1st sign of Hà Nội House on St. Mark's Place

An EVG reader who lives on St. Mark's Place shared this photo... showing some new awning signage for Hà Nội House at 119 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As noted back in the spring, a Vietnamese restaurant is in the works for the space. According to the application on file for public viewing at the CB3 website, the principals include veterans of Stephen Starr's Starr Restaurants, whose NYC establishments include Upland, El Vez and The Clocktower.

The proprietors originally sought a full liquor license, though CB3 was unwilling to approve one in this saturated area. (They eventually settled for a beer-wine license with earlier closing times, though, according to the minutes of the April CB3 meeting, the proprietors "then chose not to agree to make as conditions of its license the aforementioned stipulations and elected not to withdraw its application and return to Commuity Board 3 for additional hearing of its application.")

There was an open call yesterday for cooks. Per the ad: "Hanoi House is a new Vietnamese restaurant from two seasoned NYC restaurant professionals and a native Vietnamese chef. We are hiring part time and full time Line Cooks and Prep Cooks to start within the next few weeks."

The previous tenant here, Luca Bar, closed in April 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Proprietors offer more details about proposed Vietnamese restaurant for St. Mark's Place

Proprietors offer more details about proposed Vietnamese restaurant for St. Mark's Place

A Vietnamese restaurant is in the works for the old Luca Bar space at 119 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue, as we first reported.

The three principals, who will appear before CB3's SLA committee on April 18 in hopes of securing a full liquor license, have posted letters on adjacent buildings.

The letters offer a few more details about what's in store for No. 119...



In part:

"Our restaurant will feature creative, classic and contemporary Vietnamese cuisine featuring dishes like a Green Papaya Salad with Prawns, Whole Bass grilled in a banana leaf, Lemongrass Pork Chops...

We will be applying for a liquor license so that we may complement our cuisine with Vietnamese-inspired cocktails containing unique Southeast Asian fruits and juices, and beverages that will otherwise pair well with food."

Their proposed hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday; until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

According to the questionnaire (a 30-page PDF) on file at the CB3 website, two of the proprietors have worked for Stephen Starr's Starr Restaurants, whose NYC establishments include Upland, El Vez, The Clocktower, Morimoto and Buddakan.

Luca Bar closed in April 2015.

The CB3 SLA committee meeting is April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

There's a Vietnamese restaurant proposed for the former Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place

[EVG photo from Tuesday]

The former Luca Bar space at 119 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue looks to have another suitor.

A comprehensive questionnaire (a 30-page PDF) is on file for public inspection at the CB3 website ahead of the April SLA committee meeting.

According to the paperwork, the proposed Vietnamese restaurant (no name yet) would have 15 tables seating 42 as well as a bar with 12 seats. In addition, the proposed hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday-Wednesday; until 2 a.m. Thursday-Sunday. The applicants are applying for a full liquor license.

While the three principals have never been licensed before, they have had experience managing-operating restaurants, per the documents. Two of the proprietors have worked for Stephen Starr's Starr Restaurants, whose NYC establishments include Upland, El Vez, The Clocktower, Morimoto and Buddakan.

Here's a sample menu that accompanied the CB3 materials...


[Click to go big]

Previously, the owners of Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe — with locations in Charlottesville, Va., and Williamsburg (Brooklyn, not Virginia) — were looking to open a cafe at No. 119. However, those plans never materialized.

Luca Bar closed in April 2015.

The CB3 SLA committee meeting is April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe opening an outpost on St. Mark's Place

[EVG photo from June]

The former Luca Bar space at 119 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue hit the market in the early summer.

And now there's a taker for the former bar-restaraunt. The owners of Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe, with locations in Charlottesville, Va., and Williamsburg (Brooklyn, not Virginia), are on the January CB3/SLA committee meeting docket for a new beer-wine license.

While the Virginia location serves house-made cupcakes and what they describe as "nostalgia" candy such as wax bottles, candy necklaces and gummy cola bottles, the Brooklyn outpost of Sweethaus offers a more extensive food menu... as seen here...



Sounds as if the St. Mark's Place location will feature a similar concept. There aren't many details available at the moment, aside from the hours: 8 a.m. to midnight. (You can read more about Sweethaus here.)

In any event, this item will not be heard before the committee meeting, which is Jan. 11.

Luca Bar closed back in late April.

Wine, brandy and French-Mediterranean cuisine in the works for the former Luca Bar

[EVG photo from June]

The former Luca Bar space at 119 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue hit the market in the early summer.

