CB3/SLA rejects application for music venue at 34 Avenue A

We've been writing about the plans to turn 34 Avenue A into a music venue in "the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic" the past few weeks.

Tonight, partners Todd P. and Phil Hartman made their case before the CB3/SLA committee.

While we weren't at the meeting, EV Grieve reader and frequent commenter RyanAvenueA was in attendance ... he just passed along word that the CB3/SLA committee rejected the application for the space.

Per Ryan: "There was tons of heated debate. You've never seen a more prepared bunch present to the board."

Residents on the northern stretch of Avenue A also spoke out against a license for 34 Avenue A.

Committee members Herman Hewitt, David McWater and Ariel Palitz voted in favor of the proposal. However, there were four no's lead by committee chair Alexandra Militano.

We're sure there will be a lot more about this tomorrow...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Phil Hartman bringing a 'performance venue' back to former Mo Pitkin's space

[Updated] Bringing 'the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic' to 34 Avenue A

Because you want to know more about the plans for 34 Avenue A

[Updated] Resident starting a petition to have the 'Hot Chicks Room' sign removed at the Upright Citizens Brigade

Last month, we discussed the new signage at the new home of the Upright Citizens Brigade on Avenue A at Third Street ...

The sign is a nod to a UCB skit. (Watch it here.) In any event, early word from tonight's CB3/SLA meeting is that a resident will be circulating a petition to ask UCB to change the sign for the sake of the children.

We don't have all the details just yet... (In fact, we're not even at the meeting!) However, a tipster there sent along an e-mail....

Jill at Blah Blog Blah attended the meeting, and said that Two Booths owner Phil Hartman offered to cover the cost of a new sign for the UCB.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About the Hot Chicks Room

NYPD responds to a disturbance on Avenue B and Seventh Street

EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams noted that six NYPD officers were on the scene on Avenue B and Seventh Street a little early today ... Police arrested the man ... witnesses described him as "disorderly."

The 'hipster trap' spotted in the East Village going viral, for some reason

By now you may have seen this photo of a cardboard trap by @WillHimself taken on Avenue A and Sixth Street during the weekend... "Just met this guy setting up 'hipster traps' in NYC, baited with PBR and American Spirits."

It was first posted on Reddit. Gawker linked to it. Time also linked to it. So far, the photos has been viewed more than 500,000 times.

Ricardo León Peña Villa, 1960-2011

Ricardo León Peña Villa — the Colombian-born poet known affectionately as El Poe — passed away on Friday at Beth Israel Hospital where he had been in the intensive care unit the last few weeks. He was 50.

There's a small memorial set up in his honor outside the Umbrella House on Avenue C where he had lived and helped manage the building.

In a tribute written by Manuel Bermúdez Tiberio:

Ricardo, for those who knew him, was a special human being, lived a million lives. His day was 24 hours spent, used, designed, written, worked ... because his favorite phrase was "do something now because when we die will be a long rest."

You can find out more about this life here.

Marfa bids farewell; Bento Burger coming soon

Marfa, the Texas-themed eatery on East Second Street adjacent to Lucky Cheng's, held its closing-night party on Saturday...

As Zagat reported, the restaurant stopped serving food in November ... though it was still open as an art-performance space. (Slum Goddess was there for a balloon art show back in October.) I asked owner Hayne Suthon for an update on the space ...

Via e-mail, Suthon said the space will now be a restaurant called Bento Burger ... with "lots of options on the burgers, probably at least 3 to 4 vegetarian, including a hemp burger, seafood, a Japanese, a Korean. A place where die hard meateaters and strict vegetarians can both call home. Cheap and fun."

Here's more from her message:

"We are making our own buns, regular, sesame, gluten free, and an asian rice bun. All square and served in bento boxes. Asian and American sides, great sauces. Drink menu is going to be based on our housemade lemonade with house infused plum, lemongrass and ginger vodkas."

She said the there will be a "Bladerunner"-inspired design by Miguel Calvo. She'll also be working with some artists and muralists on the decor.

She expects Bento Burger to be open in four to five weeks.

Yummy House merges with Plump Dumpling, sort of

Last month, we noted that Yummy House next to Nevada Smith's on Third Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street had closed...

