A bad sign at Akina Sushi

In early June, we noted that Akina Sushi had been dark in recent weeks at 424 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The restaurant had a lot of fans, some of whom were hopeful for a return here.

Unfortunately, a 14-day rent demand was recently taped to the vacant storefront... noting that a total sum of $149,337.80 for rent, late fees "and other permissible charges" is due on or before July 22... at which time the landlord will "commence summary proceedings" to recover the space.

Akina Sushi opened here in December 2008.

Thanks to Steven for the photo. 

Momofuku Noodle Bar reopening after a months-long renovation

Momofuku Noodle Bar returns to service on Thursday evening at 171 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

The flagship outpost in David Chang's empire closed in February for what was to be a month-long revamp... and that stretched into five months. The Noodle Bar Instagram described this as "a few long months of kitchen renovations."

 

Hours moving forward: 5-11 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

The Noodle Bar — Chang's debut restaurant — opened at 163 First Ave. in 2004 before moving a few storefronts away to this space several years later.

Today in Manhattanhenge pics

Photos by Peter Brownscombe 

The view from 14th Street this evening... weather permitting, half the sun will be visible tomorrow evening at 8:21... and the last Manhattanhenge until next year... 

Monday's parting shot

Today in Tompkins Square Park... photo by Steven...

Last call for Manhattanhenge until 2023!

Tonight and tomorrow are the last chances to witness Manhattanhenge (in person) this year. 

By the time it happens again in 2023, Wegmans may be open on Astor Place! 

Anyway, the action is set for tonight at 8:20, when the full sun will be on view above the city horizon. Then tomorrow at 8:21 p.m., only half the sun will be visible to your Instagram followers. 

Manhattanhenge occurs when the setting sun aligns with the numbered streets that run east and west on the city grid — 14th Street and above, generally.

Photo from 2014 via our friends @AcademyRecords!

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.  

Íxta announces itself on the Bowery

Storefront signage is now up for Íxta at the long-vacant 299 Bowery between First Street and Houston. 

Last August, CB3 OK'd a liquor license for restaurateur Akbarali Himani, whose credits include a Chickpea in Penn Station and NISI Mediterranean in Times Square. 

A job listing for an executive chef here describes Íxta as a "trendy upscale Mexican restaurant." As previously noted, the space in the Avalon Bowery complex is quite large, with a capacity of 194 patrons, who would be treated to "live Mariachi performers," per the restaurant's questionnaire at CB3.

Daniel Boulud closed DBGB here in August 2017 after an eight-year run. 

La Mia Pizza remains closed for now

La Mia Pizza remains closed at 124 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street... a board still covers the front window... (thanks to Steven for the photos)

On July 3, firefighters responded to a report of a gas leak at the building and called for ConEd to inspect the property. 

Initial reports indicated that a small explosion occurred in the pizzeria's kitchen, causing a minor injury to a ConEd worker (who declined a trip to the hospital). There were also accounts from passersby that the blast knocked out La Mia's front window. 

However, according to NBC 4, the explosion took place in a boiler room; that first responders broke the front window trying to access the restaurant. 

A look through La Mia's front door shows that there isn't any damage to the interior...

An employee told 1010 WINS that it was "just a little bit of fire." The cause of the leak has not been publicly identified.

There isn't any signage about a temporary closure, and there isn't an outgoing voice-mail message at the shop. Delivery apps list Friday as a reopening date, though that's far from official.

La Mia opened here in September 2020.

Fast-food chain getting ready to Express itself on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

Several EVG readers have pointed out that the Panda Express Chinese Kitchen is looking closer to opening on the SW corner of First Avenue and 14th Street.

Workers have removed the paper on the front windows, offering a view inside...

No word on an opening date (and this outpost has yet to make the PE website).

News of the PE arrival first surfaced in January. 

This marks the latest outpost for the quick-serve Chinese restaurant chain that launched in California in the early 1980s ... with more than 2,000 locations today (with a handful around NYC).  

An AT&T store was here for a few months... taking over for the Vitamin Shoppe.

And previous posts about PE's arrival have brought out comments of support for the delicious and affordable Mee Noodle Shop & Grill down the block at 223 First Ave. (between 13th Street and 14th Street). It was Allen Ginsberg's favorite restaurant (when it was at the former location at 219 First Ave.). You can find their menu via all the online delivery platforms. (212) 260-7838.

CannaCulture NYC opens in former St. Dymphna’s space on St. Mark's Place

Cannabis lifestyle brand CannaCulture NYC is now open at 118 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. (H/T Steven!)

We don't know too much about the business model at the moment. 

Meanwhile, last Thursday, the state's Office of Cannabis Management State regulators sent cease-and-desist letters to "52 unlicensed merchants who are illegally peddling marijuana ... before New York has even issued licenses to sell cannabis," as the Post reported. 

Among the local merchants who received letters: The Empire Cannabis Club on Allen Street ... as well as the uptown locations of Paint Puff 'N' Peace, which also has an outpost on Second Avenue near St. Mark's Place. Read more at Gothamist here.

As for 118 St. Mark's Place, this space was previously home to St. Dymphna's, which closed in October 2018 after 24 years in business. The tavern later reopened at 117 Avenue A.