Apparently Tribeca is Cooler Than I Thought
Or maybe I was just the last person to get the memo?
So, at this point we’ve firmly established the perks of living in NYC are numerous. A personal favorite (for yours truly) is getting the chance to explore new neighborhoods without an itinerary in hand.
Wandering New York is special because you can easily feel the difference between neighborhoods as you saunter down random avenues and streets. The demarcations between zip codes feel frivolous at times.
When my husband and I first moved to NYC, we made a point to walk the city every weekend to get our bearings straight. We clocked in 10 miles a day! (Subsequent visits to my podiatrist made it clear these were non-negotiable at the pace we were going — I’m on my sixth pair).
Over the course of the next few years, we explored the neighborhoods in earnest, spending full days surveying the blocks in search of sundry gems.
Save for one neighborhood we kept putting off because it felt like nothing more than a three-block radius of grandiose real estate. Well, that was our acquaintance with Tribeca at first blush.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew the area was a hot-spot for the city’s wealthiest residents (Taylor Swift and Robert De Niro, among many others). Obviously, there was something attractive about it, but I couldn’t put my finger on it and devoted my time to other pockets of the city.
Fast forward to August, eight months pregnant and feeling the fatigue (daily naps are a necessity at this point), we keep our escapades closer to home.
Determined to give Tribeca a proper look, we routed ourselves to a random cafe to kick off the weekend. From there, we aimlessly pattered about and popped into places that piqued our interest.
In the spirit of sharing, here’s a quick roundup of my favorite discoveries.
What to Do in Tribeca, NYC
Oysters and Cocktails at Grand Banks
Historic schooner-turned-oyster bar, Grand Banks is a seasonal restaurant (closes October 15, 2024) moored along the southwest edge of Pier 25. The last operable saltbank fishing vessel in existence, it’s the tantalizing oyster menu and breathtaking views that keep the crew busy these days.
On brand with the neighborhood’s posh reputation, oysters will gladly grace the table but at eye-watering prices. Same goes for drinks. However, if you’re with a date you’re keen to impress (or your parents bestowed upon ye the blessing of a trust fund), the vibes at Grand Banks can’t be beat — and there’s no denying that.
The Staple Street Skybridge
The cast iron bridge was built in 1907 to serve as a connection between two buildings owned by the New York Hospital (renamed New York Presbyterian in 1998). In the photo above, the building on the left (60 Hudson Street) housed the House of Relief (the emergency room) and the building on the right (9 Jay Street) housed the laundry room.
The hospital closed the House of Relief after World War I, but the footbridge remained. Today it serves as the neighborhood's defining landmark.
Fun Fact: The condos on either side of the bridge (and the bridge itself) sold in 2022 for $25M.
Matcha at Interlude Cafe
I’m a big matcha drinker, I love the stuff (especially in the summer), so trust me when I tell you: if there’s a better matcha than the one being dished out at Interlude, I’ve yet to find it. Using ceremonial grade matcha (made from young leaves with a high concentration of chlorophyll), Interlude’s expert baristas know how to make a morning cup sing.
For a complete roundup of my favorite Tribeca haunts, read:
Personal Tidbits
It rained on the day I turned 33, which served as a pleasant reminder that fall is around the corner. We celebrated with a leisurely stroll through Central Park before grabbing dinner at Manhatta (the restaurant week lunch menu was a great experience!). It was a very low-key and relaxed birthday celebration, just what the doctor ordered. So much to look forward to this year but so much to enjoy at present, too. Cheers to another blissful year!
Hope you had a great week too, catch you next week!
Antonina