On 2nd Avenue, Moko temporarily relocates during renovation

Photos by Steven 

Moko, an omakase restaurant that opened in the fall of 2021 at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, is now closed for renovations. 

According to a sign on the door for patrons, Moko has "relocated temporarily for renovations" ... and can now be found at Moko's unnamed sister restaurant at 214 E. Ninth St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

In July, Moko's ownership was to appear before Community Board 3 for a new liquor license for 214 E. Ninth St. The restaurant, Shiso, was said to offer a Japanese and French tasting menu. (Questionnaire here.)

It's not immediately clear how long Shiso may have been in service. We spotted two nearly identical TikToks about the opening (here and here) from July. 

According to minutes from the July meeting (PDF here), CB3 SLA committee members recommended denying Shiso's application for a liquor license. 

Per the minutes: "Three people spoke in opposition, including a representative of the condominium board, primarily due to noise, safety, and quality of life issues as well as DOB violations for the construction, liens against the building for unpaid contractors and that they have already held events with velvet ropes, doormen and large crowds outside without a license." 

In addition, "there were 2 residents who wrote an email in opposition, and 2 residents who said their signatures were forged on the petitions."

According to the State Liquor Authority, this address has no active liquor license. Public records show that the license expired at the end of August for the previous tenant, Dumpling Lab, which closed last fall shortly after making the 2022 Michelin Guide's list of 18 new Bib Gourmands.

Moko's Second Avenue outpost also did not have an active liquor license, per the State Liquor Authority. 

New 2nd Avenue sushi restaurant unveils attempt at humor

As previously reported, Moko is a new sushi restaurant opening soon at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Among the various signs now on the storefront: "Tell your sugar daddy Nobu's out. Moko's in."

The same flyer is posted around the neighborhood...

Nobu, of course, is the global chain of high-end Japanese restaurants that got its start in Tribeca in 1994.

Moko's playfulness extends to the menu, where the pricing includes the "starter Omakase" ($65), "worth it Omakase" ($85) and "definitely worth it omakase" ($120).

No word on an opening date just yet.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Sushi next for the former Fresco space on 2nd Avenue

We heard rumors that a sushi restaurant was taking over the former Fresco outpost at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

There's now a note on the door for the contractors, and it lists the name of the incoming establishment — Moko (thanks to Steven for the photos)...

The restaurant has an under-construction website, which notes: "High-end Omakase starting at $65."

As previously reported, the owners of Fresco — citing a decline in business during the pandemic — temporarily shut down their 8-year-old gelateria-cafe and returned to their native Greece last October. 

They had hoped to reopen in January, but those plans didn't materialize at the time with the surge in COVID cases and continued limits on indoor service. The space hit the rental market in April.

However, Fresco hopes to find a new storefront elsewhere downtown in the months ahead.