Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Give the former Salt and Pepper space a shake as a pop-up shop on 1st Avenue
[Image via Loop Net]
We can't really say for sure when Salt & Pepper on First closed ... the gates of the inexpensive Indian restaurant went down for good some time in March.
In any event, the space at 239 First Ave. at East 14th Street hit the market yesterday. Per the listing: "POP-UP space available. Standard lease terms also considered."
The rent is negotiable, and the space is available starting next month.
So what would you like to see POP-UP here?
Growing up so quickly above Avenue A
EVG reader Bill Massey shared these photos of Christo and Dora's offspring growing up so quickly on the Frigidaire AC at the Ageloff Towers …
Goggla had an update yesterday on the hawklets here on Avenue A and East Third Street:
I'm a bit worried about the next couple of weeks as the baby hawks are so big and clumsy, and the nest is so small. When they flap their wings, they stumble around and it's unnerving to see them doing that so close to the edge. But, they are birds and this is what they do...
Check out her photos and narrative here. And check out how crowded the nest is via the Avenue A Hawk Cam.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Red-tailed hawks nest on the Christodora House
The hawks of Tompkins Square Park have laid an egg at the Christodora House
More eggsciting hawk news from the Christodora House
Breaking (heh) news: The hawks of Tompkins Square Park are officially parents
Hawk (and egg) watch continues on Avenue A, now with the help of a live webcam
Christo and Dora are parents! (Again!)
Look at the 3-week-old hawklets high above Avenue A
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
16 affordable apartments now available at the incoming 331 E. Houston St.
The Lo-Down points out that the city is now advertising the 16 affordable housing units available at 331 E. Houston St. at Ridge Street.
The building was constructed through the city’s inclusionary housing program — 20 percent of the apartments were set aside for applicants with household incomes ranging from about $30,000 to $50,000, as The Lo-Down reports.
The affordable studios are priced at $847 per month, 1-bedrooms at $909 and 2-bedrooms at $1,101. Half of the affordable units are earmarked for residents of Community District 3, which includes the East Village.
Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 29. For income guidelines and additional information, please go here.
As for the building, here's a description via the website of project architect Stephen B. Jacobs:
The ground floor includes the residential lobby, a lounge, and apartments in the rear of the building which have access to outdoor space. A large skylight brings natural light to the gym in the cellar, and stairs provide access to recreational outdoor space in the rear yard. A mix of studios, one, and two-bedroom apartments make up the bulk of the building. The top floor includes a three-bedroom apartment with a balcony. The rooftop is designed as an amenity space for the building, complete with deck seating, projector screen, bar, and outdoor shower.
The interior design was inspired by the raw nature of materials in the Lower East Side, such as exposed concrete and blackened steel, and includes touches of color such as the graffiti tiled accent wall in the lobby.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at 331 E. Houston St., with a rooftop deck for outdoor showers and 'Live Free or Die Hard'
A mini-pitch for East 12th Street
[Photo by Greg Masters]
This past spring, workers started prepping the empty field adjacent to East Side Community School on East 12th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue… all under the watchful
[GM]
[GM]
Fast-forward to Friday…
[Photo by Lola Sáenz]
The mini-pitch is courtesy of the New York Red Bulls, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the NYC Parks Department, who collaborated "to provide both critical afterschool programming and a safe place to play for New York City youth."
And the ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place this afternoon at the site.
The space will be known at the Lower East Side Playground Field.
[Photo from the March groundbreaking via Facebook]
Rumors and sales at New York Central Art Supply
There's been some talk of late that New York Central Art Supply on Third Avenue near East 11th Street is hurting for business. (Jeremiah Moss had a post on this last Thursday.)
"No one is buying art supplies the way they used to," a tipster here told us. "Now that there are so many online shops and NYC is turning into a gigantic mall people aren't going to the little tiny art supply store."
The tipster continued: "Basically it's going under and it's way more of an issue for the employees than the owners. The owners own three buildings, and can make plenty of money for themselves."
