[Photo by Andrew T. Foster]
Purple Ginger, which served a variety of classic Thai, Chinese and Japanese dishes at 507 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is no more.
EVG reader/Purple Ginger regular Andrew T. Foster told us the other day that the family who ran the place the past three-plus years sold the business to a company with several Chinese/Thai fusion places in Long Island City.
Per Andrew: "Too bad. The family who ran Purple Ginger was really cool and the food was great."
And just like that the new signage is up for Kin Asian Bistro...
The restaurant wasn't open for the day when we stopped by, so we didn't get a chance to take a look at the menu. The owners are on this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting docket for a new liquor license. However, this item will not be heard before the committee.
According to the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, Kin Asian Bistro's hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday … until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
I used to go the pre-Purple Ginger restaurant in that space (XO, I think it was called?) Also Asian-fusion, decent prices, great staff and oweners, always a nice go-to place.
ReplyDeleteI didn't go to Purple Ginger as much, but it seemed to keep a lot of that same vibe.
Bummer, loved that place. Great staff, good food, and fair prices. Never looked like they had enough eat-in business.
ReplyDeleteBefore it was XO, it was part of the late, lamented Gladiators Gym.
ReplyDeleteugh loved purple ginger
ReplyDeleteAsian fusion? People are still into that?
ReplyDeleteDamn. RIP. Best cheap Sushi around. Anyone have another similar recommendation?
ReplyDeleteGod, I hope they keep the cute waiter. You all know who I'm talking about.
ReplyDeleteI have remained faithful to Mini Thai Cafe on A...
ReplyDeleteI really liked Purple Ginger because of the vegetarian options but Lui's Thai on 4th st. is AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI miss The Kitchen (that was the name a couple restaurants ago, yes?)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the new place will keep the barricade chained to the lamp post in front?
ReplyDelete@Daniel Wexler - for cheap sushi, I can recommend Kumo, on 13th and 1st. They charge $1 per piece, the fish is fresh (if a bit on the small side, but...), and the people are very nice.
ReplyDeleteThe food has taken a huge dive. It's not good at all.
ReplyDelete@Gojira,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. I'll def check it out. I know "cheap sushi" is basically rolling the dice but sometimes you want sushi without giving up your entire paycheck lol
I live next door (and sent the info in) and I'm sad to report the food is poor. After giving the new chef's quisine a try, I was forced to dash back to my apartment before my bowels exploded from whatever was in the basil chicken.
ReplyDeleteThe tall, blond fellow is still working there for whoever asked above.
I got used to the 50% off sushi. The rolls were so good. Even at full price the rolls were well priced. At 50%, for 2 of us the bill would easily come out to $40 plus tip, or more. We went in just after the new owners took over.I thought the bill was a little high. After I went home I thought about it and realized that they may have made a mistake. The next day we went in again and I told the new owner that I thought they made a mistake. They looked at a couple of the receipts, but could not find mine. Considering that we used to go there almost everyday, and had gone in there at least 4 times after the new owner took over, I think they should have offered us a dessert or a round of drinks as a courtesy. Now I checked out the new menu and they removed the rolls altogether. What a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteWow, I wish I had tried more at Purple Ginger. I ate there regularly but stuck to the Thai food--never tried the rolls or sushi. The lunch special was so good. Is there a lunch special under the new ownership?
ReplyDelete@Daniel Wexler and @Gojira, if you want really cheap sushi, you can try going to the all-you-can-eat (AYCE) Kikoo Sushi on St. Marks & 1st Ave. Jimmy's the owner, tell him I said hello. You can order sashimi (sushi without the rice). Lunch (any day) is $15, though you're more limited in the fish, which is I believe salmon, tuna, and something else. Call or ask to find out.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't NYC keep a list of all the stores (Doing Business As) of a specific address? That would be neat to look through.
Also, I saw the new owners looking around for customers around 6p on Tuesday. It was kind of empty because it was so new.
I almost ate their once.
ReplyDeleteI asked them if they could hold the MSG.
They said they could, but the food would be bland.
I said, no salt is okay.
They said they don't have salt.
@11:02 pm: No salt? Only in America!
ReplyDeleteHere comes my typical... Thai food in NYC sucks... Wish they would de-westernize it just little...
ReplyDelete