I assume then that you are looking forward to the noncelebration of Bastille Day outside on West Broadway, featuring no amplified narration of the nonexistent petanque matches. — James on Balthazar Alums to Open Bistro in Tribeca

Maybe they just won't tell the SLA about the mosque. That worked for Cercle Rouge and Bubble Lounge before. (Batard nee Montrachet has a license that predates the mosque.) From the February 2006 Tribeca Trib: "When bar or restaurant owners apply for a liquor license, they must swear that they are not violating the 200-foot law. If the SLA decides that the owner has falsified his application, he can lose his right to a license for two years. The West Broadway bar owners are pleading not guilty. "Georges Forgeois, who owns Cercle Rouge, said he thought Sufism, a branch of Islam, was 'more a philosophy,' rather than a religion. Besides, he said, several bars were already on the block when he moved in. 'You cannot have someone spend all that money, then tell them that they can't have their license,' he said. 'That's not fair.' [...] "The building at 245 West Broadway, open for services twice a week, has no signage other than the following four lines, in small print, on the door: 'Dergah/Nur Ashki Jurahai/Sufi Order/Masjid al-Farah' "A report written by an SLA investigator and obtained by the Trib concludes that the building is indeed a mosque, but states: 'There are no signs or any indication that there is a Mosque located in the building.'" http://web.archive.org/web/20060822161713/http://www.tribecatrib.com/newsfeb06/liquorstore.htm — James on Balthazar Alums to Open Bistro in Tribeca

Erik, well-researched article. Lemme give you three reasons I use seamless: 1. Repeat orders. I can't be bothered to talk on the phone when I can simply reorder on Seamless. It's hard--I have an accent and, most likely, so does the guy at the other end. 2. Diet diary. Seamless, with the frequency at which I use it, has become a record of what I consume. "Sad, lonely life" you might say? Well, you all are welcome to join me ;) 3. Specialization. I believe in "value chain disintegration" to use a big phrase for the small person that I am. Restaurants cook and deliver, Seamless sources and brokers. This can only raise the quality bar (better food, anyone?) to the point where good restaurants can get out of the web of Seamless, commanding enough of a customer base that walks in or orders by phone or using other restaurant-friendly ways. Until then, they pay the devil its due. Now, all of you, please spare me your harsh criticism and incisive analyses. I am just a tiny person enjoying July 4th at home and getting ready to order from Taco House (does the restaurant have a second name now? Is that even allowed?) on Seamless. Adios amigos ... Happy Fourth! Pinky JJ — Pinky JJ on Why Restaurants Hate GrubHub Seamless

S, Yes the QoL meeting is open to the public and public comments are welcome. — Bob on Buddha Bar Has Not Given Up

Lets hope CB1 does not approve outdoor seating and there is no live music in front of doors and windows open to the street. Really been enjoying the quiet since Cercle Rouge disappeared. — Matthew on Balthazar Alums to Open Bistro in Tribeca

Please blur his lady bits too. — Jim Smithers on Where in Tribeca…?

I agree. And it's not correct that these developments are not paying a price -- the building owners (and condo owners) pay real estate taxes and the stores pay sales tax. So to suggest that they are somehow getting a free ride at the neighborhood's expense is misleading. — SW on Bar-and-Grill Chain Opening in Brookfield Place

We haven't seen the application, so for all we know there are many owners, and Cunningham is simply the one that CB1 put on the agenda. — Erik Torkells on Balthazar Alums to Open Bistro in Tribeca

Firstly investors do not apply for liquor licences, the owner must be the applicant. Thus, Sean Cunningham is the proposed owner/applicant, not just the investor. Why the smoke screen? Before I get further into all kinds of facts on The Frat House aka The Brass Monkey, with lines of screaming college kids waiting to get in through the barricades of bouncers I would like to see how this plays out at CB1 meeting on July 13th. Will the Tribeca Committee vote down the application and uphold the 200 foot law. After all, 245 West Broadway is the home of Dergah al-Farah, Mosque. WHAT IS THE 200 FOOT RULE? Pursuant to the New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (ABC), the State Liquor Authority (SLA) is prohibited from issuing liquor licenses to establishments “on the same street or avenue and within 200 feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship. — kosta laurding on Balthazar Alums to Open Bistro in Tribeca

