The tropics of East Third Street

During this afternoon's storm. Via A Scouting Life.

First Avenue after the storm this afternoon

Photo by EV Grieve reader Anthony.

Now you can live in the home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, a.k.a. Roman and Williams

And we're assuming without them around under foot. So, here, on the fourth floor of 25 E. Fourth St. off the Bowery is the home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, a.k.a. Roman and Williams, the design team behind the Standard Hotel (including the Standard Grill and the 18th Floor Club), the Ace Hotel and the redesign of the Royalton Hotel lobby.

And, as the Stribling listing shows, this is a big deal!

Here is a rare opportunity to live in a treasure of contemporary design history. This full-floor loft is the home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, a.k.a. Roman and Williams, one of the most significant and era-defining design teams of the 21st Century. The space has four glorious exposures, sun-flooded light from 14 windows and open south and east views. It features a windowed cook's kitchen with six-burner range, a tranquil living room, a studio, and a walk-in closet. Most of all, it includes all of the Roman and Williams furnishings, collectibles and custom design elements that have made this loft famous. More than a residence, it is a magic environment. Located in wicked hot NoHo, between Lafayette Street and the Bowery, 25 East 4th Street is proximate to great restaurants, clubs and shopping. This property is one of one.

So how do hip designers, uh, design their own home?

And it can be your home for $3.5 million.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

More crusties expelled from Tompkins Square Park (Neither More Nor Less)

The latest on the "new" Essex Market (The Lo-Down)

How d.b.a.’s Ray Deter changed the NYC beer scene (Grub Street)

Trouble finding curtains at 123 Third Ave.? (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Former Playboy hostess is now a designer at Dusty Buttons on East Ninth Street (Daily News)

Will there ever be another Mars Bar? (NYPress)

Remembering Alice Donut (Flaming Pablum)

Bluestockings bookstore on Allen Street closed for renovations (BoweryBoogie)

More on the opening of People's Pops on Seventh Street (PopSugar)

A sleeper car ad on the old New York Central (BoingBoing)

July 6

Early yesterday evening, Henry Jackson exited the SBS at 14th Street and First Avenue ... where he spied this Christmas tree "unceremoniously dumped in front of StuyTown." He noted that it even had a blue tag at the top like you'd see on the trees sold on street corners.

And, to show its authenticity, an SBS receipt...

When apprised of the discovery, Gruber MacDougal, spokesperson for the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring and Summer (ICTTSS), gave a thumbs up as he boarded a private flight to Pacaya Samiria Reserve in Peru where he plans to swim with endangered pink Amazon dolphins.

[Updated] LES Jewels has already colonized the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop

This morning on Seventh Street... under the shelter of the new awning. Photo by @beatsforlyfe.

Oh no word yet on an opening date... but the (ice cream?) machinery should arrive tomorrow.

Thurston Moore curating music for BMW Guggenheim Lab's opening-night party

Work continues over at the BMW Guggenheim Lab on First Street ...

Meanwhile, the Guggenheimers are gearing up for the opening-night reception on Aug. 2, which you're invited to only if you received an invitation. (Yeah, we didn't get one either.)

Here's part of the invite someone who was invited shared with us...

Peter Lawson-Johnston, Honorary Chairman, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
William L. Mack, Chairman, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
Jennifer Blei Stockman, President, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
Richard Armstrong, Director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation

Harald Krüger, Member of the Board of Management, BMW AG

The BMW Guggenheim Lab Team

request the pleasure of your company for an opening reception of the BMW Guggenheim Lab.

An evening of music curated by Thurston Moore, long-lost footage from TV Party (1978–1982) presented by Glenn O'Brien, and summer fare by Roberta’s.

Street-smart attire.

Space is limited. RSVP essential by XXXXXXX

The BMW Guggenheim Lab is a mobile urban laboratory that will launch in New York City on August 3, 2011, before traveling to Berlin and Asia in a six-year initiative that will explore innovative ideas and designs for city life.

We're not sure if Thurston Moore will actually be there, or if he's just sending along some mix tapes or MP3s or what not for the bash...

