Good comments. Being kid unfriendly gives it a leg up in my mind. Of course being a long time resident (35 years) of Tribeca I am not that into the unique one of kind snowflake culture. And being old and nearing my expiration date I image living alone w/o children or family in a 2,000 sq ft loft means I should be forceable evicted to allow a family to have my space. — Marko Lost on The Two Hands Dinner Menu

I watched as the original cobblestones were reclaimed from their depths, cleaned, and replaced in SOHO, Greene Street, specifically...that was years ago... Here's the problem. When the cobblestones were first laid, they were touching one another, with little or no "space" between them...seems someone got the the less than stellar idea to "grout" them with concrete, which, of course, breaks apart relative to the stones themselves, and leaves loose, wobbly cobblestones.. Had anyone walked a few blocks into SOHO, they could have witnessed the poorly planned "grouted" stones, loose, and making a mess.. Nest the cobblestones together, so there's no "wiggle room" and they should last a century or more.. I disagree that they're 'impractical'...explain that to the Romans.. — jim on Seen & Heard: Reactions to the Five Boro Bike Tour

1. The Bike Tour is likely way in violation of the commercial music and other provisions of the NYC Noise Code (and should not in my opinion be granted a variance by Depth of Environmental Protection or any other City agency from its provisions). Next year the operators should agree or be compelled not to exceed, with their amplified music and speech, a pre-set decibel limit within a fixed radius in compliance with the code. They should pay to have a noise consultant or DEP inspector on-site with a sound meter if necessary. See links at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/noise/index.shtml 2. The Belgian blocks on the streets look nice in theory but are impractical in the 21st century. The damaged areas are usually the scars that remain from closing street excavation "wounds." The streets must be dug up periodically to repair and access myriad utilities, including electric, gas, water, sewer, and telecom. The contractors are incapable of properly and durably resetting the blocks, despite the DOT rules and inspection procedures already in place. DOT cannot enforce durable repairs despite the many regulations already mandating minimum sized openings, restoration from one curb to the other across the street, inspections at each stage of the contractor's work, etc. — James on Seen & Heard: Reactions to the Five Boro Bike Tour

Also Varick just past Canal has gotten worse too, I won't even drive down Greenwich anymore. — John on Seen & Heard: Reactions to the Five Boro Bike Tour

All of the heavy construction equipment coming through northwest Tribeca is likely also partly responsible for the state of the cobblestones (in addition to some poor quality original work). Are developers in any way accountable for the wrecks they make when they tear up the neighborhood to work on their projects? Just look at the mess at 443 Greenwich. — McGee on Seen & Heard: Reactions to the Five Boro Bike Tour

Did they ever catch these "artists"? — 1stPrecinct on In the News: Triraqis Caught on Video

also says NO ALCOHOL, which will hopefully be updated. who wants to grill or host a gathering without alcohol? — Sean on In the News: Water Street Arcades Valued at $250 Million

It seems safe to assume they haven't updated the website yet. — Erik Torkells on In the News: Water Street Arcades Valued at $250 Million

Actually, https://govisland.com/permits/gatherings says that you can bring food or arrange it to be catered from food trucks, but "No grilling". I highly recommend Veronica's Kitchen's jerk chicken. https://govisland.com/activities/food-1 — Dan Kohn on In the News: Water Street Arcades Valued at $250 Million

North End Grill is one of my favorite places downtown and really hope it does not go South End Grill after this. As for the fairness of the measure, it will be all on the hands and integrity of the owners. — B. S. on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

Also, if you read Meyer's rationale for it, part of it is that it allows wages to be distributed more equitably to "back of the house" staff such as line cooks. Tips or a portion thereof are typically pooled & shared among the 'front of house" staff - they are not allowed to be redistributed to the line cooks etc I don't think this is meant to work in your everyday Olive Garden... it seems more appropriate for high/higher end establishments - I don't know if it will work but I think it will be very interesting to see. — Jeff on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

