Local Legend: Sommelier Paul Grieco Loves A Tribeca Schnitzel

TRIBECA, NY — The world's first "first sommelier punk" loves a kick-arse schnitzel in Tribeca.

Paul Grieco is one of the city's most legendary sommeliers with his big and bold wine lists that bring the flavor without the pretension and a famous devotion to riesling.

Grieco made a name for himself curating the wine lists at the restaurant Hearth, the wine bar Terroir and his home 'hood endeavor, Terroir Tribeca on Harrison Street.

The "riesling hound" said he revels in Tribeca's history that has undoubtedly influenced his local wine bar, which sits inside a former cheese factory during the era of the long-since-demolished Washington Market.

Patch talked to Grieco about how Tribeca's history has inspired his career as a part of our Local Legends series, where we interview iconic New Yorkers about the neighborhoods they call home.

(Does your neighborhood have a Local Legend we should feature? We're taking nominations here.)

Here's what he had to say about Tribeca.

Describe Tribeca in three words.

Historical, vibrant, commerce.

What's life like on your block?

It is a neighborhood, but with a commercial veil, and therefore feels like home. And it is a great home, excluding the line of cars making their way to the Holland Tunnel.

Describe your perfect day in your neighborhood.

Morning coffee at Laughing Man Coffee on Duane Street, afternoon coffee with my friends at Benvenuto Café on Greenwich Street, seeing Marty Shapiro sitting outside Tribeca Grill, opening our doors at Terroir at 4 p.m., saying goodnight to the 'hood at 11 p.m. as I walk along Staple Street.

What food can you only find in Tribeca? Where do we go find it?

Kick-arse schnitzel at Terroir | Tribeca.

What makes Tribeca New York's best neighborhood?

The history — and all the inherent references to that history, primarily architecture — is what resonates in this 'hood. We at Terroir are especially inspired by the Washington Market, once one of the country's largest food markets, whose presence here predates the name Tribeca. Luckily, the neighborhood still possesses many of the storefronts from those somewhat glorious days of open air commerce; and while new design also permeates the area, many an architect have been astute enough to tip their hats to their predecessors.

How has Tribeca influenced your work?

It has allowed me to include the "terroir" of Tribeca into the zeitgeist of my business.

Have an upcoming project in New York City?

Absolutely. For the first time in my career, we are committing ourselves and our vinous services to a non-food-and-beverage operation, the residences at 30 Warren Street. We will revel in the aesthetics of this development and bring the Terroir ethic to all the homeowners.

These interviews were lightly edited for style.