Report: Tech Hub receives CB3 committee support

On Wednesday night, CB3's Economic Development Committee and Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee voted in favor of creating a "workforce development and digital skills training center" at the P.C. Richard site on 14th Street at Irving Place.

As the Lo-Down reported, committee members "rejected calls to require zoning protections in the area as a condition of approval."

The full CB3 board vote will take place on Feb. 27. Expect more debate between now and then — and especially during that meeting.

Here's a quick recap from the Lo-Down:

Project supporters believe the center would bring desperately needed (free and low-cost) career training services to low-income youth on the Lower East Side. Critics, however, are worried that the glossy commercial complex would be a catalyst for rampant over-development in the blocks to the south of 14th Street. While Community Board 3 has already endorsed a protective zoning proposal for the Third and Fourth Avenue corridors, preservation activists want CB3 to go a step further — withholding support for the tech center unless the city agrees to a rezoning.

Read their full article here.

Patch had a reporter at the meeting as well. Find that article here.

The mayor's project requires several zoning changes, and faces many hurdles before getting the final OK. The full CB3 board, the Manhattan borough president and the City Planning Commission will still weigh in before the issue comes before City Council for a vote later this year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

[Updated] Applicants looking to bring live jazz to the former East Village Tavern

There's a proposal to open a bar featuring live jazz in the former East Village Tavern space on Avenue C and 10th Street.

The applicants are applying for a new liquor license for a venture called the Snow Leopard, according to the questionnaire on file (PDF here) ahead of tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting.

The Snow Leopard "will have live jazz to accompany their service" with a cover fee for certain acts, per the questionnaire. The menu posted with the materials at the CB3 website features "Italian Style Tapas" (A cheese plate, a dried meat plate, etc.)

Paperwork shows a configuration of seven tables (38 total seats) plus a 13-seat bar along with proposed hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The principal in the venture is a former pharmaceutical sales rep who doesn't appear to have any history of running/owning a bar/club. A partner in the venture is a jazz drummer/booking agent, according to the résumé with the application.

East Village Tavern closed in November 2016 after eight years in business. Bar management blamed a disagreement with landlord Steve Croman for the closure. (A Croman rep reportedly said that the owners were behind on rent.)

Back in the spring, the operators of a Miami-based restaurant called the Irish Times Pub and Eatery looked at opening an outpost here. Those plans never materialized.

The December CB3-SLA committee meeting is tonight at 6:30 at the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Updated 8:30 p.m.

According to attendees at tonight's meeting, the committee issued a denial for this application. Consensus was that it's not the right building for a jazz club.

CB3 calls on the MTA to address poor frequency and reliability of the M14A bus

[EVG file photo]

Back in July, CB3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee asked for input from residents about the frequency and reliability of the M14A bus.

Sen. Daniel Squadron's office had also made requests for improved M14A service — specifically the frequency of the buses.

On Tuesday night, the full Community Board adopted a resolution documenting the M14A's dismal service and called on the MTA to take "swift remedial action."

Here's part of the media advisory via the EVG inbox...

The CB3 resolution builds on more than a decade of community demands for improved M14A bus service.

“In response to past calls for better M14A bus service, the MTA has regularly taken the position that the M14A route is operating just fine. Our community knows full well that is not the case,” said Chad Marlow, chair of CB3’s Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee.

Marlow added, “the goal of our resolution is to document the shortcomings of the M14A bus service in extensive detail and to request corrective measures be swiftly taken. It is time to stop engaging in a false debate over whether problems on the line exist. Our resolution will hopefully and at long last put that debate to rest so we can get down to fixing the problems.”

The CB3 resolution points out that many of the MTA’s assumptions about the M14A’s adequacy are based on faulty data. For example, because young students do not swipe MetroCards when boarding busses, they are not counted by the MTA as passengers.

Likewise, when M14A passengers give up waiting for a bus and take the M14D bus instead, as they frequently do despite the long walks that await them at their destinations, they are counted as M14D passengers. CB3’s resolution points out that the M14A’s poor service has the greatest impact on local school children, elderly residents, and persons trying to get to and from work.

