1st sign of Raíz Modern Mexican on 1st Avenue

The signage arrived yesterday for Raíz Modern Mexican, coming soon to 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As previously noted, Raíz is a plant-based, fast-casual restaurant that will feature burritos, tacos, salads and bowls. 

No word on an opening date just yet. 

Thanks to Steven for the photo!

Dumpling N' Dips coming soon to St. Mark's Place

Signage is up on the storefront down the steps at 5 St. Mark's Place for a quick-serve concept called Dumpling N' Dips... 

Per the signage: "I have fillings for you." ("Fillings, nothing more than fillings...")

You can keep tabs on DnD via their Instagram account here. 

This space was previously Spot Dessert, which moved a few storefronts to the west here between Third Avenue and Second Avenue.

The other retail space at No. 5, the former Yakitori Taisho, is for rent.

Cutlets Sandwich Co. debuts on 3rd Avenue

Cutlets Sandwich Co. is now open at 99 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. (Thanks to Steven for these photos yesterday.)

Richard Zaro of Zaro's Family Bakery is behind this quick-serve deli concept that touts "quality sandwiches made with premium ingredients."

Cutlets first launched as a delivery-only business in July 2020, expanding into a Flatiron District pop-up in late 2020 ... before opening a flagship location on West 35th Street this past June. (An outpost is planned next in Williamsburg.)

You can find the Cutlets menu here. The EV outpost is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Oh, and to celebrate the EV opening, Cutlets is offering $6 subs all day today (Dec. 1).

Previously on EV Grieve:

Coming soon: Cutlets Sandwich Co. opening an outpost on 3rd Avenue

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!

Plant-based Mexican cuisine next for 120 1st Ave.

Here's the word about the next tenant for 120 First Ave. — Raíz Modern Mexican.

This appears to be the first outpost for the restaurant. Here's more about them via a LinkedIn profile:

Plant-forward restaurant — featuring burritos, tacos, salads and bowls for health-conscious consumers, served in a ... friendly fast-casual setting. 

The @TradedNY account announced the lease signing the other day.

The last tenant here, Chef Hans Asian Kitchen, closed after just a few weeks in business.

Thanks to Steven for the photo and Upper West Sider for the tip!

A very quick pivot for Chichen Itzá, now going as Tompkins Village Cafe on 10th Street

Photos by Steven

After less than three weeks in business, Chichen Itzá has apparently closed at 277 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

The Mexican restaurant is now dark ... and there are signs in the window noting a new venture titled Tompkins Village Cafe (thanks to the commenter who pointed this out in the previous post)...

The menus posted to the storefront yesterday show a variety of breakfast items (including a Good Morning Salad), sandwiches and burgers...

It's not immediately clear if the folks behind Chichen Itzá are also doing the new cafe concept ... or what made them pivot the business after two-plus weeks in existence here. (We first saw them open on Oct. 16.)

Vegan Grill coming soon to 58 St. Mark's Place

A quick-serve, plant-based restaurant is in the works for 58 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Coming-soon signage is now up on the vacant storefront for Vegan Grill. The business got its start in late 2019 on Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx... this will be its second outpost. 

You can find a menu here, and some food pics on Instagram.

The Dip, which served a variety of sandwiches, opened here in late 2019...  and barely had four months in business before it shuttered during the pandemic.

Openings: Chichen Itzá on 10th Street

Chichen Itzá is now open at 277 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

We don't know too much about the Mexican restaurant. (We heard that it was affiliated with the now-closed Chichen Itzá Mexican Grill in Sunset Park.)

There are photocopies (of photocopies?) of the menu out front for passersby... there are plenty of standbys here, including variety of tacos and chicken enchiladas...

They are open from 3-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday with an 11 p.m. close Thursdays through Saturdays. Chichen Itzá also offers a weekend brunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And a beer-wine license is in the works.

