El Primo Red Tacos primed for 151 Avenue A

Renovations continue inside the north storefront at 151 Avenue A, where the first NYC outpost of Miami-based pop-up hit El Primo Red Tacos is in the works here between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

As the name suggests, El Primo specializes in "red tacos," which Eater Miami describes as "birria tacos dipped in a soup-like liquid that gives them a red glow." 

And more from Eater:

El Primo "focuses on one thing only: birria, beef shoulder that is slow cooked in a “red” stew made with tomatoes and seasonings. The chefs then fill tacos with the beef, which also stains the tortilla giving them that red color, and then serves it with a side of broth made with the birria cooking liquid to dip the tacos in."

Reps for owner Frank Neri, who hails from Tijuana, will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Aug. 22 for a new liquor license for the space. According to the questionnaire on file with CB3, the quick-serve spot will have seating for 10 guests inside. They also plan on getting the backyard space licensed, which could accommodate 28 people. Proposed hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, with a 3 a.m. close Thursday through Saturday. (The outdoor space would close at 10 p.m., per the questionnaire.) 

The questionnaire includes a menu from Miami...

El Primo's Instagram account lists a September opening for the East Village. 

The CB3 SLA meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 22. You can tune in via Zoom here.

This north storefront at 151 Avenue A has been vacant since Mamani Pizza, a 99-cent slice joint, closed in June 2017. (Because someone will mention it: San Loco was in the south storefront at No. 151 until February 2014.)

A new East Village home for Virginia's

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Virginia's looks to have a new East Village home at 200 E. Third St. ... the former Root & Bone space...

The restaurant's ownership will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight for a new liquor license for the address just west of Avenue B. 

The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website shows proposed hours of 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, with a 10 a.m. start Friday through Sunday (with a midnight close). A sample menu with the questionnaire shows a brunch service. The plans call for seats/tables for 52 diners with a four-seat service bar. 

Virginia's closed on 11th Street at Avenue C this past New Year's Eve. Their lease was up, and ownership decided to look elsewhere for a new space for the bistro that opened in May 2015.

The Virginia's website lists a fall opening here. 

Root & Bone shuttered in April after eight years in business.  

New bar-restaurant planned for 132 2nd Ave., the current home of Dallas BBQ

A new bar-restaurant is in the works for 132 Second Ave., the current home of longtime tenant Dallas BBQ at St. Mark's Place.

Hospitality vet Curt Huegel is one of the principals behind this unnamed project. Huegel and company will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Wednesday night for a new liquor license for this address...   

According to the questionnaire on file for public viewing, the restaurant has proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. The menu posted with the questionnaire features a variety of burgers, sandwiches, bowls and salads ... including a weekend brunch service.

Huegel's portfolio includes concepts such as Bill's Townhouse, Campagnola and Printers Alley ... closer to home, he's part of the ownership team at Jackdaw on Second Avenue and 13th Street. 

If all this goes through, then this likely means the end of Dallas BBQ — at least at this location. We reached out about a possible closure or relocation. 

The family-owned Dallas BBQ has 11 locations in the metropolitan area. The original Dallas BBQ opened on the Upper West Side in 1978, and the EV location debuted in the 1980s (1984?). They have a solid following who enjoy the enormous platters of reasonably priced food (onion loaf!) and supertanker-sized drinks. 

There were rumors in 2018 that this outpost would relocate, but management decided to stay put after a few protests from regulars.

The Dallas BBQ on University Place and Eighth Street shuttered in 2007... the original UWS outpost closed in December 2014 — both the result of rent hikes.  

More burgers for the former Black Iron Burger on 5th Street

There has been a lot of activity recently at 540 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... the former home of Black Iron Burger.

New owners are taking over the space... and they will appear before CB3's SLA committee on July 13 for a new beer-wine license for the address (Black Iron also served beer and wine)...

We don't know who the applicants are just yet (the questionnaires haven't been posted online). However, we're told they will have a menu similar to Black Iron Burger — milkshakes, fries and burgers.

