A concept revamp for the Cienfuegos space on Avenue A

Ravi DeRossi is changing concepts at Cienfuegos, his Cuban-inspired rum bar-restaurant upstairs that opened nine-plus years ago at 95 Avenue A and Sixth Street.

The new space will be Honeybee's, specializing in plant-based Texas BBQ and bourbon and rye.

"It's been almost 10 years since I opened Cienfuegos," DeRossi said in an email. "It's still one of my favorite places, but it's time for a revamp. I was either going to update the decor, menu, etc., or completely change the concept. In the end I decided it would be a lot more fun to change the concept."

Like his other restaurants — LadyBird and Avant Garden, among them — the menu will be all vegan. He's still finalizing the food-and-drinks lineup and design.

Honeybee's is named after his dog, whom DeRossi said was a big influence on him removing the meat and dairy items from the menus in his establishments. (DeRossi started going meat free in early 2016 and launched BEAST Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to ending animal cruelty.)

The change from Cienfuegos to Honeybee's is on the agenda at tonight's CB3-SLA meeting. You can find a PDF of the application at the CB3 website.

The corner space on Avenue A and Sixth Street also houses two other DeRossi operations — Mother of Pearl and Amor y Amargo.

Cienfuegos adds some umbrellas to the mix

We've been keeping tabs on the Cienfuegos Cuban-eatery complex on Avenue A at Sixth Street ... looks like the sidewalk cafe is ready for action now ...

Sunday! (Photo by Bobby Williams)

Looks like some people were squinting, so yesterday...

... the Cienfuegos team added some umbrellas...

Not sure if this whole set up is lurch-proof and East Village-weekend battle-tested ...

Honeybee's debuts on Avenue A

Honeybee's is up and running now — as of Wednesday — at 95 Avenue A.

The restaurant, specializing in plant-based Texas BBQ and bourbon and rye, takes the place of Cienfuegos here at Sixth Street.

As we first reported back in November, restaurateur Ravi DeRossi said that it was time to change up concepts at Cienfuegos, which closed in January after nearly a 10-year run.

Time Out has a quick preview/review:

[T]he second-floor walk-up is made to look like a saloon from the Wild West meets a burlesque bar. The resulting effect is an environment that comes off a bit tacky, but with some damn good plant-based smoky dishes that are just as delicious and convincing as when made with real meat. The offerings which span "ribs," pulled "pork," and burnt ends (made from alternatives like seitan and mushrooms) are prepared with traditional BBQ techniques: brining, marinating, smoke-infusion and roasting.

Food & Wine also has a preview/review, only with more adjectives:

[Chef Amira] Gharib — who spent the last six months at chef Daniel Boulud Upper West Side Mediterranean fixture Boulud Sud, and before that two years at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s lauded Matador Room in Miami — prepares bites like crispy cauliflower hot wings and queso chorizo dip to pair beside longtime New York bar vet Sother Teague’s bourbon and rye-soaked libations.

And...

“I tried to keep my [barbecue] methods as traditional as possible,” says Gharib, who says that she’s conjuring flavors of the American South with a low temperature smoker, a stove top cooker, and a cold smoker. Her menu is built from a balance between vegetables and protein replacements made from soy or gluten, and enriched with house-made, plant-based takes on staple Southern ingredients like heavy cream, buttermilk, and sour cream — each made from a soy milk base.

The corner space on Avenue A and Sixth Street also houses two other DeRossi operations — Mother of Pearl and Amor y Amargo.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A concept revamp for the Cienfuegos space on Avenue A

Cienfuegos bows out to make way for Honeybee's on Avenue A

As expected, Cienfuegos wrapped up its nine-plus-year run on the second floor at 95 Avenue A on New Year's Eve.

Back in November, owner Ravi DeRossi told me that it was time to change up concepts at the space. This spring, Honeybee's, specializing in plant-based Texas BBQ and bourbon and rye, will make its debut.

Like his other restaurants — LadyBird and Avant Garden, among them — the menu will be all vegan.

DeRossi told Eater that he's experimenting with a blend of mushrooms and other vegetables to create his own "meat" patties.

He says he wants to avoid “fake meat” products like seitan — instead honing in on vegetable dishes with barbecue flavors.

DeRossi brought on chef Amira Gharib to helm the kitchen. She’s spent time in fine-dining kitchens like Daniel Boulud’s Boulud Sud and Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Matador Room in Miami.

