... it appears to be Zerza, the Mediterranean/Moroccan Restaurant & Bar that's now at 308 E. Sixth St.
They're on the docket for the next CB3/SLA meeting next Monday. According to the Zerza Web site, they feature hookas after 10 p.m. ... and there is belly dancing on the weekend ... I know nothing about Zerza, but the mere idea of hookahs and belly dancing in an Avenue B bar/restaurant brings up unpleasant memories of Le Souk and Layaly... and the Horus Cafe... By the way, as you may know, Carne Vale was owned by the Jacob brothers, who also run Le Souk...
9 comments:
WHO really owns this place? There is no need for more booze. The neighborhood still has a nasty hangover from the le souk swine. Chine One is still pretending to be a restaurant.
If you like walking on Avenue B anytime after dark show up and speak out against Zerza, ESPECIALLY loud if Le Souk has any illegal interest, AGAIN
I've never been to Zerza, but I do live on 6th St. The place is tiny and does not seem to draw loud or obnoxious crowds. I'm not sure what it would be live on Ave B, but it's not a problem where it is now.
Great news, I love Mediteranean food and loud music!!
aside from the liquor license issue there is the smoking police. smoking is still legal and a high "sin tax" is charged to smokers. still it's hard to find a place where you can smoke.
instead we have cigar and hookah bars allover the place (where you cannot smoke cigarettes).
while non-smokers have rights, so do smokers. get real folks. make it illegal of shut up.
and i'm glad i stopped smoking, i wouldn't be able to afford it now.
My name is Radouane and I came to the United States in 1994 as part of the Walt Disney World college program. I enjoyed working at the Moroccan Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando and sharing my culture with visitors was very much an enjoyable experience so the idea of opening a restaurant to became one of my goals.
In 1997 I was hired by the Plaza Hotel on 59th street and 5th Ave. I was the guest relations manager there, handling the Hotel’s VIP guests and its distinguished visitors. All along I never let go of the idea to open a restaurant so I started taking classes in entrepreneurial management, I secured a loan and I quit my job in 2003 to take the plunge!
In order to make the restaurant experience complete and more authentic, my mother, a talented chef, accepted my invitation and came from Morocco to be part of Zerza and till this day she has been the real magic behind it!
I am proud to say that for the past 7 years we have been operating Zerza, we never had a complaint from any neighbor. We strive to operate the restaurant in the highest standards of hospitality.
Fresh, authentic Moroccan home cooking has always been our first and foremost focus. Yes we did have belly dancing in the past (on Friday and Saturday for 15 minutes) but since I was never a fan of that I decided to stop it a very long time ago. After all belly dancing is not really part of the Moroccan culture! I don’t believe there is any mention of the belly dancing on our web site: www.zerza.com.
W are absolutely not about hookahs and we stopped serving it a long time ago, we had a few exceptions every once in a while for a few guests who requested it after their dinner just so they can try it. Hookahs are definitely not our draw. Many times we get customers who walk in asking if we serve hookahs but we just direct them to a hookah bar in the area.
Now you might ask why Ave B and here is the answer: Our current location is tiny, narrow and high rent! The location we are after on Ave B offers more space at a very reasonable rent! It is not going to be as big as you might previously know it: The landlord has taken half of the space and is turning it to an apartment, so it is going to be smaller but still better for us than the current space that we occupy.
I hope this gave you an idea of Zerza and its story. I hope we get a chance to show you that we will be a positive addition to your neighborhood.
Zerza is on face book! Please take a look at some of the guest’s interactions to get a better idea about. Also you are welcome to come and see us now at 308 East 6th street and judge for yourself.
Radouane
Hi Radouane,
Thank you very much for giving us some history of your restuarant... and what your plans are moving forward. I appreciate you being a good neighbor and explaining your intentions.
I am a neighbor and customer of Zerza. This is a small, family-owned restaurant serving delicious, home-cooked Moroccan food. In fact Radouane Eljaouhari's mother is the chef. People go to this restaurant to dine and appreciate the fine cuisine, unlike many of the other establishments in this community who cater to the drunken hordes and who are slowly destroyiing the East Village and Lower East Side. Zerza will be an asset to the neighborhood on Avenue B and will be missed on East 6th Street.
I am excited for Zerza coming to Avenue B. Needless to say, Zerza has added unique charm,class and cultural boost to the East Village. Zerza draws a diverse,classy, and unique caliber of guests. I am proud to associate myself as a longtime friend of Zerza and regular guest. The innovative and authentic home cooking that Zerza's executive chef produces, speaks to the originality of Zerza's management and their geniune efforts to be among the best culinary citizenry in the city. Zerza prides itself with how they approach New yorkers or visitors alike, by considering them guests at home. I have always felt and been treated as a guest. Personalized attention to regulars make one feel at home. I highly urge Avenue B residents to embrace this successful,young and ambitious restaurateur to continue his culinary excellence and bring your Avenue much acclaim and consideration.
I have been a long-time customer (approximately 6 years) of the restaurant Zerza. I have personally gotten to know the owner Radoune as well. Allow me to reassure all neighbors that Zerza has a quaint and relaxed vibe. It does not exude an obnoxious sense of trend nor exclusivity which naturally creates chaos outside of ordinary bars.
The belly dancing and hookah's are merely an enhancement to the high quality gourmet food in which the total Moroccan ambiance is set. The restaurant and it's environment I assure you will, as always, be kept neat, clean, and warmly inviting.
The belly dancing and hookah's are merely an enhancement to the high quality gourmet food in which the total Moroccan embiance is set.
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