One more report from Monday's CB3/SLA meeting... Zerza, the Moroccan eatery on East Sixth Street, was looking to transfer to the former poisoned Carne Vale space at 46 Avenue B. Radouane, the owner (he sent me a note last week) stood up and gave a passionate talk on his restaurant and his love of the East Village... He introduced his mother, who is also the chef. It's a family-run business that he says has been a good neighbor throughout its seven-year history ... His current space, though, is too small and too expensive. He said he would close at 11:30 p.m. and there wouldn't be a bar... it seemed like one of the more honest and straightforward talks that I've heard ... not that everyone was paying attention on the Board. During his talk, he seemed to have the attention of three Board members. Two board members were at the far left-end of the table talking with Keith Masco, who was just before the Board. And Board member David McWater left before the Zerza presentation.
Anyway, the Board denied Zerza's request for a transfer citing oversaturation... Plus, there's still a stigma attached to 40 Avenue B ... expect the storefront to sit empty for some time...
Read the rest of my CB3 report here. Eater has more from the meeting. As does the Lo-Down.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Zerza owner discusses his intentions for new Avenue B space
Zerza moving to Avenue B