At Honeybee’s, drinks will center almost exclusively on whiskey, specifically rye and bourbon, a first for the cocktail bar owner. All-American craft beers will also be served, he says.

The corner space on Avenue A and Sixth Street also houses two other DeRossi operations — Mother of Pearl and Amor y Amargo.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A concept revamp for the Cienfuegos space on Avenue A

More on 95 Avenue A: Private chef's lounge and a rum punch bar

Keep seeing more details about what's coming to 95 Avenue A at Sixth Street. Sounds like quite the little empire. This detail is from Metromix:

From a team featuring alum from Mayahuel, Death & Co., and Bourgeois Pig, Carteles is the first of a four-part planned series of Cuban-themed bars and restaurants collectively known as Cienfuegos. The other phases include a rum punch bar, a more formal Cuban restaurant, and a private chef's lounge, but for now this tiny storefront is serving a menu of carefully curated sandwiches.

This all suddenly seems like less of a restaurant and more of a scene.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon: Work starts on Cienfuegos at long-dormant (and soon-to-be-expanded) 95 Avenue A

Something finally coming to 95 Avenue A

Out with the rum, in with the gin: Cuban-influenced Cienfuegos turning British

[Photo from March 2011 by Bobby Williams]

We're still sorting through the various media accounts and eyewitness recollections from Monday night's CB3/SLA committee meeting... Here's an item of interest via Eater's coverage yesterday.

Over on Avenue A at Sixth Street, the Cienfuegos team was on the docket to change their operation. The big transformation comes with the main space — El Cobre — on the ground floor, where they serve Cuban tapas and mojitos:

They want to keep the upstairs restaurant the same but downstairs they want to run an English fish and chips restaurant. They were approved and are keeping within the same method of operation and hours of use. It will now be called Gin Palace, focusing on gin cocktails and old style English pub fare featuring a selective fish 'n' chips menu.

So, if we have this straight ... the Cuban-influenced rum bar upstairs remains the same... ditto for the bitters tasting room called Amor y Amargo, which replaced the sandwich shop Carteles. And the main space, which opened in December, will now serve fish 'n' chips.

Suppose this means a change in the decor. El Cobre is named after the town where Cuba's patron saint is located... a duplicate statue is on display inside the restaurant ...

[Bobby Williams]

At Cienfuegos, paint it black

Just the other day, we pointed out that the Cienfuegos Cuban-eatery complex on Avenue A at Sixth Street had unveiled its new sidewalk cafe...

And two readers commented on the matter, and neither was too kind:

glamma said...
that picket fence just looks so freakin stupid.

RyanAvenueA said...
i agree. for some reason it just really irks me. They did some interesting decorating that ruined it with that lumber liquidator fencing.

Well!

Yesterday, workers painted the fences black... better?

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Previously.

Will El Cobre be an El Shitshow?

After sitting dormant for several years, the restaurant space on Sixth Street at Avenue A finally got a new tenant in the fall of 2009 after CB3 enthusiatically endorsed a full liquor license (and within a resolution area) for the Cienfuegos complex that eventually included take-out sandwich shop Carteles and a fancy rum bar called Cocteleria....



Grub Street's Jenny Miller reports this week that El Cobre, the main-floor eatery, is opening very soon... We walked by last evening, and it sure looked ready for action — minus diners...



... Per Grub Street, El Cobre is named after the town where Cuba's patron saint is located... a duplicate statue is on display inside...



The CB3 license is also good for a sidewalk cafe, so expect a foodie shitshow here come warm-weather months...

By the way, the food at Carteles gets high marks from some readers (try the sancocho!) ... though, as the crowds descended on the upstairs rum bar...



...waits for take-out on weekend nights got too long for some neighbors ... (same kitchen services Carteles and Cocteleria... and, presumably, El Cobre...) ... The neighbors moved on to make way for the weekend warriors.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The future of 95 Avenue A

Something finally coming to 95 Avenue A

Coming soon: Work starts on Cienfuegos at long-dormant (and soon-to-be-expanded) 95 Avenue A

Renovations under way for a Gin Palace on Avenue A

Changes are taking place on Avenue A and East Sixth Street...

EV Grieve reader Creature sends along these photos of the Cuban-flavored Cienfuegos space... The big transformation comes with the main space — El Cobre — on the ground floor. The owners have decided to change concepts. As Eater pointed out in November, the new space will house an English fish and chips restaurant called Gin Palace, "focusing on gin cocktails and old style English pub fare."

