Showing posts with label Momofuku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Momofuku. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Momofuku Noodle Bar reopening after a months-long renovation

Momofuku Noodle Bar returns to service on Thursday evening at 171 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

The flagship outpost in David Chang's empire closed in February for what was to be a month-long revamp... and that stretched into five months. The Noodle Bar Instagram described this as "a few long months of kitchen renovations."
 
Hours moving forward: 5-11 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

The Noodle Bar — Chang's debut restaurant — opened at 163 First Ave. in 2004 before moving a few storefronts away to this space several years later.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Space where Momofuku got its start is for rent on 1st Avenue

163 First Ave. just north of 10th Street is now on the rental market.

The space is notable to some local food aficionados for being where David Chang's Momofuku empire got is start .... first as the home of Noodle Bar (2004) before it moved a few storefronts away... later becoming Momofuku Ko for six years (2008-2014), which is now open in a larger space on Extra Place ... and then the first outpost of his Fuku fried chicken sandwich chain (2015-2018).

There was speculation that Chang would hold on to the space, as Eater noted after Fuku closed: 
The space, near and dear to Momofuku as the location that kicked off Chang’s empire, will continue to serve as an incubator — though what else the company has up its sleeves is TBD.
Not much info on the retail listing, except that the space is vented for cooking, though all uses are considered. 

Photo by Steven with assistance from EV Arrow

P.S.

Bring back Wraparama!

Monday, May 18, 2020

ICYMI: Momofuku's Ssäm Bar moving from the East Village to the Seaport



ICYMI: Back on Wednesday, David Chang announced several changes/closures to his global restaurant empire as the fallout from COVID-19 hits the A-list ranks.

Among the coming changes: Chang is moving the nearly 15-year-old Ssäm Bar from Second Avenue and 13th Street into the space that houses Bar Wayō at the South Street Seaport.

Here's part of the message posted to the Momofuku website:

[W]e have decided to move Ssäm Bar from the East Village to Wayō’s much larger space at South Street Seaport and combine the teams of both restaurants. We loved what we created with Wayō, but we have to focus on our restaurants with the most potential. It would be hard to think of a better candidate than Ssäm Bar. Its lease expires in January 2021 and over the last fifteen years has probably changed more radically than any other restaurant of its kind—and thrived in the process.

With more space for guests, multiple entrances, and a new kitchen, Ssäm Bar at the Seaport is better suited to the new realities of restaurants. Not only that, we’re also excited to incorporate elements of Wayo’s menu and service into the new Ssäm Bar. With tabletop cooking and karaoke rooms, the new restaurant will carry on Ssäm Bar’s legacy and celebratory spirit. And don’t worry, John McEnroe is coming with. We are still working on sorting out the details and will share more as we develop the project.

The Ssäm Bar had a large footprint on this corner... curious to see who/what might take this space over one day...



Milk Bar had retail space on the 13th Street side before moving across the street in May 2011. The cocktail bar Booker & Dax was then here until October 2016 before Ssäm Bar expanded.

Meanwhile, Eater checked in with a think piece titled: "If Momofuku Is Closing Restaurants, What Does It Mean for Everyone Else?"

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

169 and 171 1st Ave. fetch $14 million

As we first noted back in February, 169 and 171 First Ave., located between 10th Street and 11th Street, arrived on the sales market. The two walk-up buildings, with two retail spaces and five residential units, were available separately or as a package, per the listing.

A Miami real-estate investor opted for both buildings, in a transaction reported at $14 million for the pair, which comes out to "$1,100 per foot, a very high per foot price," per Lois Weiss at the Post, who first reported on the deal.

The residential units are market rate ... as for the retail spaces, 16-year-tenant Momofuku signed a 10-year lease renewal in 2015, per Weiss. No word about Manhattan Eyeworks next door at No. 169, a three-story building that features a 60-foot rear garden, a free-market duplex apartment and — drumroll — 6,508 feet of air rights.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

169 and 171 1st Ave. (home to Momofuku) are for sale

Several EVG tipsters have shared the brief details that 169 and 171 First Ave., located between 10th Street and 11th Street, are now on the sales market.