Thanks, I have written my email about the 5 Boro Bike Tour. Of course, I did that in May too and never received a reply or acknowledgment. Is the Quality of Life meeting open to the public? I have never gone to any of these meetings and do not know whether public commentary is permitted. Thank you. — S on Buddha Bar Has Not Given Up

Walking around Brookfiled Place has become a nightmare. (I'm also a biker). — Hudson River on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

We need a special TC article about Smithers The guy is legendary and I need to know his background Blurr his face out if you have to — Citizen on Where in Tribeca…?

I'm on it. I've reached out to someone who I think is involved. Will let you know as soon as I hear. At a minimum, I'll find out at the meeting on Wednesday and report back then. — Luis Vazquez (FiDi Fan Page) on Buddha Bar Has Not Given Up

Barleycorn already made its plans for the sidewalk known at the last meeting in June...the sidewalk cafe is meant for Park Place. There were a lot of supportive comments from Murray St residents who had shown up thinking the bar might be seeking longer hours, but generally complimented the owner for living up to his commitment to lock the Murray St entrance at 9:00pm. The board asked for him to come back with a few other details about his plan for Park Place,but also was supportive, although they said that they would also make it contingent on his agreeing to keep the Murray St entrance closed after 9:00, to which he agreed. All in all a decent outcome for all parties. — BobR on Buddha Bar Has Not Given Up

They may have competence: http://bpca.ny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/BPC-Parks-Rules.pdf See Section 9003.39. However the opening of the bicycle route along West St should surely remove quite a bit of the bicycle traffic from the riverside areas. Plus, the rules require riders in the BPC parks (of which the plaza is one) to yield to pedestrians so I struggle to understand the issue. It does appear the BPCA likes dealing in faits accomplis: http://bpca.ny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PR05-16-Esplanade-Work-Group-Bike-Dismount.pdf Rather than seek community comment and then perhaps set up a dismount zone, they appear to have decided to shoot first & ask questions later. — PC on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

Since you mentioned it, what is up with that homeless encampment? Why is the city allowing that? It's been there for months. — JasMc on The Rag & Bone Men’s Store Is Confirmed

It is technically public parkland and Brookfield is not allowed to set rules, nor is the BPCA for that matter. But who will keep the yacht owners and their staff safe? — Liz on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

So am I to understand they are framing the "Bike Dismount Zone" as a suggestion? Or does Brookfield have the right to set rules and arbitrarily ban bike riding in that section of Battery Park? — Waylon Smithers on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

The Raccoon was bumping last night, terrific way to send it off and yeah there were loads of noisy patrons in front of the bar and in the street! Screw you Tribeca tightasses! — Andy C on Requiem for the Raccoon Lodge

New sign in front of the Ethan Rose Salon on Harrison says 3 in 1 stands for mani/pedi/blowout in an hour. — juliew on Seen & Heard: Last Call for the Raccoon Lodge

Big question I want answered is what is the 'flagship retail' store that's going to move into Nobu. That's what the bldg management is telling tenants...but no clue who. — juliew on The Rag & Bone Men’s Store Is Confirmed

As you might have noticed, I'm not a huge fan of doing work that someone else has already done—in this case, Google in October of 2014: https://www.google.com/maps/place/google+maps+greenwich+and+laight/@40.7221373,-74.0097722,3a,75y,58.23h,93.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2pAPWBA2o546sbJpvOFVYg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x8fe1ba62a821d2db!6m1!1e1 — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

Could you please take shots from an identical angle and compare? That would make an excellent ongoing feature. — Dan Kohn on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

Biking around Brookfield Place has become a nightmare. — Sean on Seen & Heard: New Bike Dismount Zone at North Cove Marina

Goddamn it - Raccoon Lodge AND Pakistan Tea House on the same weekend??! Over and out. — Andy C on Pakistan Tea House Is Not Reopening