Showing posts with label Stage Restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stage Restaurant. Show all posts

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Thursday's parting shots

Photos by Steven 

As seen outside 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... ground level by the front door — tile art showing a former tenant, Stage Restaurant (RIP March 30, 2015)
There are a few more of these around other now-closed longtime businesses. Not sure who the artist is at the moment.

As for 128 Second Ave., Tony's Pizza, went dark earlier this year after a June 2021 debut. Seasoned Vegan is next for the space.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

A look inside the Kati Roll Company on 2nd Avenue



The plywood came down yesterday at 128 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street... providing a look at the new Kati Roll Company... EVG correspondent Derek Berg looked inside, where some workers were celebrating the near-completion of the space...









Kati Roll Company is expected to be open next week. This will be the fourth location in the city.


[EVG photo]

The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed here on March 30, 2015. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with landlord Icon Realty. (You can read that background here.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few more details about the Kati Roll Company coming to 2nd Avenue

Monday, September 12, 2016

A few more details about the Kati Roll Company coming to 2nd Avenue


[Photo from Saturday]

As you may recall, the owners of the Kati Roll Company are opening their fourth Manhattan location at 128 Second Ave., former home of the Stage.

The Kati crew is on the CB3 SLA committee docket this month for a beer-wine license at the space between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Kati withdrew from the July meeting.)

According to the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website ahead of tonight's meeting, Kati plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, until 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. (The questionnaire states that they will stop serving beer-wine at 4 a.m.)

In addition, the small space will have six tables seating 14 people.

And here's more about the restaurant via their website:

The signature dish of The Kati Roll Company, Kati Rolls, are made by wrapping warm paratha, a type of Indian flat bread, around a variety of meats, vegetables and cheese. Each ingredient is marinated in a proprietary blend of Indian spices, creating a distinctive taste available nowhere else. Rolls can also be wrapped with a whole wheat roti for a healthier option.

Diners may choose from a select few fillings like beef, chicken, lamb, egg, shrimp, mixed veggie patty, chana masala, paneer cheese or potatoes. The finished Kati Roll is wrapped in either a paratha or a whole wheat roti and served hot, making it a satisfying meal that can be enjoyed virtually anywhere.

Tonight's CB3-SLA meeting is at 6:30 in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed on March 30, 2015. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with landlord Icon Realty. (You can read that background here.)

Monday, July 11, 2016

Kati Roll Company still coming to 128 2nd Ave.


As we reported on July 1
, the owners of the Kati Roll Company have designs on opening their fourth Manhattan location at 128 Second Ave., former home of the Stage. According to paperwork filed ahead of this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting, they are seeking a beer-wine license here.

However, a look at tonight's meeting docket at the CB3 website shows that Kati is now a scratch...



A cancellation is a fairly frequent occurrence. As CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer said, "It is generally because information or paperwork is not finalized or negotiations with the landlord are not finalized to point where the applicant is ready to appear."

We asked Chris Coffey, a spokesperson for landlord Icon Realty, if Kati Roll was still coming to the space here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

"Kati Roll is moving forward with the space at 128 Second Avenue and we are excited to have them," he said via email.

While the liquor license paperwork is finalized, the former diner was gutted last week, as these photos via EVG correspondent Steven show...









Workers were also able to finally scrub off the spray-painted call for a boycott of this space...


[Photo from July 4]



The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed March 30, 2015. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with Icon. (You can read that background here.)

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Per Steven, the Stage signage came down today as workers put up the plywood for continued gut renovations...


Monday, July 4, 2016

Noted



As we reported back on Friday, the owners of the Kati Roll Company are looking to open their fourth Manhattan location at 128 Second Ave., former home of the Stage, according to preliminary paperwork filed ahead of this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting.

This spray-painted message arrived overnight here between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street...





The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed March 30, 2015. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with landlord Icon Realty. (You can read that background here.)

Reps for the the well-liked Kati Roll Company will be seeking a beer-wine license during the CB3-SLA committee meeting next Monday, July 11.

Friday, July 1, 2016

The late, great Stage slated to become the Kati Roll Company on 2nd Avenue



The owners of the Kati Roll Company have designs on opening their fourth Manhattan location at 128 Second Ave., former home of the Stage, according to preliminary paperwork filed ahead of this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting.