In addition to requesting services changes to improve the frequency and reliability of buses on the M14A route, CB3 also requested the MTA appear before its Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee to discuss why disparities exist between the community’s and MTA’s analysis of the route.

You can find the full resolution (PDF) at the CB3 website here. (It starts on the second page.)

[Updated] A look at tonight's CB3 agenda, which includes the return of The Honey Fitz

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

Here's a look at a few of the applicants on the agenda:

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• 20 St Mark's Place — Applicants from Ichibantei, the 7-year-old "Japanese Soul Food & Drink" bar-restaurant on 13th Street near First Avenue, are looking to open a similar-sounding concept at 20 St. Mark's Place.

This space is above the Grassroots on the block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue that previously housed Sounds.

According to the application (PDF) at the CB3 website, this unnamed restaurant would seat 64 during their daily hours of 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The paperwork doesn't note if this would be a second location of Ichibantei or if they plan to move the business.

The fact that an applicant is looking to sell liquor in a space that wasn't previously licensed in a so-called Saturated Area has raised the ire of a few people on the block. While not named in the story, this application was the news hook in a St. Mark's Place Is Full-of-Bars piece in the Post yesterday.

Per the Post:

A proposal for yet another bar and restaurant at 20 St. Marks Place shows there are an astonishing 32 liquor licenses within 500 feet. And that’s before you count two more pending applications for watering holes, State Liquor Authority records show.

And...

“Stacking bars on top of bars is not a happy thought for me,” said Ian Fair who ran Sounds for many years and still lives in the building. He closed the shop in 2015 after the landlord tripled the rent.

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• 58 E. First St. — Applicants with experience at Casa Mizcal on Orchard Street and the Black Ant on Second Avenue are looking to open a restaurant called Boticarios in the space where Esperanto Fonda lasted nine months.

The application at the CB3 website (PDF) includes a sample menu.

While they haven't yet secured the liquor license, the owners have left a note for the neighboring residents about some renovations in the restaurant...



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• 210 Avenue A — Applicants for The Honey Fitz are making another run at Avenue A. The proprietors, James Morrissey and Ian Nolan (The Late Late on East Houston and The VNYL on Third Avenue), were looking to open in 2016 in the space that is now home to Starbucks on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place. However, they held off given the uncertainty at the time surrounding the lease at Nino's.

They are proposing a bar-restaurant with hours of 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily. (I don't know if the networking space for freelancers is part of this proposal as it was for the St. Mark's Place space.)

The application (PDF) has all sorts of details about the proposed venture, including the menu. No. 210 at 13th Street is currently home to Percy's Tavern, who presumably would close if all this is OK'd.

Updated 9/17

BoweryBoogie reports that CB3 denied the application for the Honey Fitz. Per BB:

[Residents] further alleged that bringing in Morrissey with a 4am liquor license, and who has a terrible track record with VYNL and The Late Late, would only exacerbate an already saturated area. Indeed, the latter operation is considered one of the worst offenders in the district, and carries a report card of more than thirty 311 complaints. Residents on East 1st Street regularly complain about noise, which first has to travel past a clamorous Houston Street and then through First Park.

Remember, of course, that the original intent of The Late Late was an Irish gathering space that would feature “Irish gourmet food” and small poetry readings. Talk about bait-and-switch. This could be why so many turned up to speak in opposition (i.e. more than a dozen).

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• 151 Avenue C — Studio 151, the three-year-old club from the owner of Nublu, is on the agenda for a new liquor license for the upstairs space here between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

I'm not sure what's going on with the space, which has been closed the past six months, per Studio 151's social media.
(You can find their CB3 application here.)

Neighbors have already been circulating flyers about this item...


[Photo by Steven]

The flyers cite Studio 151's "thirty year history of noise." To be fair, Studio 151 opened in July 2014. Speakeasy closed here in the spring of 2014.

CB3 committee exploring link between bar density and public health

[EVG file photo #goodtimes]

On Tuesday night, CB3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee meeting is addressing a topic of possible interest: the impact of bar density on public health.

