Progress at Little Tong Noodle Shop, coming soon to 1st Avenue

[Photos by Steven]

A worker has been painting the exterior of the former Schnitz space this past week on First Avenue at 11th Street...



As we first noted in late December, a self-described "fast causal" restaurant called Little Tong Noodle Shop is set to take over the corner spot.

The applicants were OK'd for a beer-wine license last month. (This item was not heard during the committee meeting on Jan. 9.) According to the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, the restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m to midnight. The owners also plan on operating a four-table sidewalk cafe with 12 seats from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Simone Tong, who worked for Wylie Dufresne’s now-closed wd~50 on Clinton Street, is the chef. While work continues on the First Avenue space, Tong is hosting several preview dinners this month at Jimmy's No. 43 on Seventh Street, as Bedford + Bowery reported.

Meanwhile, here's a look at how the interior is shaping up via the restaurant's Instagram account...

Day 14. Aka- let's hide the WC. #noodles #chineserestaurant #chinesefood #yunnan #ricenoodles #eastvillage #nycfoodie #nycfood #nycrestaurants #eeeeeats #newyork #newyorkcity

A photo posted by Little Tong Noodle Shop (@littletongnyc) on Feb 1, 2017 at 2:04pm PST

No word yet on an opening date.

Schnitz, which served old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings, was in operation from March 2014 to August 2016. Something Sweet, the family-owned bakery, was here until July 2012.

Previously on EVG:
Little Tong Noodle Shop taking the former Schnitz space on 1st Avenue

Little Tong Noodle Shop taking the former Schnitz space on 1st Avenue

A self-described "fast causal" restaurant called Little Tong Noodle Shop is set to take over the former Schnitz space on First Avenue at 11th Street.

The applicants are on the January CB3 docket for a beer-wine license. (This item will not be heard during the committee meeting on Jan. 9. This was also a sale of assets.)

According to the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, the restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m to midnight. The owners also plan on operating a four-table sidewalk cafe with 12 seats from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The application doesn't include a sample menu. Perhaps Little Tong Noodle Shop will be able to pick up a few of the customers waiting three storefronts away for Momofuku Noodle Bar.

Schnitz, which served old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings, was in operation from March 2014 to August 2016.

Something Sweet, the family-owned bakery, was here until July 2012.

The former Schnitz space is for rent

Shepard Fairey is wrapping up work on his mural on East 11th Street at First Avenue... above the space that housed Schnitz.

Several people said that they weren't aware that the sandwich specialists had closed.

We noted on Sept. 2 that the quick-serve restaurant hadn't been open in several weeks ... and that the storefront was listed for rent online.

The retail space for lease sign has been up for maybe two weeks now. According to the listing (PDF) at RKF, the asking rent is roughly $9,100 a month.

No one from Schnitz has responded about the closure via social media yet.

Schnitz, which served old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings, opened here in March 2014. This was the first permanent retail space for Schnitz after gaining a following at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo.

Shepard Fairey creating a mural on 11th Street at 1st Avenue

[Photo by EVG reader Annabelle]

Shepard Fairey started work today on a mural above the former Schnitz space on 11th Street at First Avenue...


[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

The mural is his second collaboration with the L.I.S.A Project.

Back in the spring/summer of 2010, Fairey's May Day piece on the Bowery Mural wall was bombed and eventually destroyed.

Schnitz has not been open lately on 1st Avenue

[Photo from Wednesday]

Several readers have noted that Schnitz has been closed all week at 177 First Ave. at 11th Street. The phone goes unanswered. There also isn't any note for patrons.

In the past, the Schnitzerz have left a note when their doors would be closed, like earlier in August...



The space has also been on the rental market. According to the listing (PDF) at RKF, the asking rent is roughly $9,100 a month. (One local restaurant owner told us that he was offered the space last month for $8,500.)

No one from Schnitz responded to our email requests for comment.

