Renovations under way at the Standard East Village

The Standard East Village unveiled major plans to alter parts of its public space earlier this year. (First reported here.)

Among other things, the Standarders plan to close the second-floor bar/terrace to convert it to a guest room (with terrace). Or maybe a gym. The hotel will also expand the lobby and take over half of the current garden space that lines East Fifth Street. There will also be a lobby garden (with soundproofing). And an outdoor cafe along the Cooper Square side.

So some of this work has apparently started...

[Above photos by Bobby Williams on Friday]

What served as the lobby is now closed ... this space will be part of the cafe (if we read the plans correctly)...

Looks like check ins are currently taking place in the area where the bar was to the left of the front entrance.  Eventually the lobby will be accessible via East Fifth Street.

Eater has more on the revamp from a CB3/SLA meeting in May, where hotelier Andre Balazs received approval for the changes:

Balazs wants to move the lobby into the garden space, so that 60 percent of the outdoor space will now be indoors. This is all part of a plan to reorient the ground floor and entrance of the hotel. The bar addition will actually be a small service bar measuring 16 feet by eight feet. There will also be about 18 stools for guests, but this is not going to be a monster lounge.

Reader report: SOS Chefs reopening on Avenue B

There has been some activity of late at 104 Avenue B near East Seventh St., where SOS Chefs closed in June 2011. The high-end specialty shop, which opened in 1996, sold an array of obscure spices, dried fruit and exotic oils that won them a loyal following that reportedly included Momofuku’s David Chang and Prune’s Gabrielle Hamilton.

When the store closed, a sign appeared that read in part: "We are going to take some time to discover new things, and to see what the next steps may be in the evolution of SOS Chefs."

Apparently owner Atef Boulaabi has had time for that discovery... according to an EVG reader who lives on the block, the store will reopen on Oct. 1. No word yet if the store cat will return.

Previously on EV Grieve:
SOS Chefs, high-end supplier to A-list restaurateurs, is closing on Avenue B

EV Grieve Eatery Etc.: Calamari and fries at Ray's; table and chairs at L'Apicio

Ray has unveiled a new item at Ray's Candy Store ... calamari and fries ($6.95)...

... We're in.

[Photos by Shawn Chittle]

Meanwhile, reliable sources say that Ray has also been testing out a fish-n-chips platter... Updated! Ray has unveiled the fish and chips too... with a sign like no other, via Dave on 7th...

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A quickie progress report on L'Apicio, opening on East First Street in the Shoppes at Avalon Bowery Place ... chairs and tables have arrived...

... and a look inside...

According to Eater: "Chef Gabe Thompson, of L'Artusi and Dell'Anima, will create an 'Italian inspired' menu, and Joe Campanale will be in charge of the wine and cocktails."

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Back in December, we noted that Oliva, the Spanish tapas bar with a prime corner at Houston and Allen, was on the market. Here's a look at its replacement...

BoweryBoogie has been following the developments here, noting a few weeks ago that Mezetto "will serve Mediterranean-style tapas and reportedly carry aggressive hours of operation (9am-12am Sun-Th; 9am-2am Fri-Sat)."

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And signage has arrived for the latest dessertery on St. Mark's Place...

As DNAinfo first reported in February, Macaron Parlour is taking over the vacant storefronts at 111 St. Mark's Place, part of the former Chocolate Library. The desserts debuted at the Hester Street Fair in 2010. Fillings include things like candied bacon and maple cream cheese.

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Oops! Dunno how this photo got here from Second Avenue and East 14th Street...

Everyday is like Sunday

I didn't see it myself, but... apparently Morrissey was in the store today and came to the rescue of an elderly woman who fainted.
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) September 23, 2012

The tweet making the rounds tonight...

When the Circus (Amok) came to town

Circus Amok is, according to their website, "a New York City based circus-theater company whose mission is to provide free public art addressing contemporary issues of social justice to the people of New York City."

And they brought their show to Tompkins Square Park this afternoon...

Photos by Bobby Williams. Lady Gaga jokes will not be accepted for the last two photos.

Cracked tree limb closes part of Tompkins Square Park

Ugh. As a precaution. Let's hope that the whole tree doesn't need to come down...

