Thai Direct has closed on Avenue A

We're closing the book on Thai Direct at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Management for Thai Direct announced on Instagram that the last day was March 27. (They also announced a closure in February due to a COVID-related rent dispute with the landlord only to reopen for what turned out to be another seven weeks.)

We still thought they might find a way to return. Now, though, someone has cleared out the space...

The quick-serve establishment, which billed itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, opened here in September 2018. It was a nice spot. 

Thanks to Steven for the photos

Updated 5/1: 

The for-rent sign is now on the storefront...

[Updated] Thai Direct is open for now

Updated 2/19: Thai Direct has reopened amid an ongoing COVID-related rent dispute with the landlord, per the restaurant's ownership. 

Thai Direct has closed at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

A rather stern note on the front door tells would-be patrons that the landlord "has taken possession of the premises effective February 11" ... with a "DO NOT ENTER" thrown in for anyone attempting to access the door with three new padlocks...   

Steven took these photos Friday night — someone removed the sign by Sunday.

There isn't any mention of a closure of the restaurant's website or Instagram account. 

The quick-serve establishment, which billed itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, opened here in September 2018. It was a nice spot. 

The space was previously Yoshi Sushi, which got the boot in 2015.

Thai Direct reopens on Avenue A

A few regulars were worried after not seeing activity at 131 Avenue A for several weeks. 

However, after a short hiatus, Thai Direct reopened yesterday here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street... offering very limited inside dining as well as takeout and delivery.

The quick-serve establishment, which bills itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, opened here in September 2018. 

That Thai Direct renovation is taking longer than expected

[Photo from Monday]

At the beginning of the month, we noted that Thai Direct on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street was closed for a renovation. They were expected to reopen this past Friday.

Now, management reports that the renovations aren't complete, and they're eyeing a Feb. 25 return. Once they reopen, you'll notice a revamped dining room complete with a small bar. CB3 gave approval back in December for a beer-wine license.

Thai Direct will also be debuting several new menu items.

The quick-serve establishment, which bills itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, opened here in September 2018.

Thai Direct is under renovation on Avenue A

[Photo from Saturday]

As you may have noticed, the windows at Thai Direct on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street are now covered with paper...


[Photo by Steven]

The paper is also covering the closed-for-renovations sign that appeared last week. In an Instagram message, management confirmed the renovations, with a reopening date set for Feb. 14.

The quick-serve establishment, which bills itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, also has a beer-wine license in the works. CB3 gave approval back in December.

Thai Direct opened here in September 2018.

Veteran of hit L.A. ramen shop behind new noodle venture at 131 Avenue A

A Japanese restaurant is coming to 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Applicants representing an LLC called Ays Noodle Company have applied for a beer-wine license for the former Baci e Vendetta space.

The restaurant is TabeTomo.

The applicants are on tonight's CB3-SLA agenda, though this item won't be heard in front of the committee.



There are also renderings of the interior on the front doors...



According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website (PDF here), Tabetomo will be open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. The questionnaire lists eight tables to accommodate 24 diners. There's also a 15-seat bar.

The applicant, Tomotsugu Kubo per the CB3 questionnaire, has management experience at the popular Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle, which apparently serves "life-changingly good" tonkotsu ramen and tsukemen, and the Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles ANNEX ... both in Los Angeles.

No word on menu items for Avenue A just yet.

This is the second L.A. ramen transplant to venture into the East Village this summer. Tatsu Ramen, with two locations in Los Angeles, opened its first NYC outpost last month at 167 First Ave.

Baci e Vendetta closed at 131 Avenue A in March after nearly 16 months in service. Nic Ratner, a partner in Baci e Vendetta, told me that business for the Italian cafe wasn't sustainable with only a beer-and-wine license.

This space was the 10 Degrees Bistro until the fall of 2015 ... and the Flea Market Cafe before that.

[Updated] A look at Thai Direct, opening soon on Avenue A

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

Meanwhile, right next door to the incoming ramen restaurant ... the signage is up for the new tenant — Thai Direct.

Here's more about them via the Thai Direct website:

Our Thai bowls are healthy versions of famous street Thai dishes using our own Thai sauces made with authentic, natural, and non GMO ingredients with no MSG and no or minimal amount of sugar added. Our Thai sauces are gluten and dairy free.
​
We offer two ways for you to enjoy our Thai bowls. You can either choose one of our beloved bowls or create your own signature bowl to enjoy it the way you most prefer. Kin Hai Aroy! (Bon Appétit in Thai)

The bowls are available for pick up or delivery. (Most of the 32-ounce bowls are priced at $12.)

Tom Yum Goong will be on our menu. Stay tuned! . . . . . . . #healthyeating #nycfoodie #healthylifestyle #streetfood #yummynyc #manhattan #cleaneating #lunchbox #eatclean #newforkcity #nyceats #healthy #nycblogger #eatingnyc #eastvillage #catering #streetstyle #instafood #eat #lunchbowl #glutenfree #foodlover #lunchtime #lunch #foodie #foodies #streetfood #nycfood #noodles #dinner

A post shared by Thai Direct (@thaidirect) on Aug 8, 2018 at 4:50am PDT

Thai Direct debuted in early 2017 in Brooklyn, serving Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick, according to this article via DNAinfo.

This long-empty storefront was last Yoshi Sushi until late 2015.

Updated 8/21

Thai Direct is now open...

Our simple interior with Thai Giant. Take out, Delivery or Casual dine-in. . . . . . . . #healthyeating #nycfoodie #healthylifestyle #streetfood #yummynyc #manhattan #cleaneating #delivery #eatclean #newforkcity #nyceats #healthy #nycblogger #eatingnyc #eastvillage #catering #streetstyle #art #eat #lunchbowl #glutenfree #foodlover #lunchtime #lunch #foodie #foodies #streetfood #nycfood #noodles #dinner

A post shared by Thai Direct (@thaidirect) on Aug 20, 2018 at 11:45am PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
Thai Direct setting up shop on Avenue A

Thai Direct setting up shop on Avenue A

Thai Direct, which sells ready-to-cook meal kits, is opening an outpost at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

There's a sign on the under-renovation storefront for Thai Direct...


[Photo by Salim]

The company's website also notes that its new address is on Avenue A.

Thai Direct debuted in early 2017, serving Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick, according to this article via DNAinfo.

Here's more about them via the Thai Direct website:

Our Thai bowls are healthy versions of famous street Thai dishes using our own Thai sauces made with authentic, natural, and non GMO ingredients with no MSG and no or minimal amount of sugar added. Our Thai sauces are gluten and dairy free.
​
We offer two ways for you to enjoy our Thai bowls. You can either choose one of our beloved bowls or create your own signature bowl to enjoy it the way you most prefer. Kin Hai Aroy! (Bon Appétit in Thai)

The bowls are available for pick up or delivery. (Most of the 32-ounce bowls are priced at $12.)

A post shared by Thai Direct (@thaidirect) on Jun 1, 2018 at 10:09am PDT

Not sure at the moment if Thai Direct is just moving into the smaller space at this address (the long-empty storefront that was Yoshi Sushi until late 2015).



Paper also covers the windows of the storefront next door, which was Baci e Vendetta until March. Before the gut renovations here, this space was the 10 Degrees Bistro until the fall of 2015 ... and the Flea Market Cafe before that.