This address was home for 11 years to the Brindle Room, whose closure was made official in June. Owner Jeremy Spector told us that he is looking for a new location for his restaurant that served "eclectic comfort food." 

Omakase sushi bar coming to former upholstery shop on 7th Street

An omakase sushi bar is in the works for 208 E. Seventh St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

The applicant, Linda Wang, had received administrative approval for a beer-wine license from Community Board 3 this month. 

According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website (PDF here), the still-unnamed establishment (reservations only) will be in service from noon to 10 p.m., with seats for 12-16 patrons. 

Wang is a partner in Shinn East, which opened in May 2020 at 119 E. Seventh St. She is also an owner of Ume in Williamsburg. 

The space was, since 2013, C.Y. Upholstery. The shop run by Charles Young quietly closed late last year.

Desi Stop Deli signage arrives on 2nd Avenue

Two weeks ago, we mentioned that a new Indian restaurant called Desi Stop was coming to 75 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

The signage is now up... and it's actually going by Desi Stop Deli...

Signage points to a 100-percent vegetarian establishment... though we don't know if this will be a quick-serve place (as the Deli name implies) or a restaurant with a dining room. Or maybe both! We should find out quickly enough with the promise of an "opening soon" sign on the door. 

Desi Stop takes over for Nostro Ristorante, which debuted in October 2019. The Italian restaurant reopened briefly late in the spring of 2020 for pandemic-era takeout and delivery but closed soon after.

Thanks to Steven for the photos! 

Jiang Diner owners taking over the former Jule's Bistro space on St. Mark's Place

The owner of Jiang Diner and Hot Kitchen is opening a new restaurant at 65 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue — the former Jule's Bistro space.

Tao An was on CB3's SLA docket last night for a wine-beer license for the space, going by Jiang Kitchen. (This item had received administrative approval, and An did not appear before the committee.)

According to the applicant's questionnaire posted on the CB3 website, Jiang Kitchen will feature 15 tables to accommodate 60 guests. Although the restaurant will serve beer and wine with meals, there is no bar for guests inside the space.

The hours: Sunday-Thursday from noon to 10 p.m. with an 11 p.m. close on Fridays and Saturdays. 

This pending arrival means the end of Jiang Diner on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. The restaurant, which served Xinjiang-styled Northwestern Chinese food, closed for a summer break in late July. That space has since been cleared out. 

Jiang Diner opened in the spring of 2019 and drew praise for its big-plate chicken and other dishes.

An also operated Hot Kitchen, a Sichuan restaurant, at 104 Second Ave. at Sixth Street. After a solid start in 2011, some regulars felt as if the quality began to diminish. In 2018, Hot Kitchen transformed its menu and added traditional Sichuan Skewer Hotpot and BBQ. (Jiang Diner also briefly moved into this space, which is now for rent.)

Jules Bistro never reopened after the March 2020 PAUSE. Workers cleaned out the space last September.
 

The casual French spot, which opened in 1993, offered free live jazz every night... and with its French film posters on the walls and red leather booths, it provided a throwback getaway on St. Mark's Place.

Restaurateur Georges (Café Noir, Bar Tabac, Cercle Rouge) Forgeois said that there wasn't really much room for outdoor dining here and running the place with 25-percent indoor capacity at the time last fall wasn't going to cut it. 

H/T Steven

Salma brings Lebanese cuisine to 12th Street

Salma recently made its debut at 331 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

The restaurant's website describes it as an "authentic Lebanese grill." 

A look at the menu shows a variety of platters, including chicken, lamb and falafel. They also offer breakfast items, such as a labneh platter. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 

Salma takes over this space from Ducks Eatery, which closed last November after eight years in business.

H/T Steven 

New Indian restaurant in the works for this stretch of 2nd Avenue

An Indian restaurant called Desi Stop is coming to 75 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo and tip!)

This info is according to the workers who are currently renovating the space. We don't know anything just yet about the owners behind the new place.