The restaurant serves the namesake Kati roll, made by wrapping warm paratha, a type of Indian flat bread, around a variety of meats, vegetables and cheese. The Kati Roll Company currently has locations on MacDougal Street and in Midtown East and Midtown West. (There's also a branch in London.)

According to the CB3 website, the owners will be seeking a beer-wine license for the Second Avenue space between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street.

The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed March 30, 2015. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with landlord Icon Realty. You can read that background here.

The July CB3-SLA committee meeting is July 11 at 6:30 p.m., in the Thelma Burdick Community Room - 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

'Gentrification in Progress' tape arrives at former Trash & Vaudeville and Stage Restaurant spaces

The tape arrived late Wednesday night outside the former Trash and Vaudeville storefront on St. Mark's Place ...



... and the Stage Restaurant on Second Avenue...



Thanks to EVG correspondent Steven for the photos (and H/T Ed B.)

Trash and Vaudeville closed after business on Sunday ahead of a move to 96 E. Seventh St. Rising rents and a change in the business environment on this block of St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue were among the reasons for the move. The Stage announced its permanent closure earlier on Wednesday.

The tape is the work of the artist GILF, who previously has cordoned off the Germania Bank Building at 190 Bowery with her creation.

Goodbye red lights #gentrificationinprogress

A photo posted by gilf! (@gilfnyc) on



Updated 6:30 a.m.

BoweryBoogie notes that GILF also placed the tape at the former St. Mark's Bookshop.

Updated 8 a.m.

Morning views...




[Photo by Lola Sāenz]

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Noted at the former Stage Restaurant



Someone has quickly expressed his or her displeasure to the news today that the Stage Restaurant at 128 Second Ave. will not be reopening... the fake NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene sign takes aim at landlord Icon Realty...



H/T Steven

The Stage Restaurant will not be reopening


[Photo Monday by Steven]

On Monday, the gates at the Stage Restaurant at 128 Second Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place were up... offering a glimmer of hope that the 35-year-old diner might be reopening.

That's not the case. The Stage said goodbye today on Facebook...

Today we officially close our doors....As overwhelmingly unfortunate as it is, it's always important to look on the...

Posted by Stage Restaurant on Wednesday, March 2, 2016


The 35-year-old diner has been closed since last March 30. Stage owner Roman Diakun was involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle here with landlord Icon Realty.

Icon, who bought the building in the fall of 2013, had accused the Stage of gas-tampering charges, which Diakun strongly denied.

Here's a second Facebook message from Diakun:

Dear wonderful and loyal customers, fans, friends, and neighbors,
It is with bittersweet emotions that we at Stage Restaurant are announcing that we are closing our doors permanently after 35 amazing years. The events of the year have been overwhelmingly devastating on us and we have decided to close the Stage’s door. Over the past year, we have resolved our dispute with the landlord and Icon Realty Management. Stage Restaurant never engaged in any wrongdoing; however, after our prolonged closure and because of the cost to make the repairs and expenses of reopening, we are sad to say that the Stage cannot reopen.

It has been our great honor and pleasure to serve and truly be a part of the community over the past 35 years. We are so grateful to all who have made the experience of running this restaurant in such a vibrant, and supportive area of this great city a remarkable and unforgettable journey for us. We will greatly miss our staff, many of which have put as much care and effort into the business as our family has. We would like to thank all of the customers we have had the pleasure of meeting for your business and friendships. Thank you all for your support, your signatures, your donations, and especially your kind words. We could not have realized our passion and love for nourishing and providing a place of comfort and gathering to the community without you all. Your loyalty, support, kindness and love have been a true blessing, and something we will never forget. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Roman Diakun

So good night...


[Photo by Michael Seto]

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Icon Realty serves the Stage an eviction notice

Stage owner Roman Diakun responds to allegations of illegally siphoning gas

Petition to help reopen the Stage

[Updated] The Stage is giving away its bulk food and supplies to charity

Report: The Stage is suing landlord Icon Realty to halt eviction process

The Stage is now crowdfunding to help in its legal fight with Icon Realty

Monday, October 26, 2015

Report: A small victory for the Stage vs. Icon Realty


[Photo last Tuesday by Steven]

In our post last week about the sidewalk message outside the Stage at 128 Second Ave., an EVG commenter had some info about a recent judge's decision about the ongoing legal battle here with landlord Icon Realty.

