Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Ciao For Now now open on Tuesdays starting today (Tuesday!)

With the arrival of fall, Ciao For Now, the cafe-bakery on 12th Street between and Avenue A and Avenue B, will now open on Tuesdays — starting today.

Ciao For Now's hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Rent a former Duane Reade on Broadway



The Duane Reade on Broadway (with an entrance on Eighth Street) is vacant and on the market. I don't know when this location closed. The retail listing for the space (rent available upon request) is dated from Sept. 22.

Anyway, there's a Walgreens nearby...



The Duane Reade further south on Broadway near Bleecker closed this past summer...



Meanwhile, the Duane Reade on Union Square is also available for sub-leasing.

Several Duane Reades have been closing around the city, including three on the Upper West Side and one on Canal and Broadway.

Construction watch: 363 Lafayette



Here's a look at 363 Lafayette, where work has passed the halfway mark on a 10-floor, mixed-used building rising at Great Jones.

The office building will feature a showroom on the ground floor and community facility space on the second floor and part of the third floor, as New York Yimby previously reported.

The property stretches south to Bond Street...





Morris Adjmi is the architect of record. Here's more from his firm's website:

This office building’s fanning setback was inspired by the unique wedge-shaped site. With its brick cladding and contemporary terracotta detailing, this office building reflects the architectural character of the NoHo Historic District.

And a rendering...



Ironstate Development is behind this project. Their work in the neighborhood includes The Jefferson, the condoplex at the site of the former Mystery Lot.

This parcel of land hasn't been without controversy. In 2008, artist Chuck Close, whose studio is next door at 20 Bond St., filed a lawsuit against the previous property owner, Olmstead Properties, to prevent the construction of a 6-floor office building. He argued that the new development would block the building’s natural light, which he and other artists at No. 20 need for their work.

Ironstate's original proposal for the space included the 10 stories covering the side windows of No. 20. Those plans were later modified.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Jones Diner lot on Lafayette primed for new development

[Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images]

Monday, September 25, 2017

Coming soon to the Village East — 'Point Blank,' Joan Crawford and a troglodyte, and Black Sabbath



A few things to note at City Cinemas Village East, Second Avenue at 12th Street... on Wednesday evening, there's a 50th-anniversary screening of the Lee Marvin crime thriller "Point Blank." (Details here.) Then on Thursday night, the Hedda Lettuce special screening is of "Trog," Joan Crawford's last feature film. (Details here.) It is a very special film...



Speaking of the end, there's also a screening Thursday evening of "The End of the End," documenting Black Sabbath's last show. (Details here.)

And next week! The start of Hitchcocktober...

Frisson Espresso coming to 3rd Avenue



Frisson Espresso, a 3-year-old cafe on West 47th Street, is opening an outpost on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street...



This is on the west side of the Avenue that has been under a sidewalk bridge for what seems like ages... the previous tenant here, the OJ Gallery, a custom frame shop, didn't make it a year.



Frisson Espresso will have competition — from several places, but the new Bean across the Avenue in particular.

As No. 320 turns: 5 restaurants have come and gone in this space in 1 year



It appears is if 320 E. Sixth St. is without a restaurant again... the gates have been down here between First Avenue and Second Avenue on recent weekends...



This past summer, Mazmaza was the latest restaurant to try the space... taking over from Amoun Moroccan Mediterranean Cuisine & Lounge, which relocated here from the Upper East Side.

There has been a lot of changes at No. 320 since September 2016, when Zerza announced it was closing for renovations. It turned into 'Merica, co-founded by Zach Neil, an owner of the Tim Burton-themed Beetle House as well as the now-closed Stay Classy on Rivington Street. 'Merica, which aspired to satirize the "real America," closed after three weeks in business... with Zerza returning to service for several months.

Cheers Cut makes it (more) official on St. Mark's Place



The Cheers Cut signage (temporary?) went up this past Thursday at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

As previously reported, Cheers Cut serves Taiwanese-inspired fast food, including fried chicken and seafood dishes and a variety of bento boxes and noodles.

