After a 7-week closure, Salumeria Rosi is back on Avenue B

Photos and interview by Stacie Joy 

Salumeria Rosi is back in service at 222 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street after a seven-week closure for storm-related repairs. 

The cafe reopened earlier last week, and the restaurant reopened on Friday. Along with repairing the ceiling and floors, owner Andrew Loscalzo added a coffee window and hardwood flooring. Brunch, a new seasonal menu and outdoor seating are also in the works. 

We spoke with Loscalzo, who opened the EV restaurant this past January, for an update.

When we last spoke, you had just temporarily closed the restaurant. What happened? 

A big storm in July damaged the ceiling, so we had to replace it. We also had some water damage to the floor and repaired that. It took us about seven weeks to get it all done. We wanted to make sure we were at 100%. 

Were the landlord and building management helpful with the repairs? 

They were ... cooperative. 

You mentioned some additions to the space. What can patrons expect? 

We opened our coffee window, which is exciting. We also installed real hardwood floors, and we’re launching a new seasonal menu at the end of September. 

What's changing on the menu? Are you keeping items from the previous one? 

I would say pretty much all of our fan favorites will stay on the menu. They never really come off. The reality is that some items are seasonal. As an Italian restaurant, we must stay seasonal. Whether it's asparagus season, cauliflower, or watermelon, we try to stick with what's fresh.

You're also installing seating around the tree bed. What's the plan there? 

We’ll be open for brunch, and we have our outdoor dining cafe. We want to clean up and beautify the block a little. The seating is removable, but we put it there so people having coffee have a place to sit and gather.

----- 

The breakfast and salumi counter opens daily at 8 a.m. The dining room is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details here.

Salumeria Rosi sets reopening dates on Avenue B

Photo from August by Stacie Joy 

Salumeria Rosi will reopen its cafe on Tuesday, Sept. 8, followed by the restaurant on Friday, Sept. 11.

The Northern Italian restaurant at 222 Avenue B between 13th and 14th Streets has been closed since early July following severe weather and flooding. 

As previously reported, owner Andrew Loscalzo said the building sustained damage that required structural repairs.

Later this month, Salumeria Rosi, which debuted in January, plans to remain open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with music and a late-night menu.

Week in Grieview

From the past week, in which we had three different seasons over seven days. Photo in Tompkins by Stacie Joy

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• Judge pauses the City's East Village intake shelter plan (April 22) … Lawsuit filed to block East Village shelter plan; residents launch petition (April 21) 

• For Two Boots Pizza on Avenue A, a tough slice of reality (April 24) 

• First look at the condoplex that replaced a former synagogue on 4th Street (April 20) 

• A (literal) visit with Anne DeVita (April 23) 

• Landlord: STIK's 'Liberty' mural will remain on 9th Street and Avenue A (April 24)

• Around the clock again: Veselka's weekend overnight service is back (April 20) 

• The Lower East Side Film Festival returns for its 16th edition (April 22) 

• Shut out of Washington Square Park, 4/20 celebration descends on Tompkins (April 20) 

• Report of a roof fire at 433 E. 13th St. (April 21) 

• This car has made the city nearly $10,000 (April 20) 

• The owner of Corner Bistro is opening a licensed cannabis dispensary on 9th Street (April 21) 

• Report: SantaCon fraud charges met with a collective 'shocking, said no one' (April 19) 

• MoRUS is screening films about squatting and housing activism on the Lower East Side (April 21) 
• Art returns to a familiar wall on Avenue C (April 21) 

• New Italian restaurant Prosciutto coming to 9th Street (April 22) 

• From the 1980s to today: Daniel Root's East Village in focus (April 24) 

• Openings: Teriyaki One Japanese Grill on 1st Avenue (April 20) 

• Noted: Please take your rooftop shenanigans elsewhere (April 25)

• Swap at this St. Mark's Place M8 stop: bench replaces leaning bar (April 22) 

... and walking off with a Delancey Street sunset from Friday...

