Cucina di Pesce teases return on Instagram

[EVG photo from September 2018]

Cucina di Pesce, the unpretentious seafood-focused Italian restaurant on Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery, closed last Sept. 23 after 32 years in business.

The building at 87 E. Fourth St. had a new owner, and there was a rent increase for the restaurant space.

Over the weekend, Cucina di Pesce's Instagram account teased a comeback with a photo of Audrey Hepburn wearing a sleep mask in a scene from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with a caption "that was a nice break...WHO’S HUNGRY?"

View this post on Instagram

that was a nice break...WHO’S HUNGRY? ~~~~~~~~~~ #cucinadipesce #eastvillage #foodie #foodporn #NYCeats #pasta #cucinaitaliana #instafood #italian #foodstagram #mammamia #italianfood #mangia #gymtanpasta #eeeeeats @cucinadipesce #v2.0 #zagat #rebirth #buonappetito #cucina #italianstyle #forkyeah #italianfoodlove #whoshungry

A post shared by Cucina di Pesce (@cucinadipesce) on Aug 16, 2019 at 7:39pm PDT

There weren't any other details except for comments to queries on Instagram like "soon" and "stay tuned...😉"

So there's no word yet on where Cucina di Pesce 2.0 may happen. Its previous home still sits empty. Plant-based celebrity chef Matthew Kenney was looking to take over the Cucina di Pesce space. Those plans seems to be on hold for now.

Meanwhile, if you're new to the restaurant, here's how New York magazine described the place:

Cucina di Pesce is the type of unpretentious, comfortably lived-in Italian restaurant that ruled New York before Mario Batali and his ilk turned the town upside-down. But if Cucina's ambience feels a bit dated, its flavors are absolutely contemporary. This is one of the best places in the city to get good Italian food on a budget.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 32 years on 4th Street, Cucina di Pesce will close after service on Sunday

Excavation commences at the future tech hub; plywood renderings attract commentary

Work is in the early stages in the pit here on 14th Street at Irving Place ... at the future home of the Union Square Tech Training Center (aka tech hub).

The official renderings are now on the plywood...



The project is being developed jointly by the city’s Economic Development Corp. and RAL Development Services. The Union Square Tech Training Center includes Civic Hall, which will offer digital skills for low-income residents, as well as market-rate retail, office space and a food hall.

The hub, championed by Mayor de Blasio and initially announced in early 2017, passed through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Process earlier in 2018, capped off by a unanimous City Council vote — led by local Councilmember Carlina Rivera — in August 2018. A rezoning was required to build the the structure, which is larger than what current commercial zoning allows.

The approval came despite the pleas of some residents, activists, small-business owners and community groups who had long expressed concern that the rezoning necessary for the project would spur out-of-scale development on surrounding blocks.

And the renderings, which arrived last week, have already attracted commentary from someone who is unhappy about the finances of the project...





The new building, on the former site of a P.C. Richard & Son, now has a completion date for the spring of 2021, per the plywood rendering. The official groundbreaking occurred on Aug. 5.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

City Council unanimously approves tech hub; some disappointment in lack of zoning protections

The conversation continues on the now-approved tech hub for 14th Street

P.C. Richard is gone on 14th Street; preservationists want answers about tech-hub commitments

First rentals arrive on the market at Sioné, the new luxury building at 171 Suffolk (aka 255 E. Houston)

[Photo from Friday]

Rentals are underway at Sioné, Samy Mahfar's new luxury development at 255 E. Houston St./171 Suffolk St.

We received an email about "preliminary VIP tours" beginning yesterday at the 14-floor building. (Per the invite: "As we work to finish the building, we urge that you refrain from bringing children, strollers and or pets on the building tour.")

A new rendering and rental invitation is now on Streeteasy...



Here's what to expect:

Conceived by renowned architect Stephen B. Jacobs the Sioné is an eclectic fusion of the grit of the lower east side realized by a sophisticated partnership of professionals, bringing together a vision of art, culture, architecture, and distinguished living.

Common areas are abundant throughout and seek to satisfy a wide range of ever-growing needs. Upon entering the building, residents are greeted by a lobby lounge complete with game tables and a communal workspace with fireside seating. A double height staircase leads to a residents’ lounge featuring a private screening room, kitchenette, game room with billiards, and foosball.

Perched atop the Sioné sits a 14th floor residents’ lounge with a dynamic combination of indoor and outdoor spaces. Outside, a beautifully appointed landscaped rooftop outfitted with lounge chairs for sunbathing, misting shower, outdoor screening by the fire, private dining, and BBQ stations, ensure residents’ comfort and enjoyment at the Sioné is paramount to all else.

The Sioné also boasts a state-of-the-art gym and fitness facility, outfitted with the latest in techno gym and Peleton equipment for residents to engage in a plethora of the latest programmed classes. The Sioné ensures every opportunity for its residents to pursue a holistic approach to their work, play, and overall quality of life.

There are four rentals listed at Streeteasy, including a studio for $3,528 and a two bedroomer for $6,795.


[Suffolk Street entrance]



As previously noted, there's a lot of backstory with this development, which has been in the works since at least 2011. The links below have more details on the project, which went from 10 to 14 floors.

One questions remains: How many affordable units will be available in this complex? As the Lo-Down reported in December 2017: "Mahfar had already received 421a tax breaks to build some affordable units, but he was also seeking a floor area bonus through the city’s inclusionary housing program."

No. 255 previously housed the day-care center Action for Progress, which was forced to evacuate in 2009 after construction on the condoplex next door destabilized the building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Next for 255 E. Houston St.: Community facility/school/medical building?

10-story building now in the works for 255 E. Houston St.