No word on an opening date. There's no mention of this development on the Cienfuegos website.

Coming soon: Work starts on Cienfuegos at long-dormant (and soon-to-be-expanded) 95 Avenue A

As you may recall, the CB3 enthusiastically approved a liquor license (a new application in a resolution area, no less) for Cienfuegos, a Cuban eatery that will open on the corner of Sixth Street and Avenue A. This prime chunk of EV real estate has sat empty since that place called Le Zoccole shuttered...

Anyway, work permits have been issued for the restaurant, which will be run by folks currently or formerly associated with Mercer Kitchen, Death & Co. and Bourgeois Pig...



And it appears as if the space behind the restaurant is also being utilized....



According to the work permits: "INCREASE NUMBER OF OCCUPANCY FOR RESTAURANT.OBTAIN NEW CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY."

By the way, CB3 also approved the sidewalk cafe for this spot...this promises to be a scene, and not necessarily in a good way...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The future of 95 Avenue A

Something finally coming to 95 Avenue A

Peeling off the Gin Palace plywood on Avenue A and East Sixth Street

Workers this morning are removing the plywood at the Cienfuegos space on Avenue A and East Sixth Street...

January!

[EVG reader Creature]

And now, via Dave on 7th...





The former El Cobre on the ground floor is gone. The owners decided to change concepts. As Eater pointed out in November, the new space will house an English fish and chips restaurant called Gin Palace, "focusing on gin cocktails and old style English pub fare."

Time Out notes that the latest venture from Ravi DeRossi opens on Wednesday. They got the first look inside ... and report:

Although the bar takes its name from the swank gin joints of 1800s London, the decor channels a steampunk aesthetic with a space-age chandelier crafted from green-neon-lit bars, brass bands and light doodads; black-patent-leather walls; and a ceiling painted to resemble watch gears.

So, if we have this Cienfuegos stuff straight (which, we probably don't, as we've never been inside) ... the Cuban-influenced rum bar upstairs remains the same... ditto for the bitters tasting room called Amor y Amargo, which replaced the sandwich shop Carteles. And the main space will now serve fish 'n' chips.

Previously.

East Village Eatery etc.: Leaving Lady GaGa unattended at ApizzA; riding bartenders at Cheap Shots; building a sidewalk cafe at Cienfuegos

The former Pinisi Bakery branch on First Avenue near First Street has quickly morphed into a /sandwich/noodle/rice shop....



Cienfuegos, a four-part planned series of Cuban-themed bars and restaurants at Sixth Street and Avenue A, is getting its shelter for the planned sidewalk cafe...



...and during yesterday's rain, parts of the overhang were flapping around in the wind....



Subtle humor at Cafe 81 on Seventh Street... "Beat off the heat..."



Gem Spa is seeing some daylight...




...and the punching game thing is gone!



The recently reopened Hanover Cafe at the former Mondo Kim's on St. Mark's has yet another addition...hope the sushi bar was put in after they were shuttered....



ApizzA's Lady Gaga sidewalk board on Avenue A was left unattended Saturday morning!



This would look cool in the Grieve living room, which is also the kitchen.



And just checking out another recent chalkboard sign at Cheap Shots/Spanky's on First Avenue ... Hey, working here people!



...still definitely leaving the youthful crowd behind!

Cienfuegos adding a 'bitters tasting room'

Looks as if some new elements are being added to the Cienfuegos Cuban-eatery complex on Avenue A at Sixth Street... First, EV Grieve reader Creature notes that Carteles, the one-time sandwich shop here...

...will now be Amor Y Amargo — "a bitters tasting room" ... and a few other things...

Meanwhile, EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams noted some work being done on EL Cobre, the main restaurant yesterday ...

Later in the day, Bob Arihood took this photo... looks as if they'll be some open-air dining-drinking now on the corner...

[Via Nadie Se Conoce]

And, as a PS, El Cobre is named after the town where Cuba's patron saint is located... a duplicate statue is on display inside...

[Bobby Williams]

Previously

Mother of Pearl softly opens on Avenue A and East 6th Street

Several EVG readers have pointed out that the northwest corner of Avenue A and Sixth Street has a new look with the (soft) opening tonight of Mother of Pearl.