Workers have cleared out the inside of the space, which had been used for storage in recent years (photo below by Stacie Joy)...

Black Iron "closed for renovations" in July 2019 and never reopened.

The East Village location of BIB was the first for the brand, opening in 2008 (with new ownership taking over in 2013). The three other outposts remain open.

A new Korean concept for the Oiji space on 1st Avenue

Updated July 1. The CB3 questionnaires are now online. The new restaurant is NOT affiliated with the previous tenant, Oiji — despite the fact that the person collecting signatures for the new concept told us so. Kihyun Lee, the founder of the successful Hand Hospitality, and Hand Hospitality partner Jinan Choi, are behind this venture.

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This spring, the owners of the well-reviewed Oiji on First Avenue opened a new, larger restaurant called Oiji Mi on 19th Street near Sixth Avenue.

Since then, Oiji at 119 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place has remained closed. It was unclear what the owners, Brian Kim and Max Soh, would do with the space.

The other day, a rep was outside No. 119 collecting signatures supporting a liquor license for a new Korean restaurant here...

We were told that the Oiji owners are behind this new concept. Why the need for a new liquor license? There's a corporate name change that requires an updated license.

The applicants will appear before CB3's SLA committee this July 13. The questionnaires for this meeting aren't online just yet.

Oiji opened here in the spring of 2015 and drew praise from Pete Wells and others. 

Coming soon: Ando Patisserie on 10th Street; Unique Omakase on 1st Avenue

Photos by Steven

Signage is up now for Ando Patisserie at 214 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

We're told this will be an Asian-inspired bakery that will also serve a variety of teas. There's an Instagram account here. 

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Meanwhile, signage is up at 120 1/2 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place for Unique Omakase. 

Restaurant reps were scheduled to appear before CB3's SLA committee back on Monday for a liquor license. 

According to the questionnaire, Unique Omakase will have an 11-seat sushi bar with daily hours of noon to 11 p.m. The sushi chef here previously worked at Shinn East on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

An outpost of the London-based Bubbleology Tea chain was the last tenant here, closing in late 2021 after nearly two years in service.

Previously, the building's landlord, convicted felon Steve Croman, didn't/wouldn't renew the lease of the International Bar ... which closed in November 2017 before merging with the Coal Yard down the block.

Team behind Ichibantei eyeing 100 3rd Ave.

CB3's SLA committee meets tonight at 6:30. (Find the Zoom link here.)

There are just a handful of applicants this month, including MayRee on First Street and Gen Korean BBQ House on 14th Street and Third Avenue.  

Here's another item of interest. The team behind the 12-year-old Ichibantei on 13th Street is looking to open a bar-restaurant serving Japanese cuisine at 100 Third Ave. 

The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website shows the still-unnamed concept would feature room for 24 tables/98 seats spread over two floors... with proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. during the week; a 4 a.m. close Thursday through Saturday. (The 69-page questionnaire also includes a sample menu.)

No. 100 between 12th Street and 13th Street last housed the vowel-deficient club VNYL, which shut down at some point during the pandemic. Until September 2015, the renovated building featured the second iteration of Nevada Smiths. 

Gen Korean BBQ House next for 14th Street and 3rd Avenue

Gen Korean BBQ House is opening an outpost on the SW corner of 14th Street and Third Avenue... the former home of 5 Napkin Burger. They are taking the entire space — including the storefront that served as the 5 Napkin Express, then Taman Falafel.  

Reps for the California-based company will appear before CB3's SLA committee next Monday for a liquor license for this location...

The chain has 18 locations in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada and Texas ... with a handful more in the works. 

Gen Korean BBQ is apparently known for its all-you-can-eat specials. There's a menu with the questionnaire on the CB3 website here. 

This CB3 virtual committee meeting is Monday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Find the Zoom link here.

The 5 Napkin Burger branch closed here in January after nearly 10 years. And a comeback for Disco Donut will have to wait!

