t r i b e c a

---

N. Moore Street Since the 1970’s, the old brick warehouses with dilapidated canopies have been inundated with urban professionals, most with kids. If you look above the forlorn loading docks, you’ll see window curtains and flower pots on the old fire escapes - ‘stealth buildings’ of high priced real estate. At N. Moore and Hudson, you’re at ground zero of ‘DeNiro-ville.’ Robert DeNiro is part owner of several restaurants in the area, his reputation has attracted quite a few Hollywood players and production companies to the area. What hath Travis Bickle wrought? See his Tribeca Grill, Layla, Nobu, and his Tribakery on N Moore, etc. Deb and I used to house-sit the Federal style townhouse at No. 1 White Street, across from some of the most beautiful cast iron buildings in the city. Down on Worth Street is John’s New York Law School student lounge. Chinatown/Little Italy Like San Francisco’s North Beach, the expanding Chinatown is quickly changing this area just east of Tribeca across Broadway. Canal St forms the northern border, an amazing polyglot and vital area of languages, colors and things for sale. Go down Mott Street - #8 Mott was home of the Dancing Chicken - you stuck a quarter in a jukebox, and the chicken would dance for you. The quarter used to light up a hotplate beneath the chicken’s feet until animal rights activists protested. Little Italy is an island of things Italian surrounded by Chinatown. The restaurants are no longer under Mafia don John Gotti’s watchful eye, but where else can you get that smell of grilled sausages and peppers or the deep-fried doughballs called zeppoli. Better yet, try the moo-moo cream puffs at Ferrara Pastry Shop. Also check out: Hudson River North Park A new greenspace located at the north end of Battery Park City. Well used by Tribeca families, it makes for a nice picnic sport alongside the Hudson. Duane Street Park (at Hudson Street) One of the best picturesque street corners in Lower Manhattan. Just north is Staple Street, a great alleyway and site of many recent “NY-style” movies. Bubby’s Deb and I had two major star sightings at this East Coast outpost of the Hollywood Hills crowd - Harvey Keitel, who lives around the corner, and “E.R.’s” George Clooney sharing a latte with co-star Gloria Reuben. Walkers Classic neighborhood place, across the street from the Ghostbusters firehouse. Deb and I come here nearly once a month. Odeon Was in, then out, now back in as one of the hot places to schmooze in. Trendy and arty, it attracts the “Bright Lights, Big City” crowd. Excellent Dumpling You may sit at a communal table, but the best noodle soup dive in the city, the place to stop after experiencing the third world bustle and din of Canal Street. Knitting Factory Experimental music, European clientele, acid jazz hq in NYC

---

back to the guide

back to fountain
comments to fanfon@interport.net
december 1999