We heard that several longtime employees of the store were let go. The Observer reported that the store could close by the end of the year.
DNAinfo had more on this yesterday:
New York Central Art Supply began offering up to 50 percent in discounts on Friday to eliminate its low- and mid-level products so it can focus on more “high-quality, hard-to-find and unique” materials, said Doug Steinberg, whose family has owned the Third Avenue business since 1905.
“We’re going to get away from things you can get anywhere and only focus on stuff you can only get at New York Central Art Supply,” said Steinberg, who insisted the store was not closing, despite rumors.
“We’re just limiting our selection to a highly curated set of materials.”
The owners also plan on renting out their warehouse location around the corner on East 12th Street. Another family property, the New York Central Framing Annex, moved from 102 Third Ave. into the warehouse space in August 2012.
[Updated] Babu Ji opens tonight on Avenue B
We've been writing about Babu Ji, the new restaurant coming to 175 Avenue B at East 11th Street.
The wife-husband team of Jennifer and Jessi Singh, who own a popular spot in Melbourne, Australia, are opening their first U.S. restaurant tonight.
Here is some info that the restaurant's reps sent us via the EVG inbox...
Babu Ji … offers a bright and airy atmosphere, adorned with Hindi proverbs, eclectic Indian photography and Bollywood films projected on the walls. The restaurant will be open for dinner six nights a week (5 PM - late; closed Mondays), as well as for lunch on weekends (11 AM - late), serving the inspired and unexpected dishes that have earned Jessi an avid following in Australia.
Incorporating outstanding, fresh ingredients, including aromatic herbs, chickpeas, scallops, yogurt, pork belly and goat, sourced from local farmers markets and specialty purveyors, Jessi's menu at Babu Ji NYC will showcase his motherland's cuisine through thoughtfully prepared, aromatic and colorful dishes.
Some highlights from the new restaurant’s menu include:
• Papadi Chaat: a lively Indian dish similar to nachos, topped with chickpea, cucumber, tamarind, mint and yoghurt chutney, and pomegranate seeds
• Gol Gappa: a favorite Indian street snack enjoyed by millions in India every day, but unknown to most Americans, this dish it is a tangy, spicy, sweet and surprising favorite
• Yoghurt Kebab: a house-made hung yoghurt croquette with spiced center, served with a vibrant beetroot ginger sauce boasting the flavors of the Middle East that have influenced Indian culinary tradition
• Scallop Coconut Curry: Blue Moon of Eastern Long Island scallops served raw in a coconut milk based curry with turmeric and mustard seed – a must-try
• Kulfi: a refreshing and delicious dessert, this Indian equivalent to ice cream is house-made from milk, cardamom, pistachio and honey
• Chef’s Table: Eat like a real Babu Ji! Chef’s selection of entrees, curries, naan, rice & kulfi.
Diners can enjoy their food with an extensive and rotating selection of local and imported craft beers from the help yourself beer fridge, an approachable yet interesting wine list and some Australian beverages that have not yet made it state side, as a nod to Babu Ji's beginnings.
Updated 6:54 p.m.
Here's the menu via Gothamist…
Previously on EV Grieve:
More about Babu Ji, opening next month on Avenue B
Have you tried the Gnocco-Cafe Pick Me Up combo?
Café Pick Me Up on Avenue A at East Ninth Street closed for good after service on May 31.
The owners added the cafe portion to the other restaurant they operate, Gnocco at 337 E. 10th St. just west of Avenue B.
The combined Gnocco-Cafe Pick Me Up opened for service last Wednesday. They're serving coffee, pastries and lunch items starting at 9 a.m. before Gnocco's menu kicks in for the evening hours.
So far we've heard positive comments from readers about the space.
"I think this will be a nice addition for this block," said one EVG regular, who noted that some familiar faces from Cafe Pick Me Up are working here.