This meeting notice via the EVG inbox explains...

At its September 2017 meeting, Community Board 3’s Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee will be investigating the link between alcohol outlet density (the number of alcohol serving establishments within a limited geographic area) and adverse effects on local public health and public safety.

The Committee’s primary focus will be on if existing data establishes such a link and, in the event such a link exists, if CB3 should take any future actions based upon the data (potentially with the State Liquor Authority, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and/or New York City’s incoming “night Mayor”).

To guide us through the discussion, the committee will hear presentations from Robert Pezzolesi, MPH, the Founding Director of the New York Alcohol Policy Alliance, and Professor Sigmund Shipp, Director of Hunter College’s undergraduate urban student program, along with two Hunter graduate students who recently authored a report on the link between alcohol outlet density and public health/public safety in an area of the Lower East Side that has a particularly high concentration of alcohol serving establishments.

In connection with the presentations, the Committee is interested in hearing from community members’ and organizations’ about their perceptions of any link (or lack thereof) between the number of alcohol serving establishments in your neighborhoods and declining or improving local health and safety conditions. Please join us.

While CB3 is seeking public input, keep in mind, per the notice: "The Committee will not be hearing complaints regarding individual businesses."

The meeting is Tuesday evening at 6:45, Downtown Art, 1st Floor Theater, 70 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

CB3 OKs Triona's takeover of Croxley Ales on Avenue B

CB3's SLA committee last night approved a new liquor license application for the owners of Triona's, an Irish bar with two locations in the city (Sullivan Street and Third Avenue), who are taking over Croxley Ales at 28-30 Avenue B.

The application notes that this is a sale of assets.

There wasn't too much debate over the applicants. There weren't any objections from the East 4th Street Avenues A-B Block Association, who gad met with the applicants earlier this year ... and no one was at the meeting to speak out against the applicants.

The yet-to-be-be-named establishment (Triona's on B is a possibility) will have hours of noon to 4 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The menu is "traditional American-Irish comfort food," with fish and chips, burgers, etc. The full menu will be available at the bar in the No. 28 space as well as the sit-down portion at No. 30. (Croxley expanded into this adjacent space in 2013.) This Triona's will include 20 TVs, about the same number as Croxley Ales.

There wasn't any mention of when the transition from Croxley Ales to Triona's might occur. (This item was originally on the June CB3-SLA docket, but one of the Triona owners had to cancel due to an undisclosed emergency, per the paperwork with the application.)

Croxley Ales has six locations in the metropolitan area, opening the first outpost on Long Island in 1990. The East Village location opened here between Second Street and Third Street in 2003.

Last night's committee meeting was held in a 17th-floor event space at Ian Schrager's new Public Hotel on Chrystie Street. The views are nice.

On tonight's CB3-SLA docket: Boris & Horton, New York's first dog friendly coffee shop

We've looked at a few of the applicants on this month's CB3-SLA docket, including Joe and Pat's ... and the Ainsworth East Village.

Here are two more items of possible interest on the schedule tonight.

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A "contemporary American" restaurant is being planned for 105 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

The applicants, who have experience at the Blind Barber and Drexler's on Avenue A, are behind this venture. The paperwork (PDF here) on file ahead of tonight's meeting shows seating for 44 via 14 tables as well as one bar with 10 seats. The proposed hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Thursday; Friday until 3 a.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The questionnaire did not include a sample menu.

Empellón Cocina closed here in May after five years in service.

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Boris & Horton, billed as "New York's first dog friendly coffee shop and community space," is the concept for the former Ost Cafe and Raclette spaces on Avenue A at 12th Street.

The questionnaire at the CB3 website (PDF here) shows proposed hours of 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. The operators are seeking a beer-wine license to go alongside menu items such as sandwiches and paninis.

A help wanted ad on Craigslist offers more information about the business:

In cooperation with the Department of Health, Boris & Horton will serve coffee and snacks in a dog friendly environment. The coffee bar will be glassed in with double doors leading to the dog side, which will feature café style seating and upscale pet products. We have a lifelong passion for animal rescue so Boris & Horton will be a hub for adoption events and fundraisers.

