La Esquina Burritos & Bar signage up on 1st Avenue

As we noted last week, Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill on First Avenue and East Sixth Street… was changing up concepts and now going by La Esquina Bar & Grill, per the signs in the window.

Perhaps to alleviate any confusion between this La Esquina and the Kenmare Street establishments — La Esquina Taqueria and Cafe/La Esquina Brasserie & Tequila Bar — ownership must have decided on a variation… the new signage/awning combo is now up…


[Photo via @sheeplessnomad]

La Esquina Burritos and Bar...


[Photo by Vinny and O]

Figaro opened in January 2014, taking over the space from Banjara.

Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill is now La Esquina (not that one) Bar & Grill

We just noticed the other day that the Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill on First Avenue and East Sixth Street… is now going by La Esquina Bar & Grill…



… with a new taco-and-burrito-friendly menu…



One EVG reader suggested that this might be an offshoot of the Kenmare Street hotspots — La Esquina Taqueria and Cafe/La Esquina Brasserie & Tequila Bar.

So we called La Esquina. No, they have not (quietly) expanded to the East Village. Apparently the Figaro owners are just chaining up the concept.

Figaro opened in January 2014, taking over the space from Banjara. In November, Figaro split up the space, with Apna Masala opening on the East Sixth Street side.

Indian cuisine returning to the corner of 1st Avenue and East 6th Street

Work continues on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street … where the still newish Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill (that name about covers everything) is being divided up … and now the signage is up for the new business — Apna Masala …



At this point we don't know anything about the new proprietors.

The corner space was previously home to Banjara, which moved to share space with its sister restaurant Haveli on Second Avenue last November.

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