[NSFW] About the topless diner at Verso Sunday night

As first mentioned here, two diners entered Verso, the Italian bistro on Avenue C and East Eighth Street, on Sunday night ... the female diner sat down and removed her top. She sat bare chested while the man with her took photos. Owner Labinot Baraliu promptly asked the two to leave.

Here's more about what happened.

East Village-based professional photographer Allen Henson contacted us. He was in Verso with Cheyenne Lutek, a model.

"It was an impromptu photoshoot. We did two that night," he said. "The first establishment loved it and interacted, the other, well — we weren't there long."

Here are the results of the first restaurant, which declined to have its name used with the photos. "They had fun with it. So did the patrons."



And here are images from Verso...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Female diner decides to go topless last night at Verso

Report: Estranged husband in custody after slashing wife on Avenue D

A resident of the Jacob Riis Houses along Avenue D needed more than 100 stitches after her estranged husband repeatedly slashed her with a razor on Monday night, according to published reports.

According to the Daily News:

John Woody, 40, laid in wait for his estranged wife, Patricia Woody, 33, to return to her apartment in the Riis Houses ... He apparently used slivers of wood to clog the key hole on the front door, a police source said.

As she struggled to get the door open, Woody pounced, a second source said.

“She was trying to get the door open with the key when her husband came up behind her with a razor,” the source said. “He cut her across the head, face, neck and back.”

The Lo-Down reported that at least one of her three children was present when the horrific incident took place.

John Woody, who lives on Cherry Street, was arrested yesterday. The attack violated an order of protection — the second time the suspect has violated such an order, according to the Daily News.

Out and About in the East Village — A midsummer recap

We're taking a week off to provide a quick recap...

So then! Here's a look back at our 24 subjects from 2013 ... many thanks to East Village-based photographer James Maher and everyone who has taken part in this series... we'll return next week with Out and About in the East Village ... and in December with Out and About in the East Village/Road Rules Challenge...

• Jan. 9 — Lee Schramm

• Jan. 16 — Chris Riffle

• Jan. 23 — Jane Kelton and Little Egg

• Jan. 30 — Paul Kostabi

• Feb. 6 — Cheryl Pyle

• Feb. 13 — Mike Bakaty

• Feb. 20 — Jacquelyn Gallo

• Feb. 27 — Reverend Jacqui Lewis

• March 6 — Manny Garcia

• March 13 — Annette “Mistress Evil” Moccaldi

• March 20 — Katie Kenney

• March 27 — Lucille Krasne

• April 3 — 2013 recap

• April 10 — Jasmin Olmo (and Rocko)

• April 17 — Nicolina Johnson

• April 24 — Bryan Alejandro Scott

• May 1 — Terry

• May 8 — Jeff Underwood

• May 15 — Markian Surmach

• May 22 — Edward “Eak the Geek” Arrocha

• May 29 — Matt Torres

• June 5 — Danny Lama

• June 12 — Elisabeth Diekmann

• June 19 — Yadi Maria

• June 26 — Phillip Giambri

• July 3 — Phillip Giambri, Part 2

And here is a link to our profiles from 2012.

The Smell

Jill, who lives in a walk-up building that Jared Kushner and Westminster recently purchased, has launched a new blog called Documenting the Smell.

The story begins on July 1.

Last week my bedroom started to smell. Smells are hard to communicate and harder to describe. This one is chemical — turpentine, mineral spirits, toxic, strong. My bedroom became uninhabitable.

Mt bedroom is on the top floor. Of the 6 walls we have: ceiling shared with building roof; floor shared with downstairs neighbors we've never seen; north wall has a window; east wall has the door to the living room; south wall shared with my other bedroom; west wall is brick and has nothing on the other side of it (we are a story higher than the building to the west).

At first we thought The Smell was coming from the tenant downstairs who we've never seen.

It's a compelling read... spanning now seven posts...

I've been sniffing around the bedroom so much I have a headache. And a burning in my eyes and throat. The Smell is awful. It peaks during the evening, is strong through the night, starts diminishing in the morning, is almost gone by the afternoon, and starts again. It has a pattern, but seems also inconsistent at the same time.

She considers, seriously, hiring a smell expert. (Only $750!) There are also patch tests. A visit from the super. A Westminster rep. Ultimately, it's just a frustrating experience.

There's more drama and intrigue... until the source of The Smell is identified.

But now what?

[Read all the posts to date here]

Resident curious/irked about Verizon truck idling on Second Avenue

A resident is rather irked about the Verizon truck and accompanying tent that has taken up residence at the northeast corner of Second Avenue and East First Street...