The principals are listed as Coppy Holzman and his daughter, Logan Holzman.

Ost Cafe closed in February after nine years in business. Their owners said that it had "become too expensive to stay open any longer." The Grand Street location is still in service. Raclette moved from its 14-seat space on A around the corner to the former Northern Spy on 12th Street last fall.

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The July CB3-SLA committee meeting is tonight at 6:30 at Ian Schrager's Public Hotel, 215 Chrystie St. just below Houston.

A call to expand the boundaries of the proposed special business district in the East Village

On June 7, Community Board 3's Economic Development Committee hosted a public forum to discuss a proposed special district in the East Village "to encourage retail diversity and promote small and independent businesses."

Under the proposal, the special district would be 14th Street to Houston; Second Avenue to Avenue D as well as St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Read a PDF about the proposal here. You can read recaps from the meeting here and here. Read REBNY's reaction here.)

The borders of the proposed district didn't sit well with some members of the East Fifth Street Block Association, who plan on discussing the topic during the public speaking section of tonight's full CB3 board meeting.

According to an email via the Block Association, streets between the Bowery and Second Avenue should be included in the proposal:

The East 4th Street Cultural District, which is between Bowery and 2nd Avenue, is a cultural hub. Having chain stores at its western approach would destroy its sense of context and historic place.

With the Bowery’s west side above Houston protected by the NoHo Historic District, it would be irresponsible and degrading to the East Village’s sense of historic place to have major gateway at Bowery become the sole repository for these awful chain stores. That would give a negative first impression of this wonderful neighborhood.

Second Avenue is not the gateway to the East Village. The Bowery/Third Avenue is the gateway to the East Village, and all of it should be included in the EV Special Zoning District.

The full CB3 meeting is tonight at 6:30, PS 20, 166 Essex St. between East Houston and Stanton.

Hear the latest on the L train shutdown tonight

[EVG photo from April]

Apologies for the short notice — I only received this info. late last night. Via the EVG inbox...

The MTA and the Department of Transportation are deep in the process of planning for the L train shutdown in 2019, and community board meetings are going on right now in which representatives from both agencies are sharing their latest plans and listening to community members' concerns and ideas.

The MTA and the DOT will be in the East Village tonight at a meeting of CB3's Transportation & Public Safety/Environment Committee, presenting their latest update on the planning they're doing:

• Fixing the L Line's Canarsie Tunnel (click here for MTA/DOT PowerPoint slides)

The meeting is open to the public, and people can ask questions and offer comments. Tuesday, June 13, 6:45-8 p.m. Downtown Art, 70 E. Fourth St. between the Bowery and Second Avenue

As previously reported, Transportation Alternatives is advocating for something they're calling the 14th Street PeopleWay. Read more about that plan here. This am New York piece has more facts, figures and proposals related to the L train.

The L train shutdown between Bedford Avenue and Eighth Avenue to repair the Sandy-damaged Canarsie Tunnel is expected to last 15 months with a start date of April 2019.

Reminder: Public forum set to discuss special business district in the East Village

As we reported last week, Community Board 3's Economic Development Committee is hosting a public forum on Wednesday evening to discuss a proposed special district in the East Village "to encourage retail diversity and promote small and independent businesses."

Find more details via a Q-and-A on the CB3 website on the issue. Or last week's post.

Here's a flyer that the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation created for the event...



The meeting is Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Sirovich Senior Center, 331 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Public forum set to discuss special business district in the East Village (27 comments)

Public forum set to discuss special business district in the East Village

Community Board 3's Economic Development Committee is hosting a public forum on June 7 to discuss a proposed special district in the East Village "to encourage retail diversity and promote small and independent businesses."

Here's more via a Q-and-A on the CB3 website on the issue:

Why a special district in the East Village and why now?