DNAinfo has more details about the order issued on Oct. 15 by Judge Nancy M. Bannon, which bars Icon from evicting the Stage based on gas-tampering charges, pending the outcome of the lawsuit owner Roman Diakun filed in the spring.

In addition to preventing an eviction based on the gas-siphoning claims, Bannon also ordered Stage to make “timely and full payments of all rent and additional charges as required by the lease,” according to court documents.

“It’s a nice victory for Stage but the case is not over, unfortunately,” said Diakun’s attorney Ross Kordas about the court’s most recent decision. “We hope that we can resolve it and be open soon.”

Diakun has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The landlord, however, remains convinced the restaurant worked on the gas lines illegally, putting the building’s tenants at risk, said representative Chris Coffey.

“We are confident that the right thing will happen and they will vacate that space,” he said.

Meanwhile, expect to continue seeing the gate down here between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street for the near future. Bannon ordered both parties to appear for a preliminary conference this coming Jan. 28, per DNAinfo.

The 35-year-old diner has been closed since March 30.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Icon Realty serves the Stage an eviction notice

Stage owner Roman Diakun responds to allegations of illegally siphoning gas

Petition to help reopen the Stage

[Updated] The Stage is giving away its bulk food and supplies to charity

Report: The Stage is suing landlord Icon Realty to halt eviction process

The Stage is now crowdfunding to help in its legal fight with Icon Realty

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

A partially opened gate at the Stage on 2nd Avenue


[Photo today by Steven]

There hasn't been much information about the status of the Stage at 128 Second Ave. The 35-year-old diner has been closed since March 30 here between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place during an ongoing legal tussle with landlord Icon Reality.

Today, though, several EVG readers noted that the gate was partially open, and a group of workers (one observer said they were wearing T-shirts for a plumbing company) were milling about out front. Another reader noted that the interior looked mostly cleared out, though the napkin holders and salt-and-pepper shakers remained on the counter.

Despite the possibly encouraging sight of an open gate, EVG correspondent Steven spotted owner Roman Diakun, who shook his head and said that there weren't any updates on the Stage's status.

In the aftermath of the deadly explosion across Second Avenue on March 26, Icon Realty accused the Stage of illegally siphoning gas, which was the basis for an eviction notice in April. Diakun has strongly denied the accusations, and sued the landlord to stop the eviction process... al the while, the diner has been shuttered.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The possibility that the Stage won't reopen on 2nd Avenue

City serves stop work order on Icon Realty-owned building for installing gas pipe without permit across from deadly 2nd Avenue blast zone (48 comments)

Petition to help reopen the Stage

Tenants at 128 2nd Ave. file suit against Icon Realty in housing court

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

[Updated] Report: Icon Realty serves the Stage an eviction notice

Stage owner Roman Diakun responds to allegations of illegally siphoning gas

Petition to help reopen the Stage

[Updated] The Stage is giving away its bulk food and supplies to charity

Report: The Stage is suing landlord Icon Realty to halt eviction process

The Stage is now crowdfunding to help in its legal fight with Icon Realty

Friday, May 1, 2015

The Stage is now crowdfunding to help in its legal fight with Icon Realty


[EVG file photo]

The Stage, currently embroiled in a legal battle with landlord Icon Realty, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help the diner reopen.

A quick recap: Icon Realty has accused the Stage of illegally siphoning gas, which was the basis for a recent eviction notice in the aftermath of the deadly blast across from the diner at 128 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street.

Roman Diakun, the owner of the 35-year-old diner, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Now Roman's son Andrew Diakun has started the campaign. Per YouCaring: "In order to clear the restaurant's name, and help us reopen, we have initiated a lawsuit against the landlord. If you can and you are willing to help, we ask you to donate so that we can attempt to sort things out, open up and return to our livelihood again."

In our last post on the Stage, several readers asked if there was a crowdfunding campaign. Here is the link to the site. Stage is hoping to raise $10,000. They are up to nearly $4,000 now in the campaign that began on Wednesday.