Owner Ravi Derossi's tiki-influenced bar replaces Gin Palace, one of the three bars (along with Cienfuegos and Amor y Amargo) that make up 95 Avenue A. The Gin Palace space was reportedly gutted during building repairs in late 2014 and early 2015.

Mother of Pearl officially opens tomorrow night. You can read previews of the place at Zagat and Eater.



Here is the menu via Eater...

Mother of Pearl

Previously on EV Grieve:
The 'Postmodern Polynesian' of Mother of Pearl replacing Gin Palace on Avenue A

Ravi DeRossi plans vegan diner in former Bar Virage space

Ravi DeRossi is looking to expand his vegan empire with a new concept — the Dollface Diner.

The East Village-based restaurateur is on the February CB3-SLA committee docket (the meeting is Feb. 11) for a new liquor license for the former Bar Virage space on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street.

To date, just the preliminary application is on file at the CB3 website, so there aren't many details yet on what to expect.

We reached out to DeRossi for more details on the concept, which was first mentioned during a #EatForThePlanet with Nil Zacharias podcast in the fall of 2017.

At that time, DeRossi described Dollface as a 24/7 vegan diner, a "family-friendly space" with pastries, ice cream, milk shakes and egg creams. (In the same podcast, he discussed plans to take this concept, along with Avant Garden Sandwich Co., a plant-based sub-sandwich shop, national.)

If the Dollface application gets approval, then this will make DeRossi's fourth establishment along Seventh Street, joining Ladybird, Fire & Water and Avant Garden.

Meanwhile, he's currently changing concepts at Cienfuegos, which is undergoing a revamp to a plant-based Texas BBQ joint called called Honeybee's at 95 Avenue A and Sixth Street.

Bar Virage closed in late December after 20-plus years in business. No reason was cited for the closure.

Photo by Steven

Week in Grieview

A busy week ... thanks to everyone for all the lively comments...

We had news of a new burger place coming to Second Street (Monday)

Kenny Scharf's mural was bombed (Tuesday) and cleaned (Wednesday)

We reported that Acme Bar & Grill abruptly closed (Tuesday) before hearing that the owner suddenly changed his mind (Tuesday)

We looked at a penthouse duplex connected by a stainless-steel slide (Thursday)

A lot of cops showed up to apprehend someone who tagged Angels & Kings (Thursday)

We found out about changes coming to Cienfuegos (Friday)

A ressident told us about life at the renovated 325 E. 10th St. (Wednesday)

Tagging Joe Strummer (Thursday)

We found out about the "hipster trap" (Monday)

The CB3/SLA rejected application for a new Avenue A music venue (Monday)

A resident took offense to the "Hot Chicks Room" sign at the UCB (Monday) ... and the UCB agreed to remove the sign (Wednesday)

On that topic... here's the WPIX news item on the matter...

 

95 Avenue A, home of Gin Palace, is apparently sinking

That's the word from owner Ravi DeRossi, who told Eater that the building that houses Cienfuegos, Amor y Amargo and Gin Palace is currently sinking into the ground.

To remedy the situation at 95 Avenue A (at East Sixth Street), Gin Palace will close after service this evening while crews address the structural issues. (The other two bars will somehow remain open.)

The Gin Palace Facebook page estimates they will be closed for two months.

Week in Grieview

[Photo on Avenue A last Sunday by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Remembering a few of our friends and neighbors who died in 2018 (Monday)

Cuomo calls off full L-train shutdown (Thursday) Reactions and questions over Gov. Cuomo's surprise subway announcement (Friday)

A visit to Rossy's Bakery & Café on 3rd Street (Thursday)

East Village in Images 2018 (Tuesday)

Webster Hall returns this spring (Thursday)

Metropolis Vintage is on the move to a larger space nearby on Broadway (Wednesday)

Report: Suspect arrested in connection with sexual assaults in the East Village dating to 2014 (Saturday)

The Continental has likely closed for good on 3rd Avenue (Wednesday)

Sushi by M opens on 4th Street (Wednesday)

Juicy Lucy's 1st Street outpost is on a winter break (Thursday)

New tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place — REVEALED (Friday)

Cienfuegos bows out to make way for Honeybee's on Avenue A (Friday)

This 12th Street penthouse includes a home gym, screening room and 1,600sf guest apartment (Wednesday)

The art of Sir Shadow and the remaining residents of the Whitehouse Hotel on the Bowery (Monday)

... and checking in on the New Year's Resolution on 14th Street...



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