CB 3 has experienced a dramatic loss of small “mom & pop” businesses in the past 10+ years, and a resulting decrease in the diversity and affordability of local goods and services. Driven by a combination of high commercial rents and real estate taxes, competition from an over-proliferation and concentration of destination nightlife businesses and national chain stores who can afford exorbitant rents, and a lack of daytime foot traffic, the loss of small businesses has been sustained in recent years.

What are the goals of a special district in CB 3?
• preserve the unique, individual character of our neighborhoods
• facilitate a diverse, affordable, and appropriate mix of retail and service providers that meet local needs
• encourage daytime businesses that do not have a disruptive effect on residents
• support existing businesses serving local needs
• limit the ground floor presence of inactive street wall frontages
• promote strong and affordable neighborhoods that are inviting to all New Yorkers, especially families

How will a special district affect certain uses?

The special district is not meant to push out existing businesses and nightlife establishments. Rather, the effort is to strike a balance and create a level playing field for small businesses. In the current proposal, eating/drinking establishments, banks, and chains would have restrictions on maximum total size (2,500 square feet) and maximum street wall width (25 linear feet). They would also be prohibited from combining storefronts across separate buildings.

Additionally, there would be restrictions on how much of a block’s street frontage can be occupied by a particular use — for example, no more than 25 percent of any given block’s street frontage can be occupied by eating/drinking establishments and there cannot be more than 1 chain store or bank per block.

I am thinking of opening a business in the East Village that does not meet the parameters of the special district. Does your current proposal take exceptions into consideration?

In the current proposal, applications for exceptions will require a mandatory review process and referral to the Community Board for a recommendation.

Based on the current proposal, where will the special district be located?
• 14th Street to Houston; 2nd Avenue to Avenue D (excluding N/S sides of Houston and 14th)
• St Marks between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue

The meeting is Wednesday, June 7, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Sirovich Senior Center, 331 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Cherin moving to a larger space next door on 6th Street

Brick Lane Curry House moved from East Sixth Street to 99 Second Ave. between Sixth Street and Fifth Street in August 2014. Now it appears Brick Lane's former space finally has a new tenant here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

It will be a short move for Cherin Sushi, which is directly next door. Ownership plans to relocate to the larger adjacent space ... and expand their menu offers to including ramen. They will be going by Cherin Sushi N Ramen.

According to materials (PDF here) on file at the CB3 website ahead of tonight's SLA committee meeting (they are seeking a new beer-wine license), the more-spacious Cherin will accommodate 27 tables for 66 seats and a small service bar. The proposed hours are 5 p.m. to midnight during the week, and until 2 a.m. on Friday-Saturday. They will remain closed on Sunday.

There's no word on when the move may occur... a look inside the under-renovation space last week shows plenty of work left before the new Cherin can open...



Thank you to Vinny & O for the photos and tip!

The Irish Times Pub and Eatery NYC has plans for 10th Street and Avenue C

The operators of a restaurant called the Irish Times Pub and Eatery NYC have designs on the former East Village Tavern space on 10th Street and Avenue C.

According to materials posted to the CB3 website (PDF here) ahead of this week's SLA committee meeting, the proposed hours are 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily, with a 10 a.m. opening on Sunday. (The questionnaire doesn't specify when the place would serve alcohol — presumably 8 a.m. when it is officially legal.)



The configuration shows 10 tables with 55 seats and a bar with 15 seats. (And six TV sets.)

Since 2008, the owners have operated Irish Times Pub and Eatery in South Miami.

Here's a write-up of that establishment via the Miami New Times:

For decades, University of Miami students have been trying to dupe the bouncers at this Celtic-themed tavern within walking distance of campus. Yet no matter how closely they resemble their older cousin's expired driver's license photo, the bouncer, propped on his stool outside the double doors, inevitably refuses to let them in. Poor underage drinkers. They're missing out on a beacon for Dade's partygoers looking to keep the night from ending at a 5 a.m. liquor license establishment. But it's not just the postmidnight crowd that has kept the Irish Times clicking on a busy South Miami corner. A hearty menu with everything from sliders to mac 'n' cheese and more traditional fare like bangers 'n' mash, fish 'n' chips and shepherd's pie ensures an all-hours crowd. The double doors in front are left open rain or shine, and the friendly staff is welcoming whether you order a pint of Guinness before noon or are stopping by on your commute home for a game of pool.

