Showing posts with label Sammy's Roumanian Steak House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sammy's Roumanian Steak House. Show all posts

Monday, December 11, 2023

Sammy's Roumanian Steak House now looking at a new Lower East Side space for its return

When Sammy's Roumanian Steak House returns to the Lower East Side, Stanton Street will now likely be the location for the new home. 

Owner David Zimmerman will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight to license 112 Stanton St. between Essex and Ludlow...
In May, as we first reported, Community Board 3 approved an application for 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton. 

We're not sure what happened with the Orchard Street space ... as previously mentioned, it had been vacant for nine years and needed a lot of work to bring it into service. Apparently, Zimmerman and Sammy's team needed to move on from the location.

The method of operation (questionnaire here) will be similar on Stanton Street as it was proposed on Orchard Street ... and the same as when Sammy's reigned on Chrystie Street. The proposal calls for six tables to accommodate 66 guests... and a "Sammy's Dinner Show" twice-nightly (6 and 9).

Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 45-plus years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St. between Delancey and Rivington.

The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.

In an Instagram post at the time, Zimmerman left the door open for a return. 

112 Stanton St. was previously home to Sushumai Asian Fusion.

Tonight's SLA meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link at this link.

This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

With Community Board approval, Sammy's Roumanian Steak House takes another step to returning to the Lower East Side

Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse received a critical approval from Community Board 3 last night as the NYC institution continues to move toward a return to service on the Lower East Side.

As previously reported, Sammy's was looking to open in a new home at 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton.

CB3's SLA committee signed off on the application, though with some debate on the language in the stipulations. Prior to last night's virtual meeting, owner David Zimmerman met with the local community group L.E.S. Dwellers and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. The main sticking point: dinner seating in the outdoor garden behind the restaurant. Zimmerman has agreed not to use the outdoor space for any service. 

Neighbors/residents also agreed to the method of operation, which will be similar to its old basement space on Chrystie Street, including the services of a lounge singer on keyboards.

In addition, based on the day of the week, there were different proposed closing times, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The new Sammy's will close nightly at 12:30 a.m.

After the unanimous approval, Zimmerman, who was on the Zoom meeting, flashed a Famous Sammy's T-shirt, stating, "We are all proud."
By the way, the new outpost will sell Sammy's merch.

Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 45-plus years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St. between Delancey and Rivington.

The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.

In an Instagram post at the time, Zimmerman left the door open for a return.  

And now it's happening, though no word on an opening date. The space has been vacant for nine years, and needs a lot of work to bring it into service.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

NYC institution Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse attempting a Lower East Side comeback


Break out the jars of schmaltz! NYC classic Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse is on the comeback trail. 

Yesterday, Community Board 3 released its May calendar... and a familiar name is on the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee docket for May 15...
Sammy's ownership is applying for a new liquor license for the long-vacant 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton. The questionnaire isn't online just yet, so we'll have to wait and see what Sammy's 2.0 might look like in this 2,500-square-foot space.

Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 47 years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St.

The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.

In an Instagram post at the time, owner David Zimmerman left the door open for a return.
We may be closed now, but when all this is over and we feel safe enough to hold hands during the hora, we will be back stronger, louder, and tastier than ever before. We are New York. We will survive this. We will always cherish the memories we shared with all of you.
First, though, Sammy's will need to get approval from CB3. The space has been vacant since the Sixth Ward lost its liquor license in 2015 after eight years in business for reportedly serving burgers and steaks when it had applied for the requisite permits by stating it would sell vegetarian fare. 

The bar had long drawn criticism from locals. In a denial for a new concept at the address in March 2022, the CB3 minutes state that the Sixth Ward "was a known problem... with SLA complaints of operating beyond its stipulations, operating beyond the legal capacity without applying for a certificate of occupancy, and using an illegal back yard that did not meet DOB requirements."

While this has nothing to do with Sammy's, the stigma of previous tenants can make it challenging for new applicants. Community groups and some residents have also spoken out against new applicants looking to open in this area below Houston dubbed Hell Square.