TCQ&A: “We Could Buy the Whole Steven Alan Store”

After closing Clio, their much-loved Soho housewares shop, Michelle and Daniel Lehmann picked up and moved to Tribeca—and promptly launched a new business, reCrib.com. It’s a national online marketplace for used (but high-end) kids’ and babies’ gear and clothing. “As our kids outgrew their strollers and cribs, we looked for the go-to site to buy and sell stuff like that, and we were surprised to learn it didn’t exist,” says Daniel. “So we created reCrib.” Listings are currently free—making this weekend an ideal time to do some spring cleaning (and perhaps recoup some of your costs)….

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.

 

1 Comment

  1. They’ve lived here 3 MONTHs (and golly, they can’t imagine living anywhere else!), does that really warrant any type of Q&A with them? I’ll just say “boooooooo” to this Q&A and will respectfully ask that perhaps the Q&A’s be limited to folks that have lived down here > 10, 15, 20 years…. please.