Several readers pointed us to the sign that now appears in the Yummy House window...

Sure enough, a pass by Plump Dumpling on Second Avenue and 11th Street reveals the dual menus...

However, several EV Grieve readers have left comments about this merger.

AdamsAthas said...
Yummy House Fans BEWARE!!!!!

Plump Dumpling on 11th St. & 2nd ave is now answering the delivery number for Yummy House and they said they are now sharing space and that YH has the same chef as they always did.

Lies I tell you ... All Lies!!!

The food is terrible and it definitely is NOT the same as Yummy House. I'm so disappointed as we would have never ordered from Plump Dumpling. When I called back to confront them they said well we do have one chef that had worked at YH.

And!

Anonymous said...
A sign on the building said it moved to 11th and 2nd. That location is Plump Dumpling and the guy inside insisted that Yummy House merged with them and that the cook was the same. However, the Hot and Spicy tofu -- so good at Yummy House -- was greasy and overfried ... I think maybe they somehow bought out Yummy House but there is no evidence of YH quality there. I wouldn't go again.

And!

Anonymous said...
Went with a friend to the new location. The food is nowhere near the same quality. Everything seemed old and tasteless. I was sure i was going to get sick but didn't. Still that's my last time here. RIP Yummy House.

Proposals for Kurve and Tonda spaces off tonight's CB3 docket

There are several scratches for tonight's CB3/SLA meeting...

Including two high-profile spaces that we were curious about:

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
4AB LLC (Tonda), 235 E 4th St (tran/op)

New Liquor License Applications
Corp to be formed, (Kurve) 87 2nd Ave (op)

The meeting is at 6:30 pm — JASA/Green Residence - 200 East 5th Street at the Bowery.

Speculating about Veselka Bowery's sidewalk cafe

We recently pointed out the Veselka Bowery signage on East First Street... Fork in the Road reported that the Bowery location will open in late May/early June... Fork in the Road also noted that this location will sport a sidewalk cafe for 30 to 40 diners. But where will this outdoor cafe live? Perhaps on First Street... thought that seems a little cramped...

More likely though... at the entryway into Avalon Bowery Place...

...across from the Bowery Wine Company outdoor space.

Never trust a TV that claims it will work for free

Spotted by EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams this past weekend on Avenue A at 13th Street.

Hip check

This weekend in Tompkins Square Park via Bobby Williams.

Out of season

EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams spotted this rolling ad on Avenue A this weekend...

Noted

A Jaguar Ferrari on East Sixth Street via EV Grieve reader Brian M.

And now, for some reason, a photo of John Legend's bulldog

The singer, who lives off the Bowery, tweeted this: "My bulldog Puddy just met his long lost twin on the streets of the East Village."

Week in Grieview

The "Crazy Landlord" is back! (Monday)

More details emerge about the future of 34 Avenue A (Tuesday)

A discussion on whether 35 Cooper Square is worth saving (Friday)

A cab ends up on Second Avenue sidewalk (Thursday)

189 Avenue C introduces some rentals (Thursday)

290 Mulberry is for sale (Wednesday)

Looking at the photography of Steven Hirsch (Wednesday)

Work continues at St. Brigid's (Tuesday)

Closing time at Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

[Photo taken on East 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B]

El Jardin del Paraiso, 8:42 a.m., March 13

[At El Jardin del Paraiso on East Fourth Street between Avenue C and D.]

Sidewalk shed returns to 147 First Ave.

Workers arrived this morning at First Avenue and Ninth Street to erect a new sidewalk shed for the mystery building...

Workers removed the other sidewalk shed here last Wednesday... The upper levels will soon be home to luxury apartments.

Previously.

Avenue A, 9:31 p.m., March 12

Photo by EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams today on 14th Street.

East Village winners in the 'Best of New York'

East Village Man has compiled the East Village-related items from New York Magazine's "Best of New York" issue. There weren't actually many mentions ... here are a few...

RESTAURANTS

Best Bacon and Eggs - Peels (325 Bowery at 2nd St.)

“Plants Matter” section for best veggies:

Carrots - Dirt Candy (430 E. 9th st. at Ave A)

Escarole - Porsena (21 E. 7th st. near Cooper Square)

Check out the rest at EVM.