'The Big Johnson' brings an East Village legend to the Quad

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"The Big Johnson," the documentary that chronicles the life and untimely death of East Village drag and nightlife legend Dean Johnson, makes its theatrical debut tomorrow (Friday) evening at the Quad Cinema.

There's a Q&A after the screenings tomorrow evening featuring director Lola Rock'N'Rolla, as well as Mary Feaster, Penny Arcade, Viva-Ruiz, David Ilku, Michael Musto, DJ Tennessee, and Daniel Nardicio. Murray Hill moderates. 

The 7:30 p.m. screening is sold out, but seats remain for the 10 p.m. showing. 

"The Big Johnson" took home the top prize for Best Feature at the 15th edition of the Lower East Side Film Festival last May. During the closing-night party, Michael Musto, who is featured in the film, said this to EVG's Stacie:

"Lola Rock'N'Rolla has done a heroic job of compiling and condensing miles and miles of interviews and archival footage into a brilliant examination of a changing city, scene and star — namely rocker/activist Dean Johnson. Dean was always mischievously dangerous in a way that we needed. In fact, I always felt safer when he was around." 

You can find the movie schedule here. The Quad is at 34 W. 13th St. between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. 

Check out the trailer below...

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a Friday night photo on Avenue A by Stacie Joy) 

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• Opening the Edge: A new green space for residents along Avenue D (Monday, Nov. 17) 

• Long-delayed Canal Street redesign up for discussion Monday night (Friday, Nov. 21)

• At the grand opening of Banshee (Tuesday, Nov. 18) 

• Green Line busted again on Avenue B — third time since April (Tuesday, Nov. 18) 

• What's next for the Soda Club space on Avenue B (Thursday, Nov. 20) 

• Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins was the guest on Monday for the Reading at the Parkside Lounge series. (Monday, Nov. 17)

• Ground-floor retail now leasing at The Houston (on Houston) (Monday, Nov. 17) 

• Retail condo at former Streit's site hits the auction block (Tuesday, Nov. 18) 

• New menu alert outside Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen on 7th Street (Saturday, Nov. 21) 

• Cancel This Show!': Artists take aim at repression in new exhibit at the Clemente (Wednesday, Nov. 13) 

• The openings, reopenings and temp closures on one stretch of 1st Avenue (Tuesday, Nov. 18) 

• A bar proposal emerges for the former Petco Unleashed space on 2nd Avenue (Thursday, Nov. 20) 

• Signage alert: Slik, a Copenhagen-inspired candy and soft-serve shop on 12th Street (Monday, Nov. 17) 

• Yubu hasn't been opening lately (Thursday, Nov. 20) 

• Openings: Boongs Grab & Go on 3rd Avenue (Thursday, Nov. 20) … Oddball on Avenue B (Thursday, Nov. 20) 

• Thirty Love Sports & Leisure calls game over (Thursday, Nov. 20) 

... and on Wednesday night, East Village resident Sarah Batchu kicked off her bid for New York Assembly in District 74 at the Phoenix on 13th Street (photo by Stacie Joy) ...

Batchu, a former aide to Mayor de Blasio, was second to Harvey Epstein in the final round of ranked-choice voting for the City Council District 2 seat in June. Now she has a chance to take Epstein's slot in the Assembly representing the 74th District.

Also running in the special election: term-limited City Council Member Keith Powers ... Democratic socialist Josh Arnon ... and community leader Kevin O'Keefe. 