The Stage has been closed since March 30.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The possibility that the Stage won't reopen on 2nd Avenue

City serves stop work order on Icon Realty-owned building for installing gas pipe without permit across from deadly 2nd Avenue blast zone (48 comments)

Petition to help reopen the Stage

Tenants at 128 2nd Ave. file suit against Icon Realty in housing court

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

[Updated] Report: Icon Realty serves the Stage an eviction notice

Stage owner Roman Diakun responds to allegations of illegally siphoning gas

Petition to help reopen the Stage

[Updated] The Stage is giving away its bulk food and supplies to charity

Report: The Stage is suing landlord Icon Realty to halt eviction process

Thursday, April 2, 2015

The possibility that the Stage won't reopen on 2nd Avenue


[EVG photo from Monday]

As we first reported on Tuesday, the city issued a Stop Work Order at 128 Second Ave. for what they say was installation of a gas pipe and fittings without a permit.



According to DOB documents, a city inspector on Monday observed this taking place in the cellar of the Icon Realty-owned building, across Second Avenue from the site of the gas explosion that killed two men and brought down three buildings. (Officials have said that a gas pipe underneath 121 Second Ave. might have been "inappropriately accessed" by outside contractors.)

According to a report at Gothamist yesterday: "Some of [128 Second Ave.'s] tenants say they've heard they may be without gas for six to 12 months."

All this has put the Stage, housed in a storefront at 128 Second Ave., out of commission. The beloved diner was able to open for business last Friday and Saturday, but had to close on Monday without any gas for cooking.

A Stage regular spoke with owner Roman Diakun yesterday. Per the regular: "Unfortunately, he might have to close down the restaurant for good. It's going to take much longer to turn the gas on than one would think. Between plans, permits and checking every apartment ... it could take months."

There's also complaint on file with the city Tuesday claiming the following: "Customer is reporting a restaurant hooking up gas pipes. Name of restaurant is Stage."



One resident said that this was a bogus claim, which led to more finger pointing in a building that tenants say has been plagued with problems since Icon bought it in the fall of 2013.

Per Gothamist:

"Tenants have had issues from the get-go," Yonatan Tadele, a community organizer with the Cooper Square Committee, told us. He noted that since Icon took over in 2013, landlords had been taking rent-stabilized tenants to court, then terrorizing remaining tenants with lengthy renovations, frequent gas shutdowns and other quality-of-life issues.

On March 24, the tenants association at 128 Second Ave. filed an HP Action for Repairs and Services against Icon Realty in NYC Housing Court. Among other issues, the remaining residents claim that there is inconsistent heat, broken fire escapes and a lack of fire alarms in the building.

As for the landlord and the city's Stop Work Order, WNYC reported the following:

Mitch Kossoff, a lawyer representing building owner Icon Realty, said the owners were "puzzled" and not aware of any gas work being done.

Early last evening, an Icon rep sent this email to residents of 128 Second Ave., several copies of which landed in our inbox:

Please be assured that Smicon Realty is committed to providing safe and habitable housing to the tenants of New York City, and upon notification of any issues, promptly deals with them.

Unfortunately, and as a backlash of the recent and tragic circumstances that occurred across the street, Con Edison has shut off gas service to a number of buildings, our building included.

Please be assured that we are acting diligently to have the gas service restored as quickly as possible and in the interim, we are trying to make arrangements for a temporary boiler.

We are also going to provide all tenants with double burner hot plates so you can cook. We would like for all tenants who wish to relocate to a Hotel of your choice starting immediately.

For those tenants who are not otherwise in arrears, Management will cover up to $200 per day for your Hotel accommodations until the hot water has been restored building wide.

Management will not cover any expenses that exceed the $200 per diem. Please submit your Hotel receipts into our office for reimbursement.

Your reimbursement check will be processed within 30 business days of receipt.

Your rent will be adjusted accordingly for the days you are without heat and hot water.

We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience and hope to have this matter resolved in a timely manner.

Previously on EV Grieve:
City serves stop work order on Icon Realty-owned building for installing gas pipe without permit across from deadly 2nd Avenue blast zone (48 comments)

Monday, September 8, 2014

New sidewalk bridge temporarily keeps Stage owner from his restaurant



On Saturday afternoon, a crew arrived (unannounced) to erect a sidewalk bridge outside 128 Second Ave.