East Village Tavern opened in 2008 and closed this past November. In announcing the closure on Facebook, bar staff blamed a disagreement with landlord Steve Croman. However, a Croman rep told The Real Deal that the bar had "been unable to consistently pay its rent in the last 12 months."

The April SLA committee meeting is tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

Ummburger vying for the Mancora space on 1st Avenue

A group of applicants is looking to bring Ummburger to 99 First Ave. at Sixth Street, the current home of the Peruvian restaurant Mancora.

According to the public documents (PDF here) on file ahead of this month's CB3-SLA agenda for a new liquor license, this is a sale of assets.

Ummburger is described as a "fast casual restaurant in the style of a gourmet burger bar." The application shows proposed daily hours of 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. The configuration shows 16 tables seating 66 guests with one, six-seat bar.

The 31-page questionnaire also includes a sample menu as well as professionally produced materials that include "Concept inspiration and mood board."

Well, if you're in the mood for burgers... here's a look at the sample menu on file...





... there are a variety of burgers, including a vegetarian option ... and a fried chicken sandwich called the Southern Ummfort...



The enclosed materials state that the restaurant plans to open on May 15.

Mancora opened here in March 2003. Here's how the Times described it in a 2004 feature:

Mancora caters to East Villagers, and a raucous subset of them at that. Its jaunty room, an explosion of seashell chandeliers, octopus murals and fish nets, is buoyant with sangria-sipping crowds and South American soundtracks, especially on weekends.

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

Mexican restaurant eyeing the former Babel space on Avenue C

We've taken a look at a few items on tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting agenda (Ciala ... and the "upscale modern Indian cuisine" at the current L'Apicio space.)

One item of interest is no longer on the agenda. There was an applicant for the combo space at 129-131 Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street...



This was home to Babel Lounge until recently... the Marshal seized the space last month...



The notice form (PDF) on the CB3 website for this applicant shows a "Mexican restaurant with a cocktail bar" vying for the address. The applicant's name is William Aporih, who has been involved with the high-end bars at places such as Abajo and the Jimmy (and Yerba Buena on Avenue A).

In any event, perhaps this item will return on a future CB3 docket. As previously noted, a cancellation is a fairly frequent occurrence ... generally because information or paperwork is not finalized or negotiations with the landlord are not finalized to point where the applicant is ready to appear before the committee.

Babel, not always popular with neighbors, expanded into the former Duke's space in 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Babel expanding on Avenue C

Avenue C 'residents with children' not happy with Babel Lounge

Ciala bringing 'Georgian and European cuisine' to 2nd Avenue

A new restaurant-cafe called Ciala is in the works for 77 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.

According to the application on file (PDF) at the CB3 website ahead of Monday's SLA committee meeting, Ciala will serve "Georgian and European cuisine." (Ciala is seeking a beer-wine license.)

The layout shows 17 tables with a total of 49 seats ... and a five-seat service bar. The applicant, listed as David Kurtanidze, is proposing hours of 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, including for the outdoor seating.



The previous tenant here, Ballaro, which served Italian coffee and pastries during the day, and beer, wine and small plates in the evening hours, closed after seven years in February 2016. (Ballaro made headlines after drunken Taylor Swift fans apparently terrorized the staff by demanding they play more of the pop star's music on the house stereo in August 2015.)

The CB3-SLA meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. (corner of the Bowery).

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

On CB3's SLA docket for March: The return of Mono + Mono and Poco's sidewalk cafe

[EVG file photo of Mono + Mono]

CB3 has released its rundown of meetings for March... including for the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee.

Here's a quick look at a few of the items on the docket. (The questionnaires with more information about the applicants and their intentions haven't been posted online just yet.)

But first! The meeting is Monday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. (corner of the Bowery).

And now...

