Afandi Grill is closing on 1st Avenue

[EVG photo from September 2018]

After nearly 13 months in business, Kamola Akhmedova, the owner of Afandi Grill at 149 First Ave., has announced the closure of her restaurant between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Here's part of her farewell via Instagram:

[W]e would like to announce that we are closing our physical location permanently. No, Afandi is not going anywhere. We will continue as a #catering brand.

We enjoyed this period that we were in #eastvillage 💕 This neighborhood became our home.

Tomorrow (Oct. 24) is the last day. The restaurant opened in the late summer of 2018, serving creative cuisine via Central Asia.

You can check out the Afandi Grill website for catering info.

H/T EVG reader Jason!

Openings: Pizza Rollio on 9th Street; Afandi Grill on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

Pizza Rollio has opened their outpost at 437 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The pizzeria, which sells its super-thin, arugula-topped pies served in long strips, is owned by Miyuki Talwar and her family, who run similar establishments in the Philippines.

This will be the third Pizza Rollio in the city, joining the Plaza Hotel Food Hall and on West 18th Street.

Here's more about their pizza from the Daily News in 2016:

In a city with pizzerias on almost every corner, Pizza Rollio serves the seemingly impossible: a totally unique pie. Its rectangular creations are light and delicate — built on paper-thin sheets of dough that are baked and sliced into wide ribbons perfect for wrapping around peppery bites of alfalfa sprouts and arugula, the salad-y condiment served with every order.

A post shared by Pizza Rollio (@pizzarollio) on Aug 30, 2018 at 2:14pm PDT

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Meanwhile, at 149 First Ave. near Ninth Street, Afandi Grill has made its debut. The restaurant offers cuisine from Central Asia. Per the website:

Afandi has Xinjiang style hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, world famous Uzbek pilaf and home made pastries. There is a veggie option for each dishes.

You can find their menu and hours here.

This storefront has been vacant since This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef closed in March 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pizza Rollio bringing its skinny slices to 9th Street

Afandi Grill bringing food from Central Asia to 1st Avenue

Afandi Grill bringing food from Central Asia to 1st Avenue

Coming soon signage is up now at 149 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street for Afandi Grill, which will offer cuisine from Central Asia ...



The website advertised on the poster isn't live just yet... so not sure of their menu, presumably featuring cuisine from Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

This is a pretty small space, so it may primarily serve as a to-go operation. The storefront has been vacant since This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef closed in March 2014. A psychic adviser has been set up outside of late.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Previously on EV Grieve:
So you want to rent the former This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef space

Landlord tells residents of 149 First Ave. that they need to vacate ahead of demolition