Has La Isla closed on East 14th Street? (And we hope not...)

Several readers noted that workers looked to be clearing out the restaurant near Avenue B yesterday... we stopped by later, but no one was around... and the gates were closed...

We also called, though there wasn't any answer or outgoing message... Perhaps they're doing some summertime renovations...

Anyway, it is (or was) always an inexpensive option for large servings of, among other items, rice and beans ... mashed plantains... papas rellenas. I don't recall any meals on the menu being more than $7 or $8 (excluding the combo meals!)...

CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license for them back in September 2010.

A photo of La Isla from 2008... via Eating In Translation...

[Flickr]

h/t @AMDuross

A warning

@evgrieve Some tweaked out lady just kicked our puppy and assaulted a woman on 14th and B, cops are after her- watch out she's violent

— David Ban (@d_ban) July 14, 2012

New 7-Eleven signage almost makes IHOP less noticeable on East 14th Street

Hey now. Workers put up the 7-Eleven signs today on East 14th Street.... How do you think it all looks together now?

Previously.

Here is what's left of the tree that fell this morning on East 14th Street

EVG reader Joe provides the update...



Ugh.

Earlier today on EV Grieve:
Large branch falls on East 14th Street

Large branch falls on East 14th Street

EVG reader Joe reports that, just before 6 a.m., a large branch of the flowering pear tree outside the Duane Reade on East 14th Street near First Avenue split and fell...





No word on the shape of the rest of the tree...

Beyond Sushi is the name of the restaurant taking the Royal Wigs space

Well, uh, the headline kind of says it all ... just a quick follow-up to our post last Tuesday about the sushi-vegetarian place taking over the Royal Wigs space on Ihop Way on East 14th Street ... the sign is now up for the new restaurant...



Seeing this reminded me that I have never tried any of the places on the north side of East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... like Hawkers... or Bite... or 211 New Taco Grill... any of these places worth a visit?

From wigs to veggies on East 14th Street

For the past few months, we noticed that the Royal Wigs shop was never open on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... sure enough, in recent weeks, a few readers have spotted workers inside gutting the space... such as this one via LvV...



...and from Dave of 14th Street...



Dave said that it has been on the block the 15 years he has lived nearby ...

Before getting into history ... as for the future: A tipster tells us that it will be a vegetarian restaurant selling items that include wraps and sushi.

As for the past... like, Dave, it seems like the place has always been there. Does anyone know any of the store's history?

We came across an alt.rock country band called The Royal Wigs, who took their name from the store. According to the band's bio, the store "was frequented by such famous NYC denizens as Lou Reed, the New York Dolls, and Vivienne Westwood." Not sure about the merits of these claims ... though we like the thought of, say, Arthur Kane rummaging around in here one day years back ...

In any event, the storefront was always photogenic ... Here's a shot by Goggla...



...and via LuciaM on Panoramio...

Mystery Lot ready for retail

As you probably know, the Mystery Lot here off East 14th Street east of Third Avenue will become an 82-unit, eight-story development some day. The work permits, which are still pending city approval, say that the space will include 86,409 square feet for residential and 5,275 square feet for retail.

And now, the "retail opportunity" sign has arrived ...

Not a whole lot of info via the official retail listing...

However, there will be room for retail in two storefronts, which includes the current empty slot between Chickpea and the 123 condo...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Mystery Lot likely facing a luxurious end

Report: Misdemeanor assault charge in East 14th Street parking-space punch case‎

A Manhattan jury this morning convicted Oscar Fuller of misdemeanor assault for punching a woman in an argument over an East Village parking space in February 2011, the Post reported.

The jury acquitted Fuller, an electrician in Queens, of felony assault for punching Bronx resident Lana Rosas in the ensuing argument. He could serve up to one year in jail. The judge will sentence Fuller on June 13, the Post noted.

Rosas was reportedly in a coma for nine days. According to her mother, "Rosas is still struggling with brain injuries, unable to work or drive, and her life revolves around her therapy sessions."

Fuller's first trial ended in a mistrial last November. He has said that he was defending himself. Rosas was standing in the space on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B to save the spot for her boyfriend.

[Photo by DNAinfo/Patrick Hedlund]

Stuyvesant Grocery returning to East 14th Street

EV Grieve reader LvV brings good news for fans of Stuyvesant Grocery, the deli on East 14th Street and Avenue A that a fire destroyed in May 2010. Per LvV: "Stuyvesant Grovery is back, albeit in smaller form, but it is back. The guys are working on the old locksmith place on the southside of 14th between 1st and A, right next to Petopia."

Now if we can just get a new location nearby for Pete's-a-Pizza... And anyone know what happened to the locksmith-hardware place?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Conspiracies: What next for 14th Street and Avenue A?

