A Tour of Tribeca
From a landmark liquor store turned menswear shop to farm-to-table dining in a three-story townhouse—we highlight the best ways to spend any good day in Tribeca. Below, our guide to the best spots to eat, drink, gallery hop and shop.
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Frenchette & Frenchette Bakery
Frenchette manages to retain the “classic French bistro” vibe that best describes their basic concept while offering a distinctly “downtown New York” feel. Though unapologetically French with its cuisine, the food is also accessible to those usually put off by the word “escargot”. You’ll find delectable beignets and “gnocchi parisienne” among more traditional dishes like their more niche, signature egg Brouillard.
And, lucky for us, their excellent boulangerie, Frenchette Bakery, can be found just a short walk away. Well-known as one of the best bakeries in the city, you’ll find artisan bread and stuffed croissants among pizzettes and sandwiches, all made with locally-sourced, organic ingredients. Ooh la la.
Frenchette is located at 241 W Broadway, New York; (212) 334-3883; Frenchette Bakery at 220 Church St, New York; (212) 227-1787
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Todd Snyder at the Liquor Store
A historic Tribeca landmark, the Liquor Store is a former bar that once served as the beloved home of J Crew. After Todd Snyder took over the space, it was reworked in collaboration with interior designer Jame Mills, who coated the space in Snyder’s signature color, military green, before adorning it with reclaimed wood flooring and heavy brass touches.
With its original bar intact near the entrance, the result feels like stepping inside a stylized time capsule. And that’s certainly not a bad thing, especially if you’re in the mood for some shopping.
235 W Broadway, New York; (646) 678-3075
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Walker’s
The well-worn bar, tin ceiling and sagging floor at Walker’s will do nothing to diminish the experience of stepping inside its walls—in fact, they will enhance it. That’s because Walkers has existed since the 1880s and by merely stopping by, you are dipping a toe into history.
And we like that history to be visually apparent. Take a look around and you’ll see “classic tavern” at every turn and nothing will come to mind more than the phrase “good old days”. All of this should assure you because when a bar in New York only offers straightforward American cuisine (like a no-frills burger and a beer) and still somehow manages to flourish among the foodiest people in the country, you know there’s a reason why.
16 N Moore St, New York; (212) 941-0142
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One White Street & Rigor Hill Market
An upscale farm-to-table restaurant housed in a three-story townhouse, visiting One White Street feels like attending an exclusive dinner party at a luxurious apartment. The top two floors of the space only serve a tasting menu while the bottom floor offers a number of delicious a la carte items like a surprisingly to-die-for fennel salad served with yuzu and bleu cheese.
In total devotion to its farm-to-table concept, the people behind One White Street opened their own Rigor Hill Farm in Columbia County, with the simple goal of ensuring the availability of the right vegetables for its menu. Eventually, a seasonal farm stand (open only on Tuesdays) popped up outside the restaurant’s doors, bringing farm fresh produce to the literal streets of New York. When the restaurant next to OWS closed its doors, the next step was obvious and Rigor Hill Market was born. An absolute must for those looking for that farm-fresh produce NYC’s grocery stores just can’t seem to provide.
One White Street is located at 1 White St, New York
Rigor Hill Market is located at 227 W Broadway, New York
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Puffy’s Tavern
One review for Puffy’s reads: “Nothing special and that’s why I like it”. Yes, Puffy’s is a nondescript dive bar with absolutely no frills and a bar you may only want to order beer or well liquor from, but we’d argue that Puffy’s is special.
Housed in a 40s-era pub and offering some of the best Italian sandwiches in the city, Puffy’s is a cherished Tribeca standby. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it has a dart board, which is something of a rarity in Tribeca. So, there you have it: it’s special.
81 Hudson St, New York; (212) 227-3912
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Tribeca Galleries
With at least 41 galleries currently in Tribeca, it’s no wonder the neighborhood has become something of a staple in the city’s art scene. With its abundance of industrial buildings, you may find yourself on a quiet corner and suddenly think you’re in a time capsule. With enough of a squint, you may even be able to call back to the glamorous art scene days of 1980s Soho, before the streets were lined entirely with shops.
Of course, this isn’t the ’80s and it’s not Soho. This is Tribeca and, while relatively upscale, the neighborhood has long been home to many artists, most of whom found a loft long ago and (smartly) stayed put. With that in mind, it’s no coincidence that the community in this part of town has been particularly engaged with the resurgence of galleries lining its streets. This might be a bold statement but (we think) you’ll find some of the best and most exciting art here. With too many galleries to name, Kapp Kapp and Jack Hanley are a good place to start.
WORDS Hillary Sproul