Here's part of the email that was in circulation late last week:

Two Contiguous Mixed-Use Walk-up Buildings
Home to Momofuku Noodle Bar!

Compass is pleased to offer for sale two contiguous mixed-use walkup buildings located at 169 First Ave. and 171 First Ave. The buildings contain a total of 2 retail stores and 5 free market residential units. The Property can be sold separately or as a package.

The listing doesn't appear to be online just yet. Streeteasy has one listing for a rental at No. 171, a floor-through loft-like space now asking $9,300 (and a recent $2k price chop).

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Noted


Nike is collaboring with Momofuku founder-chef David Chang on a limited-edition sneaker... which went on sale this morning at 10 at Fuku, First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The line apparently started at 6:30 a.m., with a rumor that someone spent the night outside to be first. An Eater editor reported that the line was a full block long and 100 feet around the corner on 11th Street.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Renovations underway at Momofuku's Ssäm Bar on 2nd Avenue



An EVG tipster shared these photos from this morning... showing workers cleaning out Momofuku's Ssäm Bar space on Second Avenue at 13th Street...





As Eater reported last month, David Chang's restaurant is closing for a brief renovation — "an update that will include a switch to all chairs with backs, a move away from the Momofuku empire’s design signature." And! "Ssäm Bar’s renovation is being done in conjunction with the restaurant’s 10-year anniversary." They closed after lunch service yesterday.

And as part of all this, the adjacent cocktail bar Booker & Dax closed on Saturday night. The bar owners plan on relocating to a new, standalone space.

Friday, June 12, 2015

The wait for the Fuku fried chicken sandwich


[The line on East 10th Street around noon today]

EVG reader Chad Solomon stopped by the hyped-up Fuku, the new quick-serve fried chicken sandwich place from Momofuku's David Chang that opened Wednesday at 163 First Ave. just north of East 10th Street.

Here's what he had to say:

"Line was around the corner — took us about 35 minutes to get inside to order but then another 45 to wait for the food, so an hour and 20 minutes total. But my God was it worth it — crispy and flavorful on the outside, nice and juicy inside."





Fuku is currently only open Wednesday-Sunday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

A few more details on Momofuku Ko (aka, TBD) coming to Extra Place



Extra Place seems extra quiet these days... though likely not for too much longer. As The New York Times first reported, Momofuku Ko is planning to move its "counter-only tasting-menu restaurant" from First Avenue to Extra Place.

Of course, there's a big vacancy here since sister restaurants Extra Place and Heidi closed earlier in the fall at 6-8 Extra Place, the alleyway that runs behind the former CBGB space on the Bowery off of First Street.

Paperwork filed ahead of this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting for 4-8 Extra Place seems to have an air of Kremlin-like secrecy.



There's no mention of Momofuku or chef-founder David Chang on the documents on file at the CB3 website. Just TBD.

As for other details. There will be four tables seating four people each as well as a counter for 25 diners. The proposed hours are from noon to midnight Sunday through Wednesday; until 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. There will be 20 employees... and, uh, a sound system featuring an iPod with two small speakers, per the documents.

The Times reported that Momofuku Ko will possibly move by the end of the year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Extra Place now officially a Dead End

Extra Place and Heidi currently 'closed for renovation' in Extra Place

Now will Extra Place become Extra special?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Stupid infidelity survey shows that cheaters prosper at Momofuku

A website called Ashley Madison — "the most famous name in infidelity and married dating" — asked its users to name the city's most popular "cheaters restaurants" ... and tallied up the 10 most popular affair restaurants, as published by the Post today...



As you can see, Momofuku on First Avenue ended up at No. 6 on the list. Why? Who knows! Of course, Momofuku does mean "lucky peach," as their website shows.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Opening Friday, Booker & Dax, where you can find a red hot poker in your drink

Diner's Journal has more information on what is taking over the former Milk Bar space attached to Momofuku Ssäm Bar on 13th Street at Second Avenue.

The place is called Booker & Dax, a collaboration between Momofuku's David Chang and David Arnold, the director of culinary technology at the French Culinary Institute. (The bar is named after Arnold's two sons.)

