171 Avenue A ready for another restaurant

[Photo by Steven]

A for rent sign is up now in the front window at 171 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The broker signage notes "Newly built restaurant fully vented."

As documented here, restaurateurs have had a challenging time making anything work in the space in recent years.

Chinese Graffiti went dark in July without any notice of a closure — temporary or permanent. The Asian-American gastropub had just opened here in early March, drawing praise for its offbeat menu items.

Recent ventures here include Chao Chao, which closed without any notice to patrons in May 2017 after six months in business. Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. Soothsayer, from the same operators, also closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016.

B.A.D. Burger made it work here for four years until early 2015 — and without a liquor license.

The listing for the address is not yet online.

Chinese Graffiti now open at 171 Avenue A

[Photos by Steven]

In other new openings, Chinese Graffiti debuted last Friday at 171 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The restaurant, described as an Asian-American gastropub, is open for now from 5-11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; until midnight Thursday-Saturday.

Here's a look at the menu on display...



You can find some food shots on the Chinese Graffiti Instagram account here. No word at this moment who's behind this venture.

Recent restaurants here include Chao Chao, which closed without any notice to patrons in May 2017 after six months in business. Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. Soothsayer, from the same operators, also closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016.

And because someone will bring it up... No. 171 was once the onetime home of Rat Cage Records and 171A, the illegal club-turned-rehearsal studio that produced records by Bad Brains and the "Polly Wog Stew" EP by the Beastie Boys.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A quick look inside the new restaurant coming to 171 Avenue A

A quick look inside the new restaurant coming to 171 Avenue A

Renovations continue over at 171 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

We don't know too many details just yet about the restaurant, which will serve Szechuan cuisine and dim sum. CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license for the applicants back in July. According to the applicant's questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, the unnamed restaurant plans to be open from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared this interior pic from the other day...



Hopefully the new venture will fare better than the previous two establishments here. Chao Chao, a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, closed without any notice to patrons in May 2017 after six months in business. Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. Soothsayer, from the same operators, also closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016.

No 171 was also the onetime home of Rat Cage Records and 171A, the illegal club-turned-rehearsal studio that produced records by Bad Brains and the "Polly Wog Stew" EP by the Beastie Boys.

On the CB3-SLA July docket: Szechuan cuisine for Avenue A; No Reservations on Avenue C

[171 Avenue A]

CB3's SLA committee meeting tonight ... you can find the full rundown of applicants at the CB3 website.

Here's a look at two potential new ventures:

• 171 Avenue A

A restaurant serving Szechuan cuisine and dim sum is in the works for this space between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The applicants, who have not been licensed previously, are looking for a beer-wine license.

Proposed hours are noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The PDF on file at the CB3 website includes a sample menu.

Chao Chao, a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, closed here without any notice to patrons in May 2017 after six months in business. Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. Soothsayer, from the same operators, also closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016. The applicants had hoped to secure a full liquor license, but couldn't make the space work with just beer-wine.

171 Avenue A was also the onetime home of Rat Cage Records and 171A, the illegal club-turned-rehearsal studio that produced records by Bad Brains and the "Polly Wog Stew" EP by the Beastie Boys.


[129-131 Avenue C from 2017]

• 129-131 Avenue C

A venture called No Reservations is being proposed for 129-131 Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. (Not sure if the No Reservations name is some kind of tribute to Anthony Bourdain.)

The applicants were previously involved with The Grayson, the sports bar at 16 First Ave. The sample menu at the CB3 website shows comfort foods such as burgers, wings and... hot dog sliders.

The proposed hours are pretty varied — 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Wednesday; to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday (with an 11 a.m. open on Saturday and Sunday)... the applicants are also looking to license the rear garden, which has a different set of proposed hours. You can find the application (PDF) here.

This space was last home to the hookah hotspot Babel Lounge.

CB3's SLA committee meets tonight at the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. The proceedings start at 6:30.

BarBacon looking at expanding to Avenue A

The proprietors of BarBacon are getting a head start on CB3's SLA committee meeting for December... paperwork is up in the front window at 171 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street...



In case you don't dine on swine, here's more about BarBacon, which has an outpost on Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen: "Bacon flights & other swine-spiked grub served in a gastropub setting with a large bar." (Read more about the place here.)

The meeting notices and applications aren't live just yet at the CB3 website. However, the paperwork on the door shows that the owners plan to use the hotly contested backyard patio.

The previous tenants here, both Chao Chao and Soothsayer, as well as B.A.D. Burger, were unable to secure a full-liquor license or back-patio usage.

CB3 had this to say in denying Soothsayer's full-liquor request:

"[T]he applicant proposed using the backyard area for dining, although no certificate of occupancy was provided to demonstrate the legality of the commercial use of the backyard and there had been numerous complaints from residents regarding commercial use of backyards in this neighborhood."

