Spot wants liquor license; promises not to attract "inebriated college kids or troublesome drunkards"

Upscale dessert spot, uh, Spot at 13 St. Mark's Place opened last fall... and they're looking to obtain a liquor license "to add dessert wines and mixed drinks to compliment" their Spot desserts... (They're looking for a license within a resolution area...a block that already has like 22 liquor licenses...) So management put up letters around St. Mark's Place to reassure residents that they won't become "another bar"... you can click on the image below for a better read.

St. Superdivey's Day

Walked by Superdive last night... even though their winter hours are posted Thursday through Saturday... the place was open... at 8ish, four people were there, that's awfully early for this place... still, I couldn't help wonder why the back part of the bar was draped off...

Something new to obsess about on Seventh Street!

As you may know, we spent an inordinate amount of some time discussing the Seventh Street Tumor©. Then, Jeremiah Moss got the international exclusive: Tokio 7 was moving in.

So now what can we do to help pass the time?

A-ha! Yesterday, a construction crew was inside the former Tokio 7 space up the street...pretty much gutting the space...



What will go in here now? To be continued...

Asbestos removal starting at St. Brigid's

And Mrs. Grieve thought it would be funny to take my picture while I was taking a picture...

Concert to benefit Haiti this Saturday at the Second Street Cathedral

Father Calin passed along the following information to us...

As part of an ongoing effort to help the suffering and the homeless of Haiti, the Second Street Cathedral will host a Benefit Concert on Saturday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds from the concert will go to aid Haiti’s people in their hour of need. A Vespers service with special petitions for the Haitian people and the relief workers will precede the concert.

This event features the world premier of a new Passion Cantata incorporating hymns of the Crucifixion from Good Friday. The music is based on ancient Russian and Georgian chant, sung a cappella in English. The Cantata was written by composer Robert Sirico specifically for this occasion. The concert will be directed by Juilliard-trained musician Nicholas Reeves, and performed by a select chamber choir formed for this concert.

Second Street Cathedral has a history of supporting the community through music. After 9/11, the parish raised over $20,000 for local firefighters through a similar concert and campaign.

To ensure this event is just as successful, we are reaching out to everyone in our community and neighbors of all faiths to come hear the prayers for Haiti. Concertgoers will be asked for a $20 donation, 100% of which will go to the people of Haiti.

WHAT: Passion Cantata: Concert to Benefit the People of Haiti
WHEN: Saturday, March 20 2010 (5:30 Vespers service; 7:30 Concert)
WHERE: Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection
59 East Second Street (between First & Second Avenues)

The Dance Tracks sign will be replaced

The Monk Thrift shop is now open for business on Third Street in the former home of Dance Tracks, whose sign still graces the storefront... We were curious if Monk would keep the Dance Tracks sign...



The owner told a tipster that yes, absolutely, Monk would be removing the sign. "Just as soon as I get the money. Right now I'm broke."

A Christmas miracle!

Someone turned on the Tompkins Square Park holiday lights tonight... we'll have more on this in the morning... Meanwhile, let's go caroling!

Mosaic Man short is the winner!

Nice! Earlier today, we mentioned film student Elvis Maynard's Mosaic Man documentary was in the running to be shown on PBS Saturday... and the voters decided!



We'll need to figure out show times...

Thanks to Gothamist for picking it up... and to East Village Feed for letting us know aboutit in the first place...

Help a Mosaic Man short get aired on PBS

Elvis Maynard, a film student at Hunter College, has made a short documentary about Jim Power, the Mosaic Man.

Jim - An East Village Story from Elvis Maynard on Vimeo.

To help this film get on PBS this Saturday, go here to vote for it. Voting ends today at 5 p.m. (Yes, we just found out about this ourselves...)

Thanks to East Village Feed for the tip!

So, what's doing at McSorley's today?

Eater intern Thomas Garry has been live blogging all day from McSorley's.

Sample:

10:23: People standing at the bar at least two to three people deep. Nearly impossible to get to the bar to order. Some resorting to buying from people sitting at tables full of beer.

Meanwhile, EV Heave is on High Alert until the threat perception subsides, sometime likely never.

Cooper Union being used to sell studio apartment

This new listing for some studio at 64 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue got our attention... Just look at that exterior!