MayRee to bring Thai food to 1st Street

A Thai restaurant called MayRee is in the works for 58 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

The principals will appear before CB3's SLA committee for a new liquor license for the space this month ...

The owner runs a similar establishment in Illinois. According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, food comes first here: 

The premises are a restaurant where the main emphasis is on food, not liquor. The restaurant will NOT have late hours. It will close by 11 PM, five nights a week. On Friday and Saturday, it will close at 11:30 PM so we do not anticipate customers will be coming to the restaurant for the purpose of drinking. 

The premises are a small family-style Thai restaurant with only 25 seats, including the small, 7-seat bar area. There will be no televisions so it will clearly be a place where customers are coming for the food, not to watch sporting events or listen to music.

This CB3 virtual committee meeting is Monday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Find the Zoom link here.

As previously noted, many restaurants have come and gone here since The Elephant, a Thai restaurant, closed in 2011 after 17 years in business. Maybe people have been waiting for more Thai here.   

Calexico team trying Asian-Latin fusion with Big Cat on 2nd Avenue; a move for Keybar

Calexico is changing up concepts at 99 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. 

The Cal-Mex chainlet will its East Village outpost for Big Cat, "serving Asian-Latin fusion cuisine and a mix of classic cocktails, regional draft beers and a modest wine list." 

Reps for the company (founded as a food truck in 2006 by brothers Dave, Jesse and Brian Vendley) will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight for this change in operation. 

The questionnaire on file on CB3's website has more info about the new concept, including this sample menu...

Calexico arrived in the EV in July 2019. The restaurant has been closed since late 2020. 

In other items on tonight's agenda...

The owners of Keybar on 13th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue are looking to relocate to the more high-profile SE corner of Avenue A and 13th Street (the former Caffè Bene). You can read the Keybar questionnaire here. 

And what about the soon-to-be-former Keybar space at 432 E. 13th St.? 

The team behind the Spotted Owl on Avenue A and Iggy's Keltic Lounge on Ludlow Street have designs on a yet-to-be-named bar. Questionnaire here. 

The committee meeting starts tonight at 6:30. Find the Zoom link here.

2 tenants for the renovated storefronts at 21-23 Avenue B

Photos by Stacie Joy

Friday saw the grand opening of a new business at 21-23 Avenue B — Gas on Deck (a Q Da Fool reference?).

Yoon Lee (below) is behind the recreational marijuana dispensary and accessories shop ...

Along with a partner, he has plans for an omakase restaurant for the space next door. This month he's on the CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license for the establishment, doing business as Domakase.

As previously reported, workers added two new floors and combined the two four-story structures here between Second Street and Third Street. 

H/T Salim!

Pouring Ribbons replacement 11 Tigers announces itself on Avenue B

Coming soon signage recently arrived at 225 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street for 11 Tigers. (H/T Jake Bowling!)

As previously reported, the bar-restaurant serving an omakase menu is in the works for the second-floor space. (The questionnaire for the CB3-SLA meeting mentioned the occasional jazz musician or two for entertainment.) There's an Instagram account for the establishment, which describes itself as a "Speakeasy bar & Restaurant."

The cocktail lounge Pouring Ribbons closed here last month after 10 years in service. 

On the CB3-SLA docket tonight: applicants for the former Sidewalk and Rue-B spaces

Here's a look at two of the items on tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting... (we wrote about Bar Veloce's application for a new spot on the Bowery here). 

• Offside (OT AT LLC), 94 Ave A (op) 

An applicant is looking to open Offside, a bar-restaurant serving "American comfort food" in the former Sidewalk (and August Laura) space on the NE corner of Avenue A and Sixth Street.

According to the questionnaire on the CB3 website, Offside has proposed hours of 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays, with an 11 a.m. start on weekends. The applicants also plan on having sidewalk and streetside seating. 

The applicant previously ran the Offside at 137 W. 14th St. The tavern, which opened in 2017, closed during the pandemic in 2020. Offside was known as a gathering spot for fans watching Islanders games. 

