Monday, April 18, 2011

Wai? Cafe closes; Filipino cuisine coming here next

Several readers (Crazy Eddie, Blue Glass, Dale Goodson) noted that the unfussy, always-reliable Wai? Cafe on First Avenue near 12th Street has closed...


Coming soon in this space: Sa Aming Nayon, serving "authentic Filipino cuisine."


at

12 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Hopefully it will be reasonably priced. I can't tell if it's going to be a real neighborhood joint or if it's some kind of expensive, trendy, celebrity chef kind of place. I hope not. Here is some info from the CB3 website.

    "1) it will operate as a full- service Philippine restaurant, serving food to within one hour of closing, 2) it will maintain a closed fixed facade, 3) its hours of operation will be from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. Sundays through Thursdays and 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. Fridays and Saturdays, 4) its hours of operation for its backyard will be from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Mondays through Saturdays and 12:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Sundays, 5) it will have no bar, and 6) it will play ambient background music only, consisting of recorded music."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ken from Ken's KitchenApril 18, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Granted it's on the less desirable side of First Ave, but it's still pretty hard to imagine how, authentic Filipino cuisine or not, prices will be all that reasonable with restaurant owners holding a brand new 2011 lease in "boomtown" EV. And apparently without liquor, which is where the big profit margins are.

    ReplyDelete
  3. glammaApril 18, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    well that sucks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MelanieApril 18, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    WOW-- a long timer gone. I had no idea. This is sad.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Old Man 12BApril 18, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    I would hardly qualify Wai as a long time fixture - 12 years I think - to a life long neighborhood resident like myself they're new kids on the block - and i tried Wai again and again to be fair - and i thought the food, service and ambiance consistently bad -so No loss if you ask me - but what do I know? I eat most of my meals at Vesalka & Odessa (still miss Leshko's!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. OWRApril 18, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Yes, Cafe Wai was (Asian)Diner quality food. Now if they would only take Quantum Leap with them...

    ReplyDelete
  7. JeremyApril 19, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    Old man - you've eaten for over 12 years at Veselka and still don't know how to spell its name? Guess it must be the long lines and mediocre food that's getting to ya...

    ...or you're being sarcastic.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousApril 19, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Wai cafe was more of a take-out restaurant. It was kind of dumpy inside. There were some good things. Their fish was surprisingly so fresh and the steamed vegetables, brown rice and salad too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. cheeseApril 19, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Wai cafe had healthy and affordable food. Not all of us are looking for the ambiance of updated restaurants. It's definitely a loss.

    @OWR Diner quality? Is that a bad thing? The prices were cheaper than a diner and the food was healthier, so I'd say that's a compliment. I guess Goat Town is more your thing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousApril 19, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Found out that Wai Cafe is just moving to a new location in East Village according to their recorded message when I tried to call for a take out.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousApril 20, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Grieve - please update new location of Wai if you hear anything. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. MelissaApril 25, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Wai will reopen soon! They are planning on end of May/beginning of June. 182 Avenue B (btw 11th and 12th St) - right next to Spin City.

    ReplyDelete

Your remarks and lively debates are welcome, whether supportive or critical of the views herein. Your articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to an article are welcome.

However, commentary that is intended to "flame" or attack, that contains violence, racist comments and potential libel will not be published. Facts are helpful.

If you'd like to make personal attacks and libelous claims against people and businesses, then you may do so on your own social media accounts. Also, comments predicting when a new business will close ("I give it six weeks") will not be approved.