Debate over commercial overlay for 255 E. Houston St. and surrounding blocks continues

Report: Samy Mahfar drops bid for commercial overlay on East Houston and parts of the LES

Sioné is the name of Samy Mahfar's residential building at 255 E. Houston St.


[EVG photo of No. 255 from 2012]

Elvis returns to Great Jones as The Jones readies for an opening

Here's a look at how The Jones is shaping up at 54 Great Jones St. between the Bowery and Lafayette at the former Great Jones Cafe space...



The familiar Jones lettering is above the door ... along with the original neon EAT sign in the window... even the bust of Elvis is back, though in a different window ...



As previously reported, restaurateur Gabriel Stulman is behind The Jones, described as "an all-day bustling cafe and neighborhood joint with a focus on light, fresh and bright menu." (This Instagram post from Stulman explains the how he came up with the name.)

No word on the menu just yet. The opening is expected soon.

The restaurant's Instagram account recently introduced two characters to apparently help tell the story of The Jones...

Dynamic duo. Meet Jones and his pup Baxter: charming, witty and wildly entertaining, this best friend pair is the life of any party.

Baxter is a debonair, well-traveled “Renaissance mutt,” and Jones, a fisherman, is his trusty sidekick.

Follow along to see what adventures these two get into at The Jones and beyond. #jonesing

Stulman, under his Happy Cooking Hospitality, operates a handful of West Village establishments, including Joseph Leonard, Jeffrey's Grocery, Fedora, Fairfax and Bar Sardine. He's been part of the fauxstalgia wave.

Great Jones Cafe never reopened after Jim Moffett, the longtime owner, died in July 2018 at age 59. The Cafe, a popular yet low-key spot, first arrived in 1983.

Updated 8/21

The Jones is now open.

Grub Street has a preview.

It’s more similar in size and scope to his West Village establishments. Like Joseph Leonard, it opens early (at 7:30 a.m.), and once dinner service starts next month, it will close a little after midnight. Like Jeffrey’s Grocery, there’s a raw bar. And like Fairfax, it has a café vibe with small meals — a cheffed-up Filet-O-Fish, shaved-summer-squash salads, tinned sardines served with a hunk of baguette, egg sandwiches, artful pastries, fresh-baked bread, third-wave coffee — and a handful of main dishes.

And...

Stulman also acknowledges that the Jones is, in a way, like his restaurant Fedora, a decades-old neighborhood haunt transformed by him into a sleek destination for the upwardly mobile, much to the consternation of critics like Vanishing New York’s Jeremiah Moss. Stulman’s rebuttal is that “New York is always changing, and each generation should do their own thing.”

Previously on EV Grieve:
Keeping up with the Joneses: Gabriel Stulman confirms plans for former Great Jones Cafe

Elvis has left Great Jones; 'seafood focused neighborhood restaurant' coming soon

[Updated] The future of the former Great Jones Cafe

Work happening inside the former Nicoletta space; please mind the carpenter

EVG regulars Vinny & O share these photos, showing work happening inside the former Nicoletta space on 10th Street at Second Avenue.

There aren't any updated work permits on file with the city, so we don't know exactly what's happening here at the moment.

However, there is a homemade sign to "beware of carpenter" ...



The much-heralded pizzeria from Michael White closed last December at this address after six-plus years in business. They are still delivering pizzas from an undisclosed location.

This corner space doesn't appear to be on the retail market. It had been asking nearly $18,000 per month.

14th St. Candy & Grocery returns with a new look; fewer groceries, more bongs

After a month-long closure for a renovation, the 14th St. Candy & Grocery is back in retail action here just east of First Avenue.

As you can see, there are plenty of noticeable changes... the storefront has a cleaner look with the open windows. The aisle of snack products is gone. And where are the variety of Wise products, like the Ridgies?
Also note the large variety of water pipes, bubblers and water filtration systems in which to enjoy non-tobacco products now on display. Other changes include lottery vending machines.

Sunday's parting shot

Above First and First...

Week in Grieview

[Early evening neon courtesy of Block Drugs]

Stories posted this past week included...

RIP Brendan Cregan (Monday)

Reader reports: Car making U-turn strikes woman on Avenue B sidewalk (Monday)

City extends deadline for community garden licensing; Monday's City Hall rally cancelled (Saturday)

Medina's worldly chef brings Mediterranean street style to Second Avenue (Tuesday)

The latest I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Wednesday)

At Festival Calle 6 (Sunday)

14th Street busway halted once again by last-minute appeal (Monday)

DOB fines crane operator $110,000 for boom collapse last month at the Riis Houses (Tuesday)

Get your Gem Spa t-shirts or photos of Madonna — at Gem Spa! (Friday)

Pylons for offset crossings arrive on 1st and 2nd Avenue intersections (Friday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

Fast-casual chain Sweetgreen bringing the salads and bowls to the Bowery (Monday)

Bike shop making the Trek to the Bowery (Monday)


[Devil in disguise on 2nd Avenue]

Crane crew spotted at the former P.S. 64 on 10th Street (Wednesday)

The serious renovations happening at China Star (Tuesday)

5 Napkin Burger shrinks on 14th and 3rd (Tuesday)

In case you are feeling the spirit of Halloween this August (Thursday)

Your McDonald's renovation report (Wednesday)

Report: By Chloe joining Chase in the former Coffee Shop on Union Square (Monday)

Strings Ramen vying for 188 2nd Ave. (Monday)

Upscale nail salon casualty on 13th Street (Thursday)

In case you forgot that CVS is coming to Houston and Orchard (Monday)

... Hulk Hogan/Supreme wheatpaste on Second Avenue near First Street via Matt E. Whyte...



---

Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter

Sunday morning greetings

Spotted on Fourth Street by Carol from East 5th Street...

Saturday's parting sinkhole

Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...