This will be the fifth location for the chainlet. A worker said that they could be open as soon as this week.

Updated:

Cheers Cut is now open.

H/T Steven

Mani in Pasta coming to 14th Street



Signage is up now at 245 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue for Mani in Pasta, as these photos via EVG reader Miles show...



The sign promises "Roman Style Pizza & Cucina." They also have a location on East 37th Street.

As Miles reminded me, this won't be the first time the space has had a pizza establishment. Before Mimi's Hummus, the address was Wicked Wolf BBQ (which served $1 pizza) and Joey Pepperoni's.

Also: H/T EVG reader Shiv!

Mark Burger won't be back around here



As we first reported on Wednesday, Mark Burger closed at 33 St. Mark's Place.

The sign on the front door here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue reads: "Gone for now but not for good. Thanks to the ones who still believe in Mark. Our sliders don't have an expiration date."

Bedford + Bowery later caught up with their GM, Brian Pollock, who said the "rent is too high, it’s too hard to keep up."

And:

He added that the neighborhood has changed considerably since the restaurant opened its doors eight years ago. "It’s a place where people used to go for dive bars, to get a hot dog at Papaya King," he said. "Now people go for cocktails and noodles. It’s not necessarily good or bad but, unfortunately, it’s not as suited for us."

He said that they may reopen in some form, but not in this neighborhood.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Sunday's parting shot



A view downtown via Bobby Williams...

Noted



Sixth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue this evening...

Week in Grieview


[Ping-pong variation in Tompkins Square Park via Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

East Village resident sues State Liquor Authority over bottomless brunches (Thursday)

RIP Diane Maguire (Friday)

7th Street townhouse once owned by John Leguizamo to be demolished for new development (Tuesday)

Out and About with Pepe Flores (Wednesday)

Final date set for Clayworks Pottery on 9th Street (Tuesday)

Judge lets Steve Croman postpone his sentencing so he may celebrate the Jewish holidays at home (Tuesday)

The East River Park Track is now closed for renovations; September 2018 reopening expected (Tuesday)

A sneak preview of the world's largest rhino sculpture, coming to Astor Place early next year (Wednesday)

Kona Coffee and Company coming to 2nd Avenue (Friday)

First Hints of Fall (Monday)


[Breakfast with Christo via Steven]

City moves to potentially landmark 827-831 Broadway (Wednesday)

Willow tree post mortem at La Plaza (Tuesday)

The final print edition of The Village Voice is out today (Wednesday)

Capa Café now serving inside the International Center of Photography on the Bowery (Friday)

Mayor forms Office of Nightlife (Thursday)

Intermix has left the Bowery (Monday)

Some condoplex pricing (Monday)

Wagamama opens Oct. 4 on 3rd Avenue (Wednesday)

Dr Smood is now in on Houston and Orchard (Wednesday)

Drumming up some dumpster action outside Webster Hall (Tuesday)

The rent is due at the former DF Mavens (Monday)

Smoke Shop & Convenience Inc. slated for 14th Street (Monday)

---

Follow EVG on Instragram and/or Twitter for more updates

In search of drunk-brunch answers at the Post

This past week, East Village resident Robert Halpern sued the State Liquor Authority over a loophole in the 1999 law that allows bottomless brunches.

Steve Cuozzo uses that as a jumping off point in a column at the Post. Drunk brunch, and drinking in general among the millennial set, is a citywide scourge, he writes.

There’s never been as much binge boozing as there is today. It stretches far beyond the Lower East Side’s infamous “Hell Zone” to Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg and Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side. In the Meatpacking District, vomit on the pavement makes me cringe more than smelly carcasses once did. Even hotel rooftops and high-end restaurants are affected: Top chef Michael White actually employs a bouncer to stand on Lafayette Street to protect his Italian trattoria Osteria Morini from “young, affluent, intoxicated people stumbling from one place to the next,” a manager explained to me.

Any explanations?