According to City & State, the special election will take place in early 2026, though the date has not yet been set.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo yesterday from Tompkins Square Park)

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• Corner Bistro debuts on Avenue A (Monday, Sept. 29) 

• The East Village photographer behind a new David Bowie book (Tuesday, Sept. 30) 

• Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returns for its 35th year on Oct. 19 (Friday, Oct. 3) 

• Surprise! 10-story condo planned at the former home of Chris French Cleaners (Monday, Sept. 29) 

• Pierogi Day returns to East Village Meat Market on Oct. 11 (Friday, Oct. 3) 

• City Fun expands into new 2-story space on 1st Avenue (Friday, Oct. 3) 

• Worker-stewards push back after Bluestockings’ abrupt closure (Thursday, Oct. 2) 

• The return of Hitchcocktober at the Village East by Angelika (Sunday, Sept. 28)

• Diorama season! Miniature magic returns to the corner of 9th Street and Avenue C (Saturday, Oct. 4) 

• Catching up with Bella McFadden of iGirl (Wednesday, Oct. 1) 

• The Starbucks on 1st Avenue and 13th Street has closed (Monday, Sept. 29) 

• Vendors say goodbye to The Bowery Market (Wednesday, Oct. 1) 

• Happy trails, Mayor Adams (Sunday, Sept. 28) 

• Closings: Chakra on 5th Street (Wednesday, Oct. 1) … Hubani on 1st Avenue (Monday, Sept. 29) 

• Openings: Seald Cafe on 9th Street (Wednesday, Oct. 1) 

• 6 posts from September (Tuesday, Sept. 30) 

Week in Grieview

Posta this past week included (with the Tribute in Light as seen from University Place by Deborah Kadetsky)...

• East River Park north of Houston Street now closed until the end of 2026 (Monday, Sept. 8) … A last look at East River Park from the 6th Street Overpass (Tuesday, Sept. 9) 

• Chris French Cleaners is closing after 65 years; 1-level building slated for demolition (Wednesday, Sept. 10)

• Rhaenyra the Dragon Kitty was stolen from Avenue A shop (Tuesday, Sept. 9) … The search continues for Rhaenyra the Dragon Kitty (Thursday, Sept. 11)

• Sephora is taking the retail space at the all-new 1 St. Mark's Place building (Monday, Sept. 8) 

• Grace Bergere in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday, Sept. 11) 

• Outside the Calvin Klein NYFW show on 6th Street for a few minutes (Friday, Sept. 12)

• iGirl has moved (Tuesday, Sept. 9) 

• About the 13th annual MoRUS Film Festival, 'The Gates of Tompkins' (Wednesday, Sept. 10)

• At the opening day of the Feast of San Gennaro (Friday, Sept. 12) 

• On Sunday, 'Guided Meditation' at El Sol Brillante on 12th Street (Wednesday, Sept. 10) 

• A 'Dear New York' moment at Mary's O's Soda Bread Shop (Sunday, Sept. 7) 

• Why you'll find art in the aisles at H&W Hardware on 1st Avenue (Saturday, Sept. 13)

• Still time to catch 'Caught Stealing' (Saturday, Sept. 13) 

• An improvised view of the Blood Moon in Aquarius (Monday, Sept. 8)

More about the new comedy club in the works for 44 Avenue A (Monday, Sept. 8) 

• Cookie alert: Gooey On the Inside to open on 1st Avenue (Wednesday, Sept. 10) 

• Closings: Buffalo Wild Wings on 1st Avenue (Tuesday, Sept. 9) 

• Signage alert: Suntrust Candy on Houston (Monday, Sept. 8)

And thank you to whoever started the EVG subreddit on Reddit (find it here). To answer a question posed, the most-view EVG post these past 18 years is this one from May 2012: There is a woman who has been walking around the East Village topless. No other post has come close to the pageviews nearing half a million. 

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo by Derek Berg of an incredible NYC tattoo in Tompkins Square Park)... 

