The illegal Airbnb on all upper floors of 293 is ridiculous, but not as ridiculous as the City's inability to shut it down. — James on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

In 2002 on the first evening of my first trip to NYC to visit my new love interest (we’d met in New Orleans) and now spouse, we went Odeon for a late night dinner. I was hooked immediately and nostalgia for that beady night washes over me every time I walk through Odeon’s door. Roya’s lovely, sunny presence and her always warm and welcoming greeting are such an important part of the experience. Thank you Roya! — Elise Brown on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

There is no one better-she is the whole reason for going to the restaurant. A lady-a fashionista-an all round class act. — Patricia Fersch on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

how about citibank use their energy to make a break in the line of bikes on this street that blocks pedestrians from the footpath and overpass bridge direct route. this is offensive to people living in the neighborhood. — Tracy Hutt on Happy Monday! Citi Bike gets a flower flash

The intersection at Worth & Broadway is wildly dangerous due to the construction at Federal Plaza taking out the crosswalk and sidewalk. Pedestrians have no clue where to cross the street or which way the traffic runs. There are no signs providing information. I’m surprised no one has been injured. Not to mention the garbage piling up and rats running about make it more of a war zone then a major thruway downtown. — Over it too on Another long wait on Worth Street: 26 Federal Plaza

Poor 26 Federal Plaza. A disaster since it opened. The garage has leaked since the day the original contractor packed his bags and signed off. It was loaded with asbestos. Rumor has it that one part of the building was hurriedly built to keep the other part from falling onto Broadway. (You can see the seam between the buildings in every elevator bay.) They can’t regulate the heat or hot water properly. Who knows what structural problem they created when that security entrance was constructed years ago, and it took many years to get monies approved to do the current construction. It’s just a mess. — Maryann on Another long wait on Worth Street: 26 Federal Plaza

a JR mural would look incredible in Washington Market Park! — EM on JR’s local connection

Mr. Rand- I also attended the CB1 meeting last night and live less than one block away from 293 Church St on White at W Broadway. The way you are handling this situation is truly disheartening and gives every indication of being nothing more than a selfishly motivated attempt in maintaining control of the block on which you own two buildings. Why not simply take the owners up on their offer to meet, listen to, and correct the issues you have voiced? It seems as-if the sound-proofing they referenced as being in-progress during the call will solve the majority of your complaints. The city needs more businesses right now. Vacant retail storefronts have created ghost towns on most blocks that encourage crime, homelessness, and vandalism. There is a way for businesses and residents to work together to achieve common goals, but it should not happen through pettifoggery and subjugation. — R. West on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

And the berry next day someone had taken it apart and the bike away! Flowers look in disarray, sadly. — AT on Happy Monday! Citi Bike gets a flower flash

After coming 1 step away from being run over by people (not human beings) 4 times in the last 2 weeks, who ride Citibikes and other bikes at speeds that are reckless and dangerous to anybody walking (even if you're crossing the street with the light, they don't care), that's the best use for the Citibike. These morons zoom around corners and go through red lights and there's no way to hold them accountable if you get hurt or God forbid, die from your injuries! Enough is enough with these people who don't pay a dime (unlike drivers who have to be licensed and insured) to this city to ride its roads. — Sherri Rosen on Happy Monday! Citi Bike gets a flower flash

It reminds me of the work that was done on Chambers Street (between Church and West Broadway) a few years ago. It took about 1-1/2 years to finish, the streets were paved and safe again to travel (by foot or vehicles) and then the streets were broken up again! I don't think the city took this long to build initially and the workers were better and more skilled. — Sherri Rosen on Another long wait on Worth Street: 26 Federal Plaza

Last night at the CB#1 meeting more than 48 residential neighbors objected to this night club for 20 and 30 year olds masquerading as a lounge. They're the bad neighbor you've had with loud bass and crowds out front. An illegal air b&b keeps real tenants from stopping the noise. These are the types of businesses that are a local nuisance intruding into a neighborhood and disrupting it. Not the neighbor you'd want. Thank you to everyone that organized. — Steven Rand on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

