It appears is if 320 E. Sixth St. is without a restaurant again... the gates have been down here between First Avenue and Second Avenue on recent weekends...
This past summer, Mazmaza was the latest restaurant to try the space... taking over from Amoun Moroccan Mediterranean Cuisine & Lounge, which relocated here from the Upper East Side.
Until earlier this month, 320 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue was Amoun Kitchen and Lounge, a Moroccan restaurant and hookah bar...
Then the gates stayed down and someone painted over the Amoun awning... and now the place is Mazmaza, which also serves Moroccan cuisine...
There has been a lot of changes at No. 320 since last September, when Zerza announced it was closing for renovations. Then came 'Merica, co-founded by Zach Neil, an owner of the Tim Burton-themed Beetle House a few doors away on Sixth Street as well as the now-closed Stay Classy, the bar for Will Ferrell fans on Rivington Street. (An investor who teamed up with the owners of Stay Classy is now reportedly suing them.)
There was some confusion about what exactly 'MericaNYC is going to be at 320 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Is it an actual restaurant? Is it just a pop-up creation for the last legs of Election 2016? Is someone just trolling neighbors?
As we understand it, 'America NYC is a venture between the owner of the previous restaurant in this space, Zerza, and his neighbors a few doors away at the Tim Burton-themed Beetle House. (The Beetle House owners, Zach Neil and Brian Link, also operate Stay Classy, the bar for Will Ferrell fans on Rivington Street.)
Zerza owner Radouane Eljaouhari left a lengthy comment about 'Merica NYC, and how it came about, on the EVG post from Friday. He mentioned that Neil would come in from Beetle House for a meal, and that they engaged in wide-ranging conversations on a variety of topics.
Yes I am a restaurateur but I have great interests in other things as well and like many of you, I enjoy debates and politics.
And being an American Muslim from Morocco, I found myself on many occasions to be a link to explain a few questions about my culture and religion, and so many times and to my delight, I find great pleasure in clarifying a few false clichés.
Some readers were turned off by the 'Merica NYC menu items, such as The Kanye, "Fried breast of chicken tossed in a creamy rich Alfredo sause served over mashed potatoes, then drizzled with a balsamic glaze. This meal will make you into a famous rapper and a narcissistic asshole. Ask the public to loan you the money for it."
The menu items have since been removed from 'Merica NYC's Facebook page. At this point we don't know if they are actual menu items or just someone's idea of humor leading up to the grand opening.
In any event, back to Eljaouhari's comment:
At the end of the day, it is going to be a restaurant that will sell two main items: Food and Beverages. It is going to be a business that will provide a few job opportunities to a few students and a few kitchen staff, like us, individuals with families that have obligations to pay their bills. We are all looking forward to succeeding.
Please be patient and give it a chance before you give your verdicts and most importantly wish us luck.
The restaurant is expected to open soon.
Here are some of Neil's Instagram posts from August promoting the new establishment... (Updated 10 a.m.: The posts have been removed the account is now private...)
Zerza has closed at 320 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. The signage has been removed from the space. Updated: Zerza is back open as of early November
Here's what ownership had to say via Facebook:
The Zerza website mentions that they are closed for renovations through the month of September.
Either way, Zerza is closed for now.
Meanwhile, a tipster claims that this space is being converted into a new restaurant called Merica NYC. There's a Facebook page for the restaurant that doesn't have too many particulars, such as a specific address (other than Sixth Street).
Via their Facebook page:
Our food is intended to free your spirit. It's not intended to be in anyway healthy. "We ain't gunna listen to those smart brained medical morons who think butter and bacon are bad!" We say, bring on the bacon! In the true rebellious spirit of America, our food laughs in the face of caution and holds two middle fingers way up high, cause guess what? This is America and we eat what we want!
All food names are intended as jokes and in no way affiliate us with any person or persona. This shit is fattening as all hell, eat at your own risk.
Items include:
THE C -CHRISTIE.
Get that New Jersey governors look with this sloppy mess of greasy fatty deliciousness. Mac and cheese, topped with a chopped up cheeseburger patty, topped with mash potatoes and gravy, topped with bacon, then broiled with melted cheddar cheese. $20
THE KANYE.
Fried breast of chicken tossed in a creamy rich Alfredo sause served over mashed potatoes, then drizzled with a balsamic glaze. This meal will make you into a famous rapper and a narcissistic asshole. Ask the public to loan you the money for it. $18
OSAMA BEEN EAT'N
Deep fried brownie bites drizzled with chocolate or strawberry sauce. $10
We have no idea of any of this is for real... Via Facebook, the folks behind Merica NYC say they are opening the first week of October.
Our tipster looked inside Zerza's open door from the sidewalk yesterday ... revealing some chairs adorned with the American flag...
