times a week: 48.7%
Once a week: 12.7%
A couple times a month: 2.2%
Monthly: 1.2%

Have you ever bought something you read about on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 56.1%
No: 43.9%
This was one of the handful of questions with a write-in field. Far and away, the number one response a variation on “restaurants,” followed by “sample sales” and “pop-ups.” A lot of folks mentioned deals as being particularly likely to get them to try something new. (And many specific businesses were mentioned, but I’ll spare you the list, as happy as I was to see all the names.)

Have you ever frequented a business you read about on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 92.4%
No: 7.6%
This question was probably a bit too much like the one before it, because there was a lot of “See the last question” and a lot of “restaurants.” And there was a lot more of Laughing Man, a.k.a. “Hugh Jackman’s coffee shop.”

Have you ever attended an event you read about on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 51.1%
No: 48.9%

Do you regularly read any of the following?
New York Times (82.0%), New York Magazine (55.1%), Tribeca Trib (51.3%), Curbed (32.7%), Eater (31.7%), Downtown Express (30.7%), New York Post (23.9%), DNAinfo (16.0%), Broadsheet Daily (15.7%), New York Daily News (7.1%), Our Town Downtown (3.0%). The only other media to be written in more than once or twice were the Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker.

Do you notice the ads on Tribeca Citizen?
Yes: 70.3%
No: 29.7%

Why do you read Tribeca Citizen? And/or what do you wish it would do differently?
There were 289 responses to this question, most of which said they read it because they like knowing what’s going on in the neighborhood. Which is great! I’m tempted to post all of them in one major list so you can feel better that you are not alone. But that might be a tad self-serving…. So here are ones that I thought were especially notable—totally unedited—with responses in italics.

Warning: If this post has already started to bug you, stop reading now.

• needs other voices, guest columnists, but good please keep going // When I started out, I thought there would be tons of people who would want to contribute—maybe they had their own Tribeca-ish blogs, and we could band together, sort of like the Huffington Post, but not crappy. A few people have written—some wonderful posts!—but there’s no money to pay them, and they have lives, so they tend not to come back. (I suppose they could not like how I edit them.) I think maybe some folks get discouraged that I know so much about what goes on around here; what would they add? I’m still open to it, but I refuse to post anything that I don’t think people will care about, so please do email me if you’re interested, but don’t be surprised if I try to shape the topic. Once an editor, always an editor.

• To feel part of the neighborhood when I do not have time to walk everywhere, not the money or time to taste everything and to know what is going on architecturally…Love the Q&A, love the updates on the neighborhood, love the apartments’ peeking… // The Loft Peeping posts have become a favorite of mine, too. If anyone out there sees a Lower Manhattan home in a shelter magazine or website, please let me know.

• There really isn’t anything gives the scoop in the hood like your site – while there is hard news at other sites – finding out what’s up with that wine place about Frankly Wines is something I’ve always wondered about but you finally answered. TC def fills a niche // I love when people email their questions (tribecacitizen@gmail.com). In fact, I got a good one this past weekend….

• I love a blog that focuses on our neighborhood. Awesome job. I tried to donate via paypal but the link was broken. Can you put new one on? // Done.

• I know that you need to cater to affluent people and things they might purchase, but tribeca is not all gourmet restaurants and overpriced kids clothing stores. It would be nice to have some content covering the not to shiny, but also present businesses etc that exist here. Still love the site! // Here’s the thing: One of the main reasons people read the site is to find out what’s new—I know because they told me in this survey, and I see it in the traffic numbers—and what’s new around here is shiny. Existing businesses are tough to cover because they are less likely to have news, and I refuse to do anniversary articles, because they’re the lazy writer’s news peg. The main reason I came up with the TCQ&A was so people could mention businesses that might not otherwise get press.

• Clean up the site and make it more condensed and similar to the CNN website with different categories with headline links to the stories. Love to read the Smithers’ smackdowns. // (Hold that close to your heart, Smithers, because it’s going to get ugly soon.) When I had the idea for the site, I didn’t know if I’d want to keep doing it, or if locals would want it. So I spent as little money as possible, and I’ve learned as little about the technology as possible. I still haven’t decided if the site can ever be more than a hobby, which makes me wary of investing in making it a real website. But if money were no object, yes, it would look better. Would it be organized by subject? I don’t know. I like when different topics bump up against each other.

• To keep current on what’s happening in the neighborhood, regardless of whether it’s relevant to me or not. You keep it pretty real and interesting, and although I am a mom of two and am a very active triburbian, I find the mom-talk offered by other local blogs/newspapers to be endless, disenchanting, and downright boring. It’s really refreshing to read your posts, particularly the quirky off-beat reports you provide. I also like the tone. // Thanks! Not everyone agrees.