August Laura closed last December after a fall 2019 debut. Sidewalk, the restaurant, bar and live music venue (home of the Antifolk Festival), shuttered in February 2019 after 34 years.

• Next Best LLC, 188 Ave B (op) 

Hi-Note is a proposed coffee shop-karaoke bar combo for 188 Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street in space that was previously the jazz club Rue-B. 

According to the CB3 questionnaire, daily coffee service will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ...  with the bar component open from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. During the day, Hi-Note plans to serve cafe fare, including pastries, salads and sandwiches. 

Hi-Note's management team previously ran Baby Grand, the now-closed karaoke bar on Lafayette. 

Rue-B shut down last fall after 23 years in business. 

Tonight's virtual meeting starts at 6:30. You can find the Zoom link here.

 Thank you to Jake Bowling for the photo at 188 Avenue B.

Former Coyote Ugly space on 1st Avenue hits the rental market

A for-lease banner has arrived outside 153 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

The space, a recent recipient of a gut renovation, is notable for being the home of the first Coyote Ugly, which held forth here with bartop dancing and body shots for 27 years. CU left this address in September 2020 ... for new digs on 14th Street. 

The KSR listing notes the CU connection here (but not the asking rent!)... 

As previously reported, there was a new tenant lined up for No. 153. 

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop founder Stratis Morfogen had plans to open a rock club here. (The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website from February listed the establishment's name as E. Village Bar, while the New York Post called it E.VIL Rock Club in an article last fall.)

This concept dates back to 2017 (another flashback here) when E.VIL had designs on 64 Third Ave. (later going to the Ainsworth). 

In any event, this application was withdrawn before the CB3-SLA committee meeting, per public records. And now, the space is on the rental market...

Bar Veloce looking to open an outpost on the Bowery

Bar Veloce is looking to open an outpost at 245 Bowery, a few storefronts to the north of the New Museum. 

Reps for Bar Veloce will appear before CB3's SLA committee on April 11. Several EVG readers pointed out that public notices are posted on the Stanton Street entrance...

The questionnaire is not yet online. 

Bar Veloce got its start on Second Avenue in the East Village in 2000 before expanding to locations in Chelsea, Soho and Columbus Circle (with other outposts in the works). 

As Bowery Boogie previously noted, four applicants have kicked the tires on the space since Cata closed in 2019. 

The address is also still home to several residents of the Sunshine Hotel upstairs...

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo from Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg) ... 

• RIP Al Landess (Saturday)

• The 1980s East Village as seen through the lens of photographer Peter Bennett (Friday) 

• Uncle Johnny is closing on Avenue D (Wednesday) 

• A Taco Bell is coming back to 3rd Avenue for the first time in 15 years (or so) (Monday) 

• Another rally to return the former P.S. 64 to the community (Tuesday) 

• A Gallery Watch Q&A with Faith Icecold (Saturday) 

• Eileen Fisher makes 9th Street closure official (Thursday) 

• A for-rent sign at Verameat on 9th (Thursday) 

• 9th and C looks to be home to the second coming of former LES cantina La Flaca (Wednesday) 

• City removes abandoned curbside dining structure on Avenue A and 6th Street (Thursday) 

• For-rent signs arrive on these 2 storefronts on 14th Street and Avenue A (Monday) 

• 2 new Citi Bike docking stations for Avenue A (Saturday) 

• Former Red Square art hauled away (Wednesday) 

• Looker has closed on Avenue B (Friday) • Some happy campers on 10th Street now as NYPD relocates RV (Wednesday)

• Measure what you eat at DM Restaurant (Thursday) 

• Momofuku Noodle Bar closes for a month-long renovation (Tuesday) 

• The window displays at Blue Door Video (Monday) 

• A look at a few of the applicants to appear before CB3's SLA committee this month (Wednesday)

... and several people have pointed out this apparition that has been up here on Second Street between Avenue A and First Avenue for awhile now ...

