Tribeca

Cobblestones and Beyonce

Cobblestones, light-flooded 19th century buildings, a few charming alleys -- plus brigades of actors, models and baby prams…this is what you’ll see on the streets of Tribeca, which was once inhabited by factories and light manufacturing and is today occupied by some of New York’s most privileged citizens.

In the 1800’s Tribeca was bustling with warehouses, fruit and vegetable vendors, and industrialists, who occupied the more ornate buildings toward Broadway. In the 1970s and 1980s, when New York was struggling economically, industry moved out and artists, musicians and writers moved in. That is when the area was named Tribeca, Triangle Below Canal Street. New name notwithstanding, Tribeca remained a virtual no-man’s land for the ensuing decades. The good news? Gentrification passed it by and most of its elegant facades were left intact.

In the booming 1990s, Wall Street types and celebrities (Jay Z. and Beyonce, Meryl Streep, Jon Stewart, Robert DeNiro and the late John Kennedy Jr. to name a few) discovered Tribeca’s off-the-grid seclusion and airy living spaces. High-end shops and restaurants followed suit and today Tribeca is among the most desirable spots in Manhattan.

Best known for:

• Tribeca film festival
• Hook and Ladder Firehouse number 8, where Ghostbusters was filmed
• Very dear real estate

What makes it great for a stay

• Uncrowded cobblestones with abundant charm
• Walking distance to Hudson River, Tribeca Greenmarket, Staten Island Ferry, Soho, West Village, Chinatown, Lower East Side, Brooklyn Bridge
• Convenient to every subway line

Live Local By:

• Kayaking at the Hudson River Park
• Playing tennis at the free public courts near Canal Street
• Play MiniGolf and beach volleyball at Pier 25

Eat Local at:

• Locanda Verde. Andrew Carmellini’s Italian hot spot; book in advance.
• Super Linda. Easy going Latin grill. Trendy.
• ROC. Sophisticated Italian. Great for a business or romantic dinner.
• Odeon. Classic French bistro; a Tribeca stalwart.
• Nobu and Nobu Next Door. Groundbreaking Japanese with a Peruvian twist.
• Tamarind. Haute Indian.
• Pepolino. Rustic Tuscan with a small outdoor area in summer.
• Granddaisy Bakery. Memorable Roman pizza and 7-grain bread.
• Capri Caffe. Excellent, inexpensive Italian. Everything homemade.
• Bubby’s. Best breakfast in the neighbourhood.
• Zucker’s. Bagels and lox, the New York classic.
• Duane Park Patisserie. Tribeca’s best cupcake in a sweet setting.

Drink local at:

• Smith & Mills. Beautifully hip.
• Puffy’s Tavern. Classic watering hole, especially after work.
• Tiny’s. Beautiful cocktails.
• Walker’s. One beer and the world looks better.

Shop local at:

• Ted Muehling. No woman can resist these earrings.
• The Ludlow Shop. Best skinny suit for men at the best price.
• Chambers Street Wines. Great small production wines from around the world.
• Gary Graham. Fashionable frocks for fashionable femmes.
• Mondo Cane. Brilliant modernist antiques.
• Schoolhouse Electric. Vintage modern home goods from Portland, OR.
• Issey Miyake. Even if you’re not buying apparel, the windows are spectacular.

Great coffee:

• La Colombe Coffee. Best coffee, cozy café.
• Laughing Man Coffee and Tea. Small-production beans and - leaves. Hugh Jackman is part owner.

The Perfect Local Sunday

1. Rent a bike at Metro Bikes.
2. Pedal south along Hudson River Park bike path.
3. Grab a bagel and lox at Zucker’s at 146 Chambers Street .
4. Cut across Chambers St. and ride across the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Heights or Continue south to the Ferry and head to Governor’s Island.
5. Back in time for brunch at Bubby’s.