A few causes of this drunken oblivion are obvious. Affluent young singles cluster in neighborhoods oversaturated with saloons. Restaurants promote “beverage programs” more than food.

Some media outlets seem bent on driving half the youthful population into AA. Time Out New York’s September issue feature on the craft-beer scene is blurbed on the magazine’s cover as “67% information, 33% inebriation.”

Also! Citing stats that show Manhattan is home to 38 percent more women than men among recent college graduates, Cuozzo believes the imbalance is driving this demographic to drink.
What’s that got to do with binge drinking? When gender expectations are wildly out of sync, anxiety is soothed with alcohol’s fast-acting flood of relief.

A look at the new #212wall



EVG reader Kerry on 12th shares the above photo, noting the new murals — called the #212wall — on the northwest corner of 12th Street at Second Avenue.

Here's a look at each mural ... (these replaced the mural here that had been tagged multiple times ... work started Thursday and wrapped up Friday)...


[@Hektad]


[thomasallen_nyc]


[@megzany]


[@acool55 + @outersource]


[@wrdsmth]


[@phoebenewyork]

H/T @just_a_spectator

Baohaus closed for renovations for now on 14th Street



Just noting that Eddie Huang's Baohaus has been closed since last Sunday... and will be so for another few weeks here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...



Huang, the chef-author-TV personality, will reportedly open an outpost on the Bowery in Chinatown. (This location was seeking a full liquor license last month. Not sure what the outcome was.)

The quick-serve Taiwanese restaurant opened on 14th Street in 2011... the original Rivington Street location closed shortly after this.

H/T EVG reader Shiv!

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Saturday's parting (moon) shot



Photo via Grant Shaffer ...

2nd Street firehouse collecting donations of hurricane-relief supplies for Puerto Rico

Mayor de Blasio announced yesterday that more than a dozen firehouses across the city will be collecting supplies to send to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

In the East Village, Engine 28/Ladder 11 at 222 E. Second St. between Avenue B and Avenue C will be accepting donations daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Below is a list of items NYC is collecting:

• Diapers
• Baby food
• Batteries
• First Aid Supplies
• Feminine Hygiene Products

From the media advisory: "Please note the City is only collecting the items listed above. All donated items must be non-perishable, not second-hand, nor contain any liquids of any kind. Open or unsealed donations of food or hygiene supplies will not be accepted. Wet wipes will also not be accepted. Any other items will be kindly returned."

Safely dispose of your harmful household products tomorrow (Sunday!) in Union Square



This SAFE Disposal Event is happening tomorrow (Sunday!) in the north plaza in Union Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Per the NYC.gov site:

The NYC Department of Sanitation is holding a series of SAFE Disposal Events (Solvents, Automotive, Flammable, Electronics) to provide NYC residents with a one-stop method to get rid of harmful household products.

Materials accepted include common household products such as auto fluids, batteries, electronics, strong cleaners, medications, paint and more.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Welcome to the 'Machine'



V, the latest record by the Horrors, is out today. The above video is for "Machine."

Noted



Photo in Tompkins Square Park this morning by Derek Berg... apparently Deborah, the Park's gardener, collected these from nearby into one spot to dispose...

EVG Etc.: Guide to the L train shutdown; premiere of 'Hunting Pignut' at MoRUS


[Photo on St. Mark's Place by Derek Berg]

Department of City Planning debuts community portal, which brings together basic demographic information about each community board (The Lo-Down)

L train shutdown: everything you need to know (Curbed)

More on the lawsuit over bottomless brunch, with a report that concludes with the trolling quote: "I mean it’s the East Village, it’s the most upcoming neighborhood in Manhattan. If you’re not happy with the alcohol usage in this neighborhood – maybe its time to move out." (PIX ... previously)

Prune, still got it (The New York Times)

The Astor Alive! outdoor performing arts festival returns to Astor Place tomorrow for a day of dance, music, poetry, cabaret, etc. (Facebook Events page)