Desi Stop takes over for Nostro Ristorante, which debuted in October 2019. The Italian restaurant reopened briefly late in the spring of 2020 for pandemic-era takeout and delivery but closed soon after. 

The west side of Second Avenue between Fourth Street and Sixth Street has been hard-hit with closures... aside from Nostro, Atlas Cafe ... Thailand Cafe ... and Hou Yi Hot Pot/Spicy Noodle Hot Pot all closed last year. And Calexico at 99 Second Ave. remains "temporarily closed."  

Chichen Itzá for 277 E. 10th St.

Signage is up now for Chichen Itzá, a Mexican restaurant, coming soon to 277 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Earlier in the summer, the @TradedNY account reported that Chic-hen, which specializes in fried chicken over in Clinton Hill, was the new tenant. 

Looks like there may have been a Chichen/Chic-hen mix-up. For starters, Chic-hen offers a variety of salads, fries, wings, sandwiches, burgers and rice dishes. (We reached out to them to see if they're launching a new concept.) 

There was a Chichen Itzá Mexican Grill in Sunset Park that's now closed. They have a similar logo to what's on the window here. (Efforts to reach someone affiliated with that establishment haven't been successful.)

We'll see if we can get this sorted out.

This address was home for 11 years to the Brindle Room, whose closure was made official back in June. Owner Jeremy Spector told us that he is looking for a new location for his restaurant that served "eclectic comfort food." 

Openings: Mochinut on 2nd Avenue, Little Rebel on 2nd Avenue

Two recent openings to note...

• Mochinut, 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place

The quickly expanding company known for its mochi doughnuts and Korean-style hot dogs is up and running (H/T Steven). This is location No. 31 for the California-born chain with 90 more U.S. outposts in the works.

You can find the menu here. Mochinut opens daily at noon with a 10 p.m. close; 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Previously.

• Little Rebel, 219 Second Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street

The two-level bar-restaurant, run by hospitality vets Dermont Lynch and Jarek Krukow, features a bar and booths on the first floor with "a Victorian-style room with high ceilings, crown molding, chandeliers and balcony" upstairs that's currently open on weekends and for brunch

The concept-y drinks menu via Brooke Smith of the Dead Rabbit includes the Charlie's Angel — a rum, Cointreau combo "topped with 'Angel Dust' glitter."

You can find the food-drinks menu here. Little Rebel opens daily at 11 a.m. with a midnight close Sunday and Monday; 2 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday; and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Previously.

Here's what's coming to the former Brindle Room space on 10th Street

Chic-hen, which specializes in fried chicken over in Clinton Hill, is the new tenant for 277 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

The quick-serve restaurant offers a variety of salads, fries, wings, sandwiches, burgers and rice dishes. Find a menu here.

This address was home for 11 years to the Brindle Room, whose closure was made official in June. Owner Jeremy Spector told us that he is looking for a new location for his restaurant that served "eclectic comfort food."

Photo from June by Steven. H/T Upper West Sider!

Openings: Gia Trattoria on the Bowery; Marufuku Ramen on 2nd Avenue

Gia Trattoria opened this week (Tuesday!) at 334 Bowery between Great Jones and Bond. (First reported here.)

Here's more about the restaurant via their website:

Gia ... brings craveable Italian food, handcrafted drinks and much more. In addition to an array of mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas, Gia's menu includes flavorful pastas, appetizers, shareables, snacks and entrees. 

Menu highlights include: the Pesto Rossa Pizza, Calamarata pasta with squid, san marzano, capers, pine nuts and fennel seeds, "Fairytale Eggplant" with gorgonzola, sun-dried tomatoes and pickled scape and Branzino with fennel confit and herbs. 

You can find the menu at this link. 

And the posted hours:

Tuesday-Thursday: 5-10 p.m.

Friday: 5-11 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-11 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Most recently this space was Gino Sorbillo, the first U.S. pizzeria from "the Neapolitan celebrity super-chef" of the same name. The "temporarily closed for renovation" sign arrived here in early January ... after a November 2017 opening. 

