Haveli-Banjara has not been open lately on 2nd Avenue

[Photo from Saturday night]

The Haveli Banjara Indian Restaurant at 100 Second Ave. remained dark for the second weekend.

A tipster told us that they are closed for good. A "Sorry we are closed today" sign has been on the front door here between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. (This is one of those inconclusive, vague-yet-specific signs that provides hope that the place isn't actually done for, like they might be back open tomorrow...)


[Photo by Steven]

In any event, there's no other message on the restaurant's website about a temporary or permanent closure. The phone goes unanswered.

In November 2017, the staff told patrons that they would be closing in early 2018, with the hopes of finding another location nearby. However, that obviously never happened.

One EVG source said that the previous landlord died. The building has been on the market since September 2017. The current asking price is $7.2 million, down from an original price of $8.6 million.

Haveli is/was the oldest Indian restaurant in the East Village (that is/was STILL in business), opening in 1987. Banjara moved in here in November 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Haveli Banjara Indian Restaurant said to be closing and relocating early next year

Haveli Banjara Indian Restaurant said to be closing and relocating early next year

In recent weeks, the staff at Haveli Banjara Indian Restaurant at 100 Second Ave. has been telling patrons that they will be closing sometime early next year... with the hopes of finding another location nearby.

The Maître d’ confirmed the closure/move to me during a recent dinner. (Haveli is asking customers for their email addresses so they can provide an update after hopefully securing a new space.) He said they'd likely close in January or February, and encouraged regulars to come back for another visit here between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

One source said that the previous landlord died. The building has been on the market since September. The asking price is $8.6 million. The restaurant, with the intentionally shattered windowpane (crackle glass?), will be delivered vacant, per the listing.

Haveli opened in 1987. Banjara moved in here in November 2013.


[Image via Facebook]

I always liked the restaurant's interior, which, according to its website, "is patterned after an Indian haveli, a residential mansion with a partially elevated second floor and an interior courtyard."

Haveli Retaurant’s uptairs suspended dining areas permit the patron to observe the entertainment below, wheather it’s dancing or the Indian cooking processes. The wooden gallery windows in these “hanging havelis” are jalis (screens), which allow the viewing enjoyment of reenacted Indian street activitie and decorations. The theatricality of Indian culture complements this country’s traditional food in an urban setting.

Rent hike dooms East 6th Street mainstay Gandhi

We saw that the gate was down this past weekend at East Sixth Street anchor Gandhi ...

The sign directs people to go to Haveli Banjara around the corner on Second Avenue...



Turns out that this is a permanent closure here at 345 E. Sixth St. just west of First Avenue. A staffer at Haveli confirmed to EVG reader Michael Hirsch that Gandhi has closed for good, that a rent increase pushed out the restaurant.

Gandhi, which opened in 1984, is the second longtime Indian restaurant to close this year on East Sixth Street because of a rent hike. The 42-year-old Mitali East was Cromanated back in March.

Both Gandhi and Mitali East directed their customers to Haveli, just like Banjara did in 2013.

Figaro Villaggio now open on First Avenue

Figaro Villaggio, the Italian bar-restaurant that took over the Banjara space on First Avenue and East Sixth Street, is now open. Not sure exactly when they officially opened.

Anyway, the place is up and running this evening … the Bud Light sidewalk board was advertising Grand Opening Specials, including $5 for beer, wine and well drinks.

As always, let us know if you try it.

And as for Banjara, they're now sharing space with its sister restaurant Haveli on Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Banjara space yielding to Figaro Bistro Grill, 15 comments

Banjara moving soon to the Haveli space on Second Avenue

Figaro Villaggio announces itself on First Avenue

Signs are up now for Figaro Villaggio, the Italian wine bar-restaurant taking over the Banjara space on First Avenue and East Sixth Street. (Banjara is now sharing space with its sister restaurant Haveli on Second Avenue.)



We're assuming the Figaro folks will be painting the restaurant's exterior… because the existing Banjara blue and the new Figaro colors are currently clashing.

Figaro Villaggio is from the same owner as La Pasta Bistro Grill on MacDougal ... and the same owner currently has a Figaro Bistro Grill on Second Avenue between 50th and 51st...

And Figaro Villaggio is on tonight's CB3/SLA committee docket for a new liquor license. The paperwork (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website show proposed hours of 10 a.m. - 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

No word on an opening date. A look inside reveals that there's a lot of work to do.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Banjara space yielding to Figaro Bistro Grill, 15 comments

Banjara moving soon to the Haveli space on Second Avenue

Banjara has left First Avenue

Oh, just a quick follow-up to note that, as previously reported, Banjara has moved away from First Avenue and East Sixth Street … and is now sharing space with its sister restaurant Haveli on Second Avenue.

As one Banjara staffer explained, "business down, rent up."



Previously on EV Grieve:
Banjara space yielding to Figaro Bistro Grill, 15 comments

Banjara moving soon to the Haveli space on Second Avenue

Banjara moving soon to the Haveli space on Second Avenue

Word is that Banjara, the reliable Indian restaurant on First Avenue at East Sixth Street, will be moving this week... into the Haveli space on Second Avenue near East Sixth Street...



Haveli has been closed for the past month.



EVG reader @SeanCarlson dined at Banjara the other night ... and picked up a new business card...



One member of the staff explained, "business down, rent up."

An Italian restaurant called Figaro Bistro Grill was looking to take over the Banjara space, as we noted last month. The Figaro principals were on last month's CB3/SLA committee docket, but withdrew their application.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Banjara space yielding to Figaro Bistro Grill, 15 comments

Banjara space yielding to Figaro Bistro Grill

We continue to look at a few of the items on this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting... here's some bad news for fans of the always reliable Banjara, the Indian restaurant on First Avenue and East Sixth Street... according to paperwork (PDF!) filed ahead of next Monday's meeting, an Italian restaurant called Figaro Bistro Grill is taking over the space.

It's from the same owner as La Pasta Bistro Grill on MacDougal ... and the same owner currently has a Figaro Bistro Grill on Second Avenue between 50th and 51st...