An appreciation: Block Drug Stores

Here at Sixth Street. Block Drug Stores — AKA Second Ave Chemists, Inc., where they still use a mortar and pestles in the pharmacy. Anyway, seemed appropriate to note them today given that we were on Second Avenue in the post above ... Established in 1885, per the sign. Owned and operated by Carmine and Beth Palermo. (There's more history of the business at the store's website.)

Bobby Williams took this photo on Tuesday.

Flyer campaign against Bar Veloce

evflip spotted these flyers along Second Avenue... from someone making allegations against the Bar Veloce management...

We sent an email to the "boycottveloce" account to learn more about this...

First sign of Michael White's fancy new pizza place on Second Avenue

The pizzasphere was buzzing back in November when the news broke that Michael White, who apparently causes chow chubbies with his fare at places like Marea and Ai Fiori, is opening a pizzeria called Nicoletta on Second Avenue at 10th ... the former Cafe Centosette, which closed in April.

Yesterday, blue glass noted that workers erected the pizzawood ...

(Grub Street heard the rumors about a Whiteout here going back to September.)

Coming soon to the former Heartbreak space: Boukies

In his Nov. 10 column at The Villager, Scoopy had news about Heartbreak, the Swiss-German eatery that closed here in October on Second Avenue and Second Street. Scoopy got the word that Heartbreak owner Christos Valtzoglou would open a small-plates Greek place.

Yesterday, Diner's Journal had more details on the new venture: Boukies is scheduled to open in March. "It will specialize in small plates of Greek food, mainly meze, and offer only two main courses: whole grilled branzino and lamb chops."

As you probably know, Valtzoglou also owns Pylos on Seventh Street.

Today in discarded books on Second Avenue

EV Grieve reader AC wonders if someone dropped this along here Saturday afternoon... Or it was a subtle hint that went unheeded...

DOH temporarily kloses Kabin on Second Avenue

Ev Grieve reader John passes along these shots from outside Kabin on Second Avenue near Fifth Street last night ...

According to the DOH website, the bar was hit with 61 violation points during the last inspection on Nov. 21 (a grade was pending). The DOH hasn't posted the most recent inspection ... dated yesterday, per the flyer.

Inside the new Bean on Second Avenue

Over at the former Crazy Landlord building on Second Avenue at Third Street, work continues at the new home of The Bean, which is expected to open later this month.

EV Grieve regular jdx stopped inside for a progress report...

Previously.

Pet Rider

Second Avenue and First Street today by Bobby Williams.

New life for the Heartbreak space

In his column at The Villager this week, Scoopy has the following news about the eatery that closed here last month on Second Avenue and Second Street:

"[A]ccording to owner Christos Valtzoglou, the former German-Swiss eatery will soon be reborn as a Greek, small-plate-style eatery. “Why? Because I’m Greek, that’s one good reason. Also, I own Pylos,” Valtzoglou told us, referring to his Greek restaurant on Seventh St. between First Ave. and Avenue A."

Former Cafe Centosette space becoming a fancy-pants pizza place

As you may have heard around the pizzasphere today... Michael White, who gives foodies boners with his fare at places like Marea and Ai Fiori, is opening a pizzeria called Nicoletta on Second Avenue at 10th ... the former Cafe Centosette, which closed in April. (Grub Street heard the rumors going back to September.)

According to Diner's Journal:

[T]he pizzas at Nicoletta ... will be baked in a gas-fired brick oven but would be "different, crisper" thanks to both his technique and a flour that is lower in protein.

There will be six or eight pizzas, with ingredients like sausage made on the premises. He plans to use a whole-milk mozzarella made to his specifications in Wisconsin. The restaurant, with about 60 seats plus 10 on the sidewalk, will have a takeout window, but will not sell slices.

As Jeremiah put it today: "Here comes yet another fucking upscale pizzeria for the East Village, where there have always been plenty of good, cheap pizza places."

Nicoletta is on the CB3/SLA docket Monday night.