Sidewalk Cafe Applications

• Poco (Becaf LLC), 33 Ave B

CB3 voted to deny the renewal of a sidewalk cafe permit for Poco, who advertises having a "legendary boozy brunch," in December 2015. Neighbors have described Poco as being a "horror show," particularly during the brunch hours.

The restaurant's website notes: "Poco was built for one purpose — to be home away from home for the local residents of NYC's most unique, authentic neighborhood — Alphabet City."

• Mamak (Love Mamak Corp), 174 2nd Ave.

The Thai restaurant at the corner of 11th Street is vying for a sidewalk cafe.

New Liquor License Applications

• Monomono Inc, 116 E 4th St (wb)-EXPEDITED APPLICATION

Nearly four years have passed since a two-alarm fire swept through the single-level building that housed Mono + Mono, which specialized in Korean fried chicken.

The owners have said that they would reopen. For now, a flower shop is holding forth in the space between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

• Fresh Press Cafe LLC, 77 2nd Ave (op)

Something in the works for the former Ballaro space, the cafe that closed between Fourth Street and Fifth Street last February.

• To be Determined, 140 1st Ave (op)

The owners of Big Lee's (aka the Hard Swallow Saloon), which has been closed of late, are applying for a new liquor license.

• RSVP Hospitality LLC, 11 E 1st St (op)

Not sure about this one... the address for Bowery Meat Co. is 9 E. First St. ... and L'Apicio is 13 E. First St.

• Novo Partners, 57 2nd Ave (op)

This is one of the empty retail spaces of an Icon Realty-owned building.

• Mandolino Inc, 137 E 13th St (op)

The pizzeria opened last month between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

• Hi Collar (Sobaya Restaurant Inc), 214 E 10th St (upgrade to op)

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b=beer & cider | wb=wine, beer & cider | op=liquor, wine, beer & cider | alt=alterations

Mr. White bringing 'new Southern cuisine' to St. Mark's Place

As previously noted, February's CB3-SLA agenda includes an applicant vying for a beer-wine license at 121 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Here's more about the space via public documents (PDF) at the CB3 website. For starters, Mr. White will serve "New Southern cuisine." (The online application did not include a sample menu.)

The proposed hours are noon to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday. (The application notes that alcohol service will end at 2 a.m., with the restaurant closing one hour later "to allow the customer to finish his meal.") The configuration shows 10 tables seating 28 patrons, and two bars seating 19 people.

The documents also note that the principals have experience at the Grand National (now the Big Whiskey) and the Whiskey Brooklyn in Williamsburg.

No. 121 was last home to the Belgian Room, which the state seized for nonpayment of taxes in April 2015. (The reconfigured space includes the former Ton-Up Cafe next door.)

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

CB3's SLA docket for February includes applicant for the former Belgian Room on St. Mark's

Community Board 3 released its slate of meetings for February. (Find the calendar here.)

The SLA committee docket has a manageable number of applicants ... and not too many north of Houston. One item of interest: There is an applicant for the long-vacant bar space at 121 St. Mark's Place ... last home to the Belgian Room, which the state seized for nonpayment of taxes in April 2015.

The calendar simply shows an LLC going by Mr. White applying for a beer-wine license for the location. CB3 hasn't uploaded the questionnaires just yet. We'll pass along more info about this venture when it becomes available.

It's not clear whether Mr. White will also take the former Ton-Up Cafe space next door. Workers removed the wall between the businesses in 2015. (Probably yes.)

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

Desolate Belgian Room photo from 2015

Sushi part of plan for former Iron Sushi on 10th Street

Iron Sushi closed back in June on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

An applicant is on this month's CB3 SLA committee docket to take over the space...the applicant is seeking a new beer-wine license...


[Photo by Steven]

According to the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, the new venture is called Big Ben Restaurant.

The application shows that the space will hold 21 tables (=72 seats) with the proposed hours of Noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

There isn't any indication of the type of food here, though there's a mention of a sushi bar.

This month's SLA committee meeting is Monday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. CB3 will hold the meeting in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.