Friday, September 10, 2010

What's left of Pizzanini on St. Mark's and Second Avenue




A worker on the scene said that "another restaurant" was coming into this space... Hmm... formerly Pizzanini, which closed Aug. 27 as East Village Feed first reported...

Peels turns into Heels

Heh. The new American-style diner over on Bowery and Second Street....



... was closed to the public last night for a Fashion Week event....

Thursday, September 9, 2010

"Again, we are sorry for now and the next time"

Ha. Here's Eater's comment of the day... they picked up on the Diablo Royale Este 'Boats 'N Hoes' post of mine....

"We're truly sorry but damn we made a fortune that night. We promise not to do this again (unless we can equal or surpass what we made that night. Again, we are sorry for now and the next time." [Diablo Royale Mess]


Anyway! And now a word from our sponsor...

Anderson Cooper's boyfriend opening 19th-century cocktail bar on Avenue C



Last month, we noted that the former 40C and Batista was undergoing renovations on Avenue C between Third Street and Fourth Street... Thanks to Fork in the Road, we have a better idea of the new tenant. It's called Bedlam Bar and Lounge.

According to Chantel Martineau:

It's the latest venture by Benjamin Maisani of Eastern Bloc in collaboration with illustrator Pablo Raimondi. The décor is 19th century parlor chic, with plenty of antique-looking leather-bound books and taxidermy lining the walls. The cocktails will offer subtle twists on classics like Negronis and Side Cars, and will be complemented by a selection of craft beers. Bedlam soft opens September 16, with a grand opening on October 1.



[Photo via the Voice]

The post didn't note, though, that Maisani is reportedly the boyfriend of CNN personality Anderson Cooper.

Previously on EV Grieve:
40 Avenue C getting another renovation

Dead black cat signal more doom for the Bowery?



BoweryBoogie has a rather grisly post today: That of a dead black cat spotted on the Bowery at Kenmare. What evil omen awaits us all now on the Bowery?

Diablo Royale Este apologizes for 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

As multiple witness reported on Sunday night, Diablo Royale Este — home of the Hopsicle! — at 169 Avenue A hosted what partygoers in line described as a "Boats 'N Hoes" bash for NYU....



Per our report yesterday, hundreds of NYU students lined Avenue A and 10th Street. Police arrived and issued summonses to the bar/restaurant. You can read all that here.

Yesterday, residents received a flyer from Diablo Royale apologizing for the event. (Click to enlarge.)



In part, it reads:

"We were trying to ingratiate ourselves with our NYU neighbors by holding a supposed intimate gathering for a section of the graduate Department as part of a welcome back/orientation.

Unfortunately, our contact duped us, and not only did he invite one specific graduate section from NYU, but other sections as well, hence a supposed party of 75 morphed into something much greater."


And later!

"We pride ourselves on being a restaurant that caters to a mature audience, and by no means has our paradigm shifted."


This was just the second communication that nearby residents said that they ever received from the establishment. The first arrived upon their opening in May, in which Diablo Royale Este is described as a "neighborhood friendly, family establishment."



Meanwhile, after four months, several residents said that they are still waiting to find this "neighborhood friendly, family establishment."






Previously on EV Grieve:
Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

After nearly 4 years, First Street penthouse finally in contract

To be honest, we've always liked this beauty here at 6 E. First St. We pointed out when this penthouse unit was available as a rental for a mere $25,000 a month (only like $833 a day!)... The listing goes something like this:

Enjoy the ultimate indoor/outdoor lifestyle from this spectacular 3700SF triplex penthouse loft perched atop a former steel and concrete warehouse located at the crossroads of Soho, Noho, and the burgeoning Bowery district. Connected by a custom cantilevered steel staircase, each level of this amazing home offers something unique and unforgettable. On the first floor, you'll find a massive Living/Dining area bathed in southern light with 11-foot beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls, a wood-burning fireplace, and light from a 50-foot expanse of oversized windows. ... Ascend the stairs to the dramatic sun-blasted second level -- a grand-scaled entertaining space with 13' ceilings, polished concrete floors, custom walnut wet bar, full bathroom + direct access to an incredible wrap terrace ideal for sunbathing, stargazing and dining al fresco.








Someone will soon be stargazing and navelgazing and what not very soon... the unit entered into contract for $5.95 million. Quick history! Halstead first listed this PH back on Nov. 2, 2006 at $5.35 million... the price went up and down.... and a short 1,351 days later, it's in contract....