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Week in Grieview

An East Village artist is trying to keep the East River waterfront free of garbage and debris (Tuesday)

East Village down to its last gas station (Thursday)

7-Eleven opening at former Bar on A and Angels & Kings space (Wednesday)

Orchard Alley reopens (Monday)

City OKs plan for Mystery Lot development (Wednesday)

More and more progress at St. Brigid's (Monday)

Rainboots thief (Tuesday)

Union Market update (Monday)

A memorial at 236 E. 13th St. (Tuesday)

2 pizzerias down (Thursday)

Klean & Kleaner "ideal for a bar/restaurant" (Wednesday)

Dangling rat (Monday)

Looking at David Schwimmer's bricks (Tuesday)

The city really wants to evict Jerry Delakas (Monday)

Maybe I'm a star

East 10th Street between Avenue B and C this afternoon. Photo by Shawn Chittle.

[Updated] A nice day for skywriting

Can't quite tell what it says ... an EVG reader took these this afternoon...

Updated:

It was an anti-Romney message ... per Jersey Joe:

Earlier today, SABER took his messages against presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s position on cutting government subsidy programs supporting the arts to the skies over lower Manhattan.

h/t Fresh Paint NYC

The Obamas on East Sixth Street

Outside Eastern Bloc... these have been up for a few weeks since the Obama fundraiser... (you can read about it in The Washington Post ... and The Villager).

Just wanted the photos for the archives. Let me know if you spot any Romney posters up...

Heartless acts: Down-on-its-luck stuffed animal unstuffed, stuffed in trash

We noted this rather sad scene yesterday at Cooper Union... along the East Sixth Street side...

Flashback!

Well, prepare yourself for this. Spotted in the trash outside Sunny & Annie's on Avenue B and East Sixth Street this morning...

Village View flea market is today

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the playground at East Fifth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. Always good for a few finds.

Look back in angora

THE NOTORIOUS L.I.B.E.R.A.T.I.O.N. favorite Lana Del Rey Cemusa-ed on Second Avenue.

Oh, and on Avenue C...

Headline hat tip here.

Have you seen this dog that was stolen Friday night?

An EVG reader shared this photo ... She spoke to the woman who had the dog stolen Friday night on Seventh Avenue and West 19th Street...

"She tied him briefly and turned to tie her shoelace when some guy ran by, grabbed the dog, and took off. Distinguishing features are that he has an umbilical hernia (can be felt on his belly) and is missing a tooth in the front of his lower jaw. Needless to say, she's miserable about losing him."

Days of wine and rain

At 10th Street and Avenue C this evening. Photo by Bobby Williams.

FAB on 4th

The Fourth Arts Block (FAB) held forth today on East Fourth Street during its annual arts extravaganza ... Here are three photos via Bobby Williams...

This likely makes sense to some city administrator

This past summer, workers tore up First Avenue between First Street and Second Street to put in sidewalk extensions (bus bulbs!) for the M15 and the Select Bus Service.

Flashback!

In August, the MTA added the M15 Select Bus ticket machines on First and First. All good, right?

Apparently not. Today, workers were back ripping up the freshly repaved Avenue...

A few vendors return to the Mary Help of Christians flea market

As you may recall, signs went up on Labor Day weekend announcing that the flea market in the Mary Help of Christians lot was ending its run ... and moving to the Immaculate Conception Church on East 14th Street and First Avenue in October.

However, as you may have noticed here on Avenue A at East 11th Street, a few vendors were around last weekend... and some more are back today...

[Photo by Shawn Chittle]

This bike got stripped this morning on East Seventh Street

Dave on 7th notes this .... At 8:40 a.m., this bike was intact on East Seventh Street. By 11 a.m., it wasn't ...

Reader report: Witnesses claim excessive police force following car accident on East 11th Street

Just before 6 this morning, witnesses say that the car photographed above slammed into two parked vehicles on East 11th Street after making the turn from Avenue C.

The man who crashed the car was allegedly drunk, according to witnesses.

Witnesses described the incident, in which NYPD officers allegedly slammed the driver's head into the ground multiple times. The 6-8 officers who responded to the scene also allegedly used pepper spray on the man who was already in handcuffs and on the ground, according to eyewitnesses. One person who watched this scene unfold described it as "particularly excessive" and "disturbing and unnecessary."

[Top photos by C. Ryan]

And here is the scene this morning... you can see the damage to two parked vehicles...