Koko Wings waiting to take flight on 1st Avenue

Renovations continue at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

As we pointed out back on Sept. 30, Koko Wings, specializing in Korean fried chicken, is opening its second NYC outpost here. (The other is on West 106th Street.)

That 106th Street locale got a nice writeup via Westside Rag upon opening in 2014:

The wings are marinated in either soy garlic or hot and spicy sauce, both of which were tasty. You can also order drumsticks or chicken strips in the same marinades. The Kimchi cole slaw had a nice kick, as expected. Other Korean dishes like mandu (dumplings) and pa-jeon (scallion pancakes with seafood) are also on the menu...

An opening day for the EV location hasn't been announced.

Despite good food and intentions, the previous tenant here, Chelsea Thai, closed after five months in business this past January.

The now-closed Chelsea Thai on 1st Avenue is selling all its equipment

After five months at 192 First Ave., Chelsea Thai closed following the holidays. Founder-chef Saruj Nimkarn said that there wasn't enough business here between 11th Street and 12th Street to keep the quick-serve restaurant open.

Nimkarn and his family members are selling off the contents from inside the space... thanks to EVG regular Lola Sáenz for the tip and photos...











The restaurant debuted here in August after 21 years in the Chelsea Market. (A rent increase there forced Nimkarn to look elsewhere.)

Nimkarn will be holding the sale until 8 tonight, then again tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The space is now also for rent... Steven took this photo earlier today...

Chelsea Thai closes after 5 months on 1st Avenue

[Photo Saturday by Steven]

On Friday night, Chelsea Thai founder-chef Saruj Nimkarn hung the closing sign on his restaurant at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.


[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

Nimkarn just debuted here in August after 21 years in the Chelsea Market. (A rent increase there forced Nimkarn to look elsewhere.) Unfortunately, he told EVG regular Lola Sáenz that there wasn't enough business in his new space to make the rent.

The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Not entirely sure why the restaurant didn't last. (Lack of a liquor license? Not enough daytime foot traffic? Too many other buzzy new restaurants nearby such as Little Tong Noodle Shop and Tatsu Ramen?)

The address was previously home to the Neptune. The Polish-American diner closed in December 2016 after 15 years in business. According to one source, the rent doubled. After Neptune's departure, the landlord divided up the restaurant into two retail spaces.

Space 194, a hybrid tea-coffee shop-gallery recently opened in the other storefront.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A

Chelsea Thai debuts on 1st Avenue

Chelsea Thai debuts on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

Chelsea Thai, a longtime favorite in that neighborhood, opened in its new home at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street back on Friday.

Founder-chef Saruj Nimkarn (pictured above) relocated here after 21 years in the Chelsea Market. (He closed that space in January.)

You can find the menu (PDF!) here.

This Instagram post from January 2017 has more about Nimkarn...

Meet the owner of Chelsea Thai at Chelsea Market. Saruj Nimkarn is the founder,owner and head chef of Chelsea Thai. He grew up in Bangkok Thailand and came to the US when he was a teenager. He then decided that he wanted to bring a taste of his home to the states and opened up this restaurant so he could share his favorite comfort foods with all of us. One of the first restaurants in Chelsea Market, Chelsea Thai will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

A post shared by Chelsea Thai (@chelsea__thai) on Jan 16, 2017 at 5:39am PST

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A

Signage for VVNs Teas arrives on 1st Avenue

Signage is up for VVNs Teas at 154 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

Per the VVN website:

VVNs TEA, simply pronounced like Vivian's Tea, is a place that not only sells tea, but also promotes a lifestyle. A lifestyle that is centered around the appreciation of tea and the sharing of art.

Every cup surface acts as an open canvas, printed with artworks by local artists. When you buy a cup of tea, you receive the whole experience — a tiny piece of artwork that you can share with your friends on social media.

The shop, which will be modeled after an art gallery, is expected to open in the fall.

The space previously housed the Neptune. The Polish-American restaurant closed in December 2016 after 15 years in business.

The landlord divided the former Neptune space. Chelsea Thai will be opening in the other storefront.



H/T Lola Sáenz!

The Chelsea Thai signage is up on 1st Avenue

As you can see, the sign has arrived at the incoming Chelsea Thai, set to debut this spring at 192-194 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

In January, the quick-serve restaurant closed its small space of nearly 20 years in the Chelsea Market ahead of a move here. No opening date announced yet for First Avenue.

This Instagram post from January 2017 has more about the Chelsea Thai owner, Saruj Nimkarn...

Meet the owner of Chelsea Thai at Chelsea Market. Saruj Nimkarn is the founder,owner and head chef of Chelsea Thai. He grew up in Bangkok Thailand and came to the US when he was a teenager. He then decided that he wanted to bring a taste of his home to the states and opened up this restaurant so he could share his favorite comfort foods with all of us. One of the first restaurants in Chelsea Market, Chelsea Thai will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

A post shared by Chelsea Thai (@chelsea__thai) on Jan 16, 2017 at 5:39am PST

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A

Chelsea Thai closes ahead of move to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue

As noted back in the fall, Chelsea Thai, which has operated a stall in the Chelsea Market for 19 years, signed a 10-year-lease at 192-194 First Ave.

Turns out that Chelsea Thai isn't opening a second location, rather closing their space on Ninth Avenue ahead of a move to the East Village. EVG regular Bayou shared the top photo, noting that the quick-serve Thai restaurant's last day was Friday.

Meanwhile, on First Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street, renovations continue at the former Nepture diner space...



Chelsea Thai (not sure if they are keeping that name with the move east) is only taking half of the Neptune storefront. The other half is on the market for $7,500, per Eastern Consolidated.

No word on an opening date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A