Updated 9 a.m.

See the comments for an update from CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer. The meeting location has NOT been confirmed for December.

Chao Chao has not been open lately

Chao Chao, the 6-month-old contemporary Vietnamese restaurant at 171 Avenue A, has not been open for business the past two weeks, according to multiple neighbors.

There isn't any notice about a temporary closure on the front door or online. While the phone number is still active at owner and chef Stephan Brezinsky's restaurant, reservations aren't available and delivery via Caviar notes that Chao Chao "does not exist." We reached out to the publicist last week who sent us Chao Chao's opening notice and have yet to hear back.

Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. The restaurant then closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016. Brown paper covered the front windows for several months before the space re-emerged as Chao Chao last November.

In October 2016, CB3 issued a strong, two-plus page denial for an upgrade to Soothysayer's beer-wine license to full liquor. You can read the official meeting minutes here. The denial starts on Page 12.

Among other reasons, "the applicant proposed using the backyard area for dining, although no certificate of occupancy was provided to demonstrate the legality of the commercial use of the backyard and there had been numerous complaints from residents regarding commercial use of backyards in this neighborhood."

Upon seeking their initial full liquor license in July 2015, Soothysayer placed signs around the storefront asking residents to "join us as we rally for our liquor license and for the approval to open a cozy back patio."

The previous tenant here, B.A.D. Burger, closed in January 2015 after three-plus years. B.A.D. Burger was never able to secure a beer-wine license for the space. After CB3 denied his beer-wine request in 2012, B.A.D. Burger owner Keith Masco reportedly called the board "fascist."

Soothsayer has been closed lately; owners seeking an upgrade to full liquor

[Photo Sunday by Steven]

Several readers passed along word that brown paper appeared in the windows of Soothsayer, the Vietnamese restaurant at 171 Avenue A, early last week. There wasn't any accompanying note on the door/windows or on social media about a temporary closure. (Soothsayer was closed last week and through the weekend.)

However, someone posted paperwork on the front door about CB3's SLA committee meeting this month, where reps for Soothsayer will appear to upgrade to a full liquor license as well as a license for the rear garden. (You can find their paperwork for the October meeting at the CB3 website.)

The restaurant between 10th Street and 11th Street, run by siblings Stephan and Kimxuan Brezinsky who grew up in Stuy Town, opened back in January.

In July 2015, Soothsayer upset a few neighbors after asking for support for a full liquor license and use of the back patio. Soothsayer reportedly withdrew its application at the July 2015 CB3/SLA meeting.

In September 2015, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license without use of the outdoor space. The proprietors also agreed to hours of 5:30 p.m. to midnight during the week, with opening hours of noon on Saturday and Sunday.

The October SLA committee meeting is Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Incoming restaurant on Avenue A asking residents to rally for their liquor license and back patio (42 comments)

Soothsayer is open at 171 Avenue A

Soothsayer started service this past week at 171 Avenue A near East 11th Street.

Here's the restaurant's description via its website:

Soothsayer offers a unique blend of authentic and contemporary Vietnamese food, which is complimented by exceptional and accessible craft beers, creative cocktails, and wines. Owned and operated by Stephan Brezinsky and his family, Soothsayer endeavors to create meaningful experiences through warm hospitality, high-quality food, and inspired drinks — all with an emphasis on local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.

Soothsayer is located on Avenue A between 10th and 11th, in the heart of New York City’s East Village neighborhood, where the Brezinsky family has lived and worked for 40+ years

You can find their menu here.

And the space is hardly recognizable from its previous tenant, B.A.D. Burger, which closed in early 2015.

Kitchen counter dining. #restaurant #vietnamesefood #nyc #alphabetcity #eastvillage #openkitchen

A photo posted by Soothsayer NYC (@soothsayer_nyc) on Jan 12, 2016 at 4:16pm PST

Previously on EV Grieve:
Incoming restaurant on Avenue A asking residents to rally for their liquor license and back patio (42 comments)

Soothsayer is hiring on Avenue A

And at 171 Avenue A, work continues on the conversion of the former B.A.D. Burger space between East 10th Street and East 11th Street ... which will soon be a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant called Soothsayer.

The restaurant, run by siblings Stephan and Kimxuan Brezinsky who grew up in Stuy Town, is currently hiring...



Back in July, Soothsayer upset a few neighbors after asking for support for a full liquor license and use of the back patio. Soothsayer reportedly withdrew its application at the July CB3/SLA meeting.

