Veeray Da Dhaba bringing the 'authentic roadside cuisine of Punjab' to 1st Avenue

A trio of NYC restaurateurs are joining forces to open Veeray Da Dhaba, which will serve "authentic roadside cuisine of Punjab" here at 222 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. (Thanks to William Klayer for the photos!)

A coming-soon sign in the front window offers an overview what to expect from Sonny Solomon, Hemant Mathur (a Michelin-starred chef) and Binder Saini (former executive chef of Kurry Qulture in Astoria).

"With a devotion to authentic and personalized Indian cuisine, Chef Hemant Mathur and Binder Saini revive the quintessential delicacies found in a Punjabi dhaba, and serve them hot and piping for all who hunger for a taste of India."

No. 222 has been several restaurants of late, including the awesomely named Hungry Wolf (which I swear was never actually open) and Golody Halal Buffet.

On 2nd thought, C&B finishes its curbside seating with the help of the DOT

Back on Friday, we noted that C&B Cafe on Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B threw in the towel trying to build curbside seating.

As C&B shared on Instagram at the time:

Three different city/state officials came the last four days to give us different information about how we should practice the outdoor dining. Also we have four different emails from DOT about the guidelines suggesting different ways of building the spaces.

However, as EVG correspondent Stacie Joy reports, owner Ali Sahin (pictured above) was able to finish the seating area — with the help and encouragement of the Department of Transportation, the city agency overseeing the Open Restaurants program.

They unveiled the new space on Sunday ... which features planted lavender, rosemary, thyme, lemon balm, pepper plants, tomatoes, dill and other herbs and plants...



C&B is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lions & Tigers & Squares has apparently closed on 2nd Avenue

From the tipline: The East Village outpost of Lions & Tigers & Squares has apparently closed. Workers were spotted cleaning out the space yesterday, including scraping the restaurant's name off the front windows. The phone to the restaurant here on Second Avenue at 10th Street is not in service.

The Detroit-style pizzeria from the Artichoke team debuted in this high-profile corner space back in October.

The first Lions & Tigers & Squares remains open on 23rd Street in Chelsea.

July 13

Spotted on the corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place today ... thanks to BigStef for the photo above... and 2ndAveSilverPanther below...

Oscar watch on 2nd Street

Over the weekend, artist Early Riser (aka Lauren Elzbi) completed a mural alongside the 1st Ave. Laundry Center on Second Street at First Avenue, as EVG contributor Stacie Joy reported.

The subject: local pup Oscar Madison, a special needs rescue...


[Photo via @earlyrisernyc]

The 12-foot-tall work is titled "I am strong, I am equal." She completed the mural using freehand, brush and a couple stencils, all in acrylic.



And here's the artist and Oscar with his human companion, Rick Van Benschoten ...



And this is the latest mural along this stretch of Second Street that's curated by East Village Walls...

Report: Man expected to survive after being shot multiple times on 4th Street

In recap of shootings around the city this past weekend, the Post reported that a 41-year-old man was shot multiple times late Saturday night on Fourth Street west of Avenue C.

According to the paper, the man, identified by neighbors as Thomas Gonzalez, was shot in the chest "as at least three people rode up on bicycles — firing a barrage of at least nine shots" just after 2:30 a.m.

Gonzalez was reportedly visiting family members at the Bracetti Plaza. At the time of the shooting, he was talking to friends in seats near a kids' play area, per the Post.

His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

The Russian & Turkish Baths have NOT permanently closed on 10th Street

[Photos Thursday by Stacie Joy]

Rumors spread on Facebook last week that the 128-year-old Russian & Turkish Baths on 10th Street had closed.

According to one post, shared more than 300 times, workers were spotted carting out contents from the interior here between First Avenue and Second Avenue. One of the construction workers also allegedly told a 10th Street resident that the NYC institution was permanently shuttered. Meanwhile, the Baths' website still carried the "temporarily closed for COVID-19" message.

Several people reached out to us about the news after seeing the various Facebook posts.



In response to the rumors, management posted an updated message to their website and Facebook late last week...



As for the gutting, management shared this statement about that:

"We’re making superficial changes to the locker room, restaurant and greeting area so that when we open we are compliant with CDC guidelines for the coronavirus and we will definitely reopen as soon as we are allowed to."



There hasn't been any updated information from the city or state about when gyms and spas can reopen in NYC.

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David Shapiro, who along with Boris Tuberman owned the Baths since the early 1980s, died in May. His son Dmitry has served as the general manager in recent years.

View this post on Instagram

It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of the loss of our father, and our mentor, David Shapiro. He poured his heart and soul into the Russian Turkish Baths. Even up until his final days he was prepping for the reopening.

