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.

Marufuku Ramen next up for 92 2nd Ave.

Coming soon signage is up now for Marufuku Ramen here at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. (Thanks to Steven for the pic!)

Marafuku has outposts in California and Texas and is licensing franchises. 

About their product, 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.

No word on a possible opening date. It might not be too much of a turn-around ... after all, Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen was the most recent tenant, debuting in January 2020 after a lengthy renovation.

Sanpoutei never reopened after the PAUSE of March 2020. No. 92 hit the retail market last fall.

Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 at this address. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront remained empty until the build-out for Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen began in early 2019.

92 2nd Ave. vacant again as Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen won't be reopening

Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen apparently won't be reopening at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. 

The restaurant, which just debuted on Jan. 23, has been closed since the PAUSE went into effect in mid-March. 

And now, a retail listing for the space has arrived on the market. (H/T Steven!) There's no word on the rent for what the broker describes as a "brand-new, multimillion-dollar, fully-constructed restaurant space."

A lot of time, money and effort went into the restaurant that was only able to be in service for less than three months. As we've pointed out, this launch was a long time in the making. In the fall of 2018, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license  for the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967.

Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 at this address. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront remained empty until the build-out for Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen began in early 2019.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen debuts this evening on 2nd Avenue

Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen is having its grand opening today at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

As we've pointed out, this launch has been a long time in the making. In the fall of 2018, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor) for the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967.

Reviews of the restaurant note that "Sanpoutei is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."

A preview at The Daily Meal notes that "its signature ramen is made with a niboshi dashi (dried baby sardines). Other dishes will include handmade gyoza, edamame with Sichuan peppercorn, dake drunken chicken and mapo ramen."

The doors open today at 5 p.m. Their hours are 5-10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until midnight Friday and Saturday. A lunch service starts on Tuesday. You can find their menu at this link.

Sanpoutei joins a competitive ramen market in the East Village. Other recent-ish arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue ... and TabeTomo on Avenue A.

Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 at this address. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront remained empty until the build-out for Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen began last year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

Signage and storefront reveal for Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen at 92 2nd Ave.

[Photos by Steven]

We have a combo reveal — storefront and signage — at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street ... where Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen is expected to open by the end of the year...



This has been a long time in the making. In the fall of 2018, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor) for the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967.

Reviews of the restaurant note that "Sanpoutei is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."

As previously noted, Sanpoutei will join a crowded ramen market in the East Village... other recent-ish arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue ... and TabeTomo on Avenue A.

Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 at this address. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront sat empty for nearly four years.

Also of note (maybe?): A sign for Black Star Bar, which closed here in 2004, still remains on the building...



Previously on EV Grieve:
The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

Plywood tumor marks the future home of Sanpoutei Ramen on 2nd Avenue

[Photo from yesterday morning]

It's plywood tumor time over at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street where interior renovations continue for the new tenant — Sanpoutei Ramen.

As noted back in March, the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, was opening an outpost in this long-vacant space. Last fall, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor).

Reviews of Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967, note that the restaurant "is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."

Sanpoutei joins a crowded ramen market in the East Village... other recent arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue and TabeTomo on Avenue A. In addition, Strings Ramen is opening at 188 Second Ave. at 12th Street.

As for 92 Second Ave., Kabin Bar & Lounge closed here in March 2015. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront has sat empty these past four years.

And by the end of the day yesterday, the plywood received a coat of green paint...


[Photo by Steven]

Previously on EV Grieve:
The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

Renovations continue over at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street ... where a small sign on the exterior reveals the new tenant — Sanpoutei Ramen...


[Photos by Steven]

Last fall, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor) for the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967.

Reviews of the restaurant note that "Sanpoutei is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."

Sanpoutei joins a crowded ramen market in the East Village... other recent arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue ... and TabeTomo on Avenue A.

Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 at this address. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront has sat empty for four years.

Former Kabin space on the market (again)

Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 here at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street after 10 years in business.

We recall a few people looking to open a new venture (bar) in the space. However, nothing ever materialized.

Last summer, the Sabet Group bought 92-94 Second Ave. from EMMES Property Group for $19 million. (The Sabet Group has made headlines for alleged tenant harassment in the past.)

A for rent sign recently appeared on the former Kabin. (A different broker this time.)

Some details via Winick:

SIZE:

Ground Floor: 2,200 SF
Basement: 1,150 SF

FRONTAGE: 18′ on 2nd Avenue

COMMENTS:

-Prime East Village Restaurant/Retail Opportunity
-Landlord to deliver premises with new glass storefront and vented for cooking use
-New direct long term lease, no key money
-Outdoor seating cafe possible
-All uses considered

Here's a rendering of what that new storefront might look like ...



Keeping that Kabin signage then?

Ellie & Jack's Bar & Kitchen looking for lodging in the former Kabin

[EVG photo from March 12]

Kabin Bar & Lounge hit the market early last month ... closing a short time later.

Now the bar owners looking to take over the space at 92 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street will appear before the CB3/SLA licensing committee on Monday night.

According to documents (PDF!) at the CB3 website, Ed Donovan and Christopher Barsa, who run Wharf Bar & Grill in Murray Hill, have plans to open Ellie & Jack's Bar & Kitchen.

Per the CB3 documents, the space will hold 20 tables seating 50 people. The proposed hours are 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday; until 4 a.m. Thursday-Sunday.

The CB3 documents also include sample drink and dinner menus... here's a look at some of the offerings...





The meeting is Monday night, 6:30, at the Community Board 3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Week in Grieview

[Photo on Avenue A by Derek Berg]

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East Sixth Street (Tuesday)

Workers remove 10 trees from long-empty First Avenue lot (Tuesday)

That's it for Mitali East on Sixth Street (Wednesday)

Out and About with Regina Bartkoff and Charles Schick (Wednesday)

Lois now serving draft wine on Avenue C (Tuesday)

Ginger has closed on First Avenue (Monday)

Happy Spring! (Friday)

Ess-A-Bagel is closing at its current First Avenue location (Monday)

The sad, strange saga of Tony Franzese continues (Monday)

What you can rent the former Benny's Burritos location for on Avenue A (Wednesday)

Kabin Bar & Lounge closes on Second Avenue (Friday)

Life at 20 Avenue A (Tuesday)

Un-dorming 101 E. 10th St. to make way for luxury rentals (Thursday)

Adventures in trespassing at 190 Bowery (Tuesday)

Mercadito has officially closed on Avenue B (Monday)

Former Bourgeois Pig space for rent on East Seventh Street (Thursday)

More about Taberna, the Portuguese restaurant opening in the former Yaffa Cafe space (Wednesday)

NYU has a new president (Thursday)

13 months after opening, the USPS retail outlet on East 14th Street gets signage (Monday)

Brow Bar! (Thursday)


[Outside the F stop on Second Avenue and East Houston — "Dedicated to Syrian Refugees"]

Kabin has closed on 2nd Avenue

Last Friday we noted that the 10-year-old Kabin Bar & Lounge at 92 Second Ave. was on the market… we heard that the bar between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street would remain open through March.

However, that wasn't the case. According to BoweryBoogie, the bar closed after service on Tuesday.

The listing at the Newmark Grubb Knight Frank site points out that the rent is negotiable for the 2,100-square-foot space.

Kabin space for rent on 2nd Avenue

Several readers pointed out the arrival of a for rent sign above 92 Second Ave., currently home of Kabin Bar & Lounge.

The listing is at the Newmark Grubb Knight Frank site…


[Image via Newmark Grubb Knight Frank]

The rent is negotiable for the 2,100-square-foot space between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street (there's also a 1,100-square-foot basement) … the date available is February 2015.