Renovations in order for Stuyvesant Grocery and Pete's-A-Place?

[Updated] Report: Worker falls through subway grate in front of IHOP

[DNA/Tuan Nguyen]

We're receiving reader reports that someone fell through a subway grate on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. As Fox first reported:

A worker fell through a subway grate on E. 14th Street in Manhattan Friday morning, said FDNY officials.

It is not clear why the grate, which serves as a ventilation shaft for the subway tunnel below the sidewalk, gave way.

The worker who is in his 60s was rushed to Bellevue Hospital with neck injuries, added EMS officials.

One reader said that it occurred in front of IHOP ... which the report (and photo) by DNAinfo confirms ...

The Times noted that the man was not seriously injured.

Updated:

The worker DID NOT fall through the grate. He was standing on a ladder beneath the grate and fell.

7-Eleven to complete suburbification of East 14th Street

Back in June, the Exquisite DVD Video store next door to IHOP on East 14th Street hit the market...

Several tipsters have relayed, um, tips on what is coming next to this space... something that will fit in nicely alongside the IHOP, KFC, Subway, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins on this block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

Yes — a 7-Eleven ... there's not much info on the DOB site, but at least one document dated last Monday shows paperwork approving 7-Eleven signage ...

The night that the music died on East 14th Street

EV Grieve reader joe spotted this old beaut outside the Crocodile Lounge on East 14th Street last evening...

He couldn't find a date of manufacture, but the 10-year warranty must have expired.

Naked Pizza bares new sign on East 14th Street

Yesterday, workers put up the sign for the incoming Naked Pizza shop on 14th Street just steps away from Third Avenue... it's the second NYC location of the New Orleans-based company... per the website:

Founded in 2006, based in New Orleans and backed by Mark Cuban and The Kraft Group, Naked Pizza's mission is to revolutionize how we think about fast food. We believe that the product, business model and ethos of the brand will prove that conscious capitalism can make a difference.

Anyway, the pizza is supposed to not make you a fat slob. Per the website (again):

NAKED = Natural: Our dough, sauce and cheese contain no additives, preservatives, colorants or weird chemicals of any kind.
Fewer Calories: We reduce the calories with our multi-grain dough mix and by not adding sugar or butter to the dough or sauce. Our cheese is a great tasting skim milk mozzarella.
Prebiotics: Called an invisible super fiber, prebiotics improve your balance of healthy probiotic bacteria for improved immunity.
Multi-Grain: Our diverse blend of ancestral grain and seeds (more than 10) and selected for maximum nutrients and taste.
Probiotics: Probiotics are health-giving bacteria that live in our guts and essential to a sense of balance. We use a heat-resistant probiotic.
More Protein: Our mixture of multi-grain flours and numerous whole grains boost the levels of important plant proteins. Increasing levels of protein help the body achieve optimal performance and help reduce hunger
Less Fat: No trans fats, no butter, and our 50/50 whole and skim milk mozzarella keeps the fat in check.
Better Taste: When you add it all up, we have created the worlds healthiest and best tasting pizza that can be part of your healthy lifestyle.

If you want to plumpen up, then you'll have to wait until the 5 Napkin Burger opens next door.

On closer inspection, IHOP NOT opening a sidewalk cafe on 14th Street

Joking. But still. Seeing the blue tarp tent out front ... which matches the IHOP brand colors ... gives you pause...

...the work continues on all this... the cooling system for the Pancake Maker. Or it's something for the L train. Either way.

Here comes IHOP's sidewalk canopy

Look out... coming through... After adding the three-story IHOP banner yesterday, workers are on the scene of the EVOHOP this morning installing the sidewalk canopy, which will extend nearly to 14th Street... Perhaps this is just part of Art in Odd Places that's taking place now along 14th Street? (Ha.)

Thanks to Jennifer at Xoom for the photo...

How you can make a personal connection to the Mystery Lot

Ohh! This afternoon outside the Mystery Lot on East 14th Street... looks like some street art shenanigans!

And this sign explains what's going on here...

Chickpea reopens today on East 14th Street

At least according to the workers inside the location here near Third Avenue ... seems as if this place has been closed for renovations for, well, a really long time...Maybe March?

Please do not walk into the East Village IHOP

An addition to the "we are not open" sign on the EVIHOP on East 14th Street...

You will have to wait two more weeks.

East Village IHOP passes first major test; plus, a sneak peek inside!

The incoming EVIHOP on East 14th Street apparently has a hurricane-tropical storm proof awning...

[Photo taken yesterday]

And let's take a look inside...

...complete with "rooty tooty fresh n' fruity" signage...

Previously.