The restaurant 'gratuity' has always been a misnomer in the US. If you aren't giving a server ar least a 15% tip you are penalizing them. You are taking the basic living wage out of a person's pocket. Perhaps you've never worked in that industry, since you lack some basic empathy on the subject. Sure, it is not different to open a $40 bottle of wine from an $800 bottle of wine (although that's not really even true in a serious wine program like you see in some high end places), but that is the deal you make when you go out to eat in this country. A restaurant tip is not an excuse for you to be a two-bit critic every time you eat - when it works it has become a way for you to show disapproval in situations where service is genuinely bad, or extra approval when the service is exceptional. As far as North End and the other Meyer places go, if you have a bad service experience, complain about it to the manager (your reply makes me suspect you have no problem voicing your opinion in a restaurant setting). I think have enough integrity that they will accommodate you in some way. Frankly, I think this is a much fairer system. If something goes wrong with your meal the responsibility is shared by the entire restaurant, not just one poor server. Server issues are often the result of issues with the restaurant as a whole, and a bad night for the kitchen, or a room incorrectly booked by management can result in a server losing their livelihood for the night. I'm not sure if this will work in the end, but I like the idea, based on fairness alone. — Doug on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

I hear there is some wonderful decaf coffee these days — Jeff on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

There was one in the Supermarket Price Check post (created by Adam, like this one), but I think that's it. Spreadsheets are best deployed infrequently.... — Erik Torkells on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

Don't get confused fellow neighbors!!! This is just another excuse to increase prices to customers. Tipping is expected to be according to the service you recieve. If you get a really bad arrogant server, are you tipping 26%??? Also, on wine service, it takes the same amount of work to open a $40.00 as is to open a $800.00 bottle, the tip is very different on both examples. Just for those servers reading this: Gratuity= an overpayment made as a recognition to those who provide service beyond the expectation. Restaurants in Manhattan have an exorbitant rent, we end up paying that rent to restaurant owners, fine, its the cost of living here. But now, they want us to pay for increases in their staff compensation and keep the rest for themselves. So, if this "new" scheme is successful we are only going to see more local shops close down because we have given them more excuses ($$) for landlords to increase rents. Waiters, congratulations on recieving a wage increase and customers not being able to display their opinion on your quality of service. Restauranteurs, good move! I also want my customers to pay for my employees. Foodies, keep the cash coming! NYC is getting full of subpar expensive food. — B. S. on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

Nice analysis. Is this the first time you've ever generated a spreadsheet in Tribeca Citizen? — Dan Kohn on How “Service Included” Affects North End Grill’s Prices

So, my space is literally, and I truly mean literally, above the starting line of the event. The bike tour is like a very noisy Swallows of Capistrano coming back to roost every year and I kind of hate it for being so incredibly loud and in my living room. But I figure it's a great event, brings a lot of different people together and has some really positive energy, so why complain. If it wasn't here, it would be under someone else's home, so have at it! — Rob on Seen & Heard: Five Boro Bike Tour Complaints

So another greedy business owner taking their profits and running - leaving our precious children without a proper selection of stylish footwear?! Disgusting! — Jim Smithers on Shoofly Is Closing

That's positive news, thanks Erik — KLG on Shoofly Is Closing

When a resident moves to an area zoned for restaurants and bars, there can't be a real expectation for a quiet street. Suck it up, yuppies. If you want a dead-zone for noise, move to Roosevelt Island. — Dan on A New Home for Raccoon Lodge

wonderful interview, made me smile. — sw on Spotlight: Church Street Surplus

I stopped by to talk to Roz, who said it’s most definitely not about the landlord raising the rent. She also mentioned that another kids’ shoe store might be opening in the area…. — Erik Torkells on Shoofly Is Closing

Definitely had a different experience. Food was awfully good... not perfect but definitely better than mentioned above in Erik's review. I guess we'll find out which experience is the norm. — Jeff on First Impressions: Amada

It's amazing. Go try it. — Erik Torkells on In the News: Oculus to Host River to River Performances

that sandwich doesn't look appetizing at all! it looks like it has only one slice of ham and one slice of cheese. — Augustino on In the News: Oculus to Host River to River Performances