A rent hike forced Cafe Pick Me Up from its 20-year home at 145 Avenue A, which is on the market for $15,000 a month via Icon Realty …
The owners still have five years left on the lease in the adjacent space at 147 Avenue A. Co-owner Gian Luca Giovanetti told DNAinfo that they were unsure what will become of this storefront.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Rent hike forcing Cafe Pick Me Up into its smaller space next door on Avenue A (59 comments)
[Updated] Cafe Pick Me Up expected to close for good after May 31
Café Pick Me Up closes Sunday night ahead of a move to share the Gnocco space on East 10th Street
More about the new Café Pick Me Up-Gnocco combo on East 10th Street
Fasta has apparently closed on St. Mark's Place
[Photo via EVG reader Steven]
Word along St. Mark's Place is that Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") has closed at No. 36. The quick-serve restaurant between Second Avenue and Third Avenue hasn't been open since last Wednesday. Someone papered over the windows. Calls to Fasta go unanswered.
Fasta just opened on April 23. The space, however, may not be empty for long. Neighbor Jordy Trachtenberg hears that the owners will convert Fasta into a restaurant specializing in chicken.
The previous tenant, the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza, closed in February.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Pasta in the works for St. Mark's Place
Monday, June 8, 2015
New butt-friendly Citi Bikes on the way
[Image via Citi Bike]
Some 2,400 newly designed Citi Bikes are on the way.
Here's the Citi Bike blog with details:
The new bike was designed through a rigorous process based on an analysis of years of bike maintenance and performance records. The bikes feature redesigned, and in some cases higher-quality, parts which will improve each bike’s overall durability and the ease of repair. The bikes also feature a new seat to prevent water from pooling when it rains, a sturdier kick-stand and better gearing for urban riding. Citi Bikes will spend more time on the street and less time in the repair shop, improving the experience for every Citi Bike rider.
And!
The new bikes were designed in a collaborative process between world-renowned bike designer, Ben Serotta, and lead mechanics from across the bike share systems that Motivate operates. Mr. Serotta’s bikes have featured prominently in many international competitions including the Olympics.
The Daily News took a new bike out for a spin, and "found the ride smoother, and the gear system easier to switch."
Astor Piano
EVG reader Daniel Root shares these photos from Astor Place... where one of the 50 Sing of Hope pianos is in place through June 21...
Franck de las Mercedes designed the piano's art.
His statement:
This piano is a celebration of the people and the arts of New York City. Growing up here, I was exposed to the visual clash of graffiti, decaying walls, torn-up ads, and the effect that time and the elements had on surfaces. Bright colors are an essential element in the piano in order to depict the diversity and fast pace of the city. I incorporated collage work using my photographs sketches, journal pages and scribbles on pieces of scrap paper. The piano also includes a "piano chords" chart to invite non-musicians to play also. Hoping this interactive and participatory experience with the work can perhaps become gateway into music, the arts and learning an instrument.
As we understand, this song is the most popular here outside the IBM Watson Building/51 Astor Place.
Santa continues to make the rounds in Tompkins Square Park
Action in the pits and new renderings along East 14th Street
[Drill team at 524 E. 14th St.]
There is lots of drilling and digging going on at the dual construction sites of 524 E. 14th St. and 500 E. 14th St., where the incoming residential-retail developments will feature 150 apartments and more than 56,000-square-feet of retail between Avenue A and Avenue B.
[Inside No. 524]
[A view of No. 500]
[View of No. 500 via an EVG reader]
There are also new renderings up on the plywood now… showing No. 524 …
… and No. 500 …
The renderings are pretty close to the images that have been associated with Extell's development since October 2013 …
[Rendering of 500 E. 14th St. via RKF]
[Rendering of 524 E. 14th St. via RKF]
According to signage at the scene, Janauary 2017 is the anticipated completion date.
Previously on EV Grieve:
The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street
[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development
New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units
1st activity at 500 E. 14th St. since the demolition phase, and when the standing water froze
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