• The entire northern section of East River Park, including the running track, closes on Sept. 8 (Wednesday, Aug. 14) 

• Michael Lydon, a longtime East Village resident, musician, author and rock journalist, died on July 30. He was 82. (Monday, Aug. 11)

• The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns to Tompkins Square Park this Aug. 24 (Tuesday, Aug. 12)

• Video: Fight spills onto the tracks at 1st Avenue L stop (Monday, Aug. 11)

• Summer road trips: Genre Is Death and Lydia Lunch at TV Eye (Saturday, Aug. 16)

• A look at the coming-soon Corner Bistro (Monday, Aug. 11)

• A rare look inside the Basilio Scientific School Association on Avenue B (Thursday, Aug. 14)

• This week in Dodging film crews (Monday, Aug. 11)

• Openings: Baos & Bowls on 13th Street (Monday, Aug. 11) … Gelatin Labs on 1st Street (Wednesday, Aug. 13)

• Croc stump tree well gets a refresh on Avenue A (Tuesday, Aug. 12 … Friday, Aug. 15)

• Where gallery meets shop: A look at 'Art Bodega' on 3rd Street (Wednesday, Aug. 13) 

• Owners of C as in Charlie and Kisa ink lease at former Ferns space on 1st Avenue (Wednesday, Aug. 13) 

• This might be the First great deli name we've seen in a while (Wednesday, Aug. 13) 

 ... and we received an explanation about the tagging at the two for-lease storefronts at 106 Avenue B near Seventh Street ...

Per a reader: "This wasn't just tagging, there was a full-ass art gallery show happening the night of Aug 8th with photographs, shirts with art drawn on them, etchings, and zines all on the wall."

H/T CS on B

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo of the Slocum Memorial Fountain in Tompkins Square Park)... Want to receive this weekly recap in your inbox? Sign up here. 

 • Most Holy Redeemer to halt regular masses this fall amid uncertainty about its future (Wednesday, July 16) 

• Complaint filed with NY AG over firing of Sixth Street Community Center executive director (Thursday, July 17) 

• After 20-plus years, Minca on 5th Street will close its doors for good after service tonight (Monday, July 14) ... At the last night of Minca (Wednesday, July 16) 

• Mini thrift empire Other People's Clothes is opening in the former Salvation Army space on 4th Avenue (Monday, July 14) 

• More legal troubles for convicted felon Steve Croman (Tuesday, July 15) 

• The East Village Rite Aid really wants you to know it is closing (Friday, July 18) 

• 11 Avenue A poised to become yet another generic-looking residential building (Monday, July 14) 

• Tuna melts on hold: B&H Dairy on vacation with an Aug. 12 return (Tuesday, July 15) 

• Fish & Sushi ghost signage on 1st Avenue (Thursday, July 17) 

• HBD to the new East Village Radio (Thursday, July 17) 

• Bands we like: Dead Tooth (Friday, July 18)

• A spellbinding scene on Astor Place: At the 13th annual WitchsFest USA (Wednesday, July 16) 

• After sunflower sabotage, 2nd Street residents vow to grow one again (Tuesday, July 14) 

• Signage alert: Salumeria Rosi on Avenue B (Monday, July 14) ... Kalsang Pottery on 10th Street

• The long short history of the Smurfs in the East Village (Friday, July 18 ) 

• Comings and goings on Astor Place: Sweetgreen closes; NYU expands (Tuesday, July 15)

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo by Stacie Joy of ATM hijinks on 2nd Avenue)... 

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 • East Village tenants call for nonprofit ownership amid years of housing instability (Monday, June 9)

• RIP Billy Jones (Tuesday, June 10) 

• About the East Village Music Festival, taking place on June 22 at La Plaza Cultural (Wednesday, June 11) 

• A belated farewell to a familiar fixture of St. Mark’s Place (Monday, June 9) 

 • Early voting is underway (Saturday, June 14) • A band to know: Um, Jennifer? (Friday, June 13) 

• Titi’s Empanadas opens today (Friday the 13th!) on 7th Street (Friday, June 13) 

• The Merchant's House Museum remains open during exterior restoration work (Tuesday, June 11)

• East Village artist reimagines where and how we see art, starting with exhibit at corner market (Friday, June 13) 

• 'Placeholders' highlights businesses located in HDFC storefronts (Thursday, June 12)

• Keys to the city: The Sing for Hope piano has arrived in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday, June 10) 

• The 4th annual LUNGS Theater Festival takes place this weekend (Thursday, June 12) 

• Changes brewing at Associated on Avenue C and 8th Street (Thursday, June 12) 

