[Updated] NuNoodle signage arrives on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

Updated 10/27: NuNoodle is now open!

The Nu/new signage arrived at 130 First Ave. near St. Mark's Place late last week.

As previously reported, the owners of Nunoodle Noodle + Bar on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst are opening an outpost at this spot.

They were OK'd for a beer-wine license this past summer. According to the application on the CB3 website (PDF here), the restaurant will feature seven tables seating 20 guests with daily hours of 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Find their menu here.

This storefront, which has been undergoing renovations in recent months, was previously Rainbow Music.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Rainbow Music shop will be a Chinese restaurant

Incoming: Gala on 3rd Avenue, Nunoodle Noodle + Bar on 1st Avenue

[Updated] Mexican restaurant opening on 2nd Avenue called Savor Por Favor

Updated 10/26 — the restaurant is now open.

The signage is in the window at 157 Second Ave. for the new Mexican restaurant opening in this space between Ninth Street and 10th Street ... welcome Savor Por Favor...



In May, applicants from Butter Midtown — doing business as E&Y Hospitality LLC — received CB3's OK for a new liquor license at the address.

While interior renovations continue at No. 157 ... the owners have set up a Facebook account...



... and Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

#lego #eastvillagenyc #mexicanfood #cocktails #comingsoon #threeamigos @sulleylife @eco823 @chef_michael_jenkins

A post shared by Mexican American & Cocktails (@savorporfavor) on Sep 13, 2018 at 6:51am PDT

So Savor Por Favor is in the works... as for the past, Yuan shut down in July after a year in business. As noted in previous posts on No. 157, this has been a challenging space to make work for any length of time. Biang! — the sit-down Chinese restaurant via Xi'an Famous Foods owner Jason Wang — closed in March 2017 after 15 months in business. The previous tenant, Wylie Dufresne's bistro Alder, called it quits after two-and-a-half years at the end of August 2015. Other recent restaurants here (before 2013) included Plum and Cafe Brama.

Updated 10/26

Savor Por Favor is now open...


[Photo by Steven]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Yuan Noodle may be yielding to a Mexican restaurant on 2nd Avenue

Pado in soft-open sushi mode on 2nd Avenue

Pado is now in soft-open mode (as of this past Friday) at 199 Second Ave.

The Japanese restaurant's Instagram account notes that they feature "unconventional tapas style plates. We craft every dish with luxury ingredients and attention to detail."

This space between 12th Street and 13th Street was previously Oishi Village Sushi, which closed in late December after nine months in business.

Thanks to Nick Solares for this photo and tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pado bringing 'Modern Japanese Cuisine' to 2nd Avenue

A quick look inside the new restaurant coming to 171 Avenue A

Renovations continue over at 171 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

We don't know too many details just yet about the restaurant, which will serve Szechuan cuisine and dim sum. CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license for the applicants back in July. According to the applicant's questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, the unnamed restaurant plans to be open from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared this interior pic from the other day...



Hopefully the new venture will fare better than the previous two establishments here. Chao Chao, a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, closed without any notice to patrons in May 2017 after six months in business. Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. Soothsayer, from the same operators, also closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016.

No 171 was also the onetime home of Rat Cage Records and 171A, the illegal club-turned-rehearsal studio that produced records by Bad Brains and the "Polly Wog Stew" EP by the Beastie Boys.

Meet Noodles unveiled at new-look 50 3rd Ave.

The plywood is down outside 50 Third Avenue ... providing a view of the new restaurant opening here this fall: Meet Noodles...


[Photo via EVG reader Laura]

This appears to be the second Meet Noodles, which also has an outpost on Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park.

Here's more about them via the Meet Noodles website:

Savory Chongqing noodle is called XiaoMian in Chinese, is a popular spicy and numbing noodle originated from Chongqing and popular in the whole country.

"Xiao Mian" in Chinese, which means "little noodles" in English. The term "Chongqing noodles" is typified by a variety of spicy noodle dishes that originated and exist in Chongqing, China, which are collectively referred to as xiao mian. Xiao mian is also prepared in other areas of the world, such as the United Kingdom and areas of Australia and the United States.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meet Noodles-official (@meetnoodles) on Jul 13, 2018 at 7:34am PDT

50 Third Avenue was previously the Renew & Relax Spa.

H/T to EVG reader Laura!

A few more details about Madame Vo BBQ, coming soon to 2nd Avenue and 6th Street

As Eater reported back in July, the owners of Madame Vo at 212 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue are opening a restaurant specializing in Vietnamese barbecue called Madam Vo BBQ this fall on Second Avenue at Sixth Street.

The Madame Vo team is on tonight's CB3-SLA docket for a new beer-wine license. However, given the method of operation (restaurant) and the owners signing the agreed-upon stipulations, they will not be appearing before the committee this evening.