And there's a taker for the space. Reps for Le Delice are on tomorrow night's CB3/SLA committee meeting docket for a new liquor license. The bar-restaurant will serve French-Mediterranean cuisine, according to the PDF on file at the CB3 website.

The notice on the front door refers to Le Delice as a "wine and brandy establishment."



The application shows a configuration with 10 tables good for 24 seats and a bar with 15 stools. The proposed hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Monday-Wedneday; until 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday… and there are opening hours of 11 a.m. on the weekend for a likely brunch service.

The SLA meeting is at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Luca Bar closed back in late April.

Former Luca Bar space for rent on St. Mark's Place

The for rent sign has arrived at 119 St. Mark's Place, former home of the Luca Bar here between Avenue A and First Avenue.



The listing via Jonis Realty doesn't appear to be online just yet.

The landlord took possession of the space back in late April. Regardless, Luca Bar always seemed able to bounce back from tax/landlord-related issues, such as in November 2013 and June 2011.

Luca Bar isn't the only available space on this side of the block. The former homes of the Belgian Room, Hop Devil Grill and Ton-Up Cafe are all currently business-free.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Marshal seizes Luca Bar (again) on St. Mark's Place

The Marshal seizes Luca Bar (again) on St. Mark's Place

[Photo via EVG reader Bayou]

Tough times for some bars/restaurants on the north side of St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

On April 10, the state's fluorescent SEIZED sticker arrived at sister bars The Belgian Room and Hop Devil Grill. Both establishments have yet to reopen.

And now there's a Marshal's notice (photo above) on the door at Luca Bar, 119 St. Mark's Place.

And this isn't the first time that the Luca Bar has had landlord/tax-related issues. There was an eviction notice posted here back in November 2013. The bar reopened several days later. The state also seized the property in June 2011.

H/T EVG reader Bayou

[Updated] The Marshal seizes Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place

Several readers pointed out this notice, dated Monday, on the bar-restaurant at 119 St. Mark's Place. There isn't any mention of a closure at this time at the Luca Bar Facebook page. Calls to the bar are directed to an automated voice-message system.

This isn't the first time that the Luca Bar has had a run-in with the Marshal/landlord/State of New York. There was an eviction notice served last June.

In June 2011, the Marshal seized the bar as well. According to The Local , the owners owed state tax officials $31,385.49, not including interest and penalties; that the bar has six open warrants for unpaid taxes dating to November 2009.

They always seem to be able to bounce back.

The folks behind Luca Bar recently opened the Roost on Avenue B.

Updated 4/11
Luca Bar is back open for business.

[UPDATED] An eviction notice for Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place

An eviction notice, dated yesterday, is posted on the door at Luca Bar at 119 St. Mark's Place ...



No other information is available right at the moment.

Almost two years ago to the date, the Marshal seized Luca Bar. According to The Local , the owners of the bar owed state tax officials $31,385.49, not including interest and penalties; that the bar has six open warrants for unpaid taxes dating to November 2009.

The bar did reopen several days later.

Its sister bar, Luca Lounge, closed last spring on Avenue B.

Updated 6-8

Luca Bar is open.

What the rent is for the former Luca Lounge space on Avenue B

I can't tell you exactly when the Luca Lounge closed on Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street... I'm guessing it was in April?

In any event, the space is for rent...

Happened to spot the listing at the Croman 9300 site... and it refers to the Luca Lounge as "legendary" ... which must explain why the asking rent is $19,995 dollars per month...

Meanwhile, the Luca Bar remains open on St. Mark's Place...

DOH temporarily shutters Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place

The DOH hit the Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place this week... citing 43 violation points. Among the violations: Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.

Photo via Bayou.

Luca Bar back open on St. Mark's Place

On May 26, the state seized the Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place near Avenue A. According to the Local East Village, the owners of the Italian bistro owed state tax officials $31,385.49, not including interest and penalties.

Apparently all this has been taken care of: Anastasia at the Luca Bar dropped us a note to tell us that they reopened yesterday.

State seizes Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place for unpaid taxes: report

This past Thursday evening, EV Grieve reader Patrick was headed into the Luca Bar on St. Mark's Place near Avenue A for a drink... However, he was turned away by a marshal on the scene. He figured the owners would take care of what needed to be taken care of...

However, the Italian bistro remained closed over the weekend...

[Photos courtesy of Patrick]

According to The Local East Village, the owners of the bar owe state tax officials $31,385.49, not including interest and penalties; that the bar has six open warrants for unpaid taxes dating to November 2009.