Leaving the East Village for this post... where EVG reader Stephen Popkin shares this news: the Benjamin Restaurant & Bar on Second Avenue at 33rd Street has abruptly closed as of yesterday.
Here's the sign greeting patrons...
Per the note:
"Due to the incredible strains put onto small neighborhood Restaurants, the current economic environment, the totally unmanageable Labor Laws to small businesses, the incredible Greed of the City's Health Dept., this incredibly popular neighborhood favorite has no choice but to close its doors. Once a very successful neighborhood meeting place, Beginning as Mumbles in 1974, we have totally enjoyed all of the great relationships that we have formed in the neighborhood."
As the sign says, Benjamin Catering will live on "hopefully very soon."
The second location of Mumbles closed after 22 years in business at Third Avenue and 17th Street back in February.
As for the Benjamin, it was a pleasant, unpretentious neighborhood spot for a drink or meal after, say, a movie at the AMC Loews Kips Bay.
Chill place...erm... was a chill place. Another good one bites the dust.
ReplyDeleteDamn. Yeah, a totally unremarkable but reliable and pleasant neighborhood spot that I'd eat at after a movie across the street. Never left with indigestion. Always was comfortable there. If I lived close, I would have probably have been there once a week or so (I cook at home mostly), I'd have been a regular.
ReplyDeleteThis restaurant was doing fine until (one of) the owners came back on site after closing 17th St Mumbles. He bled the place dry, giving employees no notice of his imminent'plans.'
ReplyDeleteGood luck to hardworking Benjaminers, who made the friendly place what it was.
Used to eat there all the time when I lived on 33rd street. Sad, had some nice memories tied to there...
ReplyDeleteThis totally stinks. I've lived in the neighborhood around the corner from this restaurant since 1991, and it was the only late night mainstay and bar left on the block. Massive construction in the middle of the block has ruined what was once a really fun place to hang out and eat or have a drink. I will miss Benjamin's being there. I feel like I've lost a friend. I have many friends who will miss going there for a drink and conversation.
ReplyDeleteLuckily for the chance to eat here on three different occasions with my significant other. We enjoyed the smaller, more quaint space.it was truly a great restaurant we would always go back for. Sad to hear
ReplyDelete