Signage alert: Hen House on 1st Avenue

Photo by William Klayer

Signage for Hen House NYC went up on Wednesday here at 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Owner-chef Antony Nassif's quick-serve spot has been in soft-open mode serving Lebanese shawarmas, pita sandwiches and platters (menu here).

Nassif launched the business at Smorgasburg and also has a stand at the Barclays Center for the first half of the Nets season. 

If you're on Instagram, you can follow Hen House here.

The retail space at 120 was previously Raíz Modern Mexican, the plant-based, fast-casual restaurant that closed over the summer. 

The former Raíz Modern Mexican space is for rent on 1st Avenue

Photo by Steven

A for-lease sign arrived Friday at 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

The arrival comes nearly three weeks after a "closed for renovations" sign went up on the gate for Raíz Modern Mexican. There wasn't any mention of the closure on Raíz's website or Instagram account. (In contrast to the well-documented closed-for-renovations happening at The Wren on the Bowery.)

The retail space had been posted on LoopNet since April. (The listing wasn't on the Meridian Retail Leasing site as of this morning.)

The plant-based, fast-casual restaurant — featuring burritos, tacos, salads and bowls. — debuted in early 2022.

No. 120's previous tenant, Chef Hans Asian Kitchen, closed after just a few weeks in business in 2021.

Raíz Modern Mexican is closed for now on 1st Avenue

Photos by Steven

Raíz Modern Mexican is now in "closed for renovations" mode at 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

The gates have been down since this past Tuesday, Aug. 1

There isn't any mention of the closure on Raíz's website or Instagram account.

In an Instagram message, the restaurant confirmed they were closed for renovations, with a possible reopening next month.

The retail space has also been listed on LoopNet since April, with the last update on the storefront posted on Aug. 1. 

The plant-based, fast-casual restaurant — featuring burritos, tacos, salads and bowls. — debuted in early 2022.

Noted

A sign posted to 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place to help clear up any confusion!

This is NOT 120 1/2 or 120A. This is 120 ONLY.

Thanks to Steven for the photo...

1st sign of Raíz Modern Mexican on 1st Avenue

The signage arrived yesterday for Raíz Modern Mexican, coming soon to 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As previously noted, Raíz is a plant-based, fast-casual restaurant that will feature burritos, tacos, salads and bowls. 

No word on an opening date just yet. 

Thanks to Steven for the photo!

Plant-based Mexican cuisine next for 120 1st Ave.

Here's the word about the next tenant for 120 First Ave. — Raíz Modern Mexican.

This appears to be the first outpost for the restaurant. Here's more about them via a LinkedIn profile:

Plant-forward restaurant — featuring burritos, tacos, salads and bowls for health-conscious consumers, served in a ... friendly fast-casual setting. 

The @TradedNY account announced the lease signing the other day.

The last tenant here, Chef Hans Asian Kitchen, closed after just a few weeks in business.

Thanks to Steven for the photo and Upper West Sider for the tip!

Chef Hans Asian Kitchen closes after a few weeks at 120 1st Ave.

Chef Hans Asian Kitchen has apparently closed after just a few weeks in business at 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

The quick-serve restaurant, offering a variety of noodle dishes and appetizers, had its soft opening on May 4. By May 26, they had updated the menu.

And now, someone has removed the Chef Hans signage and emptied out the interior ... and the space is for rent once again... (thanks to Steven for the photos)...  

Anyone out there try Chef Hans? The restaurant's Instagram account and Yelp page were awfully lonely. 

In April, signage for Chef Hans arrived here  ... this was after a March report @TradedNY account noting that Jian Bing Man, which specializes in Chinese crêpes, signed a lease for the storefront.

The previous tenant here, Doma Food and Drinks, a Korean bistro, didn't have much of a chance, opening in February 2020 — about six weeks before the PAUSE ... this was a new concept from the owners of the Tang, which opened in this space in July 2016. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• On second thought, Chef Hans looks to be the new tenant for 120 1st Ave.

On second thought, Chef Hans looks to be the new tenant for 120 1st Ave.

Last month, the @TradedNY account reported that Jian Bing Man, which specializes in Chinese crêpes, signed a lease at 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

However, on Monday, signage arrived for a completely different establishment — Chef Hans Asian Kitchen. Not sure at the moment what happened to Jian Bing Man ... or perhaps this is some kind of spin-off restaurant.

The previous tenant here, Doma Food and Drinks, a Korean bistro, didn't have much of a chance, opening in February 2020 — about six weeks before the PAUSE ... this was a new concept from the owners of the Tang, which opened in this space in July 2016. 

Photo by Steven