What’s going on at the old City Hall Restaurant space in Duane street. There a lot of gutting and Reno but what’s was determine that space will be. — Sandra on In the News: Riding the Empire State Trail

The wasters at DDC need to learn from the pros — james on Another long wait on Worth Street: 26 Federal Plaza

Oy. Federal wasteful spending at it’s finest. — Over It on Another long wait on Worth Street: 26 Federal Plaza

I've lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and have seen the space evolve over the past few. This will be a terrific addition. Look forward to making it my regular spot. — Stephen Harrison on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

Hope all goes well for opening of this lovely spot. — j. on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

More nuggets: - There’s a new art gallery on the NW corner of Vestry/Greenwich in that beautiful brick storefront that’s been vacant for a long time. Looks stunning with all the windows, but I forgot the name of it. - Windows were papered over and there’s been construction activity on the SW corner of Greenwich/N. Moore (across from Locanda) in what was rumored to be a new fine dining Mexican restaurant. Hopefully that’s moving forward now. — Person on In the News: Riding the Empire State Trail

Roya & Odeon. The classiest of class acts. Beautiful always. Essential New York heartbeats. Wonderful piece here, thank you! — Chris & Peter on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

What a great article! I love this place and it’s my favourite restaurant in NYC! I lived in Manhattan for a few years but now live back home in Scotland. When ever I’m in the city and also plan a dinner at The Odean with my close friends. We’ve had the best nights there and Roya has always looked after us so well. She always makes us all feel like regulars even though we may only come once a year! I can’t wait to get back! Best Wishes, Graham ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 — Graham Dalton on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

I spent four painful hours this afternoon waiting for my turn to speak at the City Counsel’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown rezoning meeting before I had to give up and log out. During that time a long list people, 99% who neither live nor work Downtown somehow proceeded to hold SoHo & NoHo up as the example and occasional cause of everything wrong with NYC. A bunch of commentators actually delusion-ally highlighted that the rezoning is the only way to solve the housing crisis, climate change and inequality. Additionally, one speaker actually said that SoHo “has not suffered hardships over the decades” and that was another reason why it should be redeveloped beyond the most comment complaints of SoHo being too rich and white. The harsh reality is that the Developers and NYU have convinced some people that they will benevolently build a wide assortment of housing options while forgoing all the loopholes and massive profits they would make from building luxury high-rises and dorms. The sad truth is that they would overdevelop and wreck portions of the neighborhoods while absorbing part of Chinatown as “SoHo East” all the while pushing out the affordable housing and rent stabilized tenants they claim to be helping. So if you want to help save SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown and get the City to actually focus on real affordable housing plans, please send your comments and/or written testimony to landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov by 4:00PM Friday afternoon. — Adam on In the News: Succession sale

Speaking of chance meetings, Roya was there to witness the meeting of my now longterm love, Jim, for 19 years now and we are going strong ❣️❣️❣️ Love Roya’s sweetness and on point style. ALWAYS a consummate professional and embodies the Odeon hip DNA 😘 — Ken & Jim on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

Pam, as always, you highlight the gems of our community - and Roya (and the rest of the Odeon team - shoutout to Mary K as well!) are truly in that category. My husband, and I have the honor and privilege of having the stylish, thoughtful, intelligent Roya, her amazing and talented husband and bright as a whip daughter (both names withheld for privacy) as our friends (and yes, Roya is just as chic when not at the Odeon!) - not to mention a very talented actor and boy can she read a children's book outloud. Thank you for the profile and thank you Roya for being the incredible woman Brian and I have grown to love. (pB) — TheBlackSquirrel on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

So happy to hear VCafe is back! — SW on Seen & Heard: Viet Café opens tomorrow

My son grew up pampered by Roya and delighted seeing her on stage. She predates my new husband but ended up doing a stellar performance for him in The American’s. Roya makes everyone feel important and uses her electric grace to make The a Odeon a place where you can arrive in a bad mood and leave feeling like a VIP. She is also not too hard on the eyes. We love you Roya! — Laura Day on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks