Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Mediterranean Grill and the Efendi Hookah Lounge have apparently closed on 1st Avenue



Workers were spotted yesterday clearing out the space at 128 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street … home of the Mediterranean Grill and the Efendi Hookah Lounge next door…



Thanks to EVG reader Raquel Shapira for the photos…





The space, which was previously home to Kebab Garden, has been on Craigslist for weeks.

Now, let's all have some wishful thinking for the return here of La Focacceria!
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 20, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    La Focacceria! Thanks for reminding us of such a great place, run by the grandfatherly cook and owner who personally greeted you at the door. Classico, 100 percent. The only other family-style Italian place left is Frank's on First and 21 Street.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EV GrieveMay 20, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    @ anon

    Sure thing! I was trying to find a photo of La Focacceria last night.. I know I have some somewhere in my jumbled mess of a photo archive... I think I have a menu too...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 20, 2014 at 10:49 AM

    I miss the signage with the faux burning flames. It was kinda fun.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 20, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    Fuck that... I only got back into going to them 2 weeks ago... Shit, I should have gone back earlier;(

    ReplyDelete
  5. WalterMay 20, 2014 at 8:15 PM

    Every time I read this blog I get more and more depressed. Well, at least I can hold on to the memories.

    ReplyDelete
  6. WalterMay 21, 2014 at 1:34 AM

    There used to be so many great restaurants down here, pre EV boom. The one I probably miss the most was "Orchidia" on 9th and 2nd. Italian - Ukrainian food. They were all affordable for people living in the neighborhood. Now it's mostly trendy, overpriced eateries catering to tourists. One of my pet peeves is the use of public sidewalks to facilitate 'al fresco' dining. Never saw any face I'd recognize from the neighborhood at any of those places like Virage, The Italian Joint across from it or that place on 5th Street, now called "Dahlia's"

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  7. WalterMay 21, 2014 at 1:40 AM

    PS: I loved La Focacceria, thanks for reminding me. I was talking about that place to someone the other day and could not remember its name. Does anyone remember the place on 1st and 7th Street, where Wechsler's is located now.It was a small Italian place called Casalinga or something. We used to call it Cunnilingus.

    ReplyDelete
  8. GojiraMay 21, 2014 at 10:05 AM

    Orchidia had the best pizza; La Foccacceria was a great place, which I first ate in when it was up at 13th and 1st. Never tried Casalinga tho. Good, small restaurants for locals, so of course they were all driven out of business. Agree with Walter, never once have I seen anyone I know or recognize from the neighborhood seated outdoors anywhere other than in the park.

    ReplyDelete

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