We have a reality-TV star in our midst: Elisa Casas is in the ensemble of “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys,” about four couples who are platonic for reasons that the title makes clear; it debuts on the Sundance Channel this upcoming Tuesday (Dec. 7) at 10 p.m. Elisa, pictured with her daughter, Ruby, met David Munk when they were at NYU; she owns Chelsea Girl, a vintage clothing-and-accessories shop on Spring Street, where he’s the manager. (There’s a video of them in action at the bottom of the page, and they also have an entertaining blog.) So how did the show come about? “A childhood friend of mine, Stephen Harris, always said, ‘You and David are a comedy team and should have your own show,'” she says. “He went on to be head of reality programming at A&E, and he hooked us up with the producer of ‘Pawn Stars,’ who shopped around a sizzle reel. Sundance said, ‘We don’t want that show, but we want them for a show we already have in production.’ They had already wrapped, but they pushed the release date back and we filmed everything in 12 days—including a lot in the neighborhood, such as at Bread Tribeca.” (Portrait courtesy Elisa Casas.)

How long have you lived in the area?
I’ve lived in Tribeca for almost 17 years. I moved in one week before my daughter was born.

Stuzzicheria

Which restaurants do you frequent most often?
For fresh sushi, Tataki is the absolute best. Walker’s feels like home—it’s totally comforting in every way and it has the best Cobb salad I’ve found in New York. And Stuzzicheria, which opened a few months ago, is my new favorite neighborhood place. I go there to meet friends for a drink, to eat their awesome tagliolini with pistachio and lemon pesto, or just to say hi to Max, Alvin, and the rest of the guys.

Which restaurants do you tend to go to for special occasions?
Cercle Rouge—Pierre Landet is a brilliant chef and I love the elegant yet casual vibe there. Honestly, I go just to hear Pierre pronounce my name in his sexy French accent (“Eleeeeeeeza!”) And there’s no question that the Harrison is perfect in every way. Who doesn’t love the Harrison?

Where do you order in (or get take-out) from? Are there dishes you always order?
I love Il Mattone for pizza (plain!), Salaam Bombay for Indian (chicken tikka masala), and 35 Thai (pad see ew).

Church Street Surplus

Which shops do you find it hard to resist popping into when you pass by?
I’ve been completely addicted to Church Street Surplus for 20 years. I can’t go in without buying something. And Hostler Burrows has the most impressive selection of antiques I’ve ever seen. I want everything.

What was the last non-essential item you bought in Tribeca?
The cupcakes at Tribeca Treats. How can anyone resist one of their addictive cupcakes?

Are there any services (salon, fitness, etc.) that you’re particularly glad are in the neighborhood?
I have absolutely no reason to go there except to pick up packages left for me, but I love that a quirky business like David Gage String Instruments has been here all these years.

What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
The Regal Battery Park Cinemas is never crowded. You can get into even the hottest movie five minutes before it starts. OK, it’s ugly and sterile as hell, but you don’t have to deal with crowds or Fandango.

Where do you always take out-of-towners?
Smith & Mills is always a great place to take people who have preconceived ideas about New York. At the other end of the spectrum, the Tribeca Grand is impressively modern.

Which neighborhood building do you wish you lived in and/or owned?
I absolutely love my building, which is a classic Tribeca loft building in every way. It was built in 1851 and was a button factory until it converted to residential. My upstairs neighbor, Ed Ruda, the artist, has lived here since 1961 and has told me some amazing stories about middle-of-the-night police raids, crazy parties, and Bob Dylan. I would never want to live in a historic neighborhood like Tribeca and live in a modern building under any circumstances!

Finn Square

What’s your favorite part of the area (street, park, whatever)?
I love to hang out with Freddi, my pug, in Tribeca Park or Finn Square and people-watch.

Your most memorable celebrity sighting?
Years ago, months after they supposedly “broke up,” I saw Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck making out in front of my building. Also Jenny McCarthy had phone sex in my bed when she filmed a movie in my loft…. Does that count?

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
I joke that I live in TooCan—too close to Canal Street—so I really do wish that they could get rid of the illegal handbag people already.

What’s changed around here that you like? That you don’t?
I really, really miss El Teddy’s. I had been going there since I was a little girl and I thought it was a crime that it wasn’t landmarked. Also, on the corner of Broadway and Walker was this amazing store that Ruby called the Everything Store because they literally had everything. Sadly, they were forced out a few years ago when their lease expired.

What’s your best Tribeca story?
Years ago, Ruby and her best friend, Juliette, found a cluster of four-leaf clovers in Washington Market Park. Apparently this was big news, and the Tribeca Trib did a feature story on their discovery in the September 2002 issue.

Any questions you wish you’d been asked?
Yes…. Would I ever live anywhere else? The answer is an emphatic no!

Recent TCQ&As:
• Connie Connors: “I’ve Always Loved the Chicken from Cornerstone Grill”
• Tania Anthony: “Tribeca Needs a Good Chinese Restaurant”
• Loretta Thomas: “Harvey Keitel Always Smiles Back”
• Carla Sullivan: “The Babysiting at Equinox Has Been a Lifesaver!”
• Jackie Spiegel: “My Dog Likes to Watch the Birds at Petland”