• It is local. It keeps me informed about what is happening in the locale. Question – should you consider being the “Patch” for Tribeca and Downtown to give you more scale? // On one hand, that could make the site more appealing to a certain advertiser. But to another—a Tribecan one, say—it diminishes it; why would they pay for readers who live farther away? Other problems with increasing the scale are resources (don’t have any) and reader interest (do Tribecans want to read about FiDi more than I already cover it?). If anything, I’d love to start a West Village site, and a Chelsea site, and so on, until there’s a network of sites. Sort of like Curbed’s personality crossed with DNAinfo’s budget, but with each site retaining an independent integrity.

• I like to know what’s happening in my neighborhood. I would like to see a list of weekly events (for kids and adults) happening in the downtown area. // I gave up on the calendar because maintaining it was a soul-drainer. It was the same handful of organizations over and over. At the end of the day, I had to factor in whether they’d ever advertise if I was giving away the milk for free (to quote Ann Landers), and whether readers valued it enough to make the effort worthwhile (the traffic numbers said no). I’d guess that HRP Mamas has some sort of events info? I can’t access it because I don’t have a human child.

• Love the info about the neighborhood. Info on dinner & drink specials, wine tastings, chef demos & gallery events is always appreciated. // Maybe there’s a way I could sell event listings for $5 or $10 per pop. I’ll think about it.

• To learn about new openings/closings, latest news and Jim Smithers. Maybe show more recent comments instead of only the last 5 or so. // Now that people comment as much as they do—which is fantastic—that’s a good idea. I bumped it up to eight. More than that and the second ad space goes “below the fold.”

• I read it for local news. Find a new tone. The editor seems to be going for clever and snarky but achieves only the snark. So far, DNAinfo and other neighborhood guides are more informative and readable. Sorry. // Thanks for the “Sorry.” I worry about the tone—and you should see what I cut before posting—but enough people like it that it’s not going anywhere. Much of this is gruntwork, and making myself laugh is one of the things that keeps me doing the site.

• Mainly follow on twitter – would like more recommendations on where to eat out // Meet the Tribeca Citizen Restaurant Guide.

• i love how curious you are! thank you for keeping your neighbors informed about everything tribeca and the general area. we’ve been living in tribeca since 1995 and seen so much change that it’s hard to keep up. i don’t wish you to do anything differently really…but, perhaps, i’m not too fond of the format of the newletter…i prefer the more organized look of the homepage. otherwise, please don’t get too slick! tribeca has lost some of it’s character and as a result has become a bit too trendy and slick. thank you! // The look of the newsletter is a pet peeve. The next major investment will be to make it more professional. I don’t think it’ll ever get slick, though.

• Best source of what’s happening in the neighborhood. Love the editorial commentary – and editor’s sense of what’s funny. Maybe there’s a premium version you could charge for to make some $. I’d buy it. // Or you could just donate! Kidding, sort of. That sort of thing costs money to build, and I remain unsure where this project is headed. Also, the macro trend these days is to not pay for content, despite what the New York Times is attempting.

• Makes me feel a part of the community–like I know what is going on. I like walking around the hood and knowing what changes are happening because I read about it on Tribeca Citizen. I like that I am up to date with any local politics (school zoning, stop sign installments, etc). AND I love love love Tribeca Tweets!! I like “where in Tribeca” because I find myself looking around for the item posted…makes me look at the details on buildings more. I like that you keep us up to date with any sales–I feel like I am one of the first to know because read about it here. I like your humor. Basically, I feel like you are a friend…a friend I have never met but that I look forward to hearing from daily. Thank you!!! ps..my husband is a subscriber also and he says “did you read today…” We both get your emails but I read you on Facebook :) // You’re welcome!

• Wish there was a community notice board where readers could post information as well // I’ve thought about that, and even looked into it. My main concern (besides the cost of building it): I don’t want to spend all day getting rid of the spam, and even if I do, I worry it’ll become full of self-promotional posts that no one wants to read. In the meantime, you can always email questions or info to tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

• Great way to keep informed on what is going on in the neighborhood. News, school zoning, new restaurant, stores opening. Also, love the banter and neighborhood vibe of the comments. I feel more part of the neighborhood by reading. Thank you and keep up the good work! // I love the comments too! I remember when the first comment came in. I was so excited! Then I realized it was spam.

• I read TC because it is all about Tribeca, the neighborhood I love and live in. Why don’t you have a Tribeca Citizen event so that people can meet each other. Believe it or not, there are single people here. Not just stroller moms. i really like the 12 tweets of tribeca. they are nasty and i like that you don’t edit them. thx // An event could be fun. I did suggest once that we try out Uncle Mike’s, but no one took me up on it. If that’s too downmarket for you shiny folks, we can try somewhere else. Or if someone reading this owns an establishment, get in touch.

• You/re pretty cool as is. Maybe give cats equal time to that dog. (Love the dog though). (I read the RSS feeds so don’t usually see the ads). // Ditch the RSS and we can talk about the cats.

• I sell a lot of real estate in Tribeca and you help me keeping in the loop.. one day I’ll move here too :) // In the meantime, you should be advertising here. Here’s a promotional video just for you.