• Sip + Co. closing on 9th Street (Wednesday, June 11) 

• What happened to the blue mail collection box outside the Tompkins Square Post Office? (Friday, June 13) 

• On the clock: Lower East Side Lidl Watch (Thursday, June 12)

• 'Daredevil' season 2 at Panna II (Saturday, June 14) 

• Duane Reade is not sleeping on this Rite Aid closing-soon situation (Wednesday, June 11) 

• Signage alert: Crêpes le Bon on Avenue A (Tuesday, June 11) 

• New chapter in healing: Spear PT to open in former dispensary space on 14th Street (Monday, June 9) 

• From around the blogosphere: The history of 106 Avenue C (Wednesday, June 11)

Titi’s Empanadas opens today (Friday the 13th!) on 7th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Titi's NYC Inspired Empanadas is expanding from Williamsburg to the East Village (first reported here), opening its new outpost today (yes, Friday the 13th) at 130 E. Seventh St., just west of Avenue A. 

"People asked me, are you really opening on Friday the 13th? Why? 'Hey, I gotta pay the rent,'" joked co-owner Jesus Villalobos (below right with co-owner Nate Ramm).

Villalobos and Ramm are bringing their popular lineup of Latin-inspired empanadas to the new outpost, which will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 4 a.m. There was a friends-and-family test run last night...

The new shop will feature a rotating "empanada of the week" — a limited-run of 100 special-edition empanadas with creative fillings, such as fish-cheek crab curry and a fried eggplant, broccoli rabe, and beef combo.

"We want to be part of the community," said Ramm. Villalobos added that they aim to "pay homage and represent the Latino flavors that are the New York we grew up in."

A walk-up window will offer grab-and-go coffee and snacks. Beer and wine are coming soon. 

And while patacones fans may be out of luck for now — they're only available at sister restaurant Cachapas Y Mas. Villalobos and Ramm offered to have a patacones empanada as a special of the week if I showed up to help. (Will keep EVG readers apprised if that comes to fruition!)

1 night only: An art show at FTC on A

Unfortunately, we missed the one-night-only art show on Friday, adjacent to the FTC skate shop at 216 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

EVG reader Allan Yashin shared these photos... where the photography and artwork of more than 50 FTC family and friends were on display...

Some of the work may later be on display at the shop. 

FTC Skateboarding — a San Francisco-based brand that dates to 1986 — first opened here as a pop-up shop in the fall of 2023. 

FTC is open daily from noon to 7 p.m.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo on Ludlow Street)...

• "A reminder of the tragedy that left many physically and emotionally wounded..." (Wednesday) ... Wednesday's parting shots (Wednesday) 

• RIP Janne Schaefers (Wednesday) 

• Terra Thai reopens with new grab-and-go items (Tuesday) 

• An impromptu goodbye party as Sabor A Mexico closes on 1st Avenue (Thursday)

• Williamsburg hit Titi's bringing the empanadas to 7th Street (Wednesday) 

• A moment with East Village artist Scooter LaForge (Friday) 

• A few more details on the condo conversion of a former tenement synagogue on 4th Street (Monday) 

• Residential rendering reveal at the former 9th Street parking garage (Monday) 

• At the annual fundraiser for the Sixth Street Community Center (Tuesday) 

• Last days for Current Coffee and Sunday C&C Eatery at the Bowery Market (Wednesday) 

• After December fire in building, Jane Cookshop will not be reopening on 9th Street (Monday) 

• Urbanspace Union Square has shut down to make way for Time Out Market (Tuesday) 

• A week left for 'Before the Clean-Up' at new East Village gallery Smilers (Saturday) 

• 7 years vacant, the storefront on the NW corner of 3rd Avenue and 12th Street is now for rent (Monday) 

• At the closing party for Lori McLean's jewelry shop (Saturday)

• Checking in on the bunny of 13th and B (Sunday) 

• Bánh Anh Em looking closer to opening on 3rd Avenue (Tuesday)

• On St. Mark's Place, sidewalk emerges after lengthy construction stint (Thursday) ... Welcoming back another East Village sidewalk (Friday) 

• Venerable Joe's Pizza becomes Jonas Pizza for a day to celebrate the Jonas Brothers (Sunday) 

... and more spring in Tompkins...

