Ravi DeRossi plans vegan Mexican restaurant for former Violet space on 5th Street

[Photo from July 30]

East Village restaurateur Ravi DeRossi has plans for a vegan Mexican restaurant at 511 E. Fifth St., the former Violet space between Avenue A and Avenue B.

DeRossi is on tonight's virtual CB3-SLA agenda for a new liquor license for the address. According to the questionnaire for public viewing at the CB3 website, the working name is Spider in the Garden. (The space has a garden in the back, which a previous tenant, GG's, would use to harvest several ingredients.)

The proposed hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, with a 1 a.m. close on Friday. Proposed weekend hours: Noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday and noon to midnight on Sunday.

Reps for DeRossi did not respond to an email seeking more information about this venture.

DeRossi's other EV establishments include Avant Garden, Ladybird and Amor y Amargo.

Violet, the restaurant by the Pizza Loves Emily Group and chef/owner Matt Hyland, did not reopen after the COVID-19 PAUSE.

The address has been home to several restaurants since Le Tableau closed in December 2007. Before Violet, there was Goat Town, Seymour Burton, Butcher Bay and GG's.

Violet won't be reopening on 5th Street

Violet, the restaurant by the Pizza Loves Emily Group and chef/owner Matt Hyland, will not be reopening after the COVID-19 PAUSE here at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Eater had the news yesterday about the spin-off from Emmy Squared and Emily:

[I]t wasn’t the runaway hit of the chef’s past restaurants. The restaurant built its menu around the grilled pizzas made famous at Italian restaurant Al Forno’s in Providence, Rhode Island, and critical reception was tepid. Eater critic Ryan Sutton found that the toppings-saturated pies at Violet often missed the mark, while New York Times critic Pete Wells praised the pizzas but saw some flaws in the pasta and dessert lineup. The restaurant, which opened its doors in January 2019, also featured pasta and seafood dishes like spaghetti with clams, and grilled shrimp with spicy butter and cilantro.

Hyland called the restaurant “a fun experience” in a statement on the closure, but said that Violet wasn’t feasible to run “in a New York that is increasing drastically in cost of goods and wages.”

FWIW, I liked the pizza, and it was a good spot after a drink at Sophie's a fews doors away.

The address has been home to several restaurants since Le Tableau closed in December 2007. Before Violet, there was Goat Town, Seymour Burton, Butcher Bay and GG's.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

These 3 East Village restaurants make list of new Bib Gourmands

[Violet on 5th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B]

Michelin yesterday released the list of Bib Gourmand restaurants in New York City for 2020, and three East Village establishments made it on for the first time.

Background, per the news release: "Introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmands are awarded to restaurants that earn the attention of Michelin inspectors for an affordable and remarkable dining experience. Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a full menu of a starter, main course and dessert, making it possible to order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for around $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included)."

Here’s the list of new East Village Bib Gourmands, with a short description of each restaurant that Michelin provided...

• Ruffian, 125 E. Seventh St.
"This natural wine bar offers 20 counter seats and a concise, well-executed menu."

• Van Đa, 234 E. Fourth St.
"Showcasing an updated take on Vietnamese cuisine, this new cafe offers reinvented street food signatures and a menu divided by region: Hue, Hanoi and Saigon."

• Violet, 511 E. Fifth St.
"This charming restaurant is notable for its unique focus on thin, crispy, grilled pizza inspired by the iconic Al Forno in Providence, Rhode Island."

And local holdovers from 2019...

• Bar Primi
• Double Zero
• Hunan Bistro
• Katz's
• Luzzo's
• MáLà Project
• Momofuku Noodle Bar
• Momofuku Ssäm Bar
• Prune
• Soba-Ya
• Somtum Der

The 2020 Michelin-starred restaurants for New York City will be released on Monday.

Noted (bagel edition)

[Image via Black Seed Bagels]

Of possible interest to bagel fans... Black Seed Bagels and Violet, the grilled pizza place that recently opened on Fifth Street, have partnered to create the East Bay Bagel Sandwich available starting today for the month of April.

Via the EVG inbox...

Inspired by Violet’s Rhode Island roots, the sandwich is made with chorizo, fried egg, melted provolone cheese, grilled and sautéed kale, topped with sliced banana peppers and served on an everything bagel. ($13)

The sandwich is available at all four currently open Black Seed locations, including First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Violet ready to roll out the grilled pizzas this week

Violet, a new restaurant by the Pizza Loves Emily Group and chef/owner Matt Hyland, is ready to debut this week at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Violet website shows reservations starting on Thursday. (This after some friends/families previews.) Google also lists a Jan. 10 opening ... as do various social-media posts.

Matt Hyland and his wife-partner Emily Hyland reportedly went to "grilled-pizza mecca" Al Forno in Providence, R.I., on their first date while they attended Roger Williams University.

Here's more about Violet, named after the state flower of Rhode Island, via the restaurant website:

Hyland's menu focuses on grilled cuisine that pays homage to New England and Rhode Island's flavors and abundant fresh seafood.

The menu highlight, grilled pizzas, are inspired by his nostalgia for Al Forno in Providence, where he and Emily often ate while attending school in Rhode Island and his desire to fill the void of grilled pizza destinations in New York City. The pies grilled over a hybrid gas and wood grill featuring seasonal and innovative twists on classic toppings. Small plates with a focus on New England seafood favorites, and a rotating selection of fresh, house-made pastas round out the shareable menu.

And some food pics via the Violet Instagram account...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Violet 💜⚓️ (@violeteastvillage) on Jan 4, 2019 at 8:23am PST

View this post on Instagram

We’ll be making all of our pasta right here at 511 E 5th, something we’re *very* excited about 🍝 #spaghetti with clams, dashi, and bonito butter #violet #violeteastvillage #⚓️ #💜 #eastvillage #nyc #grilledpizza #freshpasta #comingsoon #pizzalovesemily #🍕❤️E

A post shared by Violet 💜⚓️ (@violeteastvillage) on Dec 21, 2018 at 8:19am PST

The Hyland's opened Emmy Squared this past July on First Avenue at Fifth Street.

Violet's listed hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday!) through Thursday, until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

GG's had a three-year run at No. 511 before they turned over the space in December 2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

Countdown to grilled pizza on 5th Street

Name reveal: Emmy Squared's grilled-pizza sibling will be called Violet on 5th Street

Here is your new Violet awning on 5th Street

On Friday afternoon, workers hoisted the Violet awning here at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... another step toward the November grand opening of the grilled pizzeria from the Emmy Squared owners.



These links below have more background details...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

Countdown to grilled pizza on 5th Street

Name reveal: Emmy Squared's grilled-pizza sibling will be called Violet on 5th Street

Name reveal: Emmy Squared's grilled-pizza sibling will be called Violet on 5th Street

Violet is the name of the grilled pizzeria coming to 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Eater had the scoop yesterday on the name for the latest venture from Emmy Squared's husband-wife team of Matt and Emily Hyland. The place is named after the state flower of Rhode Island. Matt was born in Brooklyn, Emily in New Jersey, and they met at Roger Williams University in the Ocean State. (Hey, you learned two factoid about Rhode Island today!)

Aside from grilled pizzas inspired by the Providence-based Al Forno, the menu will feature recipes with Italian and Portuguese influences, per Eater.

Violet is expected to open in early November. And it seems on track given all the work going on in this former home of GG's.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

Countdown to grilled pizza on 5th Street