Here's a passage from the piece:

You may, however, want to put on a lab coat, and perhaps some goggles, when the bartender sticks a device called a Red Hot Poker, heated up to 1,500 degrees, into a mixing glass of Pernod, lime juice, sugar and water. This results in a libation called the French Colombian. “The burning takes the ingredients to a new place,” Mr. Arnold said. The poker, which he custom-made, is modeled after the hot irons early American innkeepers would stick into customers’ cups to heat up their drinks.

The place opens Friday. And, according to Diner's Journal, "the debut menu will feature 16 cocktails, each at $14."

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

'Yes, I'll have the Plymouth Gin with St. Germain Elderflower and Smoking Plutonium'

Somehow, drinking gets more gimmicky. As you you may have seen at Zagat yesterday, the former Milk Bar space attached to Momofuku Ssäm Bar on 13th Street at Second Avenue "will transform to a technology-heavy cocktail lounge."

Sooooooo, what does this involve? "[A] menu of 22 creations, made with the likes of liquid nitrogen and high-tech toys (a rotovap and centrifuge among them)," Zagat reported.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Would you pay $150 for Momofuku Ko reservations?

We spotted this item last evening at Eater.

Someone is looking to command $150 on Craigslist just for the pleasure to get into Momofuku Ko this Saturday night. The rest is up to you!


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

In other words, no squealing or woo-wooing

Just noting the modified Urban Etiquette Chalkboard Sign outside the newly relocated Momofuku Milk Bar on East 13th Street.


Bonus flashback to last week!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Live above Momofuku Ssam Bar: For anyone who loves the smell of spicy honeycomb tripe salad




So at 207 Second Ave. at 13th Street above Momofuku Ssam Bar ... the renovations are finally complete... There are eight three bedroom apartments here that just hit the market... Per Streeteasy, the apartments start at $5,950 and go to $7,450 per month, plus one month free rent with a minimum 13 month lease "or best offer." Also: "All 3 bedrooms are separately keyed and ideal for sharing."

Not sure if that means the bedrooms or apartments are ideal for sharing...

Anyway, let's take a look at a unit going for $6,900:

“Completely Renovated. Be the first person to live here!”

... is is a completely renovated true 3BR located in the East Village. Each unit includes state of the art granite kitchens with custom tile backsplashes, maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliances including washer dryer, dishwasher, Pro Series range and microwave. Spacious marble baths with Kohler fixtures and shower doors. Select Oak floors, plenty of closet space, high ceilings, and roof deck with great views of the Empire state building.

Take a look...





No word whether complimentary bo ssäm is served upon signing the lease.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Momofuko Milk Bar donates hundreds of cookies to the Lower Eastside Girls Club

Tomorrow night is the 10th annual Gowns for Girls prom dress give-a-way at the Lower Eastside Girls Club...



And Executive Director Lyn Pentecost told us last night: "Someone loves the Girls Club! Momofuko Milk Bar surprised us today. They sent over hundreds of cookies for the girls coming Friday for our Gowns For Girls prom dress give-a-way."

Friday, April 23, 2010

Momofuku Milk Bar patrons getting loud?

A newish sign outside Momofuku Milk Bar on 13th Street near Second Avenue...



... are those cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow cookies making the masses noisy?

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Momofuku Milk Bar wants someone who'll work all the time


Per Craigslist:

momofuku milk bar seeks JUNIOR MANAGER (east village & midtown)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2010-04-05, 9:02PM EDT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Momofuku is an award-winning and high-volume restaurant group (Noodle Bar, Ssam Bar, Ko, Ma Peche, Milk Bar).
Our team is young, fast-paced and hard-working.
We value organization and attention to detail.

Momofuku Milk Bar is a collaborative environment, drawing talent from those who have worked at places like bouley, del posto, diner, eleven madison park, jacques torres, magnolia bakery, nobu downtown and wd-50.

We are looking for a junior manager! Must have 24/7 availability.

We manage the day-to-day operations of both milk bars (east village and midtown).
We love our job and are looking for like minded, hard working individuals that are up for any job, big or small.
We are growing and would love to hire people who want to grow with us.


[Image via]