Updates on 3 recent quick-serve food closures

[Photo from November]

Paper went up in the windows at Oaxaca Taqueria in late November. A note on the door pointed to renovations for the taco shop at 125 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

More recently, a notice appeared, showing that the owners were behind on rent…



The space has also been on the market.

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In late November, the city temporarily closed Puddin', the small shop at 102 St. Mark's Place that sells pudding, pudding-filled cakes and Frozen Puddin' Pops, for lacking some kind of paperwork…



Puddin' remains closed, without any explanation about it on their website or social media properties.

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TakeMeHome Rotisserie Chicken opened Nov. 23 at 151 Avenue A between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street. Then during the week of Dec. 8, the quick-service restaurant mysteriously closed without any note/explanation/etc.



But! A help wanted sign recently appeared… and this past weekend we noticed that they were open once again… and now with a phonograph inside…

[Updated] Maharlika is closed for now

Several readers have pointed out that Maharlika, the well-regarded Filipino restaurant on First Avenue at East Seventh Street, has been closed the past few days.

A sign on the door states: "Due to building complications, the Maharlika kitchen is not able to operate."



Would-be diners are directed to Jeepney, Maharlika's other restaurant a few blocks up First Avenue.

The sign coincides with a DOH closure dated Thursday…



According to the DOH, there were 41 violation points, including for evidence of various critters.

Updated: Maharlika reopened on Dec. 11.

Oaxaca Taqueria is 'closed for renovations' on East 7th Street

Paper is up in the windows now at the taco shop at 125 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue… a note on the door points to renovations…



A tipster tells us that Oaxaca won't reopen here, that the space had quietly been on the rental market.

Oaxaca moved here from Extra Place last fall. With the foot traffic, you'd think that this was a much better spot for a quick-serve restaurant than the dead and dead-end Extra Place. However, there are so many (too many?) taco choices now in the neighborhood … someone isn't going to make it…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Oaxaca Taqueria opening a new location on East Seventh Street

Jum Mum becoming another Spot for dessert on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Jordy Trachtenberg from Nov. 10]

Earlier in the month, Jum Mum at 5 St. Mark's Place closed for renovations. According to the quick-serve Thai-Chinese restaurant's Facebook page: "Hold on to your VIP cards WE ARE COMING BACK. Getting ready for a new look this fall!"

Apparently there is more than a new look… there's also a whole new concept… the banner now hanging outside advertises an annex (Spot 2) for the Spot Dessert Bar …



… which is just a few storefronts away…



Jum Mum, which opened in May 2012, was run by the owners of Spot.

After 'closing for renovations,' zPizza has closed for good

It took about three years for the zPizza branch to open at 26 First Ave. near East Second Street.

And now after 17 months in business, zPizza — with its non-GMO wheat flour — has closed … the first sign up noted a renovation…



… then a second sign acknowledged the closure…



We tried it and liked it upon their opening… though we didn't like it enough to ever go back.

zPizza "was founded in the art colony of Laguna Beach, California" per the website. There were other locations in NYC, including at JFK.

Previously on EV Grieve:
zPizza finally opens on First Avenue

Mamani Pizza is closed for renovations

As far as 99-cent pizza goes, the stuff at Mamani at 151 Avenue A between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street is pretty decent.

Anyway, you may have to wait for another slice… the space is currently closed...



No word if this is a temporary or permanent closure for Mamani. The space had been on the market in recent years.

Former Ton-Up Cafe space on the market

Back in May, the Ton-Up Cafe closed at 127 St. Mark's Place just west of Avenue A closed. A sign on the door promised "we'll be back soon."

Since then, brown paper covered the front door and windows. A large QR code brought people to a "temporarily closed for renovations" page.

Now there's a for rent sign on the space. (The listing at EVO Real Estate Group doesn't appear to be online just yet.)

The cafe opened in April 2013 … and served paninis named in honor of Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry and Elvis.

One of the owners here also operates Falanghina, the pizzeria which remains open at the former Whole Earth Bakery across the street.

The previous tenant here was Motek Creperie, which also lasted about a year.

Menkui-Tei has closed for renovations

[Photo from 2012 via Facebook]

The reliable ramen joint at 63 Cooper Square between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street is now closed.

A message on Menkui-Tei's Facebook page states the following…



One EVG reader said that the restaurant will still serve Japanese fare upon reopening, but the place will be under new ownership.