In September, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license without use of the outdoor space. The proprietors also agreed to hours of 5:30 p.m. to midnight during the week, with opening hours of noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Soothsayer has a website (no menu posted just yet) here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Incoming restaurant on Avenue A asking residents to rally for their liquor license and back patio (42 comments)

[Updated] Incoming restaurant on Avenue A asking residents to rally for their liquor license and back patio

Here's more information about the new Vietnamese restaurant in the works for 171 Avenue A between East 10th Street and East 11th Street.

The principals, siblings Stephan and Kimxuan Brezinsky who grew up in Stuy Town, will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Monday evening.

According to public information (PDF!) posted at CB3's website, the restaurant will be called Soothsayer, with proposed hours of 5:30 p.m.-midnight, Monday-Thursday; until 1 a.m. on Friday. They will also open at noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Stephan Brezinsky currently serves as bar manager at The Third Man on Avenue C, and previously served as general manager of Rue B on Avenue B, per the paperwork.

There's more information, including the food and drinks menu, on the PDF at the CB3 website.

Soothsayer is requesting a full liquor license with use of the backyard garden. There are signs up at 171 Avenue A asking residents to "join us as we rally for our liquor license and for the approval to open a cozy back patio."



The sign also notes that they will offer "friendly and affordable dining experiences."

The previous tenant here, B.A.D. Burger, closed earlier this year. B.A.D. Burger was never able to secure a beer-wine license for the space. After CB3 denied his beer-wine request in 2012, B.A.D. Burger owner Keith Masco reportedly called the board "fascist."

The July SLA committee meeting is Monday at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Updated 7-14:

BoweryBoogie reports from the CB3/SLA meeting…

Soothsayer withdrew its bid for 171 Avenue. It was much ado about the rear yard space, and the applicants’ inability to negotiate with the nearby block associations. Full liquor was sought, yet CB3 advised the team to return next month with a revamped application for beer-wine.

Commercial space at 171 Avenue A is now on the market

The for rent signs are up now at 171 Avenue A, most recently home to B.A.D. Burger…



We didn't spot the listing online just yet for the space, which apparently includes a back garden, here just south of 11th Street.

B.A.D. Burger closed in early February after nearly three years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] State seizes B.A.D. Burger on Avenue A for nonpayment of taxes

State of New York auctioning off the remains of B.A.D. Burger on Avenue A

State of New York auctioning off the remains of B.A.D. Burger on Avenue A

The State of New York seized B.A.D. Burger at 171 Avenue A near East 11th Street for nonpayment of taxes back in early February.

The B.A.D. Burger Facebook page later noted that the diner would be "temporarily closed for a few days."

Unfortunately, the latest legal documents on the door point to a permanent closure...



The notice, dated March 5, says that the contents of the restaurant will be sold off on Thursday at 10 a.m.

B.A.D. Burger opened in late 2011.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] State seizes B.A.D. Burger on Avenue A for nonpayment of taxes

[Updated] State seizes B.A.D. Burger on Avenue A for nonpayment of taxes

The state's fluorescent SEIZED sticker arrived on the front door of B.A.D. Burger at 171 Avenue A near East 11th Street showing a nonpayment of taxes.



So, for now, the breakfast and burger diner is closed. (These seizures aren't always permanent, as we saw at Sahara East, among other businesses.)

B.A.D. Burger opened in late 2011.

Updated:

Per the B.A.D. Burger Facebook page:

"Hey folks, we are temporarily closed for a few days. We will keep you posted. For now stay warm and carry on! Spring is around the corner."

Brain Rot pays homage to 171 Avenue A

The latest installment of Ed Piskor's Brain Rot: Hip Hop Family Tree is now online at BoingBoing.

Today, the comic strip visits 171 Avenue A, onetime home of Rat Cage Records and 171A, the illegal club-turned-rehearsal studio that produced records by Bad Brains and the "Polly Wog Stew" EP by the Beastie Boys...

Find today's strip here at BoingBoing. Find all of the Hip Hop Family Trees right here.

[h/t Shawn Chittle]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Remembering Adam Yauch in the East Village

Reviving those 7-Eleven + another chain rumors for Avenue A

[Photo last week via Shawn Chittle]

That pesky rumor has returned... the one about the incoming 7-Eleven on Avenue A and East 11th Street being more than just a 7-Eleven. Back in September, we heard the space of the former Bar on A and Angels & Kings would be chopped into two chains, a 7-Eleven and either a Starbucks or Subway. Just rumors mind you.

So far, there's nothing on the DOB permits pointing specifically to anything other than a 7-Eleven here. But! The applicant of record for both 500 E. 11th St. and 170 Avenue A is Bentonville, Ark.-based Harrison French & Associates, an architecture and engineering firm whose clients include 7-Eleven, Starbucks and Subway.