Schnitz, which serves old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings, opened here in March 2014. This was the first permanent retail space for Schnitz after gaining a following at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo.

The quick-serve sandwich market got a little crowded on the block in the past year or so ... with the arrival of Fuku and Black Seed bagels. In any event, we liked their food the few times that we tried it.

The space does have a small sidewalk cafe and beer/wine license.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Smorgasburg favorites Schnitz planning restaurant at former Something Sweet on First Avenue

Schnitz happens starting tomorrow

The folks from Schnitz passed along word to us that they will be opening to the public starting tomorrow at 177 First Ave. at East 11th Street.

As we first reported last October, this is the first restaurant for Schnitz, which serves old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo.

Schnitz will serve sandwiches, soups and salads from its East Village location. (You can find their menu here.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Smorgasburg favorites Schnitz planning restaurant at former Something Sweet on First Avenue

One shade of grey at the incoming Schnitz

Just taking a quick look at Schnitz, which will be opening soon on the corner of First Avenue and East 11th Street… This past Thursday, workers painted the exterior grey (and the Russo's mural that had been tagged beyond recognition…)



And the freshly painted wall was quickly tagged …



Meanwhile, Yoni Erlich, who co-founded Schnitz with his sister Donna and friend Allon Yosha, shared a rendering for the exterior painting of the storefront …



The menus, business cards and customer loyalty cards are ready…


[Via Twitter]

No specific date for an opening just yet. This marks the first restaurant for Schnitz, which serves old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo. Schnitz will serve sandwiches, soups and salads from its East Village location. (You can find their menu here.)

[Top two photos by @longoM]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Smorgasburg favorites Schnitz planning restaurant at former Something Sweet on First Avenue

New restaurant getting their 'schnitz together' at the former Something Sweet space

Renovations are happening at the former Something Sweet bakery on First Avenue and East 11th Street… where Schnitz, which serves old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo, is opening its first proper restaurant...

Schnitz will serve sandwiches, soups and salads from its East Village location. (You can find their menu here.)

There's also a sign announcing their arrival…


[Photo by Blue Glass]

From the look of things, though, there is plenty of work left today before you can have your schnitzel.



Something Sweet, the family-owned bakery, closed in July 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Smorgasburg favorites Schnitz planning restaurant at former Something Sweet on First Avenue

Something Sweet still looking for help to revive its beloved business

Something Sweet space for rent on First Avenue

Smorgasburg favorites Schnitz planning restaurant at former Something Sweet on First Avenue

[EVG file photo by Dave on 7th]

Schnitz, which serves old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo, is applying for a beer-wine license for the former Something Sweet space on First Avenue at East 11th Street.

According to paperwork (PDF!) filed ahead of this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting, the quick-serve restaurant will hold 12 tables... with proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; until 12:30 a.m. Thursday-Saturday; and noon-10 p.m. on Sunday.

Schnitz will serve sandwiches, soups and salads from its East Village location.

You can find their menu here.

I've never heard of Schnitz (or been to Smorgasburg, for that matter)... but I know that people like their food.

Here's an item on their food via Alan Richman at GQ:

I daringly tried a schnitzel, one of the least likable foods on earth. Allow me to sum up the attraction: hot, dry, fried meat on a hot, dry, summer afternoon. It's worth noting that during the preparation of schnitzel, the meat is often hit repeatedly with a hammer.

The purveyor was Schnitz, and the sandwich I selected, called Mrs. Child, turned out to be the dish of the day, a breaded chicken cutlet that was juicy within and crunchy on the outside. Such perfect texture is virtually impossible to achieve with veal, the preferred meat of German and Austrian schnitzel eaters. Fortunately, there were none around to complain. The schnitzel came on a Tom Cat pretzel roll with celery-root remoulade, which makes anything taste better.

Something Sweet, the family-owned bakery, had been closed since July 2012. There had apparently been a variety of issues, from problems with the landlord to health-related concerns for a family member.

The committee meeting is Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. — Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue and the Bowery).