Oh, and it opens to the rest of you schlubs on Aug. 3.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Guggenheim wants our rat-infested First Street lot

Residents pitching in to help refurbish First Street garden

Designs for urban life apparently don't include trees

Continuing to question the BMW Guggenheim Lab's benefits to the local community

Lullaby for the pop-up piano in Tompkins Square Park

Yesterday, the Sing for Hope pop-up piano ended its 18-day (or so!) residency in Tompkins Square Park. Workers came by to take the piano to its permanent new home at a school, library, community center, etc.

Or else it was stolen. In any event! It was fun while it lasted, probably. (C'mon — kidding!)

Meanwhile, we'll miss the photo opps. All photos here by Bobby Williams.

Previously.

A $3 million whiteout on the Bowery

Been several months since we checked in on anything to do with 52E4, the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street.

Now, a splendiferous two-bedroom condo is back at the market. According to Streeteasy, the unit was originally listed at $2.3 million in 2008. (It was sold in November 2009 for $2,168,872, according to records.) Now, the asking price is $3 million.

And this is what you get.

According to the listing at Prudential Douglas Elliman:

Soaring 15 stories tall, 52 East 4th Street is an award winning architectural icon on The Bowery. W/ interiors by Andres Escobar, this 1,359 Sqft 2bed 2bath full-floor home is unparalleled in design, finish & luxury. A private key-locked elevator transports you to an oasis of chic: impressive 13' ceilings w/ walls of floor-to-ceiling glass & exposed beams translate into a smart, modern design. A custom white kitchen is finely appointed w/ Sub Zero & Bosche appliances, Grohe fixtures & Corian countertops. 4” French Oak floors have been bleached white to accentuate the space’s airiness & luminance. The sleek Master bath features Lea Ceramiche & Ciot tile walls, Corian floors, a Kohler Water Tile rain shower system & Toto washlet toilets. Laundry room w/ vented LG W/D & custom closets are also included. Private deeded parking space is available for purchase. Enter 52 East 4th Street thru a dramatic gated set-back entrance. Terrace w/ pool & cabanas offer a chic, serene escape from the city. Doorman from 8-8

Tempting, though white is so hard to keep clean.

Tonight in Tompkins Square Park — 'Coming to America'

Tonight marks the second of the free music-movie nights in Tompkins Square Park. This evening's motion picture entertainment: "Coming to America," starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, who, of course, went on to star in Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" video.

Anyway!



And the rest of the schedule...

July 14 — The Warriors
July 21 — Star Trek
July 28 — Arthur
Aug. 4 — Pope of Greenwich Village
Aug. 11 — Kickass
Aug. 18 — Rosemary’s Baby
Aug. 25 — The Godfather
Sept. 1 — Stake Land

Here's the official website for the summer movies. And remember — your "voice and appearance" may be recorded tonight.

The Fu Sushi plot thickens: Manager denies restaurant open during DOH closure

So, you've read about Fu Sushi allegedly/reportedly remaining open despite a DOH closure, a story that may or may not include a restaurant employee chasing a Post photographer down the street. (And why not just stop and take a photo of this?)

Last night, Al Jones at 1010 WINS interviewed Fu Sushi manager Sam Chung, who denied they were open. Per the story:

Manager Sam Chung [said] that he and his employees were “cleaning up.”

“All we’re doing is wiping and re-wiping and re-wiping,” he said.

Chung denied the neighbor’s complaint the store was open for business over the weekend despite the violations.

“The door was open while I was…doing some renovating work,” he said.

When asked by Jones if his restaurant was selling any sushi at the time, Chung replied “no sir.”

Fox also checked in with a piece last night...

Closed Sushi Restaurant Remains Open: MyFoxNY.com

This should be pretty easy to clear up. Anyone eat here this past weekend with a receipt to prove it?

Updated:
The Post reports this morning that Fu failed its fourth DOH inspection yesterday.

And now, your Big Gay Ice Cream Shop awning on Seventh Street

Unveiled yesterday. Designed by Jason O'Malley. Photo via @biggayicecream.