Plus, as several people have noted, this is a really big space for just a 7-Eleven. Anyway, yesterday, a reader passed along word of a rumor that the space will be both a 7-Eleven and a Starbucks.

Perhaps. Anyway, at this point, nothing would likely surprise us here...

Previously on EV Grieve:
7-Eleven alert: Are 2 chain stores replacing Bar on A and Angels & Kings?

First sign of the incoming 7-Eleven on Avenue A

Remembering Adam Yauch in the East Village

As you likely have heard by now, Adam Yauch, aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, died today after a battle with cancer. He was 47.

Shawn Chittle points us to 171 Avenue A, former home of 171A — the studio used by the Beastie Boys to record "Polly Wog Stew" in 1982.

Per Brooklyn Vegan:

In September of 1980, Jerry Williams would begin renovating the interior of 171A. Previously the place had been a glass shop, but after moving in their PA equipment Williams went on to build a stage at the front and an audio booth in the back. By November the 171A Studio was a venue used to house after hours parties where downtown bands like the Cooties would perform [but] with a huge New Year's Eve show coming up, the New York Fire Dept. stepped in and stopped further shows from proceeding...

By now though 171A had gained a lot of name recognition around town, so instead of shutting it down completely Williams decided to change it into a rehearsal studio. At the time, most of the available rehearsal spots in New York City were tiny little rooms, but 171A offered much more. Jerry described it as being like "...a full sized room with 15 foot ceilings and a floor space 60 feet long and provided recording artists with a quality PA system suspended from the ceiling. It was a cut above other rehearsal studios and since it was about half the size of CBGB's it produced a very similar sound."

Williams, aka Jay Dublee, died in September 2010.

Bad Brains and Reagan Youth were among the other bands to record here... We hear that a few Beastie Boys fans plan to put out candles in front of 171 this evening right now.

Breaking: Bad Burger opening Wednesday on Avenue A; location includes the Bad Girl Bakery

From the EV Grieve inbox ...

Bad Burger (Breakfast All Day), a 24 Hour Diner-Nouveau venue will launch their new, second location on Wednesday November 16th, at 171 Avenue A.

Bad Burger continues to partner with NYC ICY (No. 1 Zagat rated gelato-style ice). The new location will also include the unveiling of both a new menu, and in-house baking company Bad Girl Bakery.

Equally inspired by both American Nouveau and the Classic American Diner, Bad Burger not only hails to the beef & bun classics but also fills a niche for Vegetarian, Vegan and Wheat-Free options within a range of comfort food from Cheeseburgers to Eggs Firenze, as well as Cali-Mex style plates and an armada of home made sauces.

In follow-up to their Brooklyn location (131 Grand Street at Berry St), the Avenue A location seeks to eventually serve Craft Beer and a Sommelier-honed Wine List, also with vegan options. (License-pending.)

Fun and diverse comfort food, jukeboxes, free WiFi and 24 Hour dine-in, take-out & delivery will remain the mantra at both the Brooklyn and Manhattan locations.

Opening dates for Bad Burger, 171 Avenue A:
Our doors will open to the public on Wednesday, November 16th 2011

Relive all of the Bad Burger/171 Avenue A drama right here.

More on the NYC Icy's arrival on Avenue A

On Saturday, we pointed out that NYC Icy was now operating out of the front of Keith Masco's incoming Badburger at 171 Avenue A near 11th Street.

We asked Masco for some details. Via email, he told us that this will by NYC Icy's "semi-permanent home." He said they'd be selling NYC Icy there until at least October, then it will be available as a dessert menu item.

Meanwhile, last summer, when the NYC Icy was operating on Avenue A near Seventh Street, an icy-icee war of sorts started at Rays's. Scoopy at The Villager noted that the NYC Icy had taken "half" of Rays's business. (This according to Ray.) So Ray launched his own version of icees.


[Photo by Slum Goddess]

Anyway, somewhere along the line, that sign morphed into...

This hasn't gone unnoticed by Masco and the NYC Icy folks. "I am surprised that someone with as much goodwill in the community would turn around and flat out lie to his customers like that," said Masco.

Meanwhile, Masco, whose original plans for a fishmonger and seafood restaurant at 171 Avenue were rejected by CB3, said he expects the 24/7 Badburger to be open here in two weeks.

NYC Icy opens in new Avenue A location

Last summer, NYC Icy operated out of a space on Avenue A just south of Seventh Street... they're back this summer, this time at 171 Avenue A, currently using the storefront of Keith Masco's coming-soon 24/7 diner... We'll have more on this later...

Bad Burger is hiring

Keith Masco's 24/7 diner at 171 Avenue A near 11th Street appears to be closer to opening... they're looking for help — all positions and shifts. So if you need a job...

You can read our earlier post about Bad Burger here.