A post shared by Russian and Turkish Baths (@russianbaths) on May 14, 2020 at 7:10am PDT

You can read more about the history here in this Times feature from 2016.

[Updated] This is the last week for Odessa on Avenue A

Updated 7/17
Gothamist now reports that the owners will just be closing for renovations. Longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos told Stacie Joy last Sunday that they were closing for good, not remodeling. Gothamist also got confirmation of the closure on Sunday.

This is the last week for Odessa Restaurant, 119 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy spoke yesterday with longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos, who started at the diner in 1990 when it was next door. He confirmed that Odessa was closing after service on Sunday, July 19.



He says that Odessa is shutting down solely due to the significant loss of business during the COVID-19 crisis. (Odessa reopened for takeout and delivery in early April.)

Mike Skulikidis has been an Odessa co-owner since 1980 (along with Steve Helios). Skulikidis is also the landlord of the building, so there isn't an issue with a rent increase. And about the rumors that Odessa would be closed for remodeling: The place is shutting down for good, not reopening.

Vassilatos had been planning to retire to his native Greece in the months ahead... now he says he'll be doing it sooner than anticipated. While he's not a fan of long goodbyes, he knows that regulars are going to be understandably upset by the closing news.

As one reader said to us yesterday: "Odessa was supposed to be there forever."

Here are a few scenes from yesterday...









Odessa Restaurant opened in this space in April 1995. The original Odessa, which dated to the mid-1960s, closed next door in August 2013

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A Visit to Odessa Restaurant

• Last call for the Odessa Cafe and Bar tonight

New community coalition helping keep Avenue B safe for cyclists and pedestrians

[Via @loisaida_oscc]

You may have noticed a few changes along the Open Street of Avenue B... this is courtesy of the newly formed Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition, described as "a community-led program providing safe, socially distanced recreation for our neighborhood."

For starters, volunteers have painted and repaired some of the barriers that are up along the Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ...




[Top 2 photos by Stacie Joy]





The group has launched a Twitter and Instagram account...

As the newly formed Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition, we believe this should be a community-led program providing safe, socially distanced recreation for our neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/RiCfc7yzG3

— Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition (@Loisaida_OSCC) July 9, 2020

... where you can learn about upcoming events... and receive news alerts...

🚨Barrier protection alert!🚨 Strong winds today—please dismantle and set any barriers you see out today on Avenue B to the side, not blocking building entrances, with legs stacked behind crossbars to keep them from getting blown around. Safety first!

— Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition (@Loisaida_OSCC) July 10, 2020

If you're interested in volunteering to be an Avenue B Open Streets Ambassador, you can find a sign-up sheet here.

The city announced the Open Street plan in late May to help residents safely get some fresh air while social distancing. As we've noted, people have hidden or vandalized the barricades or they've been clipped by motorists or the FDNY...





A related item of interest... tomorrow (Tuesday night!), CB3's Transportation, Public Safety, & Environment Committee will hear the following item — FDNY: Fire safety concerns regarding Avenue B Open Street.

Here's the meeting info:

Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Online: https://zoom.us/j/97511826911
By Phone: +1 646 518 9805, +1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 975 1182 6911

Updated: Streetsblog has a post on this story here.

Formerly interesting new business closes on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

From the EVG tipline: The AT&T store on the southwest corner of First Avenue and 14th Street has closed (confirmed by the location's website). Workers have emptied out the space ...



The AT&T outpost opened last November ... taking over the retail spot from a Vitamin Shoppe that shuttered in November 2018.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Signage for interesting new business arrives on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

The Standard East Village sets reopening date

The Standard East Village has set a July 24 reopening date here on Cooper Square at Fifth Street.

This is the first of the Standard properties to reopen for guests. (The Standard London is back on Aug. 7, for instance; the Standard High Line on Sept. 7.) You can find their health and safety standards at this link.

The hotel went dark when NYC went on PAUSE in mid-March. A few other luxury hotels have already reopened in the city.

Meanwhile, the Standard's cafe returned to service this past Friday...

Week in Grieview

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Posts this last week included...

