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New Kid on the Block: Meadow Lane
There’s obviously been massive amounts of coverage of Meadow Lane already, so this is not your average New Kid post. I mean, Fox5 was there with a camera crew as I was shopping, which is not the usual sitch in Tribeca.
In the seven days since they opened, there have been lines stretching down Harrison. They have had to close early nearly every day and didn’t even open the doors on Monday, just to give the staff a rest. I met owner Sammy Nussdorf, who said he’s not sure what the hours will be in the future since so far, they have been selling out of product. “We don’t want people to come in to see empty shelves, but we also want people to enjoy the store so we are trying to find the happy medium,” he said. They had instituted a five-item limit for prepared foods when I was there on Tuesday.
So given all that, how to assess? For me the question is, if and when the hoopla dies down, is Meadow Lane going to be a useful spot for locals? And I have two caveats before I answer. One, my comments only apply to the post-line era, since no self-respecting Tribecan is waiting on line for anything let alone a market. And two, put aside price — otherwise, it’s a pointless exercise. So with those two assumptions, yes, I think it will be a good spot to grab a snack and a coffee (the gluten free bakery items were truly exceptional — I had the donut and the cinnamon swirl muffin — and there’s nowhere in the neighborhood for that until Modern opens) or lunch with one of the boxed salads, which were all original, robust and creative in their combinations of flavors.
(NB: there is no indoor seating save two small benches facing the front door. There are seats set up outside.)
It may be that their prepared hot items are also worth a try, but they were completely cleaned out when I went by on Tuesday at 3p. The chicken nuggets are gluten free; the lasagna looked like a good sized serving for two; there’s turkey chili, meatballs, soups, buffalo cauliflower. Some of these come frozen as well.
The front of the store has the bakery and coffee bar on the left, with its own register. The floral studio is on the right — that’s floral designer Sophia Mullin below who is helping get the program started. Produce and dairy line the main aisle and in the back are the prepared foods and pantry items. There weren’t many things in that section I had not seen before between Whole Foods and The Tin Building and actually, Morgan’s, but there are some fun items: spicy mayos, kimchi from Korea, loads of snacks.
There are at least six different prepared salads — we had the Chinese chicken salad and the Osaka beef bowl for dinner with some left over and both were excellent. They also make their own pantry items: granola, oat milk lattes, pasta sauces, dressings.
So the elephant in the room: price. Outrageous. The beef salad was $27. The GF muffin was $9. (Prices are not listed for the baked goods at the counter, so beware.) The eggs were $18. Compare that to Cafe Clementine’s E’s Big Salad at $20 or Frenchette Bakery’s kouign-amann at $6.50 or Happier Grocery’s eggs at $13. None of these spots are slouches in the pricing department, so Meadow Lane made an impression. I spent $25 for a glass of Greek wine on Monday night, so maybe none of this should be a surprise. But it certainly is a consideration before you make it to the register.
They have some work to do on the exhaust system on the Harrison Street side — it’s still enclosed in plywood — but otherwise, Meadow Lane seems to have opened fully formed.
Meadow Lane
355 Greenwich at Harrison
22 Comments
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As an IPN resident I was so excited about Meadow Lane opening that I even applied for a job but NEVER heard back.
I was sure they were giving out freebies but unfortunately it was just the line. I will wait to go to the store until the ridiculous lines subside.
Plenty of locals wait in line to get into Bubby’s . . .
22 years living on that block, never saw one local on that line.
No local Tribecans wait in line at Bubby”s
People dont have taste unfortunately
At least we have somewhere in the hood that has gone TikTok viral. Goals!
But a head of cauliflower at Meadow Lane is only TWELVE DOLLARS!!!
Thank you for your in-depth report. This is a place that I will never visit even when there is no line. The “preciousness” of this concept repulses me.
Every Monday when I open the TC, I marvel at the further decline of culture of this corner of the planet and shake my head. Not least the food desert Tribeca really is in spite of the occasional ‘new kid on the block’ hype. Here is an idea, someone should start a food shopping shuttle between Tribeca and Flushing, Sunset Park, Brighton Beach, Jackson Heights etc for people who have never seen or eaten real food their entire life.
It would be a life changing experience.
We can walk to Chinatown!
They used to. Nowadays most people in my building sho on line.
I am the only one seen with grocery bag!
Thank you, TC for bringing this new establishment to our attention. If anyone doubts the wonder and excitement that many of us feel for luxury/organic/wellness oriented grocery – please check out Happier Grocery on Canal Street between Wooster and W. Broadway. I happily shop at Happier several times a week – the produce is beautiful and 100% organic. It’s not a traditional grocery store – but that is what makes it magnificent. I’m excited to welcome Meadow Lane (post-line, of course).
Does anyone remember All Good Things?
https://tribecacitizen.com/2014/06/25/all-good-things-is-coming-to-an-end/
I’d point out the obvious, but let’s just see how this goes. It appears to me to be sort of a mean joke in many ways, and I write about design. I’m thus aware that designers need to get paid, not editorialize on the viability or validity of the enterprises that pay them. Everything in this place seems lovely and thoughtful, viewed in the most objective way. But the story, I feel, is deeper and broader, and not pretty at all.
I reference this place constantly. A massive void!
Additionally, I’m writing from Japan, where I spend about half my life, and I’m totally bewildered by the verbal and culinary non sequitur “Osaka Beef Bowl”.
I walk down to the Gristedes in BPC for things I can no longer find
near Warren. Miss Food Emporium still. A real grocery store,
not a glitzy concept.
OMG Food Emporium! I know you know old Tribeca!
Yes, Jean, bring back a supermarket to Tribeca! If you want a six pack of Schweppes Tonic or Canada Dry club soda the only place to find them is BPC Gristede’s.
Try the Key Food on Fulton Street. It’s not far, and it comes closest to an ordinary supermarket, with reasonable pricing and a few real bargains. BTW, I also miss the Food Emporium (though not a great supermarket, not bad). I was there on its opening day, in fact. Don’t quite remember the year.
I shop at Patel and other stores on 74th St in Jackson Heights often. I recommend it.
Not sure why people here don’t appreciate the Whole Foods, I think we’re super fortunate to have such a big one so close.
The problem with Whole Foods (there are a few, but none that are awful) is its very limited brand variety. Sometimes dumbed-down mainstream brands just do the job. (Trust the Gorton’s Fisherman — or don’t, but you know what I mean.)