Avenue A, 4:15 a.m., May 23

The mysterious block of concrete at Second Street is now even seemingly more mysterious... Remember, if you see a large block of concrete, say something...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's your mystery block of concrete

A LOT of house on East Second Street

EV Grieve reader Tad was playing around with Google Maps the other day when he came across a darn good real-estate deal on East Second Street... Unfortunately, the Googlers must have realized their mistake... so the link is dead, but the screenshot lives on! Check it out!



As he told me: "Who knew such great houses existed right on E. 2nd St.: 3 bed/3 bath, under 500k? A hidden treasure." Heh! Not to mention a driveway! Which is actually in keeping with the East Village driveway/private garage trend.

Nicky's reopens tomorrow

Nicky's owner Quynh Dang left us a note regarding yesterday's post on his restaurant closing for renovations....

We'll be open on Saturday. We did need to renovate and get some equipment repaired. Also, we have 2 more months on the lease...we are trying really hard to negotiate with the landlord since he wants to increase it to three times of what the space is worth. However, we ARE also currently working on our City Hall, NYC location on Nassau St. and we still have our Brooklyn location!

See you soon!

Nicky's staying in the East Village; Graceland moving out?

Following up on our scoop last week about Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches on Second Street possibly closing up shop...



An EV Grieve reader talked with another member of the Dang family. Per the reader:

"They will not be closing until the next 2 - 3 months ... it is up to the landlord. He says that they are going to be moving just a block or 2 away from the current EV location and will have more space, less rent and still play 'The Simpsons.' The FiDi location will be run by his sister."

And this:

"He also said that the deli around the corner, Graceland (not the high-end one) is going to be forced to close as well as the landlord wants a substantial amount more in rent."



Which, I suppose, makes sense: Graceland and Nicky's share the same building...

$4 million Carriage House will "rejuvinate" while the location will "seduce" you

A new listing came out this week.... Let's take a look at this offering on Fifth Street near Cooper Square, via Corcoran:

SECLUDED CARRIAGE HOUSE. A rare offering! private rear townhouse. This 25' wide threestory plus finished basement rear carriage house has recently undergone a meticulous andtasteful architect designed renovation. From the ground up, only the finest custom finishesadorn this fantastic modernist home. The property's serene setting which boasts both a private and charming courtyard as well as a large rooftop terrace will rejuvinate you. To seduce you, a dynamic Bowery meets East Village locale is downtown's new hip and exiciting neighborhood. You will want to make this gem your oasis in the city!

And here's a look at the $4.25 million home....







According to StreetEasy, the house was on the market for $4,995 million in 2008... Given the proximity of this serene oasis in the city to the Cooper Square Hotel, you'll likely have to enjoy that outdoor space in the winter...when the hotel's penthouse party terrace isn't in use...

Gratuitous bikini photo alert: Sports Illustrated swimsuit model buys East Second Street pad

According to a post yesterday on BlockShopper Manhattan, Australian swimsuit model Pania Rose and her beau bought an East Second Street condo for $712,000.

We look forward to seeing her at Hamilton Fish Park this summer.


[Image via SI]

No drinks with your Supper — for a little while, anyway

A note from a reader about Supper at 156 E. Second St.:

Supper (of Lil Frankie and Frank empire) did not put in the application for renewal for their liquor license in time. Normally when that happens an establishment can request a waiver from the Community Board to serve alcohol in the interim when the new license is in effect. However, due to the massive complaints they have received from community members for noise and blocking the sidewalk with their patrons waiting for tables, CB3 did not grant the waiver. This means that Supper does NOT have a liquor license currently and I believe they will not until mid August. ... Last night the police were called to be informed that they were serving alcohol without a license and the bar and at least one table from the sidewalk cafe was shut down. I'm not sure when they actually can start serving alcohol again.

Please place bottles, cans and pink boas in the blue trash cans

On Second Street near Avenue B.

I hope that "Salt" is a more exciting movie than these photos

I walked on Second Avenue and Second Street yesterday around 5 where the crew was camped out for the CIA thriller "Salt" starring Angelina Jolie. And I saw...not much. Trucks! Lights! Did I miss the mayhem? Anything? Later, it was suggested that they might not have done any filming because of the rain. It was my understanding, though, that the crew would be filming inside and on the steps of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection on Second Street. Let's say that they didn't film, does all this sit around for a few more days...? Or will this be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader later this summer? And when will it actually stop raining anyway, June?

Keystrokes in flight

Dunno how long this has been on Second Street...Years and I just noticed it? Regardless, I like it.

Wally's at Marfa

I'm just curious how long the old Waikiki Wally's banner will stay up on the rooftop at Marfa... Marfa took over the WW space last month. On East Second Street near First Avenue.

Dumpster of the day

East Second Street near Avenue A.

From tiki to minimalistic Marfa

It looks as if the former Waikiki Wally's space on Second Street is ready for action...It's Marfa, which is either taken from Dostoyevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" or the town in Texas. Or, um, maybe it's just Marfa.



They have drink specials...



...and some food...(the sign says the full menu debuts Feb. 12...)





And why are these photos so blurry? It's as if I took them while jogging by or something. Anyway! It wasn't open when I walked by last night some time before 7. Pretty spare decor. Not one piece of Polynesian kitsch spotted. Not even a sliver of bamboo.