Au Breve Espresso remains closed for renovations

On the topic of closed coffee shops… Au Breve Espresso closed back in early August… the sign on the door pointed to a renovation.

Meanwhile, a look inside reveals an empty space… making it appear that this is more of a "closed for renovation" ...





Au Breve's website is no longer active. Au Breve opened in November 2011.

Au Breve Espresso remains 'closed for renovations' on Cooper Square

We noticed that Au Breve Espresso at 51 Cooper Square closed earlier this month … for renovations…



Two weeks later, it doesn't appear that too much renovating has been happening here…



So far, there isn't any mention of the temporary closure on their website, Twitter feed (which hasn't been updated since Dec. 24) or Facebook page (last entry is from last Sept. 22).

Au Breve opened in November 2011.

Korilla BBQ confirmed for Archie & Sons space

As we reported last Thursday, Archie & Sons, the year-old luncheonette on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place, was "closed for remodeling."

In this case, "closed for remodeling" was code for "we're not reopening." It was a foregone conclusion that Archie's was done for. We heard rumors going back to June that the folks from Archie's were teaming up with a food-truck vendor for a new venture here at 23 Third Ave. (Eater reported on this rumor Thursday.)

We have confirmation from a very reliable source that food truckers Korilla BBQ will open their first restaurant in this space in the weeks ahead.

If you're new to Korilla BBQ, then you can read this review at Serious Eats.

As for this address, perhaps Korilla will be able to stick around. Tahini closed here in June 2012. Then Little Italy Pizza (heh) lasted four whole months. Archie's opened last Aug. 12.

Archie & Sons now 'closed for remodeling'

[Photo by EVG reader Russ]

Ugh. As the sign shows, the 50s-style luncheonette on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place is closed for the month of August.

They opened just about a year ago to the date.

We're big fans of their food. However, the closure, temporary or not, doesn't come as a total shocker. In recent months, the hours became more sporadic, the offerings became more varied (juice bar! smoothies!), the quality of food seemingly deteriorated, the staff changed. Plus, we were the only people inside the last six or so times inside. (And we were not there at off hours.)

We were hoping that they would catch on — particularly with all the office bodies (and students) coming to the IBM Watson Building across the street.

Still, it wasn't also tough to opt for Archie's over old favorites the Stage and B&H …

Previously on EV Grieve:
Archie & Sons, a new luncheonette, opening very soon at 23 Third Ave.

Reader report: AlphaBet Cafe will not reopen

[April 1]

AlphaBet Cafe closed on April 1 … signs on the diner at East 14th Street and Avenue B pointed to a renovation/remodel …


[April 1]

However, yesterday, EVG reader Patrick heard from the building's landlord that AlphaBet Cafe will NOT be returning… the gate was up and workers were inside cleaning out the space. The landlord said that the Cafe owners had been behind in rent … and they voluntarily turned over the keys ahead of an eviction.

The landlord indicated that he did have an interested party in the restaurant… and hoped to have it rented in the coming weeks.

The folks at AlphaBet Cafe seemed to have a tough time last year … the DOH closed them down several times for various infractions …

Previously on EV Grieve:
AlphaBet Cafe is closed for renovations

Closed for renovations: Veselka until tomorrow; Tofu House till who knows when

As you can see from the sign, Veselka is closed until tomorrow morning...

We wanted to give you all a heads-up that Veselka will be closed for a little maintenance from MIDNIGHT SUNDAY until TUESDAY MORNING.
— Veselka Restaurant (@veselkanyc) April 5, 2014

All the tables and chairs were moved from the dining room and workers were buffing/something the floors.

Meanwhile, at 6 St. Mark's Place, the Tofu House closed yesterday...



Signs point to a renovation.



There's no other information available. Phone calls get routed to a generic Verizon voice-mail box. The Tofu House Facebook page hasn't been updated since December 2011.

AlphaBet Cafe is closed for renovations

Several readers told us that AlphaBet Cafe closed Tuesday here on East 14th Street and Avenue B… signs point to a renovation/remodel …





Not sure if this is an actual closed for renovations … or a "closed for renovations," where we never see the place open again … A new operator was on the February CB3/SLA docket for a new liquor license, but they were scratched from the agenda.

AlphaBet Cafe had a few bouts of the DOH last year… however, there's nothing on file with the DOH now pointing to a health-related closure.

Reader report: Xi’an Famous Foods closed for renovations

[Photo by @charli via Twitter]

Disappointed diners have learned that the popular Xi'an Famous Foods at 81 St. Mark's Place is closed for renovations.