Their questionnaire (PDF here) on file at the CB3 website provides a few more details about the place. For starters, the listed hours are noon to midnight daily. In total, there 13 tables to accommodate 52 diners as well as a five-seat bar.

As for the food at Madame Vo BBQ, Eater had this to say in a fall preview post:

This barbecue offshoot will have tabletop grills for meat and seafood in various marinades including curry, lemongrass garlic, and honey fish sauce. It’s typically a celebratory food in Vietnam, and here, the barbecued proteins then go into customizable summer rolls.

No. 104 previously housed Wall 88 for seven months until last fall. Previously, the address was the Lions BeerStore — part retail shop, part restaurant — for 16 months.

Openings: Pizza Rollio on 9th Street; Afandi Grill on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

Pizza Rollio has opened their outpost at 437 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The pizzeria, which sells its super-thin, arugula-topped pies served in long strips, is owned by Miyuki Talwar and her family, who run similar establishments in the Philippines.

This will be the third Pizza Rollio in the city, joining the Plaza Hotel Food Hall and on West 18th Street.

Here's more about their pizza from the Daily News in 2016:

In a city with pizzerias on almost every corner, Pizza Rollio serves the seemingly impossible: a totally unique pie. Its rectangular creations are light and delicate — built on paper-thin sheets of dough that are baked and sliced into wide ribbons perfect for wrapping around peppery bites of alfalfa sprouts and arugula, the salad-y condiment served with every order.

A post shared by Pizza Rollio (@pizzarollio) on Aug 30, 2018 at 2:14pm PDT

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Meanwhile, at 149 First Ave. near Ninth Street, Afandi Grill has made its debut. The restaurant offers cuisine from Central Asia. Per the website:

Afandi has Xinjiang style hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, world famous Uzbek pilaf and home made pastries. There is a veggie option for each dishes.

You can find their menu and hours here.

This storefront has been vacant since This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef closed in March 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pizza Rollio bringing its skinny slices to 9th Street

Afandi Grill bringing food from Central Asia to 1st Avenue

[Updated] Spinner's bringing chicken and Texas BBQ to 14th Street

Spinner's, billed as a chicken boutique, is opening today here at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

EVG reader Michael Paul shared these photos of the storefront (a former psychic, as you can tell from the old awning) ...



The menu shows a variety of chicken dishes ... as well as subs, salads and sides...



And signage points to a noon opening today see update below ...



Don't know too much else about the operators here... the space seemingly came together pretty quickly...



Updated noon:

Michael shared an update from Spinner's — opening day is now tomorrow!

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

Sign of the skewer: Gala arrives on 3rd Avenue

[Photo by Laura K.]

The signage arrived for Gala on Saturday here at 92 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street ... joining the neon hand-held skewer...



We don't know too much about Gala just yet (their questionnaire on file with CB3 described it as a "high-end Chinese restaurant.") ... it's opening in the former Blue 9 Burger space.

Dia bringing Roman-style pizza and coastal Italian seafood to 2nd Avenue

Just noting that the awning is up at the new restaurant coming to 58 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Once open, Dia will specialize in "Roman-style pizza and coastal Italian seafood," per their (still under-construction) website. Their listed hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, with an 11 a.m. weekend opening.

Not sure at the moment who's behind this venture. The applicant, who had not been previously licensed, received the OK for beer-wine from CB3 back in March.

N'eat, which offered "new Nordic fare," had a nearly 8-month-run at the address before "closing for renovations" and never reopening in July 2017. Before N'eat, Cellar 58 served Italian fare here.

Eat's Khao Man Gai opens on 6th Street

Eat's Khao Man Gai opened yesterday and is serving the namesake Thai chicken-and-rice combo — a popular street food in Thailand — here at 518 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.



From the looks of things, this is their only dish... available with drinks such as Thai ice tea or Vietnamese cold brew.

Until last month, this space was home to Zen Yai Pho Shop. The owners said that they were moving to a larger storefront, and using No. 518 for a new concept.

Chinese restaurant coming to this 3rd Avenue storefront

Renovations continue behind the plywood at 50 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

This space, previously the Renew & Relax Spa, is being converted into a restaurant. There's a Community Board 3 notice out front for a new beer-wine license for the place. (This item is not on the August CB3-SLA agenda. Perhaps it will be on for September.)



In an email, one of the applicants, Becky Lin, offered a few details — described the new venture as a "non-traditional Chinese restaurant specializing in noodles, (southern China) appetizers and desserts, etc."

Lin said they are still finalizing the name of the restaurant, which will likely have a fall opening.

The Braised Shop softly opens this weekend on 10th Street

The Braised Shop, which will offer a variety of Taiwanese street food, will be in soft-open mode starting tomorrow here at 241 E. 10th St. at First Avenue.

We originally thought this was going to be the second outpost of the Taiwan Bear House, the popular bento-box shop down on Pell Street. Turns out that one of the Braised Shop owners is the co-founder of Taiwan Bear House.