Holy farewell: Saint Pizza is leaving Avenue B

After less than two years of serving solid slices, Saint Pizza closed at 223 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street. (H/T Salim and Russell K!)

In an Instagram post from Friday (below), ownership stated, "Some sad news: We are leaving our Avenue B location for circumstances beyond our control."

The post also says they will be relocating elsewhere...

 

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A post shared by Saint Pizza (@saintpizzanyc)

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a snow-day photo from Tompkins by Derek Berg) 

• Bella's passing marks another sad chapter in East Village fire tragedy (Sunday) 

• Church to condo conversion underway on 4th Street (Monday) 

• RIP Walter Robinson (Monday) 

• New York Dolls co-founder David Johansen seeks support for cancer treatment (Tuesday) 

• School shuffle: La Salle Returning to 2nd Street as St. George seeks new tenants (Wednesday) 

• Do you have what it takes to be the coolest block in the neighborhood? (Thursday) 

• Checking in on the Hamilton Fish Park Library renovations (Thursday) 

• Willem Dafoe at the Anthology Film Archives (Tuesday)

• Openings: Alison on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday) ... Hatsu Omakase on 4th Street (Monday) 

• Bronx Brewery has closed on 2nd Avenue (Friday) ... Bluestone Lane on Astor Place (Wednesday) ... Hollywood Nail & Spa on 1st Street (Tuesday) 

• Signage alert: Dumpling Xi on 4th Avenue (Thursday) ... Meama on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday) ... Chocolate DIP for St. Mark's Place (Monday) 

• Game, set, match: Thirty Love arrives on 3rd and 13th (Monday) 

• Hey, the Heytea signage has arrived (Thursday)

Report: Kushner Cos. sell 2 more East Village buildings

Kushner Cos. continues to pare down its East Village portfolio "as part of a sweeping exit from the neighborhood that launched the career of its former chief executive, Jared Kushner," as Crain's put it on Friday. 

The latest to go: 318 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue (above, left), and 99 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Public records show that Sky Management Corp. paid $11.2 million for the buildings with 33 residential units. 

How did Kushner fare on these investments? To Crain's:

The firm broke about even on 318 E. 11th, selling the 6-story, 18-unit mixed-use site near Second Avenue for $7.6 million this month after paying $7 million for it in 2012, the register shows. A two-bedroom there that leased in August was advertised for about $5,000 per month.

But Kushner Cos. incurred a significant loss with 99 E. Seventh, a 5-story, 17-unit multifamily building near First Avenue that went for $3.6 million after costing $5.1 million in 2012, according to deeds. A two-bedroom there was listed this month at $4,200.

Most recently, the real-estate development firm sold six EV buildings: the four contiguous properties at 329, 331, 333, and 335 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue ($26.9 million), and 516 and 518 E. 13th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B ($11 million). 

At one point, Kushner Cos. was the second-largest owner of East Village residential buildings, trailing only convicted felon Steve Croman. 

Back to Crain's: 

With the deals, the firm has sold about 60% of its East Village portfolio, which at its peak about a decade ago totaled roughly 40 buildings between East Houston and East 14 streets, and Avenue B and Third Avenue, according to a Crain's analysis. Today, by contrast, Kushner Cos., which often invested alongside partners, appears to own just 15 sites, including 201 E. Second St., 500 E. 11th St. and 165 Ave. A., based on public records. 

The publication previously pointed out that the exit is due, in part, to the "rules passed as part of pro-tenant reform laws in 2019 have made it more difficult for landlords of rental sites to run the traditional playbook of converting regulated units into pricier market-rate versions. Some landlords have blamed those reforms for stifling the investment sales market."