Saturday, December 14, 2024

'The last man standing' at Panna II

This September photo by Stacie Joy was the most liked, commented on, and shared on the EVG Instagram account this year

As reported then, the upstairs-downstairs block of Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants at 93 First Ave. was down to one — Panna II. 

We bring this up because the Times checked in with a feature on Panna II. 
Boshir Khan, 49, the Bangladeshi-born owner of Panna II, which sits on First Avenue just around the corner from the old Curry Row, finds it bittersweet to be the last man standing at the vibrant entryway. He was still greeting visitors on a recent Friday in November, though with less urgency. 

 "Sometimes I'm glad — it's less stress," he said, recalling the vigorous competition with his neighbors.
And... 
Mr. Khan, who grew up around the corner from his restaurant, began working shifts at Panna II in the sixth grade with his father. He remembers the area being "rough" in the '80s. 

"After 5 o'clock, you can't even go out," he said. "But I miss the old neighborhood."
You can read the feature here

Previously on EV Grieve

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

From the LES. The Indian restaurants on 6th Street were very enjoyable. Food came with soup, samosa, choice of your dish and dessert. All for around $15. Those days like the restaurants are all gone.

Xeo said...

I will forever miss Milon