Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Dog's cafe life: Boris and Horton signage arrives on 12th and A



The signage went up yesterday on the northwest corner of Avenue A and 12th Street for Boris & Horton, billed as "New York's first dog friendly coffee shop and community space." (Thanks to EVG regular Greg Masters for these photos!)

The sign points to a winter 2017 debut (New York magazine previously listed a Dec. 1 opening date)...



As DNAinfo reported back in the summer, the space will be divided by a glass wall into two sections, per Department of Health rules. There will be a cafe side with food and drinks for humans, and a dog-friendly side that will sell pet supplies.

The owners are Logan Holzman and her father, Coppy. The cafe is named after their dogs. The Holzmans have said that they will host dog adoption events here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
On tonight's CB3-SLA docket: Boris & Horton, New York's first dog friendly coffee shop

Dec. 1 date set for Boris & Horton, Avenue A's new dog cafe

[Updated] Mayahuel replacement now open on 6th Street



The bar-restaurant taking over the Mayahuel space at 304 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue is now open.

There doesn't appear to be a name anywhere on the space. The sidewalk sign reads "Handcrafted cocktails, mezcal bar & Moorish cuisine."

Ravi DeRossi closed Mayahuel after service on Aug. 8, noting that renewing the lease "wasn't an option." As Eater reported, there was a rent dispute between DeRossi and the building's landlord, Keith Siilats.

Siilats, who lives in the building, got the OK from CB3 in July to open a place that sounded similar to Mayahuel.

Anyway, according to Florence Fabricant at The New York Times yesterday, Siilats is "temporarily giving it the same name (he says he may have a new one in a few days)." So it's Mayahuel for the moment.

As for the rest of the new Mayahuel: "The food is now in the hands of a chef from Morocco, who is preparing Spanish-accented North African specialties. The mezcals are still served," per the Times.

The preview in the Times doesn't mention the chef's name. Perhaps it is Radouane Eljaouhari, who ran Zerza a few storefronts away at 320 E. Sixth St. Zerza's Facebook page says that it is now located at 304 E. Sixth St.

Updated:

Eater reports on the legal drama here:

DeRossi claims that Siilats signed an agreement saying he would not use the name and has already sent the information to his attorney.

But Siilats says he does have the right to call it Mayahuel. The landlord alleges that DeRossi owes him thousands of dollars in rent money from June, July, and August, and because DeRossi still hasn’t paid, he can keep using the name. Rent per month was about $10,000, Siilats says.

Movies Under the Stars featuring 'The Fate of the Furious' & 'Saturday Night Fever'



The city's Movies Under the Stars program continues... and there are two free screenings around here to note.

Tonight! "The Fate of the Furious" screens on the basketball courts in Hamilton Fish Park, East Houston and Pitt.

Action!



Per the NYC Parks website:

You should arrive by 6:30 p.m. to get your spot. Feel free to bring a blanket to sit on; there will be a limited supply of chairs available. Bottled water is OK, but no glass. Reservations are not taken; space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome!

The screening starts at 7 p.m.

And on Saturday! "Saturday Night Fever" is set for the basketball courts in the Dry Dock Playground, 10th Street and Avenue D.

Same deal: Arrive by 6:30 p.m. The film starts at 7 p.m. It is rated R, so, per the NYC Parks website, "viewer discretion is advised." (!)

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Here's 'Gotti'



Back in February, crews were out on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue filming scenes for "Gotti," the biopic starring John Travolta, seen above, in the title role...



Anyway, I mention this again because Lionsgate released the first trailer for the film today... (you can see 10th Street for about a second).



"Gotti," directed by "Entourage" star Kevin Connolly, is out in December.

Photos in February by Daniel

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mob scene on 10th Street as 'Gotti' crew and John Travolta hold forth

[Updated] Hurricane Maria relief efforts continue at 2nd Street firehouse

Back on Friday, city officials announced that more than a dozen firehouses across NYC will collect supplies to send to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

In the East Village, Engine 28/Ladder 11 at 222 E. Second St. between Avenue B and Avenue C is still accepting donations daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

According to published reports, many residents have been dropping off the requested supplies...


[Via @fdny]

As a reminder, here's a list of items NYC is collecting:

• Diapers
• Baby food
• Batteries
• First Aid Supplies
• Feminine Hygiene Products

There are other ways to support the humanitarian efforts in Puerto Rico and surrounding islands, such as through this relief fund established by the Hispanic Federation and a coalition of local elected officials.

Updated 7:30 p.m.

The FDNY is also collecting donated goods tonight until 11 on Second Street at First Avenue outside Spiegel...



Thanks to EVG reader Tracy F. for the above photo!

East Village Dance Project is in danger of losing its space on Avenue C



East Village Dance Project (EVDP), a dance-development organization that offers programming for kids and adults, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Since January 2011, their home studio has been at 55 Avenue C at Fourth Street.

Unfortunately, EVDP is in danger of losing this space.

Bonnie Stein, the executive and artistic director of GOH Productions, which serves as EVDP's nonprofit umbrella organization, said that they need "to find a partner to share the rent and to occupy the lovely ground-floor office."

