The 15-year-old Simone Martini Bar closed for good following service Saturday night.
The space here on First Avenue at St. Mark's Place will yield to a new venture from the proprietors of The Wayland on Avenue C. According to paperwork (PDF) on file ahead of last month's CB3-SLA committee meeting, ownership is planning for an establishment with a "tavern/seafood-style menu."
As previously noted, the change here officially brings an end to Yaffa Cafe, Simone's sister restaurant that closed nearby at 97 St. Mark's Place earlier in the fall. After the closure, some items from Yaffa were added to Simone's menu.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Team behind The Wayland eyeing Simone Martini Bar space
20 comments:
I went a few times back in the day when this place first opened but I wasn't impressed. Did it get better over the years? I am right down the street but I don't know anyone who ever went there.
booooooooooooooooo!
Never went there because for a long time I was angry that my very good dry cleaner had been forced out of the space by rising rent, which was a problem back then, too.
In fact, I'm still kind of pissed off about it. Hahaha! So Simone's--eh.
I can't imagine too many of this blog's readers crying over the loss of a bar. I take delight in the news every time.
At there once when it first opened. Never went back. 'nough said.
I don't think this place had changed since it opened. That worked for the decor, which was eccentric and drew me in (once), but the drinks were pretty simple-to-gross and didn't engender a return visit. The Wayland is great, but in another 10 years, they'll be out too if they don't keep pace with the times. Yesterday's Midori is today's bacon-infused Bourbon.
The lady who was often there- assuming she was the owner/manager - had an attitude and it was such a turnoff I never looked back.
15 years is probably nothing compared to the previous tenant, Old Dutch Cleaners which had been there for decades.
Simone was pretty blah but at least it was relatively low key, the new place looks like it may draw much bigger crowds. The application for this 'tavern" says they will have full time "security" (a bouncer) 7 days a week, so it's another bar posing as a restaurant, probably a sports bar with lots of big screen TVs. Go Giants! They have a happy hour every day until 7, so if you're happy and you know it clap your hands! No word on the bottomless brunches and exotic drink theme nights yet. Lets see how many people start missing Simone once this place starts cranking up.
I am glad it wasn't just me. I went there when it first opened and the person working the counter was so rude I never went back. I still remember it to this day!
Anon 9:02: As 10:52 said "The devil you know..."
The Wayland took over Banjo Jim's. It's definately one of the worst on Avenue C. Another crowded club of drones. They get one then plot to take over another. Carpetbagger gentrifiers, plays right into the R.E. market. Awful news.
Yeah, I never ever went to Simone, and at least part of the reason was that Old Dutch Cleaners had been forced out.
Pretty soon, we're going to mourn Starbucks stores when they leave their storefronts.
To the person above,
Clearly you've only been in the Wayland late on weekend nights (when, yes, it is busy. Good for them. That's success)
During the week and earlier on weekends, though, it's filled with cool locals having fun.
Plus, those guys at the Wayland got hit super hard by Hurricane Sandy. And instead of using the money the neighborhood fundraised to help them out, they closed for a few weeks, took the money and spent it running food out to those who were hurt worse in Rockaways.
Awesome bar. Awesome people. Fridays are crazy, but hey ... it's a bar. Plus ... holy god the thick bacon sandwich thing is the BOMB.
I went there recently when the bartender at La Palapa was a real douche & wouldn't extend the happy hour to the bar lounge tables. That said, while I have some ok memories at Simone, the drinks & food were both sub par.
Ever notice that when a business closes, it is mostly replaced by a bar. And when a bar closes, it is replaced almos always by another more obnoxious bar/lounge/tavern/"restaurant?
Welcome to theEast Village, the bars have been waiting for you!
I also would never step foot in there because of Old Dutch Cleaners closing. I"m glad I'm not alone either. I'm surprised that place even lasted 15 years. I don't usually wish people/businesses bad tidings but by most previous accounts on this thread, good riddance. Let's at least hope the new place has shaken off the bad karma.
agreed with Jenny Adams - Wayland is a great place and great people. many bars are awful and full of awful people -- this isn't one of them. the neo-prohibitionist bent to EVG commenters makes you all look like grandpas. support great places like wayland, oppose awful places like 13th step.
Thanks Franch! ;)
Simone was the BEST, the purple passions there were delicious!!
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