Late yesterday afternoon I noticed that Bon Vivant, the Greek diner on Broadway near 12th Street, was closed... no sign out front... No one answered the phone when I called... I'm hoping that this is just temporary, like, something suddenly came up...
As New York magazine noted: "Imagine a prototypical old-school diner and, chances are, you’ll get a close approximation of Bon Vivant. Owned for decades by a Greek family, it has a huge illustrated menu, vinyl maroon booths, and chrome chairs." The Bon Vivant was especially welcome in a Broadway corridor filled with chain eateries such as Quizinos and Cosi...
[Update: Called again this morning and didn't get any answer...]
I remember walking by this place a few weeks back and it was completely vacant. Meanwhile, a few other restaurants up the block were packed with people. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI always liked this placed... used to eat here fairly often when I worked nearby...
ReplyDeleteanother closing by the bald man.
ReplyDeleteused to get the grilled cheese sandwich by the counter when i was living and working around the area, when that condo, former virgin store used to be a vacant lot. more people tend to go to cosi and max brenner's.
No way! I was around there last weekend and I think it was still opened. But my friends didn't want to eat there at that time.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad...
thoughtfulplate.wordpress.com
I walked by on Thursday and also noticed it was closed.
ReplyDeleteI never liked the food there.
ReplyDeleteYes, the food wasn't good there because they weren't serving $5 cupcakes, froyos, or $20 cocktails.
ReplyDeleteOh man. This was the first restaurant I ate at when I moved to the east village. I admit to not going back there very often, though. One of those places that I never went to very often but it was nice knowing it was there. I suppose many people felt the same way.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to see it gone too. My office is across the street and I've eaten there probably a thousand times, though less in recent years just because I decided I preferred my own cooking. I saw the sons of the owner - Tony - grow up working in there.
ReplyDelete.
Really hoping Tony and family are all fine.-- Virginia
http://ny.eater.com/tags/bon-vivant-diner
ReplyDeleteSome news - it's going to re-open. I will have to say they are right, business-wise, to change the place -- I bet the grown-up American-born sons have developed a plan -- but we'll miss it how it was.
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I always had either grilled cheese and bacon in there, or a burger. And it's true, we just don't eat that way so often anymore in NY. -- Virginia