• It’s a great source of information about the neighborhood. I often find it answers questions I have about things going on in the area or stores/restaurants coming in. It also alerts me to things that I might not have otherwise discovered because they’re outside my usual walking patterns. I really like the interviews with local residents and their tips on places that they frequent for dining, shopping, etc. The one thing I don’t like are the digest posts that just rehash everything that was already posted in the last several days. It seems like they’re not really necessary. // Those are the newsletters. Many folks only read the site when the email newsletter shows up, and for technical reasons, it has to appear on the site like it’s a normal post. I’ve tried to build Tribeca Citizen so that you can keep up if you want info daily or only once or twice a week. For all my nosiness, I don’t actually want to be intrusive.

• I live in and love Tribeca and your publication is the best source of all that goes on in Tribeca. My only advice for the publication would be to use fewer links if possible for the information provided. I find myself spending almost as much time clicking on links and waiting for them to open as I do reading the content. Otherwise, I love your publication. // If you mean there are too many links in the newsletters, that’s because I’m trying to get you to read the site, where the ads are (or will be). If I don’t make you come to the site, my traffic numbers don’t go up, and advertisers get less interested. If you mean there are too many links within posts (such as “In the News” ones), it’s a point of pride that I “link out” whenever someone else came up with the story first. Not everyone plays so fair.

• The Tweets of Tribeca are like a train wreck. I’m not sure they add real value, but I find myself reading them. // For everyone tweet I post, I read hundreds, possibly thousands. Think about what that is doing to my mind.

• Great information about local businesses, restaurants and events. Really clever writing. And I want to win “where in Tribeca” one of these weeks. // Good luck.

• I think it is the greatest! It is the ONLY paper that keeps me truly informed re: my neighborhood! Keep up the good work!! Maybe ban Jim from Where in Tribeca, lol! // Now that’s a thought….

• I love this site and look forward to the Monday/Thursday editions. I just wish it would be profitable so I don’t worry about losing it. // Ahem.

• I really like the writer of TC–I like his approach, his writing style, what he covers, etc. I like that he creates a sense of community. I love the profiles of Tribecans that TC sometimes does–I love finding out about what they like and their tips. I like learning about what businesses are coming soon. I like the “where is this” photo question–one magical aspect of Tribeca is the beautiful little details on buildings. However, I do wish that comments would remain generally productive. And, I wish that one commentator in particular would be less hostile–in the recent kerfluffle over schools, I thought that the comments by “Jim Smithers” were mean-spirited and snide. I prefer it when people are more helpful. Parents are upset and emotional about their kids. I don’t have kids, just my dog and cats, so I acknowledge that it’s sometimes hard to relate. But, I feel that mean-spirited comments take away from the great paper that TC is and the community feeling. The anonymity of the Internet allows some to assume pseudonyms and say some very harsh things that are just so unneeded–esp if one doesn’t have kids. Thank you for your hard work. Cheers & happy holidays. // Not too long ago, Jim Smithers emailed me to ask if there was a way to donate anonymously (because I don’t know who he is, and he likes it that way). I said I didn’t think he needed to donate—he gives enough just by participating to the extent that he does. I don’t always agree with him—I often don’t—but I’m incredibly grateful that he’s there. And I like that he makes people think. I understand that may not make you more comfortable with some of his comments, but there it is.

• it’s news about my neighborhood; has interesting info and observations. i think it’s a bit awkward to get from the newsletter to the blog and the topics on the blog are all over the place. can’t seem to figure out how to just read a section without continually clicking on each topic/article i want to read about. thanks for doing this. // A possible solution: Whenever you get the newsletter, go to tribecacitizen.com, and scroll down (clicking “older posts” if necessary) until you see the last newsletter post. Everything above that will be new. The organization is still a mess—the categories are kind of a joke, thanks to the “In the News” and “Seen & Heard” round-ups—but I’m not sure how to fix that.

• As a Tribeca resident, it’s nice to have a community newsletter. The site is well organized, up to date, usable, presentable, and interesting. A revenue growth strategy could include: potential subscription fees, increased advertising, revenue sharing from referrals to businesses, more active donation solicitation. // But I already feel like a schmuck for mentioning donations three times in this post! Increased advertising would be lovely, it’s true. I’m not very aggressive about selling it because (a) I don’t have the bandwidth, (b) I feel awkward being the editor and the salesperson. I would never want anyone to think I’ll only write about their business if they advertise.

• It’s there….also to find out new stuff about the neighborhood. Stop being so amazed that life actually existed here well before the trendy infilitrated! // I try to have a healthy sense of wonder about everything; it helps counter the snark. Also, I think that many newcomers are interested in what life was like here back then.

