Monday, May 11, 2026

On tonight's CB3-SLA docket: The return of Kotobuki East Village; a Georgian-inspired bakery and café for 6th Street

Here are a few items of interest on tonight's CB3-SLA committee docket (find the full calendar here) ... 

• Kotobuki East Village (Soundview Horizons LLC), 8 Stuyvesant St (op) 

The Japanese restaurant is returning to the neighborhood with a new space at 8 Stuyvesant St. at Ninth Street, which has been vacant for six years since Sharaku closed in the early days of the pandemic. 

Eric Kim and Bon Koo manage three Kotobuki restaurants on Long Island, in Babylon, Hauppauge and Roslyn. They previously owned Kotibuki at 56 3rd Ave., which closed in 2024, as developers bought up the parcels between 10th Street and 11th Street for a new residential building. 

The mall-like Wonder is the main tenant in the Stuyvesant space, which makes us curious whether Kotobuki will also use part of the upper level. 

In any event, people will be pleased that Kotobuki is on the way back.
• Lanna Cafe Inc, 164 1st Ave (op) 

The owner of Bib Gourmand recipient Zaab Zaab in Queens and Zen Yai in Brooklyn is bringing Isan-Thai cuisine to 164 First Ave. at 10th Street. 

According to its questionnaire on the CB3 website, Lanna Café will offer a morning coffee service before its lunch and dinner offerings. (The questionnaire has a sample menu.)

The previous tenant here, Beron Beron, closed on Dec. 31 after the death of its owner, Yuji Umeki.
• Wild Project (Wild Project Productions Inc), 195 E 3rd St (op)

The wild project has applied to upgrade its existing beer and wine license to full liquor for sale before and during performances at the 89-seat theater venue. (Pictured above: Chris Moseley, operations manager.)

Last fall, management purchased the building that houses the long-running indie performance space here between Avenues A and B. 

• Prosciutto LLC, 435 E 9th St (wb) 

We first mentioned this pending arrival between Avenue A and First Avenue here. 

The operators, Gabriele Tosi and Mattia Casarin, previously worked as chefs at Fiaschetteria Pistoia on 11th Street near Avenue C.

Per the CB3 questionnaire, Prosciutto will have eight tables for 20 guests with proposed daily hours of noon to midnight.
• Thoné NYC LLC, 501 E 6th St (wb) 

This item will NOT be heard at tonight's committee meeting. 

Thoné is a Georgian-inspired bakery, café, and wine bar located in the space directly behind Corner Bistro on Sixth Street, steps away from Avenue A. 

The concept focuses on freshly baked traditional Georgian breads, breakfast offerings, sandwiches, shareable plates, desserts, coffee, beer, and Georgian natural wines. Food service will be available throughout all operating hours. The establishment will operate as a full-service café and wine bar with prepared food available during all business hours.
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CB3's SLA meeting is tonight at 6:30. The Zoom link is here. This is a hybrid meeting, and limited public seating is available. The first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St., between Second Avenue and the Bowery, will be accommodated.

Photos of 164 First Ave. and 195 E. Third St. by Stacie Joy
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