Dumpling Lab to test out 9th Street

The East Village is about to get another dumpling option.

Signage is now up for Dumpling Lab at 214 E. Ninth St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Thanks jba for the photo!)

The Dumpling Lab website describes this as "a contemporary Tsingtao-inspired" restaurant.

Tsingtao, known for its beer, has rich offerings of the most flavorful seafood in Northern China. Seafood dumplings and Chinese tapas are the main focus at Dumpling Lab. 

Based on the photos of the dining room, Dumpling Lab looks to be more of a sit-down experience rather than a grab-and-go spot.

No word just yet on an opening date. 

The Dumpling Shop moving into the former San Loco space on 2nd Avenue

The coming soon signage is up at 124 Second Ave. where the Dumpling Shop is prepping for a grand opening here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.


[Photo by Steven]

According to Facebook, the Shop is "[a]n internationally inspired culinary experience through one of the world’s most iconic foods: dumplings."

Dumplings are red, violets are blue, the dumplings we create aren’t what you’re use to. 🌹🌹🌹 Here at The Dumpling Shop, we’re not only trying to reinvent what goes inside the dumpling, but on the outside, as well! Perhaps you may see our creation as Valentine’s Day special? (hint hint)

A post shared by The Dumpling Shop (@thedumplingshop) on Jun 28, 2018 at 3:59pm PDT

The previous business at this address, San Loco, closed in June 2017 "due to a rent increase that is unsustainable," as owner Jill Hing put it. San Loco opened in this location in 1986.

Updated 8 a.m.
Thanks to the commenter to point out the Shop's website, which includes the menu.

Tasty Garden hasn't been open lately

[Photo from Jan. 24]

The windows at Tasty Dumpling on Sixth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B have been papered over the past two-plus weeks. There's no sign up noting a temporary closure for renovations. And the phone is currently disconnected.

However, an EVG reader who lives on the block reports seeing someone inside the space doing something.

The same thing happened at this address (No. 518) last summer when paper arrived on the windows at Baron's Dim Sum. A few weeks later came Tasty Garden, serving various dumplings and wontons.

The address seems to specialize in businesses that quickly close, such as a psychic... and an organic dry cleaner/cafe.

In any event I heard good things about Tasty Garden from readers. Perhaps it will return.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Baron's Dim Sum gives way to Tasty Garden on 6th Street

Drunken Dumpling coming soon to 1st Avenue

We have a signage reveal at 137 First Ave., where Drunken Dumpling is opening soon between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street...



The Drunken Dumpling proprietors are seeking a beer-wine license, and are on this month's CB3 SLA docket (that meeting notice has not been posted at the CB3 website as of this morning)...



This space was last home to Le Marécage, a nice little place that could only hang on for 10 months.

DumplingGo is a go on 2nd Avenue

On Thursday, a reader told us that workers were putting up the signage at DumplingGo, the new, um, dumpling place opening on Second Avenue at East 12th Street…

...and the place was open for the weekend...



DumplingGo is part of the NYVA Restaurant Group — "an owner, operator, and proud franchisee for multiple brands."

Per the the DumplingGo website:

The DumplingGo franchise is conceived from a mix of Asian and Western business and culinary experiences. The Restaurant concept reflects the eclectic flavors and multicultural pallets of an interconnected global society.

With 20 years of business experience in the New York tri-state area, the founding partners have isolated a niche market in the fast-casual dining space. Our market research suggests that Dumplings are a growing market in metropolitan cities around the world and present a unique opportunity for a franchisor.

Perhaps their market research would have noted that there are already two choices for dumplings on this block. Mimi Cheng's Dumplings opened up right across the Avenue last July. And there's Plump Dumpling down on Second Avenue and East 11th Street.

Anyway, you can find the DumplingGo menu here. There's now another location on West Third Street with two more on the way in Manhattan.

The previous tenant here, Shima, abruptly closed in January 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
How about some more dumplings?

How about some more dumplings?

Workers have been gutting the former Shima space on Second Avenue and East 12th Street.



Now EVG reader Michael brings us word about the new tenant: DumplingGo.

We don't know too much about the restaurant, other than this blurb on their website:

DumplingGo is a fast casual dynamic restaurant experience which prepares and serves premier made dumplings to our guests. DumplingGo's focus is to create a memorable experience for our "DumplingGo'ers" by providing a variety of dumplings to choose from that were prepared with only the finest ingredients. Our focus on simplicity results in top quality with each dumpling enjoyed by our guests.

DumplingGo is part of the NYVA Restaurant Group — "an owner, operator, and proud franchisee for multiple brands."

There now won't be any shortage of dumplings on this block. The well-regarded Mimi Cheng's Dumplings opened up across the Avenue in July. And there's Plump Dumpling down on Second Avenue and East 11th Street. (Right? Slightly confused about what's going on there now with like three different restaurants in one.)

DumplingGo was also on last week's CB3 SLA docket for a new beer-wine license. (Not sure how that one went. They likely got the approval given that it was a sale of assets.)

Shima abruptly closed in January. The asking rent for the prime corner location had been $25,400 per month.

The Vanessa's Effect: The recession is over!

Since the fall of 2008, Vanessa's, the dumpling house on East 14th Street near Third Avenue, has advertised a recession special.



We figured when that sign came down, it would be Party Time again!

Well, light those cigars, fellas! No more "recession special!" (WOO!)

One Vanessa's insider told me that the dumpling patrons have a risk tolerance that is lower or unchanged compared to one year ago — even with the recent equity market rally. "That doesn’t mean all patrons are cashing in stocks, and hunkering down with bonds," the insider explained.

Indeed.

Meanwhile — Buns All Day for everyone!

Recession not over until Vanessa's says it is

The big news yesterday... those party animals at The National Bureau of Economic Research said that the recession ended in June 2009.

My ass.

It's not over. You know why? Because the "recession special" sign is still up at Vanessa's Dumplings on 14th Street near Third Avenue....




The Vanessa's sign has been up since the fall of 2008... when it comes down, then we'll know the recession is really over.

I suggest that the fine folks at The National Bureau of Economic Research start eating some dumplings in the meantime.