Copper Building now officially a gated community

Curbed had an update yesterday on everyone's favorite new condo — the Copper Building on Avenue B and 13th Street.... Per Curbed:

And as for the housing projects next door, the luxury building's way of dealing with those is to make buyers feel protected by sticking the lobby entrance behind a locked gate. Or at least that's how it looks to us. But don't worry, there' some balance to those menacing bars!

There's a calming "Zen garden" to greet those granted passage beyond the gates...


And here are some photos via Curbed...




For some reason, I have a feeling some people aren't feeling so Zen now while reading this...

Now on to much more pleasant things on Avenue B near 13th Street...



Marty Wombacher pays a visit to Mona's ....

Waiting for Martha Stewart at Eataly

Eataly is, of course, the biggest thing to happen at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue since the Flatiron Building went up.... Yesterday, EV Grieve contributor Blue Glass happened by right when the Eatalys were waiting for the arrival of Martha Stewart.




Anyway! Speaking of quality food... check out the prices at the Chock full o' Nuts opening right next door to Eataly....

Cooper Square Hotel finds room for more outdoor seating





You may want to keep an eye on your luggage, though.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

[Updated] A bike-car collision on 14th and B?

A reliable source passes along word that there was another bike-car collision ... earlier this afternoon at 14th Street and Avenue B.... Anyone have any details?

Per a tipster:

I came by there about 5 minutes after the accident happened. It occurred on the Stuyvesant Town service road between bicycle and an Audi A6. The bicycle rider was a male in his early 20's, and the Audi driver appeared to be in his late 20's with a cast on his arm. The Audi's windshield was demolished from the bike rider going over the hood and hitting it, and the bike was damaged too. The biker didn't appear too hurt, as he had some gauze on his right arm, I believe was put on by a ST security guard.

Easy as: 3 units in 123 Third Ave. now in contract



Well, we barely even had time to look over the available units at 123 Third Avenue, that new tower of condo going up in East Union Square at 14th Street. (It's the one up there on the left — I get them mixed up too...).

Curbed just brought the news that the units were on the market back on Aug. 30 .... And now! A quick look at StreetEasy finds that three of the available homes are already in contract. Hmmm.....



Fear not if you were slow to act... 10 units remain for purchase, including the big honkin' penthouse for $3.7 million that provides unobstructed views of ConEd... and, presumably, our friends down at Robin Raj...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Living local: Here comes the 123 Third Ave. sales center!

[Top photo by Blue Glass]

Avenue A transformed into fraternity-sorority party for Diablo Royale Este's 'Boats 'N Hoes' bash

On Sunday night, Diablo Royale Este — home of the Hopsicle! — at 169 Avenue A was host to a party that attracted what one resident described as "swarms" of young adults.



By Monday morning, the EV Grieve inbox was filled with e-mails about the bash. Such as this one from a reader:

You may be hearing from other people about this already, but there are swarms of what appear to be college students trolling East 12th Street between A and B. From what I can hear, it sounds like they are all trying to find some party. They're ranging in age from late teens to early 20s, and they are loud and obnoxious. ... it is so depressing. Just heard a big, "WHOOOOO!" I never thought the East Village would become one big frat/sorority party. I moved here to get away from those people!


And!

Am I the only one in town and experiencing over 500 18-20 year olds who have literally taken over the sidewalks and three-block radius, as I write?? I came home at 11 and Diablo Royal is having some event that has packed the sidewalks and streets with young people screaming and breaking bottles. There is one cop car parked outside and no cops to be seen. It's INSANE HERE.



I called 911 to complain and the operator said "It's Labor Day." Then I went and found one cop who said "it's nearly over," but I have no idea what it is. Jason Bieber??? I've NEVER seen this many people in one place since attending Obama's inauguration in DC.


Several Royalegoers told a resident that Diablo Royale was hosting a Boats 'N Hoes party.

And you can see what the readers were talking about in the photos in this post....the line for Diablo Royale stretched south on Avenue A and wrapped around the corner on East 10th Street...







One tipster said that officers from the Ninth Precinct eventually broke up the party. Lt. Patrick Ferguson at the Ninth Precinct told me that "summonses were issued to the club — they over promoted an event."



Meanwhile, some neighbors who were were already upset with Diablo Royale Este since their Cinco de Mayo opening, are now fuming. Said one longtime resident:

"Our worst fears are being realized as Diablo is catering to and becoming a destination for young party folk."

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Last night at Diablo Royale Este

Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

The first review of Diablo Royale Este is in!