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History of Tribeca Buildings
The family from Beef Bar has taken the Sarabeth’s corner
Tribecan Mahween Rahman, who with her husband and sons opened Beef Bar in the former Nobu space at 339 Greenwich, have now taken on another Tribeca institution: the former Bazzini space — for the past 13 years Sarabeth’s — on Greenwich and Jay. It will be home to Paper Moon Giardino, an Milanese restaurant that has franchises all over the world.
“Just got the key today,” Mahween said. “We are super excited to bring this restaurant to Tribeca.”
The plan as of now is to open in November or December.
They have already retained the Rockwell Group to design the restaurant. (Former Tribecan David Rockwell has done dozens of interiors, but the most recent in the neighborhood-ish is the lobby restaurant at the Perelman PAC, Metropolis, and The Corner Store, the former Dos Caminos on West Broadway and Houston.)
Aqib and Mahween Rahman
The original Paper Moon was opened in 1977 by Pio Galligani and his wife, Enrica Del Rosso, in Milan’s fashion district. It became a glitterati hot spot, and franchises are now in luxe destinations: Doha; Hong Kong; Algarve, Portugal; Taghazout, Morocco; Bodrum, Turkey.
Canadians by way of Bangladesh, the Rahmans (in addition to Mahween there is her husband, AJ, and their two sons, Aqib and Tareef) are in the shipping industry — they own tankers. Aqib graduated from Northeastern during covid, and while quarantining together in Toronto, the family got to brainstorming about projects they wanted to take on. As self-described foodies, they have eaten at fine dining restaurants all over the world and they wanted to try their hand at it.
“It was a good chance for Aqib and I to do something together,” Mahween said. They have long visited Tribeca — both sons went to school in the US, and Mahween is drawn to New York for its hectic pace, which reminds her of Bangladesh. Once the boys graduated, she was ready to move. “Plus the restaurants here are among our favorites — Frenchette, Nobu — and the scene is being created now for restaurants with a great vibe not just great food.”
They snagged the Nobu space, which had been empty for seven years, before they even had a concept. And now they have the Bazzini corner as well — two Tribeca classics.
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Congrats to them and so impressive! I remember Paper Moon from its previous small location on E. 58th st. Lots of good memories and delicious food! I’m looking forward to eating there.
Honestly I think this looks really boring ! It seems like just another bland, overpriced, beige, bougie Italian restaurant. I hope the food is good and I’m wrong
It was available for you to rent if you had a better idea . . .
Really wish this was going to be a wood-fired pizza place focusing on seasonal ingredients a la Jon and Vinny’s from Los Angeles. It would do so well in this family-friendly neighborhood. We don’t need any more upscale fine dining joints.
I agree ! I would love a place like that !
No one is stopping you from doing it . . .
Wood-fire is not allowed in almost all landmarked buildings especially if it was not there before. Also, I’m not sure anyone can pay rent selling just pizzas. We should be more positive that someone rented a space in a neighborhood that has one of the highest retail vacancy rates in the city.
Let’s hope this is better than Beef Bar ! The Infatuation gave it a 5.1 which is “Not recommended”
https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/beefbar
It also has a 4.6 out of 5 from over 200 Google reviews
If another restaurant was going into this space then why did Sarabeth’s not get renewed. A family friendly and neighborhood staple that you could bring the kids. I’m not sure luxury Milanese Italian will give the same vibe or friendliness to families… We need more spots where parents can dine with their young kids and not be stressed about others and less “luxury” spots.
I think we have a hidden gem in Tribeca that doesn’t get its due. Tac, on Warren Street, has good clean food at unbelievable prices. Everyone that I know who has gone loves it. Maybe the only negative is that their dishes don’t hold up for delivery. They have a good following from the local business crowd but not from the neighborhood and I don’t know why. If it doesn’t catch on soon, I fear it will be yet another casualty.
It’s TAQ, just so folks know. The opened just over a year ago.
https://tribecacitizen.com/2023/10/27/new-kid-on-the-block-taq/