Ate at Federal Grill Saturday night and although I was two manhattans in, I believe they said theyre opening this week. I had the fed burger btw- it was good! — en_b on Seen & Heard: Virtual Reality at the Tribeca Film Festival

thank you robert. well said. we need to remind all our neighbors that the " lovely town" they moved into is not a movie set. it takes work and commitment to preserve, protect and defend. — madeline c lanciani on Huge Residential Conversion on Church Street

A new condo building is going up. Search "100 Franklin" for more info — Erik Torkells on First Look: 14 White

The food is delicious but I agree the appetizers are too pricey - I think they should offer tapas size and lower price points so people can try/share a few things. However I think the salads and main courses are a fair deal and the portions are big and can be shared. We ordered a meze platter, kale salad and two main courses for 2 adults 2 kids and have enough leftover to take home for lunch next day. And best of all, they have wonderful live music (piano, double bass & vocal) from 7-10pm even on Sunday night - that was such a special treat for us and I think it deserves a premium. But I agree I want them to do well and the pricing needs review if they want to attract neighborhood repeat business. — Cheryl on New Kid on the Block: Antique Garage Tribeca

Do you know what's going on at the block south of there between Franklin and White St)? There are construction barricades up and the parking on that entire side of the street has been blocked off. — Jen on First Look: 14 White

I have conducted business with Rocco and Stacy and they are just generally kind and sweet people who are full of heart and love which is reflected in both their restaurant and their lives. Sadly, and in Roc's own words: "the days of the big expense accounts are over, the rent is insane, the bureaucracy and the minimum wage make it tougher and tougher". No truer words...greedy landlords are the killer for small business in Tribeca/Soho. How many plates of gnocchi or glasses of wine do you need to sell each night to offset a monthly rent of say $30-40K (I have no idea what Roc was paying, but that's pretty typical for that size and location), coupled with insurance costs, payroll, liquor, food and dry good costs, dealing with the city's bureaucracy, and on and on. Anyone who thinks any restauranteur in NYC is somehow getting rich is sadly mistaken. In 5-10 years, the only way to get a decent meal at a restaurant in Tribeca/Soho or have a drink at a bar will be to go somewhere in midtown or uptown or Brooklyn, because the model is seriously broken for anyone trying to earn a decent living in the hospitality business in this neighborhood. — Bob Jacobs on Roc Has Closed

They like to tout the million tree number, but they don't talk about how those are taken are of afterwards, how many have been damaged, or had an infestation, and had to be cut down. Thanks for drawing attention to this issue. — Robert Ripps on Why Are There So Many Empty Tree Beds?

Across from 50 Franklin, there were 3 trees planted years ago, and within 3 years all were removed. 2 died, but all 3 were removed, never replanted. I contacted the tree planting service of NYC, but nothing ever happened, and no answer if they would ever replant. — sal on Why Are There So Many Empty Tree Beds?

Taka and his crew will be missed at Shigure! Let's hope they open their own place soon. — Adam on Seen & Heard: Cornerstone Shrine

"Scott's alley" appears in print as a name for Franklin Place as late as 1874: "DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN BROADWAY.; A MARBLE BUILDING PARTIALLY BURNED OUT LOSS ESTIMATED AT $100,000." appeared in the February 9, 1874 edition of The New York Times. "At 1:30 o'clock this morning, as one of the Fire Insurance Patrol was passing the five-story marble front building, No. 371 Broadway, near Franklin, he observed smoke issuing through the cellar gratings in front of the building. He at once gave an alarm and this was quickly responded to by Engine Companies Nos. 7, 31, 12, and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The doors of the building were forced open with great difficulty, and it was then discovered that a fierce fire was raging in the basement and sub-cellar, from the front to the rear of the building. The near gratings on Scott's alley were also forced open, and huge streams of water were soon being forced against the flames by several powerful steamers." This is consistent with the basement of 371 Broadway running under Franklin Place fka Scott's alley. Separately, Franklin Street from West Broadway to Lafayette St (or Elm St as it was known until c. 1895) was previously called "Sugar Loaf Street". See, for example, "Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, Volume 9, 1880." page 896, in the section titled "Locations and Boundaries of Streets, Parks and Places" — James on Seen & Heard: Virtual Reality at the Tribeca Film Festival

I don't know if "so many" is more or less than typical. I will relate my experience with the request system. Last August a carting truck destroyed the tree in front of my house in Greenwich Village. As it was a hazard the Parks department removed the tree trunk the same day. The people at Parks told me to submit a new tree request at nyc.gov, which I did. There was no indication via email that my request was received. Some months later, I woke up at 5AM to the sound of a stump grinder out front. Last month I got an email: --------------------------------------- **This is an auto-generated system message. Please do not reply to this message.** Service Request #: C1-1-[omitted] Date Submitted: 08/26/16 10:11:24 AM Request Type: New Tree Request Details: For One Address Your Service Request was updated. The Department of Parks and Recreation has reviewed this request and will visit the location to investigate the condition. --------------------------------------- When I followed the link in the email the only additional detail I found was this: NEXT UPDATE DUE: 160 Day(s) 160 days? So, we'll see. — art steinmetz on Why Are There So Many Empty Tree Beds?