• Let's stroll through Tompkins Square Park on this June 1, 1967 (Wednesday)

• John's of 12th Street remains closed due to mechanical issues (Monday)

• C&B foregoes curbside cafe space after city can't seem to decide on outdoor dining guidelines (Thursday)

• 6 E. 2nd St., home of Ramones history, is for sale (Monday)

• Winter Flowers looking radiant this summer (Friday)

• Checking in on Foxface Al Fresco on St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

• Out on a walk with Touchy Blinky (Wednesday)

• Openings: Green Garden Buffet (Thursday)

• Checking in on the Parkside Lounge (Friday)

• The new-look storefronts at 99 Avenue B (Thursday)

• Punjabi Grocery & Deli is reopening (Tuesday)

• Enter Phase 3 (Monday)

• This week's NY See panel (Thursday)

• Hoops return to the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts (Tuesday)

• A first: Katz's unveils some sidewalk seating (Friday)

• Tac N Roll awaits an insurance assessment (Thursday)

• 12th Street ghost signage (Wednesday)

• On 2nd Street: Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness (Monday)

• Construction watch: 15 Avenue A (Tuesday)

• Illumina East closes on Avenue B (Monday)

• 2 years in, Suki relocates to larger space on 1st Avenue (Tuesday)

• Professor Thom's doesn't look to be reopening (Wednesday)

• Rumors: A new tenant for the long-empty bank branch on Avenue A and 4th Street (Tuesday)

... and new in Tompkins Square Park this week... at the St. Mark's Place/Avenue A entrance...



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Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

Reader report: The alarms at the Avenue A NYSC have been ringing since Thursday night

Via the EVG inbox...

The burglar alarms at the New York Sports Clubs outpost at 28-30 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street has been going off CONTINUOUSLY since Thursday night. It's going off on both the front interior of the building (flashing florescent lights inside the front entrance along with sounds), irritating the merchants nearby, and VERY definitely at the rear of the building. Those of us whose apartments back up to rear of their building are being driven crazy!

According to the reader and nearby resident, calls to 311 get transferred to 911, where nothing has come from the complaints. Queries to NYSC have not been returned.

The gym has been closed since March 16. In early April, the New York state Attorney General's office ordered NYSC to stop charging membership dues during the COVID-19 closure.

Reminders: It's Book Swap Saturday!

Book Swap Saturday enters its fourth week outside the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Per the organizers: "Let's share our used books to help us get through this pandemic together. Leave some and take others."

The free book swap is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. But get there early if you want the "naughty" ones...



And EVG Book Swap Correspondent Stacie Joy did check the bag — it was empty!

Vision quest

Montreal's Freak Heat Waves have a new record out in September... this is a single from that release called "Dripping Visions."

A report of a package thief on 3rd Street

An EVG reader shares this from a building on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...

Somebody in my building buzzed in this package thief, who took my stuff. In addition to his backpack, he's got a giant suitcase, so I'm betting my building isn't the only one he hit.

Also:

I can't decide if I'm glad his mask is below the chin, so we can see his face, or if I'm annoyed that he's breathing all over the narrow hallway.

EVG Etc.: Concerns about an increasing homeless population; realities facing live-music venues

[Morning at 9th Street Espresso via Vinny & O]

• Explaining the increase in the homeless population in the East Village and Lower East Side (B&B) LES residents complain about growing number of homeless encampments (NY1)

• Report: NYCHA residents say their living conditions have continued to worsen and many oppose the de Blasio administration’s plan for resolving the fiscal crisis confronting the city’s largest affordable-housing program (CityLimits)

• "Claims from the NYPD's top cops that an uptick in gun violence has been caused by bail reform efforts and emergency releases from Rikers Island due to COVID-19 continue to prove baseless, without any data surfacing to back them up." (Gothamist)

• Manhattan rental vacancy hits another all-time high (The Real Deal)

• East Village bar owner Jesse Malin on the crisis facing live-music facilities: "Very few venues are going to be able to survive being closed this long" (Rolling Stone)

• Delivery apps still taking a big bite out of NYC restaurant profits (The Indypendent)

• The National Community Reinvestment Coalition used data from the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to rank the cities on gentrification during a five-year period ending in 2017. San Francisco-Oakland was No. 1, followed by Denver, Boston, Miami-Fort Lauderdale and New Orleans. NYC was No. 7 (USA Today)

• Martin Scorsese to direct David Johansen documentary (Pitchfork)

• Funhouse by the Stooges turned 50 years old this week (Flaming Pablum)

Checking in on the Parkside Lounge

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

When we last checked in on the Parkside Lounge in April, owner Christopher Lee shared his story of recovering from COVID-19.

The corner bar on Houston and Attorney opened for take-home drinks on July 3, and debuted a small area for curbside seating on the Fourth of July.


[Christopher Lee]

On the July 4 holiday, Lee created the day’s special (the Thirsty Patriot, a vodka and soda drink) and taped up signs on the newly built outdoor seating. The local artist who built it, Joe Kay of Six Quarter Studio, stopped by for a beer and some last-minute adjustments. Soon, the first customers begin to arrive...








[Lucille the bartender]

Parkside’s hours are flexible right now. You can keep an eye on the bar's Instagram for updates.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Parkside Lounge owner Christopher Lee talks about his recovery from COVID-19