A little background from the resident:

The motor runs continuously. The truck is rarely manned and I have never seen any actual construction work occurring. The truck occupies both a bicycle lane and the initial portion of the crosswalk for pedestrians crossing westward ... it also blocks traffic, biker and pedestrian visibility. The truck has been there, motor running, for approximately five weeks now (since June 1).

The general consensus seems to be that Verizon is installing fiber optics for FiOS service... unless you have some other explanation...

EV Grieve Eatery Etc.: Diana arrives; Blue Owl departs

Last week, the incoming Taqueria Diana on Second Avenue received a new mural on its gate (Diana we assume?) ... Fork in the Road recently had more details on the place, which will be run by a California native who was most recently a manager at The Meatball Shop... No opening date just yet...

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dba on First Avenue has a new awning... the previous one was smushed a bit during that cab mishap...

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Workers put up plywood Monday at the former Zee's Pet Shop on Avenue B just south of East 10th Street ... a tapas/wine bar with a small market space called Donostia is in in the works...

CB3 OK's a beer-wine license for them in May. Per the CB3 minutes from the full Board meeting:

Community Board #3 is approving this beer wine license although this is a location in an area with numerous licensed premises and at a previously unlicensed location because 1) this applicant is agreeing to early closing hours and food service during all hours of operation, 2) there will be a substantial retail component to this business with the sale of Spanish specialty goods, and 3) there is substantial support for this application in that the applicant furnished three hundred six (306) signatures and letters from area residents in its support.

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An awning arrived at Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, coming soon to Second Avenue and East First Street...

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And Blue Owl, the 7-year-old cocktail lounge on Second Avenue near East 12th Street, has closed ... we're not sure of the exact date last month ... there isn't any mention of a closure on the lounge's website or social media platforms... the bar space hit the market last fall... no word on any takers...

A summer scene

East 12th Street near Avenue C today. Photo by Bobby Williams.

[Updated] Report: NYPD hunts for suspects in late-afternoon robbery inside victim's apartment building

CBS New York has the following report from the NYPD:

Police are on the lookout for two men wanted for attacking a woman Monday afternoon in the East Village.

The woman had just left her apartment when one of the suspects placed her in a choke hold, causing her to fall to the ground, police said.

The suspects took off with the woman’s pocketbook which had her cell phone, credit cards, personal property and cash, police said.

Police believe the suspects may have fled the scene in a gold or grey Honda.

The report doesn't specify the street/Avenue where the incident occurred. DNAinfo says the 50-year-old victim had just left her first-floor apartment around 5:30 p.m. The robbery took place inside the building, per DNAinfo.

Anyone with information on this can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Updated:

Multiple residents have told us this occurred on East Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Updated:

Wow. Turns out the woman, who owns several businesses, had a week's worth of receipts in a deposit bag — including $100,000 cash. DNAinfo reports that her businesses include a check-cashing and money-wiring service.

Morning yarn

@JessNepom spotted this on East 12th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue this morning... seems a little warm for yarn, no?

Incoming Empire Biscuit on Avenue A launches Kickstarter campaign

Renovations continue at the former Habibi Lounge space on Avenue A near East 12th Street ... where Empire Biscuit will be serving country-style biscuits and biscuit sandwiches 24 hours a day (and no liquor license) ...

Now founders Jonathan Price and Yonadav Tsuna have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $62,500 by the end of the month to help with the opening costs.

Per the campaign:

Besides potential construction delays, the major risks for our restaurant are post-opening. We have a strong team in place, a carefully developed concept and menu, a great location and space, and a nuanced financial model. So the basic challenges/risks that remain are controlling food cost and labor once we're up and running.

You can find more info here. Or you can watch the above video ... (they discuss the need for $$$ at the 4-minute mark).

Empire Biscuit is expected to open in 6-8 weeks.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: biscuits and jams for former Habibi Lounge space on Avenue A

More about the 2Bn2C sculpture garden

We've written before about how much we enjoy the empty lot on East Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C ... And in recent weeks, the lot has continued to go under some transformations... featuring new plantings and artwork...







Unbeknownst to us, 2Bn2C sculpture garden now has a website...



Per the site, the revamped sculpture garden is being directed by Nature and Ken Cro-Ken, an ecosystem artist who lives nearby. At the site, Ken explains his art philosophy ... and encourages people to share their photos of the garden.

The site is just getting under way... and there will be a few events in the garden, such as a performance by oboist Matt Sullivan later this month...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The last interesting empty lot in the East Village

New 7-story residential complex makes 1st appearance above ground on Avenue B

Work continues on Avenue B at East 12th Street, where a 7-story mixed used residential building is going up that will house the new home of the Elim Pentecostal Church, among other things.