Elected officials are noticing - State Assembly Member Deborah Glick introduced a bill (A3378) that was approved by the community board 1 and 2 that would require Real Estate residential conversations/development to pay fees towards building new schools....it is a start and it has to catch on city wide. — TAMK on Huge Residential Conversion on Church Street

I lived at 179 Duane street with painter Jiro Naito in the early 70's till 1975. Next door neighbors were Duka Delight and Paula Longendgyke. Myself as many other young artists worked as art "assistants" to Richard Serra. I also worked for Ralph Humphreys up in Chelsea to supplement my income and painting. It was an amazing time to be a young artist and especially a women artist in the wave (2nd wave) of feminism. Life was exciting, everything was possible, affordable...and I look back at a time that in many ways was idyllic and romantic and in many ways the Paris ateliers of the 1900's Tribecca style. We were a community and felt invincible. — devrah silverstein on Tribeca in the 1980s

RE: the luxury travel advisor reco - I run Tribeca Traveler, a Virtuoso-affiliated agency in the neighborhood. Would be happy to help :) michelle@tribecatraveler.com || www.tribecatraveler.com — Michelle on Seen & Heard: Nobu’s Final Night in Tribeca

Depressing to see parking included but otherwise it looks really cool. I'm happy it includes some retail. — leg on First Look: 14 White

Love these! — Sheila on Photo Safari!

To Rocco and Stacy We will miss the best restaurant in Tribeca ! For me and my friends, it was the "go to" place for a great lunch or for dinner after a presentation at New York County Lawyers Association or for a New Years party always guaranteeing great food and wonderful people. Best of luck in d'Ville, Joe Bambara,Esq. — Joseph Bambara on Roc Has Closed

We'll remember the many, many wonderful times we had there over the years. Whether it was meeting with friends in the dining room, gathering our family together or enjoying a simple date night at the corner table outside, Roc provided many memorable evenings. Our thanks to Rocco and Stacey. We wish them the best of luck with their new adventure. We will certainly look them up at their restaurant in Louisville if we are out that way. — Jon on Roc Has Closed

I do not equate this thread with a memorial service. It is a post about a restaurant closing and the proprietors moving on to greener pastures in Kentucky. If I met the proprietors in person, I would certainly be polite, as is appropriate. But in the context of an online discussion as to why the restaurant closed, I thought it relevant to gently point out that the place was not universally loved. After all, it was never crowded, and that that may have had something to do with its closing. — IJM on Roc Has Closed

I know you're upset about Roc, but if you look in the left column of this website, you'll see a list of businesses (including 11 restaurants) opening in the area in future months. — Erik Torkells on First Look: 14 White

And when you've moved it, good luck finding a place to eat. — Janet on First Look: 14 White

Honesty is welcome, but so is politeness. Would you insult someone at his/her memorial service? Maybe I'm overly touchy about this because I know Rocco and Stacy, but does it not occur to you that they might read this and be hurt? If your comment was serving some greater purpose, then fine, but it wasn't. I've said it before: Comment as if you weren't anonymous. — Erik Torkells on Roc Has Closed

Sorry. I thought honest comments were welcome. I now understand that you want us to follow your lead, lockstep. — IJM on Roc Has Closed

One of the workers told me the Step Up plans were for a TV shoot. — James on Seen & Heard: Harrison Has Left Whole Foods Tribeca

After 9/11, no one was permitted to travel below Chambers street. Many residents and others waited at the corner of Reade and Greenwich for hours and days after that terrible day. I was just trying to return home to retrieve some belongings. Many others, sadly, were searching for their missing loved ones. Rocco stood in front of ROC with trays of pasta which he served to anyone who wanted some food - gratis. That food provided more than just nourishment, it provided a sense of comfort. During those dark and desperate days, Rocco stood as a beacon of hope to the neighborhood and beyond. Thank you Rocco & Stacy for a kindness that may never be repaid! — Kacee on Roc Has Closed