Thursday, May 7, 2015

Out with the former Yaffa backyard dining area, in with a new garden



Workers yesterday began demolishing the backyard dining area that previously belonged to Yaffa Cafe at 97 St. Mark's Place.

The owners of St. Dymphna's down the block are opening a Portuguese restaurant called Taberna here between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As previously reported, the new owners will be turning the back space into a garden…





Co-owner Eric Baker told DNAinfo in March that "windows will be built into the back of the restaurant so customers can look at the landscaped area."

Last fall, the DOB issued a partial vacate order on the backyard space because it didn't have the proper fire exits and because it was zoned for residential use … Yaffa Cafe later decided to close for good after 32 years in the location.

Thanks to the EVG reader for the photos!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Yaffa Cafe is officially gone; back garden dismantled

More about Yaffa Cafe closing

St. Dymphna's owners look to take over the former Yaffa Cafe space on St. Mark's Place

More about Taberna, the Portuguese restaurant opening in the former Yaffa Cafe space

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought they were going to preserve the backyard.

Anonymous said...

A lovely idea. I can't wait to see it.

Anonymous said...

I'm very happy for anyone living in earshot of this property, now they will have something nicer to look at too.

Anonymous said...

That's all the EV needs - more green space! Soon the neighbors will be complaining about the sound of lawnmowers at 7 o'clock Saturday morning.

Anonymous said...

Kudos to CB3 for stipulating that "it will not commercially operate any outdoor areas". Nice to have addition of green space thanks to CB3.

Anonymous said...

Isn't this type of work regulated by the City, don't they have to put in drainage pipes else the rainwater just seeping into the ground will cause erosion and destabilize the foundations of the building?