• I love New York City and live close by (in the West Village). There is no other neighborhood blog that is so well written and thought out. And I spend a lot of time in TriBeCa as a freelance writer in coffee shops, at friends’ apartments and grocery shopping in peace (no elbowing necessary) at the Whole Foods. Considering a move to TriBeCa someday–we shall see! Thanks for a wonderful site. // Funny, I’ve been thinking about moving to the West Village.

• I LOVE our new neighborhood and am amazed how much is always happening here. Id like to see more interviews with notable/interesting people who live in the neighborhood (Id be happy to be a subject, I own my own business and love to talk about the hood). // Email me at tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

• I read Tribeca Citizen because it (you) condenses all of the relevant neighborhood information in one place. I also like following the Community Board without actually having to attend the meetings. // I bet you do. They’re dreadful.

• I like to know about the new stores, restaurants, and services that are coming to the neighborhood. I wonder if there are ways to create a “Tribeca Citizen” community– either of local business owners or Tribeca Citizen events at local places. Also think it would be fun to have groups of Tribeca Citizen readers/locals select the best cup of coffee, the best cookie, the best sandwich, the best slice of pizza, etc. // Love the “best” idea! I’ll work on it.

• Love the local news from a neighbor’s perspective. I think it should take more advertising, potentially from out of neighborhood sources, so that it continues to grow and thrive. // The best thing you can do to make that happen is to tell local businesses that you read about them on Tribeca Citizen. And yes, non-neighborhood advertisers would be great. In theory, local advertisers should be willing to pay more for readers who they know live in the area, while larger advertisers might prefer to go wider. Then again, Tribeca is a juicy demographic—and I’ve always wondered why upscale brands advertise on buses, pay phones, etc. You’re getting a lot of useless “eyeballs.”

• I really like it. Maybe more stuff for kids? I am really just guessing at this point. I love the real neighborhood gems you find and totally trust your judgement. I have a house in E Hampton, I would love that you cover that area too! // Got a guest room?

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i-PLAZA NAIL & SPA
Coming to the western storefront of the Zinc Building (on Greenwich between Canal and Watts) is a sister to i-Plaza Nail & Spa six blocks down Greenwich. I called the current one to ask when the new one might open, and I was told it could be as soon as two weeks from now.

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AMERICAN FLATBREAD
As reported here first in May, popular Vermont-based pizza chain American Flatbread is opening at 480 Canal (at Hudson). More details surfaced at June’s meeting of CB1′s Tribeca committee, including this: “Tribeca Rooftop’s Billy Reilly, the franchisee, brought American Flatbread’s Clay Westbrook to discuss their plans and talk up the brand (local, sustainable, mostly organic, community-minded). What was notable: The restaurant plans on opening at 7 a.m., serving coffee and breakfast (the first American Flatbread to do so); downstairs will be used for parties; they wanted to serve liquor till 4 a.m. [...] Someone asked if Reilly would accept 3 a.m., and he did. Reilly also said that they plan on having outdoor seating and that this is ‘hopefully the first of many American Flatbreads in Manhattan and New York.’ It’s at least six months from opening.” Indeed: It’s now not scheduled to open until the second half of 2012.

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KAFFE 1668
A second outpost of Kaffe 1668 is coming to 401 Greenwich (just north of Beach). I popped by the original location to ask about an update—and to buy a mocha—and I was told that the owners are “determined” to open it by late January.

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403 GREENWICH
September’s meeting of CB1′s Landmarks Committee included the news that a seven-story building made of blackened steel—with no retail on the ground floor—will take the place of the squat brick one at 403 Greenwich. The back story: “Two years ago, a plan had been presented to build what was billed as the Glass Atelier, entirely made of glass, on this site and the one next to it. [...] Leaving the adjacent building alone, the new developer hired architect Morris Adjmi to come up with a design that’s not as far out as the Glass Atelier, but still awfully attractive.” You can see a rendering here.

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AAMANNS/COPENHAGEN
We’ve known since July’s CB1 Tribeca meeting that Sanne Ytting and Danish chef Adam Aamanns are opening a restaurant at the corner of Laight and St. John’s Place, across from Albert Capsouto Park: “Aamann, founder of the Aamann mini empire, is ‘famous for his open-faced sandwiches’—smørrebrød, as they’re known in Danish. (Try pronouncing it like this.) The restaurant will have a core of 100 smørrebrød recipes, with 12 on the menu any given day. [...] The room, meanwhile, appears to be a showcase of Scandinavian design.” In October, the Crown Prince Couple of Denmark came for a sneak peek—the smørrebrød are indeed delicious—but the actual opening is now scheduled for “the New Year.”

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SHINOLA
In November, the Wall Street Journal reported that Bedrock Brands, which is an investor in Steven Alan, bought 177 Franklin, which had been on the market as a private residence. It’ll house Steven Alan corporate offices. Where it gets really interesting: “Steven Alan [...] said Bedrock would use the ground floor space for the launch or rather relaunch of a once-famous American brand: Shinola [....] Bedrock has filed for trademark rights over the Shinola name for a multitude of products from shoe polish to cosmetics, handheld electronic devices, jewelry, leather goods, clothing, toys, and sporting equipment.”