Unfortunately, this happened while the Stage was open for business. And when owner Roman Diakun (in the blue T-shirt below) had stepped away for a moment.

He had to helplessly watch for some 20 minutes while the crew blocked the door to the restaurant to build the safety structure, as these photos by EVG reader Jonathan Jones show.







As we first reported last fall, the building here just south of St. Mark's Place that houses the Stage was sold to rooftop-rager specialists Icon Realty. The building is currently undergoing a gut renovation. One remaining tenant says there aren't many residents left. It has not been easy here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Stage returns from holiday today



After a summer break that started on June 28 ... the Stage is back open today at 128 Second Ave. near St. Mark's Place. You may now go and eat large portions of delicious and inexpensive food again.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Vacation time for Stage Restaurant


[Photo by Sean Ganann via nycgo.com]

The Stage closes for a summer break after service tomorrow ... and Roman and company will be back on July 9.

Just noting this because they don't always put up a sign on the gate at vacation time here at 128 Second Ave. near St. Mark's Place.

Didn't want to cause any panic in case you saw them closed during usual business hours ... especially given some of the troubling talk here of late. While the building was sold, the Stage has five-plus years left on their lease.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Some love for the Stage Restaurant


[Photo by Michael Seto]

Oh, just catching up to this love-piece on the great Stage Restaurant at Fork in the Road from Thursday.

From Why Stage Restaurant Might Be the Best Diner in NYC:

Mid-afternoon, Roman Diakun, proprietor of the East Village's Stage Restaurant (128 Second Avenue, 212-473-8614), walks down from his apartment above to check in on his customers and items being prepped for dinner. Raised in Poland via Ukraine, Roman has owned the restaurant since 1980, and over the decades, he has seen the East Village become home to David Schwimmer's townhouse, green juice bars, and Momofuku. This city is still full of diners, and Stage remains one of the greatest.

Wooden siding and framed reviews from the early 1990's cover the walls at the Stage, and there's no bathroom here. There are also no tables, just one long, Formica-topped counter running the length of the narrow restaurant where first timers mingle with locals, Eastern Europeans, old-school East Village-beatniks, and hipster urban professionals. No one gets special treatment here. As a friend said, it's like a clubhouse with an open admission policy — all you need to do is walk in.

As we first reported, the building here just south of St. Mark's Place that houses the Stage was sold to Icon Realty last fall. Per Fork in the Road on this development: "Roman says the restaurant's future is uncertain, but it's got at least a few more good years left on the lease."

Back in October, we heard that the Stage had six years remaining on their lease.

Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

Monday, January 27, 2014

A look at three possibly endangered restaurants, courtesy of the Daily News

With so many closures of late, the Daily News files a story titled "In New York's tough restaurant marketplace, some fave places are on the endangered list."

The paper's list of five includes three in these parts — The Hat/El Sombrero, Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery and the Stage.

The Hat's situation has been well-covered here ... and here. The Ludlow Street classic remains open for now.

Meanwhile, Ellen Anistratov, the owner of Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery on East Houston, insists that she would like to expand the small knishery that opened in 1910. Still, she admits that business has been off. Per the News:


"In 2012, the city cut off two lanes of Houston St. for construction. Since most of Schimmel's customers now come from outside Manhattan, business tanked, and Anistratov feared she might have to shutter. For now, fanatical followers are keeping it afloat."

Finally, there's EVG favorite the Stage Restaurant on Second Avenue. There has been concern here since news broke that Icon Realty, not exactly known for appreciating preservation and EV institutions, bought the building that houses the Stage. We hear that there's five-plus years left on the lease.

Stage owner Roman Diakun told the News: "I haven't had discussions with the new owners. I haven't even seen them. I just keep sending checks." Business, he says, "has been OK, but a little tough. The Polish and Ukrainian people are mostly gone, and their kids left."

Recently, a rumor surfaced that John's Pizzeria in the Village was closing. Fortunately, that's not the case. But as Jeremiah Moss put it last week: "[I]t's a good reminder to take the time to enjoy the authentic New York places we still have. We know now that anything can vanish, no matter how successful and revered, at any time."

Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

128 Second Ave. has been sold

An appreciation: Yonah Schimmel's dumbwaiter