Updated 8/13

Eater has a preview...

Like Taiwan Bear House, the Braised Shop offers a simple menu. But here, the focus is on luwei, a method where various ingredients get braised in a broth. Options include pork belly, beef, fish fillet, broccoli, corn, and other proteins and vegetables. Each one starts at $2.50, and diners can choose as many as they want. All of it goes on top of noodles, the way it’s eaten in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, here's a look at their made-to-order offerings...

A post shared by The Braised Shop (@thebraisedshop) on Jul 31, 2018 at 10:26am PDT

Pick whatever seems appetizing (ALL!) and we’ll chop it all, braise in broth and boom! 🤤 想吃什麼自己挑！ #TheBraisedShop #滷味店 #Taiwanesefood

A post shared by The Braised Shop (@thebraisedshop) on Jul 31, 2018 at 10:27am PDT

Chelsea Thai debuts on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

Chelsea Thai, a longtime favorite in that neighborhood, opened in its new home at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street back on Friday.

Founder-chef Saruj Nimkarn (pictured above) relocated here after 21 years in the Chelsea Market. (He closed that space in January.)

You can find the menu (PDF!) here.

This Instagram post from January 2017 has more about Nimkarn...

Meet the owner of Chelsea Thai at Chelsea Market. Saruj Nimkarn is the founder,owner and head chef of Chelsea Thai. He grew up in Bangkok Thailand and came to the US when he was a teenager. He then decided that he wanted to bring a taste of his home to the states and opened up this restaurant so he could share his favorite comfort foods with all of us. One of the first restaurants in Chelsea Market, Chelsea Thai will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

A post shared by Chelsea Thai (@chelsea__thai) on Jan 16, 2017 at 5:39am PST

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A

Pado bringing 'Modern Japanese Cuisine' to 2nd Avenue

EVG regular Shiv shared this photo ... showing the signage up at 199 Second Ave. for Pado, which will serve "Modern Japanese Cuisine." No sign of an Internet presence for Pado just yet (other than a placeholder on Facebook...).

This space between 12th Street and 13th Street was previously Oishi Village Sushi, which closed in late December after nine months in business.

Silky Kitchen in soft-open mode on 13th Street

Silky Kitchen is now serving its "Authentic Hunan Delicacies" at 137 E. 13th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Signage points to a soft opening, with hours of 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. This link goes to Yelp, which has the Silky Kitchen menu, including a variety of house-made dumplings and entrees, such as Hot and Sour Chicken Gizzard, Pork and Pepper, and Stewed Beef.

And FWIW, in its first week, Silky garnered 21, five-star reviews on Yelp ... (and 13 of the raves are from first-time Yelp reviewers).

Previously on EV Grieve:
Silky Kitchen set for 13th Street

Vegan Love arrives on 10th Street

Vegan Love is now in soft-open mode (as of Tuesday) in the former Quintessence space on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As we understand it, the chef from Quintessence is behind this raw-food venture. Vegan Love offers a smallish menu featuring several burgers (guac and mushroom) as well as a variety of create-your-own salads. In addition, there are sides, including daily soups, air-baked sweet potatoes and squash mac and cheese, as well as smoothies and desserts.

While there are several tables and stools inside, given the menu items, it looks to be a good to-go option.

Quintessence, the 17-year-old raw-food cafe, closed back in late June without any notice for patrons on its website or social-media properties. The space has been under renovation this past month.

Previously

Report: Madam Vo team opening Madam Vo BBQ on 2nd Avenue

[104 2nd Ave. from December 2017]

The owners of Madame Vo at 212 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue plan to open a restaurant specializing in Vietnamese barbecue called Madam Vo BBQ later this year on Second Avenue at Sixth Street.

Eater had the scoop yesterday:

Owners Yen Vo and chef Jimmy Ly grew up in Vietnam eating Vietnamese barbecue, a part of the cuisine that is traditionally reserved for weddings and special celebrations ...

“We wanted to show New York that Vietnamese food is a lot more than what people are used to,” Ly says. “Vietnamese barbecue is a real thing in Vietnam, and a lot of people don’t know about it. We grew up eating it.”

And...

The focus of the menu is on a seven-course beef tasting with dishes such as lime-juice-dressed beef salad (bo tai chanh), beef wrapped in betel leaf (bo la lot), and beef grilled with scallion (bo luoi). Other meats include whole grilled sea bass, stuffed squid, lobster, and scallops. Dipping sauces run from orange butter-garlic to anchovy sauce with pineapple, and accompanying drinks will be beer, wine, sake, fresh juice, and sake-based cocktails.

Madam Vo BBQ will take over 104 Second Ave., which housed Wall 88 for seven months until last fall. Previously, the address was the Lions BeerStore — part retail shop, part restaurant — for 16 months.

P.S.

Bring back Bamboo House to this corner (because someone always brings this up)!


[Photo via Jeremiah Moss]