The previous tenant moved out (on good terms), and the deal for someone new to take the space fell through this past summer. Meanwhile, EVDP can't go it alone paying the full rent.

"Our program is strong," said Stein, referring to EVDP's after-school classes for ages 3 to 18. "But the rent is a big burden on the dance program."

Stein said that there is 400 square feet of office space available. (There's also use of the studio when EVDP is not holding its own classes.) The rent is about $1,800 to $2,000 per month, plus some minor utilities. The space is move-in ready.

Here are some more details via Stein:

GORGEOUS DANCE STUDIO AND OFFICE AVAILABLE.
Fully accessible ground floor

Dance Studio: 24 x 47 feet
Mirrors, ballet barres, windows, private bathroom in the studio

• Available studio hours are:
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. M-F, Saturday after 3 p.m. and Sunday all day.

• NOT AVAILABLE studio time when we have a youth dance program:
M-F 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Studio time cannot be after 9 p.m.) Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• OFFICE: 17 x 14, with large windows on the street level, lots of light.
Shared bathroom in lobby.
Can also be used as a small studio, with some modifications.

Rental is variable depending on need, office only, or office/studio combination.

Please contact Bonnie via email here.

"The timeline is pretty fast," Stein said. "We have about three months to really decide if East Village Dance can stay here or move."

Previously on EV Grieve:
A sneak peek at 'The Shell-Shocked Nut'

Ciao For Now now open on Tuesdays starting today (Tuesday!)

With the arrival of fall, Ciao For Now, the cafe-bakery on 12th Street between and Avenue A and Avenue B, will now open on Tuesdays — starting today.

Ciao For Now's hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Rent a former Duane Reade on Broadway



The Duane Reade on Broadway (with an entrance on Eighth Street) is vacant and on the market. I don't know when this location closed. The retail listing for the space (rent available upon request) is dated from Sept. 22.

Anyway, there's a Walgreens nearby...



The Duane Reade further south on Broadway near Bleecker closed this past summer...



Meanwhile, the Duane Reade on Union Square is also available for sub-leasing.

Several Duane Reades have been closing around the city, including three on the Upper West Side and one on Canal and Broadway.

Construction watch: 363 Lafayette



Here's a look at 363 Lafayette, where work has passed the halfway mark on a 10-floor, mixed-used building rising at Great Jones.

The office building will feature a showroom on the ground floor and community facility space on the second floor and part of the third floor, as New York Yimby previously reported.

The property stretches south to Bond Street...





Morris Adjmi is the architect of record. Here's more from his firm's website:

This office building’s fanning setback was inspired by the unique wedge-shaped site. With its brick cladding and contemporary terracotta detailing, this office building reflects the architectural character of the NoHo Historic District.

And a rendering...



Ironstate Development is behind this project. Their work in the neighborhood includes The Jefferson, the condoplex at the site of the former Mystery Lot.

This parcel of land hasn't been without controversy. In 2008, artist Chuck Close, whose studio is next door at 20 Bond St., filed a lawsuit against the previous property owner, Olmstead Properties, to prevent the construction of a 6-floor office building. He argued that the new development would block the building’s natural light, which he and other artists at No. 20 need for their work.

Ironstate's original proposal for the space included the 10 stories covering the side windows of No. 20. Those plans were later modified.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Jones Diner lot on Lafayette primed for new development

[Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images]

Monday, September 25, 2017

Coming soon to the Village East — 'Point Blank,' Joan Crawford and a troglodyte, and Black Sabbath



A few things to note at City Cinemas Village East, Second Avenue at 12th Street... on Wednesday evening, there's a 50th-anniversary screening of the Lee Marvin crime thriller "Point Blank." (Details here.) Then on Thursday night, the Hedda Lettuce special screening is of "Trog," Joan Crawford's last feature film. (Details here.) It is a very special film...



Speaking of the end, there's also a screening Thursday evening of "The End of the End," documenting Black Sabbath's last show. (Details here.)

And next week! The start of Hitchcocktober...

Frisson Espresso coming to 3rd Avenue



Frisson Espresso, a 3-year-old cafe on West 47th Street, is opening an outpost on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street...



This is on the west side of the Avenue that has been under a sidewalk bridge for what seems like ages... the previous tenant here, the OJ Gallery, a custom frame shop, didn't make it a year.



Frisson Espresso will have competition — from several places, but the new Bean across the Avenue in particular.

As No. 320 turns: 5 restaurants have come and gone in this space in 1 year



It appears is if 320 E. Sixth St. is without a restaurant again... the gates have been down here between First Avenue and Second Avenue on recent weekends...



This past summer, Mazmaza was the latest restaurant to try the space... taking over from Amoun Moroccan Mediterranean Cuisine & Lounge, which relocated here from the Upper East Side.

There has been a lot of changes at No. 320 since September 2016, when Zerza announced it was closing for renovations. It turned into 'Merica, co-founded by Zach Neil, an owner of the Tim Burton-themed Beetle House as well as the now-closed Stay Classy on Rivington Street. 'Merica, which aspired to satirize the "real America," closed after three weeks in business... with Zerza returning to service for several months.