@evgrieve Did you see that Xian Famous is closed for renovations? I went there yesterday and saw another shocked would-be patron. Horrible!

— Adrianne Jeffries (@adrjeffries) March 20, 2014

Their official message via Facebook:

Our East Village store will be CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS starting Monday (3/17)!

We hope to be back up and running in 3-4 weeks, with a few more seats and a more open kitchen!

In the meantime, head to our nearby Chinatown spot, open regular hours.

And this is a legit "closed for renovations," not one of those stop-gap messages to help the proprietor hustle out of town.

Xi’an CEO Jason Wang has ambitious plans to expand his growing noodle empire, with possible locations in Boston and Washington, D.C.

The Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo is (almost) alive and well on East Houston

Things had been grim (grim I tell you!) the last two weeks here in the Shoppes at Red Square on East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B … the Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo had been "closed for renovations," looking suspiciously on the gutted side.

But!

On Wednesday night, an EVG reader got a look inside, and reported actual renovations taking place… and last night? New bright signage action.



The place looks close to being operational again. So put away those teary farewell signs!

Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo remains closed for renovations on East Houston

The Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo located in the Shoppes at Red Square on East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B remains closed for renovations. The doughnut/ice cream dispensary has been closed since Dec. 2. (BoweryBoogie noted this on Monday.) Signs on the door point to a reopening yesterday.

However, as these photos by an EVG reader from last evening show, work remains on the space, which looks suspiciously gutted…





While it wouldn't be the first time a Dunkin' Donuts closed around here, the reader who spotted the above work yesterday noted that it looked more like an upgrade than a demolition….

Extra Place and Heidi looking closed on Extra Place

Several week ago, we noted that Extra Place and Heidi, the sister restaurants along Extra Place, the pedestrian walkway off East First Street, were closed for renovation, per a sign at the door.

That sign is gone, and an EVG tipster noted workers removing tables and equipment from the restaurants yesterday... The Extra Place website is no longer active.



In July, CB3 dropped the hammer on the restaurants, denying renewal of its beer and wine license. (Per CB3: "The applicant has usurped a public pedestrian plaza for its private use in violation of New York City Department of Transportation restrictions by setting up an illegal sidewalk café in said public plaza.")

Extra Place was originally on the October CB3/SLA agenda for a new liquor license. However, they were a scratch before Oct. 7's meeting.



The restaurants opened in July 2012,and received fairly positive notices for their food.

At this point, it doesn't appear the restaurants will return... or that Extra Place will ever work as a shopping-dining destination...

Previously on EV Grieve:
With new restaurant opening, will Extra Place finally become a dining destination?

Extra Place now officially a Dead End

Meanwhile, Extra Place continues to maintain its proud heritage

Extra Place and Heidi currently 'closed for renovation' in Extra Place

Extra Place and Heidi currently 'closed for renovation' in Extra Place

Things have been a little quiet over in Extra Place, the pedestrian walkway off East First Street... in part, two of the restaurants here, Extra Place and Heidi, have been closed... a sign on the door points to a renovation...



Extra Place at No. 8, a namesake restaurant with 50 seats serving Mediterranean fare, and Heidi at No. 6, a smaller Swiss eatery with 20 seats, opened from the same owners in July 2012.



We reached out to restaurant reps to see when they might reopen. (Yelp already lists that Extra Place is restaurants closed. No mention of the renovations on the restaurants' website or social media.)

In July, CB3 dropped the hammer on the restaurants, denying renewal of its beer and wine license. Here's CB3's official CB3ease:

BE IT RESOLVED that Community Board #3 moves to deny the renewal of the beer wine license for Extra Place America LLC, 8 Extra Place, between Second Avenue and Bowery, because
1) the applicant has violated its stipulation that it will not serve alcohol outside of its establishment,
2) the applicant has usurped a public pedestrian plaza for its private use in violation of New York City Department of Transportation restrictions by setting up an illegal sidewalk café in said public plaza, and
3) the applicant has used its license illegally by serving beer and wine to its patrons outside of its establishment and allowing its patrons to consume beer and wine outside which they had purchased within its business.

The SLA currently lists two liquor licenses for the address... one is active; the other is not.



Previously on EV Grieve:
With new restaurant opening, will Extra Place finally become a dining destination?

Extra Place now officially a Dead End

Meanwhile, Extra Place continues to maintain its proud heritage