 

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

A look at a few of tonight's applicants to appear before CB3's SLA committee

Here are a few of the applicants who are scheduled to appear virtually tonight during CB3's SLA Committee meeting... (we already covered the return of the Brindle Room here).

• Milk Burger, 321 E. Houston St. (Questionnaire here)

The quick-serve burger joint with an outpost in the Bronx is slated for this block of East Houston between Attorney and Ridge (storefront photo above from a few weeks back). 

Erik Mayor, an East Harlem native, opened his first Milk Burger in that neighborhood (since closed, and there was some early drama there). He's seeking a full liquor license for this spot, 

El Maguey y La Tuna closed here in 2018 after the landlord reportedly doubled the rent.

• Salang Group LLC, 225 Avenue B (Questionnaire here)

A bar-restaurant serving an omakase menu is applying for a liquor license for the second-level space between 13th Street and 14th Street that currently houses the closing-soon Pouring Ribbons. 

The still-unnamed establishment is proposing daily hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the occasional jazz musician or two for entertainment, per the questionnaire online for the public.

As for Pouring Ribbons, their last week of service is March 23-26, per Instagram.

• E. Village Bar, 153 First Ave. (Questionnaire here) 

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop founder Stratis Morfogen is opening a rock club here at the former Coyote Ugly between Ninth Street and 10th Street. (The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website lists the establishment's name as E. Village Bar while the New York Post called it E.VIL Rock Club in an article last fall.)

This concept dates back to 2017 (another flashback here) when E.VIL had designs on 64 Third Ave. (later going to the Ainsworth). 

In any event, E.VIL 2022 has proposed daily hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. in a room with a maximum occupancy of 110. 

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The public meeting meeting starts tonight at 6:30 via Zoom. Or by Phone:  +1 646 518 9805, +1 929 205 6099 (Meeting ID:  921 9931 7942)  

The sewer-repair work on 11th Street

We received several reader queries about the roadwork happening on 11th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Per one reader: "There is a very large hole in the street." 

Yes! 

Apparently, a sewer line broke along here — ugh ... Steven shared these photos from earlier today... showing that the block is closed off to traffic while repairs continue ...

This month, the hole will appear before CB3's SLA committee for a full liquor license.

Brindle Room is making an East Village return this spring in new 11th Street home

The Brindle Room has a new East Village home. 

Owner Jeremy Spector confirmed that his restaurant, known for some pretty tasty burgers, will reopen this spring at 647 E. 11th St. just west of Avenue C. 

Spector is on this month's CB3-SLA docket (Feb. 16) for a liquor license for the address, the former Virginia's. (Their lease was up on Dec. 31 at the address and Virginia's ownership decided to look elsewhere for a larger space.) 

The Brindle Room spent 11 years at 277 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. The restaurant was open for takeout during the early days of the pandemic but stayed shut after the spring of 2020.

Spector vowed to find a new home for The Brindle Room. And he likes what he will have at No. 647.

"The place has really cool ceilings, and it's bigger and nicer than my old spot," he said in an email yesterday. "But most important to me is that it's in the same neighborhood. I'm pretty fired up — it's been two long years." 

He also shared a clip about with a reopening announcement...

 

Thayer is opening a bookstore and cafe at 99 Avenue B

This spring, Thayer, an independent press, is opening a bookstore-cafe at 99 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

Thayer founder Matt Lally confirmed the arrival in an email, noting the space will serve as its HQ along with a storefront offering books, coffee and pastries as well as beer and wine in the evenings. (They are on this month's CB3-SLA docket for the beer-wine license, though, having received administrative approval, they will not appear before the committee.) 

Thayer currently publishes a biennial magazine of short fiction, poetry and photography ... with plans for a debut novel this spring. 

No. 99 was previously Manitoba's, Handsome Dick Manitoba's namesake bar, which closed in June 2019 after 20 years in service.

Lally, who described himself as a punk rock kid in his youth, said that he wanted "to do right by the legacy of the space." 

You can keep tabs on Thayer via Instagram.

H/T Stacie Joy!