TCQ&A: Doug Tedeschi

The rules: Answer as many of the 47 questions as you like (but a minimum of 15, and you must answer #1–4). Please limit most answers to the general geographic area.

1. How long have you lived in the area? Where did you move from? Where are you originally from? I moved here from the West Village a couple years ago. My wife and I liked the quieter, more family-oriented feel down here. I grew up on Long Island not far from the city.

2. Married? Partnered? If so, what’s his/her name and occupation? I’ve been married four years. Her name is Roxy, and she’s a corporate lawyer by day, a yoga instructor by night and on the weekends.

3. Kids? Pets? Neither, yet. Roxy wants a dog. I don’t. She also wants kids. I do too.

4. Where do you live? Park Place.

5. What do you do for a living? I run a start-up organic food company founded on bringing transparency to our food system. We call our first product, an organic olive oil, “Frank” because we’re open and honest about how we grow and produce. Frank is available locally at Amish Market Tribeca and at other natural food stores in New York City and across the country. You can find out more about Frank at frankorganics.com.

6. The best deal around: The five-course lunch tasting menu at Bouley. It’s the same as the dinner menu, at a fraction of the cost. Go at 3:00 or 4:00 for a late lunch that takes you into the evening. Just be sure to wear a jacket. (I wore shorts and a tee and felt ridiculous.)

7. Most frequented restaurants: Sarabeth’s for happy hour and brunch. (See number 9 below.) Marc Forgione for dinner. It’s rare to find a restaurant where everything that hits the table is fantastic. The bottomless-drink brunch is great too.

9. The best sandwich: Sarabeth’s burger with guacamole and grilled onion. Unconventional burger combination, but it works. Their fries are great, too.

12. We usually order in from Il Mattone, and we always order the margarita pizza with mushrooms on whole-wheat crust. Their food (and, for better or for worse, their service) make you feel you’re in Italy.

16. I’m so glad there’s a movie theater (Regal Battery Park) in the neighborhood that’s never crowded. It’s like your own private showing.

17. How I stay fit: I run almost immoral quantities along the Hudson River Greenway. (I’ve been training for a marathon.)

24. Rainy day activity: This is more of a rainy night activity, but Silver Lining on Warren is a warm, welcoming speakeasy-style bar with live jazz on the weekends and always-available tables. It takes you to another time.

30. I tend to take out-of-towners to: If they have kids, a picnic in Rockefeller Park. There’s a great barrel-like toy there that a child can insert himself into and then roll in down the hill. Kids stay entertained for hours. For adult visitors, Brandy Library. Go for the smoky scotch tasting flight.

38.  The most romantic spot around: Tiny’s (left) has some great small tables in the back. Dark, stylish and cozy. Before or after, the waterfront along Battery Park City makes for a romantic sunset/nighttime stroll.

39. Tribeca could use more shade-bearing trees along the Hudson River Greenway and less ivy. The few stretches where trees reach over the pathway and touch each other count among my favorite parts of the city. But I could enjoy them more if ivy didn’t ensure humans were only the second most populous species out there.

44. Someone who lives here who I think you really should meet: My wife. If you’re into yoga, or want to be into yoga, she’s the best. You can catch her class at Yoga and Pilates in Tribeca (Reade and Church) Saturdays at 12:30 and Sundays at 10:30.

45. Proof that change is good: Matt Bernson’s new shop on Harrison. Matt’s a good friend and an incredibly talented shoe designer. If you haven’t checked out his store yet, it’s worth a visit.

Recent TCQ&As:
Kalyn Johnson Chandler
Claire Hollander
Karen Sachs
Marco Pasanella
Walt Chefitz

If you want to suggest a TCQ&A subject (it can certainly be yourself), email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

 

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