More on Richard Boch's Mudd Club book (Dangerous Minds)

Van Leeuwen opening an outpost in the former Ludlow Guitars space (BoweryBoogie)

East Village podcaster looking for new home for his studio (Daily News)

Mayor says 50 electric car charging hubs coming to NYC by 2020 (DNAinfo)

Local brands will disappear from Whole Foods (Money)

Tomorrow (Saturday!) night, the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) at 155 Avenue C is showing "Hunting Pignut," a coming-of-age film set in the Newfoundland punk scene that's now in limited release in Canada. It is based on the life of writer/director/editor Martine Blue, who lived in C-Squat on Avenue C for seven years. The film is inspired by her friends and her time here.



Her first film, "El Evictor," will precede "Pignut," a B-horror short filmed at C-Squat. Slum Goddess has a part in it. Find more details on the screenings here.

The screening starts at 8 p.m., and is followed by a Q-and-A with Blue.

And tonight, there's a party at Scumbags & Superstars, which sells "clothing and accessories for weirdos" down at 100 Clinton St. between Rivington and Delancey... a good chance to check out the store...

Kona Coffee and Company coming to 2nd Avenue



Work continues at 59 Second Ave., where sidewalk-bridge signage has arrived for Kona Coffee and Company here between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Don't know too much about this operation. Their Facebook account notes that their beans "come from small, family-owned farms in Kona."

This is already a pretty competitive stretch for coffee, with the Bean set up almost directly across the Avenue ... and the Coffee Project and Southern Cross on Fifth Street just off the Avenue. (Not to mention two corner delis.)

Until October 2015, the address was home to Alex Shoe Repair, whose lease was not renewed after the building's new owner Icon Realty bought the property in early 2015.

RIP Diane Maguire



Several readers shared the news that Ninth Street resident Diane Maguire died on Saturday. She was 59.

Diane grew up on Sullivan Street and eventually moved to this block between Avenue A and First Avenue. She could be seen on most days sitting outside on her building's stoop with her dog Josie talking to neighbors.

There's an obituary for her here. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Someone left flowers and a poem, titled "Crazy Lady," in the doorway of her building. Said one reader: "She always lit up the neighborhood and talked to everyone who passed by ... usually telling a dirty joke as well, asking what the difference is between sex and snow..."



Thanks to Michelle Simes for the photos and Steven for the reporting.

Capa Café now serving inside the International Center of Photography on the Bowery



The Capa Café is now up and running inside the International Center of Photography (ICP), 250 Bowery between Houston and Stanton.

A Café rep sent along details yesterday ... via the EVG inbox...

The International Center of Photography ... is tapping Great Performances (GP), the sustainability oriented New York City food service and events company, to re-invent and operate the ICP Museum’s café. Reimagined and debuting this fall as the Capa Café — a nod to ICP founder and noted photojournalist, Cornell Capa — the 40-seat eatery features a revamped menu, complete with a robust coffee and tea offering as well as seasonally sensitive fare for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, including baked on-site breads and pastries, made-to-order sandwiches, and hot entrées.

The Café will also unveil a new look later this month, per the announcement. The Capa Café is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.



The ICP opened here in June 2016. Maman, which ran the first cafe in the space, quietly closed back in March, as BoweryBoogie reported. Another cafe later opened in its place.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

City installs pre-tagged Big Belly on 7th Street and Avenue A



This afternoon, Derek Berg noted that a worker delivered a Big Belly to the northeast corner of Avenue A and Seventh Street ... one that, ingeniously or not, had already been tagged... (save someone the trouble of doing it later) ...



Back in June, workers placed these solar-powered trash cans in and around Tompkins Square Park as part of the city's $32-million plan to combat vermin in rat-popular neighborhoods, like here. (As I recall, the northeast corner of 7th and A didn't have its own Big Belly.)

As previously noted, the rat-proof trash cans — which cost $7,000 each, per the Daily News — might work when they are not full or have trash stacked next to them...


[Sept. 2]


[Sept. 9]