Openings on Avenue A: Mama Fina's House of Filipino Sisig

Mama Fina's House of Filipino Sisig, an Elmwood Park, N.J.-based restaurant, recently opened its first NYC outpost at 167 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The family-owned restaurant serves dishes such pork sisig, lumpia shanghai and crispy pata. (You can find their menu here.)

A post shared by Mama Fina’s NYC HOFS 🇵🇭 (@mamafinasnyc) on Feb 24, 2018 at 11:10am PST

Mama Fina's hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday until 10 p.m.; Sunday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. They are closed Tuesdays.

This space had been empty since Moonstruck Eatery closed in July 2016.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mama Fina's signage arrives on Avenue A

Mama Fina's signage arrives on Avenue A

As noted earlier this month, Mama Fina's House of Filipino Sisig, an Elmwood Park, N.J.-based restaurant, is opening an outpost at 167 Avenue A.

The coming-soon signage arrived this past week here between 10th Street and 11th Street...



Don't know too much yet about what to expect here. The family-owned Filipino restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Elmwood Park, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. (According to Yelp, they are cash only at their N.J. location.)

The Avenue A Mama Fina will have a beer-wine license. They are on CB3's SLA docket in November, though they will not be appearing before the committee.

Moonstruck Eatery closed at No. 167 in July 2016 after one year of business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A

Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A

[Photo of 192-194 1st Avenue from June]

Two currently vacant East Village storefronts have new restaurant tenants.

According to a news release via Eastern Consolidated (H/T Real Estate Weekly), Chelsea Thai, which has operated a stall in the Chelsea Market for 19 years, has signed a 10-year-lease at 192-194 First Ave.

The space between 11th Street and 12th Street was previously home to the Neptune. The Polish-American restaurant closed last Dec. 4 after 15 years in business. According to one source, the asking rent doubled for the space.

While the Neptune arrived in 2001, the location had been home to a Polish-American diner, such as KK, for many years.


[Photo of 167 Avenue A from August 2016]

Meanwhile, at 167 Avenue A, Mama Fina's House of Filipino Sisig, an Elmwood Park, N.J.-based restaurant, is opening an outpost here between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The family-owned Filipino restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Elmwood Park, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. (According to Yelp, they are cash only at their N.J. location.)

Moonstruck Eatery closed at No. 167 in July 2016 after one year of business. And several years earlier, the address was boats 'n hoes hotspot Diablo Royale Este, which closed at the end of August 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Today is the last day in business for the Neptune

Moonstruck Eatery closes on Avenue A

That's it for the Moonstruck Eatery. The diner has called it a day at 167 Avenue A after one year here between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The space has been on the market since April, per a listing at LoopNet.

Four other locations of Moonstruck Eatery remain in the city. (The Avenue A address has already been scrubbed from the website.)

The previous tenant, Ethos Meze East Village from the same owners, lasted less than a year in business. (And before this, it was the world-famous Diablo Royale Este, which closed at the end of August 2012.)

I never tried the souped-up diner. Friends who dined here said it was all serviceable, but the decor was all wrong, part ski lodge, part homage to the Raven, the bar Karen Allen owned in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."


[Moonstruck Eatery pic via LoopNet]

Another sign of the new Moonstruck Eatery on Avenue A

The conversion of the former Ethos Meze East Village continues at 167 Avenue A between East 10th Street and East 11th Street … the owners of Moonstruck Diner were said to be opening another diner concept here… we await to hear more about what this will entail… and we remain hopeful…

Moonstruck Eatery makes an appearance at 167 Avenue A

[Photo from May]

About six weeks ago we heard a rumor that Moonstruck Diner would be opening another location in the neighborhood, this time at 167 Avenue A between East 10th Street and East 11th Street.

The previous tenant, Ethos Meze East Village, is owned by the same folks who run the Moonstruck Diner chainlet in the city.

While we were never able to nail down that rumor, a new sign has appeared above the space — for Moonstruck Eatery.





Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumor: Moonstruck Diner opening location on Avenue A

Rumor: Moonstruck Diner opening location on Avenue A

Ethos Meze East Village closed for renovations at 167 Avenue A back in late March... and there hasn't been much activity in the space here between East 10th Street and East 11th Street ... except for someone removing the Ethos Meze sign.

The restaurant is owned by the same folks who run the Moonstruck Diner chainlet in the city. Now comes word via the rumor mill that the owners will convert the space into another Moonstruck, similar to the one on Second Avenue and East Fifth Street.

The space remains on the market, however.

Ethos Meze East Village is now open on Avenue A

The Mediterranean-themed restaurant quietly opened on July 2 here at 167 Avenue A ... it's an offshoot of Ethos Meze on Third Avenue and East 36th Street.

We don't know much else about the place ... and haven't seen any previews at the food sites...



What we do know is that it took over the space that previously housed neighborhood scourge Diablo Royale Este, which closed at the end of August 2012.

Has anyone tried Ethos Meze East Village?

Previously on EV Grieve:
For lease signs up now at the former Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A

From the tipline: Former Diablo Royale Este space will be home to a Greek restaurant

[From December 2012]

Neighborhood scourge Diablo Royale Este closed at the end of August 2012 after some ongoing issues with the State Liquor Authority ... and the space at 167 Avenue A has been on the market for nearly a year with at least two different brokers...

Now, word along here is that the space will soon yield a Greek place from restauranteur John Kapetanos, who operates Ethos Gallery, Ethos Meze and the Moonstruck Diners, among others.

