I hope it's not tree-eating rats ( http://www.wnyc.org/story/tree-eating-rats-blame-winter/ ) that's killing those trees. — KP on Seen & Heard: Why the Dead Trees?

Their margaritas are terrible!!! Both frozen and on the rocks. A marg on the rocks is served with 90% ice cubes. Speaks volumes about the place. For much better margaritas (and food), head a few blocks down to Southwest NY. — Seth on First Impressions: El Vez

So much fun! — Andrea on Field Trip: S-Cruise by Smartboat

I knew we were missing a part of the tongue-twister.... "Thrice-fried spiced fries, thrice-fried spiced fries, thrice-spied friced spies...." — Erik Torkells on Chef Floyd Cardoz Is Back

From http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/tables/2012/04/23/120423gota_GOAT_tables_lester : "As wrong as it seems to devour an entire bowl of thrice-fried spiced fries mere steps from the Irish potato-famine memorial, the success of this simple dish is a reminder that North End Grill is all about the classics, executed with flair." — Dan Kohn on Chef Floyd Cardoz Is Back

So they just want to make you specifically try to say "thrice-spiced fries"? — Erik Torkells on Chef Floyd Cardoz Is Back

The thrice-fried fries are still available at North End Grill, they're just not on the menu. — Dan Kohn on Chef Floyd Cardoz Is Back

I am a supporter of LaValva's and a supporter of Councilmember Chin so let me get my biases out there. I was stunned when I got his email. His New Amsterdam Market got $115,000 in funding from Chin and she openly opposed the Hughes planned tower. What I could never explain to Robert was, while he had lots of support, he wouldn't nor couldn't get preferential treatment in the planning stages of the Seaport Study group. No single business no matter how worthy could. That would be an inside deal. But Margaret's support for the Amsterdam Market is well known. I am sorry he couldn't stay and fight for his Market on its merits which are many. Perhaps others who understand the political process will. Jean Grillo , District Leader 66AD — Jean Grillo on New Amsterdam Market Is Over

Clever to use a sailboat hull (does that mean a hull that slices rather than planes?) But please spare me the marketing hype. A gas engine is far dirtier than a diesel, despite the old stereotype, and less efficient also. When I first saw the headline I thought this boat might be electric. Now that would be smart. — Uptowner on Field Trip: S-Cruise by Smartboat

I've heard that the Jerry's space at 90 Chambers was going to be a nail salon (https://tribecacitizen.wpengine.com/2014/07/09/seen-heard-yet-another-nail-salon/) and a neither-fancy-nor-fast-food restaurant (https://tribecacitizen.wpengine.com/2014/07/11/seen-heard-bakeds-projected-opening-date/). So who knows. Racines is not cheap, but the food is ambitious and complex -- and I've never left hungry — Erik Torkells on Sushi Dojo Is Indeed Opening on Chambers

wow. the restaurant drama continues, with new great spots on the street which needs it most (Racine's is the real deal but the portions are tapas at entrée prices), PJ Clarkes suing for tortuous interference, and Brookfield offering even more joints (I guess they like Unami Burger better than PJ Clarkes)...any word on what's going to happen at the old Jerry's Café, which needed a lesson on ambiance....? — erik on Sushi Dojo Is Indeed Opening on Chambers

Overpriced stuff you can buy for a lot less in a regular supermarket but this place does have decent soup. Everything else is rushed, no assistance, never very clean. — Mike R on Gourmet Garage Is Opening Here

Rather than turning the tables, going above his head to the board, and blaming LaValva, Chin should have sent a direct appeal to him. Now they can fight this out in the gutter. Sad performance all around. — Bob on New Amsterdam Market Is Over

Some of those quills look rusted already. The frequent painting to maintain their whiteness in the future will be mean more money spent on this already over budget project. — Jpl on Seen & Heard: Cody’s Bar & Grill Has Closed

Interesting to hear two distinct arguments, but I can't distinguish facts from either message. I'd like to hear insights if anyone has them. I've been refraining from drawing any opinion on this development because the claims have all seemed like strident, fact-lite bickering. — David G. Imber on New Amsterdam Market Is Over

HAUS Great new club, no photo, think they have some on line now, but the remodeling came out amazing. Classy club. The opening night party was so fun and had great music courtesy of the best : Chelsea Leyland. The space feels cozy compared to the last layot there. They are going to be doing cocktail hour Tuesdays at 5pm for you non-late owls! — Rachel on Seen & Heard: Baked’s Projected Opening Date

Took my 4-year old daughter and had a blast...will do this frequently. definitely not a performance paddling experience, but superb if you're looking for a way to cool down and experience the neighborhood from a different vantage point. — John M. on Free Kayaking at Pier 26: What You Need to Know

Correction, I meant pier 54 (but 57 could also work in conjunction with the SuperPier development) — Chyara on New Amsterdam Market Is Over

They should do this at Pier 57 (@ W15th). Quite a loss for the city. — Chyara on New Amsterdam Market Is Over

CRUMBS should convert to gelato/ice cream/cakes/coffee and open in the hood. & Billy's could begin hawking ice cream too.....o delish — Blair on Sushi Dojo Is Indeed Opening on Chambers

Heavyweight rental corps with $$ properties in the 30 Park Place vicinity won't be happy with that night construction. The prior lack of night construction was for that reason in the first place, no? — jfrankp on In the News: Truffles Resident Accused of Celebrity Stylist Scam

It's a shame it didn't work out. When they first opened I was there almost daily for Blue Bottle and Blue Marble....when those two left, so did I. I took my parents to dinner at the restaurant downstairs and that was a great meal, but there's only so often you're in the mood for a 3 hour prix-fixe affair. — Downtowner on All Good Things Is Coming to an End

I will miss them, too. I was a frequent customer for meat and produce. The cheese on offer did not compete with Tribeca Whole Foods, not to speak of Bedford. But they really never advertised it. A sidewalk sign on Church, even, might have made a difference. I never saw a media mention of Le Cafe anywhere. In some cases their prices were high because their quality was high (real pork vs. IBP), and sometimes it was just marked up too far (oysters). I wish they'd advertised enough to drive some volume to get their prices down. I don't have any inside knowledge of their deals with Dickson's, Blue Bottle, or the rest, but it was bad to lose them. Also, pick names for things that you can google. "Le Restaurant"? C'mon. — SFJoe on All Good Things Is Coming to an End

PLEASE NOTE: group show view.point opens next Thursday, July 17th at Cheryl Hazan Contemporary Art (35 N Moore St). www.cherylhazan.com — Pia Coronel on Seen & Heard: Baked’s Projected Opening Date

Seconded. I just walked to Il Laboratorio di Gelato (Houston and Ludlow) and back for a milkshake. — Erik Torkells on Sushi Dojo Is Indeed Opening on Chambers