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137 FRANKLIN
In August, I posted this from the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center: “A new seven-story condominium began construction in summer 2011 at 137 Franklin Street. Located at the corner of Varick Street in Tribeca, the building will occupy a longtime empty lot across the street from Finn Square. Architecture firm StudioMDA, also based in Tribeca, plans to erect the new, red-brick building to conform to its historic district surroundings. Contractor Avo Construction anticipates a late 2012 completion of the building.” That seems unlikely, given that work appears to have paused. There is now a StudioMDA sign on the fence, so perhaps it hasn’t stopped altogether…? (Bonus: While looking at the press clippings on Studio MDA’s website, I came across this PDF with photos of what goes on inside Tracy Anderson’s fitness studio on Greenwich. Kinky!)

Here they are, property by property; click to enlarge. FYI: 401 Greenwich is where the new Kaffe 1668 will be; 403 Greenwich is where the sexy new Morris Adjmi building will be. I wish you could click through to StreetEasy for more info. Maybe someday….

NEW RESTAURANT AND BAR AT 116 DUANE
Two months ago, the lawyer for Mike Hynes (right) made the case for an Irish restaurant and bar at 116 Duane (between Church and Broadway); there was significant community opposition to any bar, let alone a cousin of Molly Spillane’s, Mickey Spillane’s, Maggie Spillane’s, and Nellie Spillane’s. Hynes himself showed up this time—his lawyer was there but disavowed any knowledge of the matter coming before the board on this particular night (he also repped Lotus Blue, below)—although Hynes may not have helped himself when he said “You gotta break the eggs to make an omelet.” (His point being that the restaurant would bring jobs.) Or when he said the kitchen would be at the rear of the first floor, i.e., abutting all the neighbors who live along the rear yard. The landlord’s lawyer cut a more professional figure, although his points seemed to be about how good this tenant would be for the landlord. The community still opposed it, and Hynes’s application wasn’t complete, so the chair finally said (I’m paraphrasing), “Look, you can come back with complete plans, but even if you do, I don’t know if you’ll change minds. So maybe we should just vote.” Hynes said that if the community didn’t want the restaurant then he wouldn’t try for it (“This isn’t the only location I’m looking at”)—which sounded nice, but this has been going on for months—and the vote was 5–0 against.

AAMANNS/COPENHAGEN
Responding to everyone’s confusion as to why they’d want to close at 8 p.m., the new Danish restaurant coming to 13 Laight (opposite Capsouto Park) applied to extend the closing to midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It passed 5–0. Also: The Prince and Princess of Denmark will be at the opening next month.

LOTUS BLUE (REPLACING NAM)
The proprietors of the restaurant taking over the Nam space, Jeffrey Lim and Dapeng Zhu, said they don’t plan on changing much inside, but there will be construction, so some changes are afoot. The menu—pictured at left (click to enlarge) looks interesting, not at all the pan-Asian mishmash I was fearing. Closing hour will be 12:20 a.m. Passed 5–0. Not all votes are unanimous—a contentious one is coming up, I promise.

ATOMIC WINGS
The Atomic Wings at 311 Broadway (between Thomas and Duane) wants a full liquor license because business is “dismal.” (The guy said it like seven times!) The committee inexplicably gave him some grief even though the restaurant is on Broadway, it’s in the basement, and the closing hours are 10 p.m. weekdays and midnight on weekends. Passed 5–0.

NEAR AND FAR FOOD COMPANY
Robert M. Epstein, Christopher R. Miller, and Caspar S. Ouvaroff (only the latter two were there) are planning a restaurant at 54–56 Franklin, where it hits Cortlandt Alley. Miller is a principal in Warren 77, although the board didn’t seem to notice that and/or care—despite many of its neighbors having noise issues. Miller and Ouvaroff and their lawyer—who has studied The Lincoln Lawyer, I’m thinking—swore it wouldn’t be a sports bar, and that the ratio of food to alcohol would be 70/30; Ouvaroff even said it’d be a “family restaurant.” (Er, like Denny’s?) The lawyer’s position was that they should get a 4 a.m. closing every night of the week because the current tenant, Lafayette Grill & Bar, has had 4 a.m. for 15 years and there have been no complaints. The logic was lame—Lafayette has had no problems because it’s not exactly popular, and for a good part of those 15 years no one lived over there. Best moment was when much was made of Ouvaroff’s having graduated from the French Culinary Institute, only to have a member say, “I don’t see anything French on the menu.” (On one hand, that’s not the point of the French Culinary Institute; on the other, did he go there so he could make burgers, fried chicken, nachos, and hot dogs? The menu reads like a list of Foods You Eat to Sop Up Liquor.) They got 1 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the assurance that if they prove to be good neighbors they’ll get more in six months. With a capacity of 225, this has the potential to be a nuisance to the folks who live around there. Those are the dinner menus above. Click to enlarge, baby.

