I don't think the Critical Shopper goes far enough. She should ask developers whether or not, in their view, 9/11 was the best thing to ever happen to lower Manhattan. — j frank on In the News: The Happiest Meal of the Year

Thanks, James! — Erik Torkells on 111 Murray Wants to Start Construction Earlier on Saturday Mornings

I live at 89 Murray and I could be wrong, but it seems that construction at 111 Murray has started long before 9am on Saturdays for months already! — Lisa G. on 111 Murray Wants to Start Construction Earlier on Saturday Mornings

I don't really do Brunch but had my best brunch meal this year at North End Grill. Need to try dinner there now. — Alex on In the News: The Happiest Meal of the Year

I think the writer should reach out to a professional to discuss his emotional state and spending habits...preferably not a therapist who has an office near the WTC though. Bizarre indeed. — N on In the News: The Happiest Meal of the Year

"108-110 Franklin Street, application for removal of rear yard extension" They are taking out the 1-story extension at the back of the building. See the DOB job description: "INTERIOR RENOVATION AT CELLAR & FIRST FLOOR. CONVERSION OF REAR EXTENSION AT 1ST FLOOR TO TERRACE. NO CHANGE IN USE, OCCUPANCY, OR EGRESS." http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=2&passjobnumber=140406120&passdocnumber=01 Ironically, once DDG moves forward on its 6th Avenue building, the back of 108 Franklin will not be visible from a public thoroughfare anymore, thus making the need for a public hearing by LPC much less likely. — James on 111 Murray Wants to Start Construction Earlier on Saturday Mornings

I have to admit, they got my attention with Dezron Douglas - he's the real deal. And it would be nice to have real jazz down here in my nabe. But it would help a lot if they'd put the listings in the New York Jazz Record or at least somewhere online where you could figure out who's playing and when the sets are. I've been put off by expecting it to be packed, too expensive and not featuring serious talent. And frankly, if someone like Douglas is playing, I'm not going to be talking - I have too much respect for a musician of that caliber to talk while he plays. But that's a call the presenters have to make - is this a real jazz bar, in a town with the greatest musicians in the world? Or is this place where people talk over the artists? But that's the eternal struggle with jazz - it's our contemporary classical music, the most exciting thing happening musically in the world right now...but it's also a way for musicians to earn a living while some drunks chatter away, ignoring what they're doing. I suppose both have their place, but (especially in NYC) you have to decide which crowd you're after. The really top musicians won't tolerate being talked over, and the other musicians aren't going to attract the jazz loving crowd (they'll be at the Vanguard or the Jazz Gallery or Smalls.) — Will on First Impressions: The Django

baluchi's coming! — farid on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

Although I knew otherwise, the signage on that place kept reminding me of some seedy strip club. — lowphat on Tara of Tribeca Has Closed

Tara's a Gem of a Pub with spectacular dining (Chef CIA Grad) has unfortunately not lasted. Scaffolding and truck parking has taken it's toll Try the Killarney Rose in FiDi same family owned. — Declan on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

Any info on Taras on Warren......I have attempted lunch 3 times during Mondays and Tuesdays, during the past two weeks and doors are closed. — Ruben Robles on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

"MCV" = meter control valve — James on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

A complaint was filed with DOB on 12/8. It is hard to run a restaurant without gas for cooking. "NYC Department of Buildings Overview for Complaint #:1411776 = ACTIVE Complaint at: 176 CHURCH STREET BIN: 1001604 Borough: MANHATTAN ZIP: 10013 "Re: UTILITY NOTES THAT NEW/SUSPICIOUS GAS PIPE WORK WAS OBSERVEDSUPPLYING STEAM TABLE IN VICINITY OF ANSELL (sic) VALVE. UTILITY CLOSED MCV,VERIFIED AND LOCKED OFF GAS SUPPLY" — James on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

love love love Shield Press & Arcoiris -- always accommodating and excellent work & service -- one of the few older downtown businesses remaining! love them and the love is returned... — jk on Seen & Heard: DHL Store on Church Street

yeah I saw the gate open and wooden tables and chairs being worked on as recently as exactly a week ago today, sure of it — j frank on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

wow wow!! great shots both of you!!! — jk on The World Trade Center Light Show

I've definitely seen the gate open since then and work being done. Not sure what that means, though. — resident on Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

Re: "I’m not sure which of the storefronts in the photo above are involved" Listing: http://www.easternconsolidated.com/properties/80-lafayette-street/ Rental flyer with layout: https://easternconsolidated.s3.amazonaws.com/properties/docs/a6e943025f5946b7167a/80%20Lafayette%20Street%2008Jun15.pdf — James on A Pioneer on Lafayette

I second the recommendation of Shield and Arcoiris. Always helpful and friendly as well as reasonable. — Huck's mom on Seen & Heard: DHL Store on Church Street

I also didn't like the Warren St.bashing. I used to have a studio at 28 and it has the last of the discount stores on the ground floor. There are even a few artists still in the building. — Huck's mom on South Tribeca Is Getting a Very Funky Building

I haven't heard the word "skeevey" since high school but it perfectly describes the awful Dunkin Donuts on Chambers Street. If Mickey D can upgrade their burger joints, why can't this eyesore? Corp spends a ton on TV advertising. It's time for A makeover. I know there are other larger concerns in the world but hey I avoid going there. — Jean Grillo on South Tribeca Is Getting a Very Funky Building

I think that's the rationale for insisting Henry Meer leave. — Donna Dennis on City Hall Restaurant Is Closing

We get the same kind of thing happening in our apartment - when the sun hits 1WTC just right - which is very occasional - it's almost unbearable to be upstairs. — Andrea on The World Trade Center Light Show

Eric, we face north and have been experiencing the same shower of light from both the Jenga building and far from TriBeCa, the new tower in Hudson Yards. Our apartment lights up for about 20 minutes each sunny day. Very eerie. — mark on The World Trade Center Light Show

Ward III — r on Where in Tribeca…?