We were excited for a moment... We thought the studio might be inside the Coop! Look at the description:

SAINT MARKS PLACE IS THE HOT SPOT DOWNTOWN! hIGH CEILINGS, CENTRALLY LOCATED AND AFFORDABLE MAKE THIS AN EASY DECISION.

Hot spot? Sure! High ceilings? Hell yeah! Centrally located? Why not? Affordable? No tuition!

Anyway, CitiHabitats might expect a call from George Campbell Jr. some time here soon.

P.S.
The studio is $1,600 ... this is affordable?

Live like you're in the villas of the South of France and the Hamptons on East Sixth Street

Now here's a fine home for rent at 319 E. 6th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...






You get 10 rooms... for $20,000 a month... According to the brand new listing:

East Village townhouse built 20' x 68' with a four-story extension. The enclosed front courtyard leads to an elegant and expansive home with interiors more often found in the villas of the South of France and the Hamptons. Amenities are numerous, and include superb Southern light with views of a quiet tree-lined street and peaceful rear garden. This beautiful home is equipped with multi-zone heating and air conditioning; radiant heat floors in 6 of the white tile and marble baths; Siberian oak plank flooring; inlaid hardwood floors, casement style steel and glass French doors; recessed lighting; newly restored mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; a video security system, topped off with an irresistible surround-view roof top terrace.

And no charge for the aroma from the restaurants below...

Caffe Pepe Rosso is now Cotto Caffe on Avenue C

Last May, we reported that Caffe Pepe Rosso was on the market... In recent days, a new awning has appeared at the Italian eatery on Avenue C at Eighth Street...




It's our understanding that a new owner came along last summer... (And there used to be an Italian place called Cotto a few doors to the north... same owner?)

Holy guacamole! Union Square's Chipotle opens tomorrow

The Chipotle Mexican Grill on 14th Street and Irving Place opens tomorrow, as the sign says.... Last evening, the place was open to people with some sort of pass or coupon or something.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Spotted last night on Avenue C and Ninth Street.

Looking for the pot of gold

In front of the New York Stock Exchange yesterday.

11th Street, 6:12 p.m., March 16

Beaming up on Fifth Street

A few weeks back Curbed dropped the details on what the new building will look like at 532 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...Six floors and 10 units of glass and shine...



Now the steel is rising from the pit...



...and soon, the neighbors to the west of this property will lose their light and views...




Perhaps someone inside will document the coming darkness.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Demolition on East Fifth Street

On the way: A five-story apartment building for Fifth Street

Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

Nearly one year has passed since first hearing about the reconstruction of East Houston from the Bowery to the FDR. The plan calls for the widening of sidewalks, enlarging of medians, installating new pavement markings and bicycle lanes from Second Avenue to FDR Drive and creating two new plaza areas.

EV Grieve reader Elliot noted that some prep work has begun. For instance, the M21 stop on the northeast corner of Avenue A and Houston has been moved to the middle of the cab stand on First Street and Houston. "Really not a good place for a bus stop," he said. Indeed.




"Not looking forward to having the street all torn up like it's been further west on Houston for so long, but I guess it will be nice when it's done..."

The Lo-Down had a report last week on just what's happening here:

A sweeping reconstruction of Houston from the Bowery to the East River. In the second phase of a project that began on the West Side, the city will rebuild the entire street, including sewer lines, sidewalks and the roadway itself. They will also install new greenways and bike lanes. The work will begin in a few weeks and continue for three years. Expect lane closures, street closures and a lot of noise and dust. The Department of Design and Construction said they were committed to working with residents to minimize the inconveniences. They’re even installing "Rodent Control Stations."

For this East Sixth Street co-op, all you need is cash

There's a new listing for a fouth-floor unit at 440 E. 6th St. between First Avenue and Avenue A. Currently priced at $550,000... (and no mention of square footage...)

A steal for this charming one bed in the heart of the East Village. Loaded with pre-war detail including hardwood floors, picture moldings and high ceilings. Gracious entrance through a long hallway with double closets. Eat-in windowed kitchen with slate floors. Enjoy 3 exposures and tree top views from this sunny 4th floor home of an elevator building with a live in super. Please note the purchase must be all cash.

We'll check back in a year to see if it's still on the market...

Caffe Buon Gusto continues to remain restaurant-free

Caffe Buon Gusto on Avenue B at Fifth Street looks to remain vacant for a little bit longer... CBG was scratched from last night's CB3/SLA liquor license docket... Meanwhile, perhaps the space can continued to be used by those in need of shelter for the night...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Caffe Buon Gusto's shelter

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

I forget what the sun looks like.