THE ELEVENS
Something hugely intriguing is happening at 58 Lispenard, in the old Pearl Paint frame shop. The proprietors, restaurant designers Scott Kester and David Lefkowitz, say they have a “four-star chef from California” helping to launch the place. They didn’t say a lot more—other than it’ll be civilized but not fussy, and the menu will be “almost like tasting menus,” if less fussy, but still civilized* include pairings with classic cocktails—and no one asked. With closing hours of midnight and 1 a.m. the committee couldn’t really object. Passed 5–0. The menu is at left; while appealing, it offers few clues. *I received clarification after I posted this.

SIDEWALK SEATING RENEWALS
The Harrison and Cercle Rouge were approved.

NEWSSTAND AT GREENWICH AND WARREN
Even though there’s a newsstand on the same block (on Greenwich, near Murray), a gentleman wants to open one that’s at Greenwich and Warren. One neighbor opposed it strenuously, but the committee saw no reason to. Passed 5–0.

SUKKAH IN DUANE PARK
Rabbi Zalman Paris of Chabad of Tribeca at 100 Reade presented the idea of installing a 12′ by 14′ sukkah in Duane Park from October 12 to 19. He said it would be open to the public as a bit of community cultural outreach; there would be no services. The committee wondered about whether it was appropriate* for a public park, but the vote was 2–1–2 (abstentions went unexplained), so it failed. The full board may very well overrule it, although by that point it may be hard for the project to move forward in time. * Not that anyone asked, but no, it’s not. And if you do allow it, where do you draw that line? Because so help me, I’ll be applying for a permit for the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

WITHDRAWN AT THE LAST MINUTE
White & Church’s changes to its liquor license and Yves Jabot’s liquor-license application for 279 Church.

KAFFE 1668 COMPLAINTS
As a very late addition to the agenda, residents of 275 Greenwich who are aggravated by Kaffe 1668 opposed the renewal of its liquor license. The residents—there were two at the meeting, and one who emailed—say that the café is a “blight” on residents, “obstructionist” when it comes to dealing with minor matters, and “abusive” to the building’s staff, using “foul language.” The café has evidently done construction on at least one occasion late at night, and drilled into the façade without permission. The committee, while sympathetic even without hearing the other side, explained that this wasn’t really their domain.

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As far as I’m concerned, the cocktail of the summer is the Americano (equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and seltzer). Ideally, the vermouth is Dolin, which is available at Chambers Street Wines.

Me: Do you plan on carrying the larger bottles again?
Clerk: No, we only carry the smaller bottle now. It goes bad after a while, so—
Me: Not in my house, it doesn’t.

(You can buy bigger bottles at Pasanella and Son.)

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Frankly Wines sells a bottled drink called Americano—from a company called Vergano—that has some of the richness of an Americano cocktail, but not all of the complexity or the punch (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). The shop’s owner, Christy Frank, recommended it mixed with seltzer, but I preferred it undiluted, on the rocks. This post isn’t making me look good, is it?

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Sometimes, such as during the day, I drink non-alcoholic beverages. I met up with Alexia Brue of Well + Good one afternoon at Kaffe 1668, and the café didn’t have lemonade, so I halfheartedly ordered an iced decaf. Alexia recommended I try an iced Americano—it was as if she knew exactly what I needed, because I loved it. The morning drink of the summer is the Americano, too! It’s a wet, hot Americano summer!

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I think Jehangir Mehta’s Mehtaphor is the most interesting restaurant in Tribeca right now—leaving aside Corton, I suppose—although I’ve found one dish I love, and so I’ve stopped being all that adventurous. It’s the Indian street burger (still iffy about that name), and it’s kind of like an Indian sloppy Joe. Best of all are the garlic fries on the side. Having been burned by garlic powder—the devil’s work—too many times in the past, I was wary at first, but (as I’ve since learned) Mehtaphor fries the potatoes in garlic-infused oil. And you only get a handful, so they’re precious, the way anything fried should be.

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I knew Takahachi Bakery made ice cream and sorbet, but I had never tried it, probably because I tend to go in the morning for an iced Americano. The other day, I looked in the case, and I saw that one of the flavors was black sesame. I was back a day later. The black sesame ice cream is nice and pillowy, and it’s a gorgeous gray. I ordered it with vanilla because that seemed the flavor least likely to clash. But I’ll be back for the yuzu ice cream….

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The Harrison dessert menu tends to include a slice of “birthday cake,” and when I was there recently to try the $30 prix fixe lunch—a great deal, but come hungry—I chose it as my dessert. Just look at it! I felt like I should swing a bottle of Champagne at it and give it a name.

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I’ve finally persuaded Adam that we can’t go to Tamarind Tribeca without getting the dal makhni, “black lentils simmered overnight on a slow fire with onions, garlic and ginger.” I haven’t had it in two weeks and I can call to mind precisely how it tastes. I would eat it every day if I could.

