TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen closing tomorrow as demolition looms on 3rd Avenue

TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen closes for good after service tomorrow at 58 Third Ave.

The closing arrives as demolition looms for six buildings on the west side of the avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

Despite being on a desolate-looking stretch of Third Avenue with neighboring boarded-up retail spaces, TLK cheerfully remained in service this year mid-block, offering solid, veggie-friendly cuisine. 

Owner Michelle Morgan's menu draws inspiration from her mother, who was born in Hong Kong, and her travels throughout Asia. 

In announcing the closing date on Instagram, TLK also reported that they will continue with delivery and catering along with a pop-up dinner residency this fall on the Lower East Side (you can follow their Instagram account for updates)...

The restaurant opened here in late 2021. 

TLK opens today and tomorrow at 2 p.m. (Reservations here.) 

As we first reported, a residential complex is expected to rise along this parcel — 50-64 Third Ave. Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition — 48 Third Ave., the 5-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner of 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space. 

We'll have more about the development on Monday.

Development watch: 50-64 3rd Ave. (and TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen is still open)

Demoliton prep continues on the west side of Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street, where six buildings will come down in the months ahead. 

As we first reported, a residential complex is expected to rise along this parcel — 50-64 Third Ave. (See the rendering here.) 

Per previous reports, Kinsmen Property Group — a joint venture between State Building Group and another Toronto company, Madison Group — bought the walk-up buildings over the past three years, paying more than $60 million for the parcel. 

Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition — 48 Third Ave., the 5-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner at 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space. 

On Tuesday, workers were spotted removing the fire escape from the corner building at 11th Street, where Ainsworth was the last retail tenant in the space ...  (thanks to Jacob Ford for these two shots)... 

Meanwhile, plywood now covers the other vacant storefronts and entrances on the block...  

... except for TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen at No. 58... which, despite the appearance of its neighbors, remains in business...

A TLK rep told us that they are open and serving as usual. At this point, the rep said it is not clear how long they will be able to do so.

However, they are participating in the winter Restaurant Week (Jan. 16 – Feb. 4) with a special dinner prix fixe.

Hospitality veteran Michelle Morgan opened the restaurant featuring a healthy, Hong Kong-inspired menu in late 2021.

P.S.

Kotobuki closed in the fall at 56 Third Ave. ... the restaurant is still offering deliveries in the area and plans to open in a new space in the East Village. More here.  

Openings: TLK on 3rd Avenue

TLK debuted last month at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. (First mentioned here.)

During the pandemic, hospitality veteran Michelle Morgan, who grew up in Chinatown, opened Tiger Lily Kitchen as a delivery-only business in Gramercy Park. The food gained a following, so Morgan relocated to a space with room for in-person dining. 

Here's more background via the restaurant's website:

Its concept and menu draws inspiration from Michelle's mother, who was born in Hong Kong, and her travels throughout Asia. The vegetarian lifestyle she encountered helped build the platform to be veggie-forward — serving a healthy, Hong Kong inspired, Asian menu that is mostly gluten free and vegan based, with meat options.

TLK is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Hours: Wednesday-Thursday noon to midnight; Friday noon to 2 a.m.; Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday 5 p.m. to midnight.

Find the restaurant's website here. 

Photo courtesy of KK Chote/MST Creative

A look at Tiger Lily Kitchen, opening soon on 3rd Avenue

The space looks to be shaping up for Tiger Lily Kitchen (TLK), opening soon at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Hospitality veteran Michelle Morgan opened Tiger Lily late last year as a takeout and delivery operation at 293 Third Ave. in Gramercy Park. This larger space allows for her to offer indoor dining.

Here's more about TLK via the restaurant's website:

Our founder, Michelle, realized her dream of starting her own project during the hospitality industry shift in 2020. She took this time to reconnect to her roots and what blossomed was a mixture of her mother's Hong Kong-style cooking and the familiar food of her childhood. With these inspirations she built the TLK menu, including food that is not only comforting but healthy, nourishing, and accommodating to allergies, intolerances, and dietary choices.

You can check out the TLK menu here... and visit the TLK Instagram here. 

This space was previously home to the Boilery, part of a chainlet with multiple outposts in the city that closed sometime late last year.

H/T Steven!