Earlier today on the Bowery when it rained really hard for a few minutes

...and a few moments later...

Photos by Bobby Williams, who noted that he stayed dry by ducking into a doorway.

Lucky Luciano, 'Boardwalk Empire,' dining at John's of 12th Street today

Earlier, we mentioned that crews for "Boardwalk Empire" would be filming in the East Village today, possibly bringing an old-timey feel to the neighborhood.

Well! Turns out they are filming at John's of 12th Street... already an old-timey-feeling restaurant. (And we mean that in a positive way!) Han Shan just sent us this photo of who we think is Lucky Luciano.

Report: Ex-cops accused of rape had another ugly exchange with a drunken East Village woman

At the Voice this week, Graham Rayman reports on another case involving Kenneth Moreno, Franklin Mata and a young, intoxicated woman. Per the preview of the article at Runnin' Scared: "Just a few months before the alleged rape for which they were acquitted, the two were accused of being verbally abusive to a woman, refusing to take her report of theft, and pushing her around outside an East Village nightclub. Although the Manhattan District Attorney's Office was aware of these charges, they did not include it as evidence in the trial."

The incident reportedly took place on Aug. 21, 2008 outside the former Cheap Shots on First Avenue near Ninth Street. Read Rayman's article here.

The best passage from The Observer's article on the Mars Bar

“Oh, no, Hank won’t talk to you,” Tawnya said to The Observer, emptying a bottle’s dregs into the bar’s only wine glass. “That’s just his style.”

Many patrons, we found, had adopted that same reticent style. “Go fuck yourself and get the fuck away from me,” George growled after we bade him hello.

“They’re gonna tear the whole place down so what the fuck are you asking me about shit for?” said a rock-faced gentleman named Ray, who lounged dozily at one end of the saloon. “Just go away.”

Others were more talkative. One demanded we share our cocaine and, when we informed him we had none, then asked for meth — though he took that request back, at once, after remembering that “meth makes you gay.”

Meanwhile, according to the article, the Mars Bar will remain open another four to six weeks.

Via Eater.

B Bar's take-out window and sidewalk seating moving forward

We haven't heard much about B Bar's plan for sidewalk seating and a to-go window in months. Last we heard in February, the B Bar's plans called for a 28-seat sidewalk cafe and a take-out window on the Bowery... this needed to be approved by Community Board 2, who has jurisdiction over the western side of the Bowery.

Meanwhile, we've noticed the work progressing on the to-go window...

Is that artisanal caulk on the counter?

Post reports that Fu Sushi employee chases Post photographer down the street

The Post picked up on reports from Neighborhoodr and here that Fu Sushi on Avenue B has been staying open even after the DOH closed it down for various violations. (And no credit from the Post — thanks!)

Here's one passage from the article:

Workers raised the gate at the restaurant yesterday afternoon — but quickly closed when approached by The Post. One employee even chased a photographer down the street.

East Village now home to more shaved ice

Eater reports that the team behind Brooklyn Flea and Chelsea Market regular People's Pops are opening a new pop-up location at 5 p.m. today. The stall is officially at 118 First Ave., which is actually between Caracas Arepa Bar and the corner deli. Per Eater, they'll serve "fresh, locally sourced fruit pops and shaved ice. They get their fruit straight from Greenmarket, so expect the seasonal flavors to change constantly."

Late yesterday afternoon, a worker was on the scene preparing the space, which promises to be the latest Seventh Street venture to attract people to wait in line...

Looks to be a busy icy season... you have Ray's on Avenue A ... NYC ICY at 171 Avenue A ... not to mention the numerous men selling shaved ice on the corners, such as on Seventh Street at Avenue B.

Y Cafe turns previous tenant's sign into a planter

Y Cafe (formerly Wai? Cafe on First Avenue) is now open on Avenue B near 11th Street... This addressed previously belonged to the Little Bird, a vegan cafe.

In a cost-effective move, instead of replacing the old sign...

...the folks at Y Cafe simply turned it into a planter of sorts...

Perhaps this is only temporary. But it's always a better alternative than leaving the previous restaurant's sign/name in full view...