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After my friend Lisa and I went on the East River Ferry and to the new East River Waterfront park, we stopped in the new Milk Street Café on Wall Street for refreshment. They make a good mango smoothie, but what I enjoyed even more was sitting in the picture window and watching the passersby. The window is wide enough that you get enough time to actually inspect people, but not so wide that they get time to inspect you.

How long have you lived in the area?
We moved to Tribeca from Soho three months ago, and now can’t imagine living anywhere else. Ah, the peace and quiet and neighborhood feel—we love it!

Locanda Verde's Nero cookie

Which restaurants do you frequent most often?
We’re huge fans of Locanda Verde—love the pastas, sheep’s milk ricotta crostini, and lamb meatball sliders—plus Karen DeMasco’s desserts are ridiculously good. Landmarc is so great and easy for brunch—perfect with the kiddies and they serve the best Bloody Marys. Terroir always feels like a good night out and you can always find an exciting new wine that you haven’t tried before, not to mention their delish small plates of food.

Where do you order in (or get take-out) from? Are there dishes you always order?
We tend to cook a lot but if we do order in: Bread (the chicken Milanese is so good and it’s one of the best values in town) and Dean’s (for pizza and we always order the salad with lentils and grilled chicken for a healthier alternative). And if we’re feeling indulgent, we’ll pick up sushi from Nobu.

Which shops do you find it hard to resist popping into when you pass by?
Steven Alan—we both feel like we could buy the whole store. Daniel’s entire closet is literally filled with the men’s shirts in every pattern you can imagine. Plus, the sample sale is a not-to-be-missed event. My kids can’t pass by Billy’s Bakery without buying a cupcake—and we always sneak in a banana pudding to our order.

What was the last non-essential item you bought in Tribeca?
A bright pink bike for our daughter at Metro Bicycles (right).

Are there any services (salon, fitness, etc.) that you’re particularly glad are in the neighborhood?
SoulCycle, the best 45-minute workout available.

What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
Smith & Mills, a fab bar on N. Moore with no sign and killer cocktails. Bit’z Kids has the best skinny, stretchy jeans for little girls that are really well priced. And you may think of Moomah as a place to bring the kids, but it also serves Counter Culture coffee—we’re huge coffee snobs and that is some of the best in the city.

Where do you always take out-of-towners?
On a bike ride along the river, with a pit stop at Pier 25, our kids’ favorite playground.

What’s your favorite part of the area (street, park, whatever)?
Coming from Soho, which was always so noisy and crowded, we love how quiet and residential Northern Tribeca feels. It still has so much of the neighborhood’s original character, with its old loft buildings, signage and cobblestone streets. We feel really fortunate to live in that part of the hood.

Your most memorable celebrity sighting?
Beyoncé isn’t bad.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
Less wind.

Downtown Dance Factory by Angela Weir (angelaweirphotography.com)

Any questions you wish you’d been asked?
Other favorite spots? Downtown Dance Factory—awesome ballet and hip-hop classes for kids, really nice people who run it, and a cool, mod space. Saturday mornings at Downtown Community Center—swimming, pottery, pinball machines, and basketball—need we say more?! Kaffe 1668—in addition to excellent coffee from Stumptown and Counter Culture, it’s a really good spot for working away from home or the office. Try the housemade sandwiches and chocolate-chip cookies.

Recent TCQ&As:
• Carol Adams: “Tribeca Is Like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”
• Tory Weil: “The Cookies at Goodie Girl Café Are Crazy Good”
• Deborah Lupard: “When I Moved to Tribeca, the Odeon Was an Automat”
• Alycea Ungaro: “I Want Bouley Bakery Back”
• Marla Mase: “I Can Be Naughty at Times So Let’s Skip That Question”

If you know someone who’d make for a great TCQ&A, please email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

Stacey has styled for all manner of top-shelf magazines—including Vogue, Elle, and Glamour—and she was the senior fashion editor at Marie Claire. She has worked with celebrities such as Susan Sarandon, Amanda Peet, and Sean Combs. (“One year a stylist friend and I did all of his Christmas shopping,” she told me over coffee at Kaffe 1668. “We delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of wrapped presents in just 48 hours.”) And she has been featured in Vogue, “NBC Weekend Today,” and Le Figaro.

Stacey is currently taking on private clients—in fact, she has partnered with the Mandarin Oriental as the hotel’s in-house stylist. “I curate looks for people, editing their existing wardrobes, strategically shopping to pull everything together and take it all up a few notches,” she says. “I love that I can make a woman (or man) feel that she is looking her absolute best. People are busy and when someone is juggling a career and family, there isn’t much time left over to shop—or even think about clothes, for that matter.” And as a Tribeca resident—she lives here with her husband and their two children (before that, they lived in FiDi)—she knows what will blend in and what will stand out. You can reach her at 917-859-8240 or stacey@staceymayesh.com; to learn more about her services, visit staceymayesh.com.

