In 1984, Jeff Tabak saw an Orville Redenbacher commercial with the slogan, “Do one thing…. Do it best.” So, in launching his real-estate brokerage, he decided to focus on Tribeca—and what’s more, he named his company Tabak Is Tribeca. “My dream was for everyone in Tribeca to know about my company,” he says. If watching him greet by name every other person who walks by his Reade Street office is any indication, he’s well on his way.

How long have you lived in Tribeca?
I lived here in 1980 for one year, and moved back in 1994.

Which restaurant do you frequent most often?
Max, Edward’s, Gee Whiz, Roc, and Walker’s.

Which restaurant do you tend to go to for special occasions?
Nobu and Tribeca Grill.

Where do you order in (or get takeout) from? Are there dishes you always order?
I take out from Gigino (left), Roc, and Gee Whiz. Yes, salad, chicken, and pasta are my favorites.

Which shop do you find it hard to resist popping into when you pass by?
I always like to stop into Cheryl Hazan Gallery on North Moore, and until they closed, Tribbles and Times 3.

What was the last non-essential item you bought in Tribeca?
The last non-essential item was frames, from Steven Amedee, for watercolors I bought from a street vendor in Soho.

Where do you always take out-of-towners?
We tour the neighborhood and look at the architecture, and of course the Hudson River Park in nice weather.

Which neighborhood building do you wish you lived in and/or owned?
I wish I lived in the Woolworth Building, but it’s not residential.

What’s your favorite part of Tribeca (street, park, whatever)?
I love Duane Park, Bogardus Park, Washington Market Park, and the Esplanade.

Your most memorable Tribeca celebrity sighting?
My most memorable Tribeca sighting was Jackie Kennedy Onassis, around 20 years ago. She shook my hand and was very gracious.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
I’d put the sawdust back on the floor of Morgan’s Market.

What’s changed in Tribeca that you like? That you don’t?
It’s great to have the services and the growth has been wonderful, but sometimes I miss the days of vacant warehouses, deserted streets and store fronts, empty lots, and open fields.

Why Tribeca?
I worked on a conversion of an office building on Warren Street in 1980, fell in love with the physical spaces, and said someday I’m going to live in Tribeca in a loft—and 14 years later, I did. ”

Previous TCQ&A’s:
• Kimberly Reed: “My Puppy Would Not Stop Sniffing Ed Burns”
• Hanne Larsen and Melanie Zrihen: “We Wrote Our Business Plan at Kaffe 1668”
• Christy Frank: “I Wish Tribeca Had a Really Great Cheese Shop”
• Carrie Loewenthal: “I Order the Kid-Size Pastas at Max”
• Cate Bruce-Low: “I Grilled Liev Schrieber”

Know someone who should be next? Email tribecacitizen@gmail.com!