Art inspired by the Meatpacking District (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Looking at the new liquor bill (Save the Lower East Side!)

A walk in the rain on Astor Place (The Gog Log)

An upgrade for 87 Rivington (BoweryBoogie)

History of NYC in 100 buildings (The Bowery Boys)

FOX films Ray's volunteer delivery crew (Neither More Nor Less)

A Miss Heather video: Short skirts and spiked heels for the rain on St. Mark's Place Saturday night (New York Shitty)

And I love Jorge Colombo's cover art this week on The New Yorker...

March sadness: Superdive transfer off tonight's CB3/SLA docket

Superdive was originally on tonight's docket for a full transfer of their liquor license.... no more, though, as a look at the updated rundown shows... Perhaps the Super brass is too busy planning that Vegas expansion?

East Fourth Street's Novogratz-designed penthouse now on the market

Prepare yourselves for 238 E. Fourth St. near Avenue B, where the superduperfaboo Bob and Cortney Novogratz designed the $4 million penthouse apartment...



The listing is now live. Let's see just how superduperfaboo it is! According to the Corcoran listing:

Step directly from your private, key-lock elevator onto your 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Penthouse condominium. Offering the highest caliber of finishes, every detail is customized from the Boffi Kitchen outfitted with Macassar Ebony cabinetry and stainless steel countertops to California Closets in all 3 bedrooms. The Great Room soars with 10.5 foot loft ceilings, woodburning fireplace and sunflooded, oversized windows with North and South open city views. Then take your private stairs or elevator directly onto the largest ipe-and-concrete decked terrace you've ever seen in the EV with sweeping Empire and Chrysler building views. Enclosed with sleek glass railings, this terrace is equipped with a Summer kitchen and wiring for outdoor theatre. The first floor of this duplex lends a gracious air of privacy for the 3 bedrooms, all of which have gorgeous sunlight and charming treetop views. The Master bedroom has TWO walk-in custom Cali closets, a sumptuous 5-fixture Master bath suite with dual vanity, oversized glass-enclosed shower and freestanding soaking tub. A large window floods the Master bathroom with all-day natural night. Additional luxury add-ons include radiant heat in all rooms, Crestron security system, and custom baseboard moldings. This finish quality is seen only is magazine-ready, designer homes. Extremely low common charges. Walk to the chicest East Village restaurants, steps to trendy Lower East Side and hottest upscale Bowery venues and gallerie.

At this point in the post, EV Grieve has passed out, overcome by the most wretched excessive East Village real-estate description this week! So please look at the photos and floor plan...







And the price: $3.75 million.

P.S. See more of the Novogratz clan on Bravo when their "9 by Design" reality show debuts April 13 on Bravo.

Tearing up the Telephone

If you were a fan of the Telephone Bar and Grill on Second Avenue, then you may want to avoid looking at this photo... I caught a glimpse inside the bar, which closed at the end of January. Looks as if the new owners are doing a complete gut renovation of the space... they've already auctioned off most of the old fixtures and equipment....



The bar is still there, but little else remains. And on the right is a pile of what can be best described as rubble...

Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village to somehow get frattier: What's coming to the former Telephone Bar

Ringing in the 13th Step: Old Telephone Bar will lose its Telephones

Tri-colored party bus makes pit stop on Avenue C

Anyone know anything about this groovy party bus spotted tooling around the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon...?



The bus made a pit stop on Avenue C near Ninth Street... Inside, I could hear someone explaining the rules of a drinking game over a loudspeaker...



And the reason for the stop? So that a passenger, who brought along her drink (that cup on the ground), could use an ATM...

Monk is opening at former Dance Tracks space

First came word that a thrift shop was opening on Third Street near First Avenue at the former Dance Tracks space...



Then there was the confusion to where, exactly, the Monk Thrift shop was relocating...

Anyway, the thrift shop on Third Street looks ready for business. It was closed yesterday. But a business card on the counter confirmed the store name...



Wonder if Monk will keep the Dance Tracks sign?

Heart of India says hello on Second Avenue

The canopy went up for the new restaurant taking over the former Madras Cafe space near Fourth Street. A commenter said the new restaurant is owned by the folks who ran Curry Majal across the Avenue...