Comings and goings on Second Avenue

Something called Health Mart Pharmacy is opening at the former UPS Store near 11th Street...

... and Crembebe, a boutique specializing in kid's fashions near Fourth Street, has closed...

Heartbreak closed for good

Last week we heard the news that Heartbreak Cafe on Second Avenue at Second Street had closed for renovations. Diner's Journal reported this morning that the German-Swiss restaurant has closed for good. [Via Grub Street]

Flashback to this corner on Oct. 12, 2009 ... during construction...

Cooper Craft and Kitchen restores dignity to the corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street

At least from the outside. The plywood is down at Cooper Craft and Kitchen, here on the corner ... former home of the horrible-looking pink spaceship, Kurve.

The space will be a craft-beer-focused bar-restaurant from the team behind Dempsey's and Sláinte. With a lot of barrels inside, probably.

Holy Basil remains closed for 'technical difficulties'

A reader notes that Holy Basil, the second-floor Thai eatery on Second Avenue near Ninth Street, remains closed for "technical difficulties," according to their outgoing message. They have been closed for a week. The place is sealed up ...

...with no sign of explanation for diners...

Well, the DOH socked them with 110 violation points, and temporarily closed them last week... the DOH report is as ugly as it gets... "evidence" of live mice, roaches, etc.

Heartbreak at Heartbreak

Eater noted the great news/awful news for Heartbreak, the Germanic-themed restaurant on Second Avenue and Second Street ... they were included in the recently unveiled Michelin New York restaurant guide this year ... Unfortunately, as Eater also reported yesterday, Heartbreak is currently "closed for renovations." So they won't be able to immediately take advantage of the Michelin windfall...

Today in photos of an abandoned bra hanging from a WALK/DON'T WALK sign on Second Avenue

This morning on Ninth Street and Second Avenue via Bride of 7th.

Hot Kitchen now open on Second Avenue

Hot Kitchen opened Thursday at 104 Second Ave. near Sixth Street. (The owners received the OK from the CB3/SLA in August to serve beer and wine with their Chinese cuisine...)

It seems like a nice, normal restaurant...

Nothing artisanal featuring tea seed oil from a grove of Camellia oleifera trees brought in daily from the southern Zhejiang province, the seeds of which are hand-pressed in the back room ... Uh, anyway, the food is pretty tasty — we got a few vegetable and rice dishes ... and there are more adventurous dishes on the menu, like "dry sauteed pig intestine with red chili" ($14) or "steamed fish head with minced pickle pepper" ($21).

Here is a quick look at part of the menu...

...delivery service starts next week ... so until then...

You always take photos of cranes

Second Avenue and 13th Street this morning.

Last rites for Second Avenue buildings

Firefighters were on the scene this morning outside the condemned buildings at 9-17 Second Avenue... one day to become a 12-story apartment building.

They were marking the building with an X. As a firefighter on the scene put it, the X means "to stay out."

And up Second Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street... a crew arrived for testing at the former Sigmund Schwartz Gramercy Park Chapel.

In June, Off the Grid, the blog of the Greenwich Village Preservation Society, reported that the owners have applied to make substantial changes to the 1937 building. Indeed.

On Sept. 9, the city approved plans to "Remodel the existing three story building and add 3 stories on top." The architect is Ramy Issac — "The controversial penthouse king of the East Village." Per the DOB, the ground floor is marked for commercial use. We haven't seen any renderings just yet... (let us know if you have...) Also looking forward to the marketing materials — "your chance to live in luxury above a former funeral home! Featuring kitchens with granite countertops and high-end appliance packages such as Kohler and Bosch!"

Anyway, pay your respects while you can. And check out the history of the Sigmund Schwartz Gramercy Park Chapel at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York.

Bar Veloce now open for breakfast (brunch whatever)

Speaking of breakfast... I didn't realize that the newly expanded Bar Veloce on Second Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street was now serving breakfasty foods... open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.