The wine bar and cafe that serves a mostly vegetarian-focused menu is taking over the storefront next door here at 125 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Ruffian's name appears on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a wine-beer license for the new space. (The item received administrative approval based on their method of operation.)
Moshe Schulman, a managing partner at Ruffian (and Kindred on Sixth Street), told us that with the expansion, they will have 10-12 more indoor seats for patrons and room for about four at a drink rail where they can also serve food.
Patrons aside, the addition provides more room for food preparation. (While the storefronts share an address, they do not actually connect.)
"The extra space allows us to prep appropriately for the demand that we meet on a weekly basis," he said. "This will allow us more refrigeration space and a bigger oven. In addition, it will allow us to expand the menu a bit. We will add oysters and Crudo-type dishes when the kitchen buildout is complete — hopefully by early October."
Schulman said that the expanded Ruffian, a Bib Gourmand selection the past two years, will allow them to offer special events or wine classes that they couldn't host in their current 400-foot space.
The east storefront here at No. 125 was previously home to Big Gay Ice Cream, whose founders, Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff, said goodbye to the space in January after 10 years in business.
Schulman said they received permission to extend Ruffian's outdoor seating upon learning that the shop would not be returning.
"So it made sense for us to take over the interior space as well," he said.