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Marufuku Ramen opened Monday at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. (First reported here.) 

This is the first NYC location for the growing brand that has five outposts in California and one in Texas. 

About their food, via the Marufuku website:

Marufuku proudly serves the authentic Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen — featuring milky and umami rich broth made from boiling pork bones for long hours, an ultra-thin artisanal noodles that match perfectly with the broth, and Cha-shu made from specially selected pork. 

Steven took these photos as they opened on Monday...

Hours:

Sunday-Thursday: 5-10 p.m., until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The previous tenant, Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen debuted in January 2020 and never reopened after the PAUSE went into effect in March 2020. Some EVG readers may recall that Kabin Bar & Lounge was here until March 2015.

Openings: Yubu on 7th Street, Evil Katsu on 9th Street

Yubu recently debuted in the sliver of a storefront at 86 E. Seventh St. just west of First Avenue. (First sighting here.)

The quick-serve shop offers a variety of Korean snacks and beverages ... and specializing in tofu pockets filled with items ranging from avocado to beef bulgogi. You can find their menu here

For now, they are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with a 9 p.m. close on Friday and Saturday). 

As previously noted, this spot has been a launching pad for businesses that grew and expanded into larger spaces elsewhere.

Abraço was here for 10 years before moving across the street in early 2017. Last summer, Suki, the Japanese curry shop, relocated to 111 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (Suki also opened a sushi outpost on St. Mark's Place.)

In between these two, we had Cafe Che/Benny's Burritos & Empanadas, which, unfortunately, didn't catch on...

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Evil Katsu is now in its opening week at 435 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

This is the first permanent space for the quick-serve restaurant that offers various katsu sets, sandos (aka Japanese sandwiches) and sides. 

Three East Village residents — Asher Sendyk, Chris Wagenlander and Hai Oliveira — are behind Evil Katsu, which got its start late last year as a pop-up ghost kitchen providing takeout and delivery on the Lower East Side.

The three hospitality veterans found themselves out of work during the pandemic last year and decided to start their own business on a month-to-month lease with the hopes that it would catch on. (It did.)

You can read our interview with Sendyk from December right here. Find their website and menu here. Listed hours are noon to 9 p.m., and closed on Mondays. 

Thanks to JG for the Evil Katsu pic!

Coming soon: Cutlets Sandwich Co. opening an outpost on 3rd Avenue

An outpost of Cutlets Sandwich Co. is coming soon to 99 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. 

The signage arrived here last week for the quick-serve sandwich maker specializing in chicken and eggplant cutlets ... this will be the third outpost for the growing company launched by Richard Zaro of Zaro's Family Bakery. (H/T Eater.) 

Cutlets started as a delivery-only service, with the first shop arriving on Broadway near 20th Street this past December. However, they closed that spot to open in a larger space on West 35th Street ... there's also a Cutlets by McCarren Park. 

Here's what Greenpointers had to say about Cutlets:

So what makes Cutlets stand out? The deli is committed to serving a better-for-you sandwich, meaning they exclusively serve unprocessed proteins, free from antibiotics, hormones and added sugars. Sandwiches are topped with seasonal vegetables and built between meticulously sourced breads and spreads. For full transparency, a full sourcing list of local producers and farms is listed on Cutlets' website.

You can find their menu here. 

This EV address was previously home to Thaimee Table.

Openings: Toasted Deli on 9th Street

Toasted Deli is now open at 105 E. Ninth St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue. (As mentioned previously, like here and here.)

They're offering a pretty wide variety of sandwiches and wraps, and it looks like you can get out of there with two eggs on a roll ($2.99) and a coffee ($1.75) for less than $5. You can explore the menu options here.

TD is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

And before Toasted Deli: Yuba, the 9-year-old Japanese restaurant, closed here last summer as business dwindled during the pandemic.