The construction is now visible above the plywood that lines the site. Perhaps this phase is better for nearby residents, who had to endure months of relentless pile driving and other building-rattling noise.





The address was a movie theater for many years, first the Bijou in 1926, then the Charles. (The theater closed in 1975, and a church took over the space.) A fire broke out in the building in October 2006.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Inside the Charles

Former landmark countercultural theater now for rent on Avenue B

7-story building in the works to replace former countercultural theater/church on Avenue B

Construction site at 185 Avenue B remains shut down for now

[Updated] The 'insane' noise and pounding are back at 185 Avenue B

'First resale' at the the Brownstone East Village

Over in the Brownstone East Village, the four-unit architectural wonder at 224 E. 14th St. near Third Avenue, a floor-through loft is now on the market. According to the listing at Blu Realty Group: "This condo loft unit can't be missed. It’s the first re-sale in the building so it really is a rare opportunity!"

Last year, it was reported that Bill Peterson, the architect behind this, was selling his second-floor unit for $2.499 million. (Unsure if that ever happened.) Among other amenities, this unit featured the retractable facade that allows you to gaze out onto East 14th Street.

The new unit for sale for $1.45 million doesn't have that deluxe feature... But, there is plenty more...

The abundant cabinetry is streamlined with a beautiful white lacquer finish, giving the space a touch of a contemporary spirit in a classic space. The kitchen can also accommodate a breakfast nook for your quick morning bite and coffee.

Spacious Bathroom features Lefroy Brooks Enamal dual sinks with Vola fixtures, Zuma Deep Soaking Tub and a Duravit Wall-Hung Toilet.

The listing also notes that the building is "close to all Subways including the 'L' to Williamsburg."

Showings start on July 25.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Finally, your chance to own the 3-level penthouse at the Brownstone East Village

More photos of the apartment with the garage door for a living-room wall on East 14th Street

Goloka Juice Bar & Health Shop now open on East 5th Street

Goloka Juice Bar & Health Shop opened yesterday in one of the empty storefronts on East Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (It's at 325 E. Fifth St., two doors east of the 9th Precinct.)

Here's info on the shop via their Facebook page:

Goloka was started with the intent of creating a peaceful getaway amidst the busy streets of New York City where people can take a small break from their day to enjoy healthy treats.

Goloka also has a full service custom organic juice bar.

Founded by yogis, Goloka has created a menu and store atmosphere reflective of the spiritual practices of yoga lovers.

It has been so hot that cactus plants are now growing in the East Village

Well, as part of a new window display outside Louis 649 on East Ninth Street near Avenue C. Photo yesterday by Bobby Williams.

About Shiti Bikes and Citi Bikes

You probably heard about the outbreak of "Shiti Bike" stickers around the city in the last 48 hours or so... EVG reader Brad212 spotted these on East Ninth Street and Avenue C yesterday morning ...



A "Shitibike" website launched on Sunday... where you can download your very own stickers... there's also the month-old Shiti bike Facebook page that announces it is "Reclaiming NYC streets from corporate appropriation of Bike culture."

Meanwhile, a reader pointed us to this info graphic at Mayor Bloomberg's website from last week ... which provides a statistical report card of Citi Bike's first month of operation...

Curb your ferret

Tompkins Square Park this evening.

Photo and headline via @delcecato ...

Rite Aid continues to evolve on First Avenue

The transformation continues here at First Avenue and East Fifth Street ... there's now a garden theme on the exterior... the plants and flowers will actually grow a foot or two while you stand in the check-out line...

Tuck Shop closes St. Mark's Place location

The Tuck Shop closed its location for good on St. Mark's Place near Avenue A last night. The locations on East First Street and in the Chelsea Market remain open.

According to the sign on the door, "we decided to close this location for myriad reasons" ... which include:

Surf's Up!
Real-Estate Taxes (my personal fav)
Gentrification
The booze
Sandy (of course)
Rent is too damn high!
Laziness/ennui
Albany/Bloomberg
Gluten-free people

The Australian restaurant opened this location in the summer of 2009.

From April...


[Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.]

[Updated] Female diner decides to go topless last night at Verso

A story from the heatwave.

At Verso last night, two diners entered the Italian bistro on Avenue C and East Eighth Street ... the female diner sat down and immediately removed her top. She sat bare chested while owner Labinot Baraliu asked her to put her shirt back on. She argued that it was "perfectly legal" for her to sit topless in the restaurant... all the while her male companion was taking photos of her.

The staff did end up escorting the couple out of the restaurant.

"In 15 years [in the restaurant business] I've seen all kinds of things, but not this," said Baraliu. "It was funny, but at the same time I was like 'WTF — is this really happening?'"

Updated 7-10
Find an explanation here.