A tipster says that the new restaurant will include a raw bar ... and serve seafood, ceviche as well as other traditional Greek fare. No word yet on an opening date. The listing was recently removed from the RKF site.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

Diablo Royale Este apologizes for 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

For lease signs up now at the former Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A

For lease signs up now at the former Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A

In our post last week on the one-year anniversary of Tompkins Square Bagels, owner Christopher Pugliese said that he'd love to open an old-fashioned Italian-style pork store/market in the now-empty space next door. The comments were overwhelmingly in favor of such a concept.

Diablo Royale Este closed at the end of August after some ongoing issues with the State Liquor Authority (among other things — the bar has long drawn the ire of neighbors since it opened in May 2010).

The space at 167 Avenue A had been on the market for months. However, a sign just went up here at the end of last week.

It's a big space — 4,000 square feet. There's isn't any mention of rent. However, the listing includes these "notes and highlights:"

400 sf backyard for seating (permitted to be open until 10pm on week days and 11pm on weekends)
Legal lower level with bar and seating
2 year-old kitchen and equipment
Full 4 am liquor license.
Occupancy for 150 people.

As much as everyone likes the idea of a market here — something people in the neighborhood want and need ... given the almighty valuable liquor license attached to this, the reality is we'll likely get stuck with another horrible bar that no one wants and exclusively for Weekend Woo-rriors from afar.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

Diablo Royale Este apologizes for 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

It's just another Saturday night on Avenue A

El plywood comes off at El Camion

The plywood is off at El Camion, formerly the Raven, 194 Avenue A at 12th Street.

According to a readers, there's a full bar with nine seats ... and 18 tables packed side by side — not an inch between them. Another reader reported seeing some business types (owners? investors?) inside for a meal yesterday afternoon... But the place was sealed up last night...

Some residents on Avenue A and the nearby side streets are understandably nervous about what kind of crowd El Camion will attract... More on the low-key side, like Benny's, or more like, say, something in the Diablo Royale Este-Señor Swanky’s mix... Said a reader: "I am praying it'll be a nice, quiet little corner joint and not a loud hangout!"

Back in May, the CB3/SLA committee denied their application for a liquor license ... However, despite CB3's denial, the State Liquor Authority ultimately approved the license.

On Nov. 30, Patrick Hedlund wrote about El Camion at DNAinfo... Per his story:

"The man, who was listed in online records for the restaurant's corporate company but declined to provide his name, did confirm that the emphasis will be on food rather drinks, and that the space would close no later than midnight or 1 a.m. on weekends."

Meanwhile, someone affiliated with the restaurant has a Twitter account...



And here's another shot via EV Grieve reader Paul W...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming to 154 Avenue A: Mexican restaurant

Lady Gaga in 'Pizza Face'

Thanks to the reader for this shot at ApizzA on Avenue A. (Oh, it's no 'Poker Face'...)

Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

Well, I've been following the transformation at 167 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street since last summer...



And, per the sign out front, the joint opens today...




Two bars...an outdoor space...a screening room... Holy 311!
Per the Times today:

DIABLO ROYALE ESTE: At this East Village branch of his Diablo Royale, Jason Hennings will spit-roast pigs, chickens and beef in the backyard. There is an array of tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and such.

Previously on EV Grieve:
My, what big plywood you have

Diablo Royale shows itself to Avenue A

Looking at 167 Avenue A: Another Hennings-Giraldi production?

Diablo Royale shows itself to Avenue A

After about 10 months or so of extensive work at 167 Avenue A, the EV location of Diablo Royale has come out from behind all the plywood...




No word on an opening date yet for Diablo Royale, which is Spanish for "another full liquor license on Avenue A."

Previously on EV Grieve:
My, what big plywood you have

My, what big plywood you have

Earlier:



Now:


The work is getting serious at 167 Avenue A — home some day (next month even!) to the EV outpost of Diablo Royale, as Eater reported.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Looking at 167 Avenue A: Another Hennings-Giraldi production?

Following up on two previous posts

Last Thursday I reported that 167 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street (the former NoTell Motel) will become the latest eatery from Jason Hennings and Robert Giraldi.

Hennings confirmed this to Eater. According to Eater: "Restaurateur Jason Hennings writes in today to report that the 167 Avenue A spot ... is indeed his, but his frequent partner Bob Giraldi is not involved. Hennings is bringing his deathwatched but still kicking West 10th venture Diablo Royale to Avenue A."

Also. In the Australian Homemade post from Wednesday, a reader shared the following information:

Actually the place closed when the landlord suddenly tried to raise the rent to a crazy high level. They could not afford to be there any more so they left. Now the store is empty and the landlord is getting nothing. Good business in a recession???

It was a combination of rent hike and tax increase as I am told. The landlord was passing on his city tax hikes to the store (as was probably in the lease) but the store could not pay it. They tried to negoitate a lower amount but the landlord would not budge.

Looking at 167 Avenue A: Another Hennings-Giraldi production?

In recent weeks, there has been increased activity at the long-dormant 167 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street, which has housed, in recent years, NoTell Motel and Starlite Lounge. A worker offered the vague "restaurant" when asked what was going into this spot.



The space has been gutted. Someone is putting a lot of money in here. So I checked out the liquor license for the address. According to the SLA:



Jason Hennings and Robert Giraldi? Hmmm... those names may be familiar to you...The vets were behind the now-defunct E.U. on East Fourth Street... and Hennings owns Black Iron Burger on Fifth Street... and Giraldi owns Tonda and Butcher Bay ... (and has done things such as direct Michael Jackson's "Beat It" video). And he went through some epic battles with CB3 in 2006 to try to obtain a liquor license for E.U. Anyway, this all promises to be interesting...

For further reading:
Gastropub is hungry for a beer and wine license (The Villager)