Marcha Cocina announces itself on Avenue C

[Photo by Dave on 7th]

The signage (at least part of it?) has arrived for Marcha Cocina, the incoming tapas bar at 111 Avenue C near East Seventh Street.

It's the second location for the Washington Heights-based Marcha Cocina.

Per the Post back in February:

The Uptown spot is known for live music and favorites like hongo con cheddar croqueta and shrimp crujientes. The chefs are brothers Freddy and Virgilio de la Cruz, who got their start at Pipa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s former tapas spot.

This location is expected to open in May.

The previous tenant, Cafe Cambodge, closed this past November. Before the revamp, the space was home to Arcane for six years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Washington Heights tapas outpost aiming for former Cafe Cambodge/Arcane space on C

Washington Heights tapas outpost aiming for former Cafe Cambodge/Arcane space on C

[EVG file photo]

Marcha Cocina in Washington Heights is on the February CB3/SLA committee agenda to open an outpost at the former Cafe Cambodge/Arcane space at 111 Avenue C near East Seventh Street.

According to paperwork (PDF!) on file ahead of next Monday night's meeting, the applicants are proposing hours of noon to midnight from Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant configuration shows 19 tables accommodating 38 people and a 10-seat bar.

Here's what Time Out said about Marcha Cocina, located at Broadway and 171st Street:

Named after Spanish slang for “nightlife,” this Washington Heights tapas joint is geared toward hungry night owls, with modern Spanish small plates and cocktails until the witching hour. Slip into a sunny yellow banquette for bites like cocas (Catalan flatbread) layered with serrano ham and wild mushrooms, chicken-and-plantain-stuffed croquettes and crispy shrimp dipped in smoked paprika aioli.

Cafe Cambodge opened here in February 2014 ... after the owners revamped the space from its 6-year run as Arcane.

The Marshal seizes Cafe Cambodge on Avenue C

A tipster tells us that Cafe Cambodge, the French-Cambodian restaurant at 111 Avenue C near East Seventh Street, is closed for the time being.

There is a notice on the front door noting that the Marshal has seized the property ... and it is in the possession of the landlord.



Cafe Cambodge opened here back in February ... after the owner revamped the space from its 6-year run as Arcane.

Arcane transforms into Cafe Cambodge on Avenue C

Laat month, Benjamin Alter, the owner of Arcane, announced that the French-Caribbean restaurant on Avenue C near East Seventh Street would close… and reopen with a new concept...

After a fairly quick turnover, the space is now Cafe Cambodge, which features a French-Cambodian menu… there was a friends and family preview this past Saturday… no word just yet on an official opening date…


[Via Facebook]

Arcane is closing on Avenue C; owners raising funds for Cafe Cambodge

[Photo via EV Eats]

A reader told us that Arcane is closing on Avenue C between East Seventh Street and East Eighth Street. However, it sounds as if the folks at the French-Caribbean restaurant have some new plans. Here's the message on the Arcane Facebook page:

Following five and a half years of nostalgic memories at Arcane, we now inform you that we are coming to a close. We continue to struggle financially at Arcane, and unfortunately, we are no longer a profitable pursuit.

However, we have recently committed to embracing a new concept and are immediately putting effort forth toward creating a more expansive business. In approximately one month from now, we are planning to open a french cambodian restaurant called, "Cafe Cambodge". On Sunday, January 26th between 4pm-7pm, we will be hosting a party to help raise the required capital to launch the construction, we will be selling pre paid vouchers for redeemable dinner.

We are sending out immense gratitude to all, for the continued support and loyalty to Arcane, and we hope to see you accompany us on the 26th as we embark upon this exciting new beginning. We will be also raising funds on the Internet via gofundme.

If you are interested, then here are the details via GoFundMe.

On Oct. 24, 2012, the body of Christine Ebel, who owned Arcane with her brother Benjamin Alter, was discovered in the empty lot adjacent to the restaurant. Ebel, who was 52, lived above Arcane and reportedly fell off her balcony.

Arcane back open tonight

An EVG reader notes that the French-Caribbean eatery at 111 Avenue C near East Seventh Street has reopened for tonight. On Wednesday morning, the body of co-owner Christine Ebel was discovered in a construction lot on East Seventh Street adjacent to the restaurant. Read more here.

Memorial grows for Christine Ebel outside Arcane on Avenue C

Here's the scene outside Arcane early this morning outside Arcane at 111 Avenue C. Arcane co-owner Christine Ebel reportedly died Tuesday night after falling from a balcony adjacent to the restaurant that she ran with her brother, Benjamin Alter.

Previous posts here ... and here.

[Updated] RIP Christine Ebel, co-owner of Arcane at 111 Avenue C

[Via the Arcane website]

Word began circulating yesterday that the body discovered yesterday morning in a lot at 227 E. Seventh St. was Christine Ebel, the co-owner of Arcane, which is adjacent to the property on Avenue C. Ebel ran the French-Caribbean eatery with her brother, Benjamin Alter.

We'll update the post today when more information becomes available. Several people told us that the death was accidental. Meanwhile, a memorial is growing outside the restaurant at 111 Avenue C, where this was the scene early this morning...

Updated 1:56 p.m.

DNAinfo's Serena Solomon reports that Ebel, 52, apparently died after falling from a balcony. She reportedly lived in an apartment above the bistro. Other restaurateurs in the area are mourning her death.

"She was always there [at Arcane], always working," said [Edi] Frauneder, who is also the chef at Edi and the Wolf, "humming along to the pace of Avenue C."

Arcane closed for the weekend on Avenue C

Known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric

The French-Carribbean place taking over the space that belonged to Bao 111 on Avenue C now has a name...Arcane.