Mercadito Cantina closed at the end of January 2011 at 172 Avenue B ... and the space between East 10th Street and East 11th Street has remained empty even since...
Now, the proprietors of the well-regarded Desi Galli on Lexington Avenue and East 27th Street are opening a second location here... and they are seeking a beer-wine license for the restaurant during this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting next Monday.
There is little information on the questionnaire available to view at the CB3 website. The document shows proposed hours of 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday; until 3 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. The small space accommodate eight tables. There will not be a bar on the premises.
Apparently they will make a go of it at the start without serving beer or wine: The owners sent out a press notice announcing an opening date this coming Saturday (April 16).
As Gothamist noted, Desi Galli, which specializes in Indian street food, serves desi poutine, "a South Asian twist on the French-Canadian staple."
[T]he updated poutine will be topped with tikka masala gravy and grated paneer. According to an announcement by the restaurant, the dish is inspired by co-owner PriaVanda Chouhan's childhood in Montreal.
You can read more abut the Avenue B location at the Desi Galli website.
Interesting to see how Desi Galli will fare with the popular Babu Ji nearly directly across the Avenue.
As for 172 Avenue B, the proprietors of Ditch Plains had hoped to open a lounge called The Asphalt Jungle here. However, in April 2013, the CB3/SLA committee voted to deny the Asphalt Jungle application during a rather ugly meeting. (Read about that here.) ... and the owners reportedly decided to scrap their plans.
Previously on EV Grieve:
About Mercadito Cantina closing:'Open letter to EV Grieve and CB3' (58 comments)