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This is about the time of year when I really start dreaming about my spring wardrobe—too many days of drab, gray weather and dark clothing and snowstorms with the subsequent slush puddles everywhere (snow boots really ruin an otherwise good outfit). All I can think about are bright summer prints and gorgeous happy color! Since you probably already know which Tribeca shops you love, I’m going to tell you which stores warrant trekking out of the neighborhood.

ZOË
Right over the bridge in Dumbo, Zoë is one of my favorite Brooklyn boutiques. I love to walk there on a nice day and then subway home with all of my purchases. The shop has a great selection of both men’s and women’s clothing as well as shoes and accessories. You can expect a fantastic edit of designer labels such as The Row, Lanvin, Proenza Schouler, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, and Stella McCartney, as well as more contemporary labels such as Current Elliot, James Perse, and T by Alexander Wang. My most recent purchases: Stella McCartney black silk elastic bottom pants (like sweatpants, but sleeker and in silk) and a pair of black YSL ankle strap “tribute” heels. 68 Washington St., Brooklyn; 718-237-4002.

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NO. 6
Owned by two fashion stylists, No. 6 is a great little boutique near Little Italy that’s known for its clog boots, which have become a de rigueur part of the “Tribeca look.” It also has a selection of quirky vintage clothing and jewelry. I also love the art space downstairs. My most recent purchases: Black “high heel” clog boots, tan nubuck “high heel” clog boots, mismatched stud earrings (a gold pyramid dagger and a tiny black gem), and a great collection of limited-edition prints by Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. The girls at No. 6 also create unusual and fabulous collaborations—most recently, with recyclable bag company Baggu. You can spot me at Whole Foods carrying my eco-friendly Baggu constellation bag and my oversized Baggu animal-print bag. 6 Centre Market Place; 212-226-5759.

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ISABEL MARANT
Not even open a year, Parisian designer Isabel Marant’s Soho shop has made many a fashionista très, très happy. Her clothes had been difficult to find in the U.S., and now we don’t have to go very far. Everything screams “it girl” without being obvious or in your face. We’re talking very original, very unique stuff, with just the right amount of luxury. Even if you’re not a fashion girl, the store is so beautiful and architecturally interesting that I’d recommend popping in. My most recent purchase: A variegated blue stripe cropped jacket with strong shoulders and frayed edges. 469 Broome St.; 212-219-2284.

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KISAN
While you’re in Soho, make sure to check out Kisan. This “concept store” curated by a team of chic Frenchies sells women’s, men’s, and kids’ clothing, toys, housewares, and gifts. I especially love the collection of obscure art books and old films. This is the kind of store where you go in to browse and leave with bags full of things you never knew you needed. My most recent purchases: A set of Buckyballs for my 8-year-old son and a book of great 1970s sexy photography for my photographer friend. My favorite item is a new spring purchase pour moi—a gold Jérôme Dreyfuss cross-body mini evening bag. 125 Greene St.; 212-475-2470.

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OPENING CEREMONY
Also in Soho, Opening Ceremony is possibly my favorite boutique right now. It’s ground zero for subversive, under-the-radar, hipster brands, and it’s endlessly inspiring. It’s known for its collaborations with Chloe Sevigny, but it also houses many other original designers difficult to find elsewhere. My most recent purchases: Two fabulous retrofitted army jackets by Parisian designer Yves Salomon, who takes old French military coats and then tricks them out with fur. I also just purchased two amazing T by Alexander Wang tank dresses and a blue-and-red-printed Proenza Schouler T-shirt. 33-35 Howard St. (and also a small store in the Ace Hotel); 212-219-2688.

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YOYA
Owned by Seaport resident Cristina Villegas, Yoya in the West Village is the end-all-be-all in chic children’s wares. With her impeccable eye for design and detail, Cristina curates the boutique with a perfect mix of designer clothing, accessories, home wares and kids’ furniture. She also has a collection of items that she designs and produces herself in far-flung locales such as Columbia (where she’s from) and Northern Africa. Recently, Cristina also started designing children’s rooms with her new Yoya interiors business, so if you have little ones or babies on the way and want the perfect bedroom or playroom, call her! My most recent purchase: An adorable navy onesie with “L-O-V-E” spelled out in red letters on the buttons—a beautiful gift for my friend’s newborn. 636 Hudson St.; 646-336-6844.

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EVA GENTRY
You may remember this boutique as Butter, an awesome mecca of high design on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue. It’s now called Eva Gentry after husband-and-wife owners Eva and Gentry Dayton. The store is predominantly black and white, with a unique aesthetic the Daytons call “tough minimalism.” Some of my favorite designers here include Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, Helmut Lang, and Rick Owens. Also worth noting: Eva Gentry now has an interior-design division as well. Most recent purchase: Sadly, I haven’t been here in a while. It’s high time for a visit! 389 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn; 718-260-9033.

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