[Updated] On Avenue A, Table 12 is now Au Za’atar

To be honest, we don't know exactly when the changeover occurred here on Avenue A at East 12th Street … a few alert readers pointed this out to us just yesterday … (The first Yelp review is from Sunday.)

In any event, Table 12, the former 24-hour cafe/bistro that served sandwiches, wraps, egg dishes, etc., has been turned over to Au Za'atar. Here's the restaurant's description via Facebook:

Au Za'atar is a Middle Eastern restaurant with a French twist. Our menu offers everything from Lebanon's national dish (Kibbe Kras) to classical Parisian fare with influences spreading from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean Sea.

To complement this blend of flavors we serve an extensive selection of organic wines, by the glass, and delicious craft brew beer.

For brunch our free-trade organic coffee and espresso comes from a "craft" roaster straight out of Brooklyn.

Our intimate and beautiful interior was designed and built using only recycled materials.

The hours are 8 a.m. to midnight.

Anyway, all this explains why we spotted 50 pounds of Table 12 to-go menus in the middle of East 12th Street one recent day…




Updated 2:41

A rep for the restaurant said that the Au Za’atar menus have not been finalized, and asked for us to remove the menu that we posted.

In addition, the old menus were left in the street by the carting company after they broke the garbage bag. The restaurant apparently cleaned them up after seeing what happened.

For lease: 147 E. Houston St., current home of Lucky's Famous Burgers

There's a new listing for 147 E. Houston St. According to Massey Knakal:

This retail space features highly visible frontage along the south side of East Houston Street. Located steps from the 2nd Avenue Subway Station, it is also highly accessible. Included in the space is a brand new kitchen build-out with new kitchen equipment and venting. The lease is available for review upon request.

The possession is "immediate" … the rent is listed at $10,599 a month with $240,000 key money.

Since the spring of 2011, this space here near Eldridge Street has been home to Lucky's Famous Burgers, which also has locations on 23rd and 52nd Streets. And this likely means the end of Lucky's here … we would get their food when they had the location on Avenue A next to Benny's.

HiFi launches monthly Reading Series

The HiFi Bar on Avenue A debuts a new monthly Reading Series tomorrow night at 8 with Brooklyn author Marie-Helene Bertino along with writers Michael Baptist and Julia Strayer.

Via the EVG inbox...

The HiFi Reading series brings you a selection of “undiscovered” writers, curated each month by an established author. The notion here is simple: we think great, accomplished writers have excellent taste, and we can’t wait to see whom they think we should be watching out for.

On the first Wednesday of every month, The HiFi Reading series will take place in the newly renovated back room of the The HiFi Bar. Other than the guest curator, none of the writers featured on The HiFi Reading series will have a book out…yet. These are writers at the beginning of the career, regardless of background.

Find more info about tomorrow night's readers and Series coordinators here.

Details:
Wednesday, March 5, 8 pm
FREE (1 drink minimum)
169 Avenue A

It's National Pancake Day, which means that you can stand in line for free pancakes at IHOP

Oh, today is National Pancake Day. Let's go to the EVG inbox…

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP restaurants have raised $13 million to support charities in the communities in which they operate. On March 4, 2014, guests from around the country will once again celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP restaurants and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes*. In return for the free pancakes, guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© or other designated local charities. Visit IHOP between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to receive a free short stack of pancakes during the restaurant's effort to raise awareness for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Meanwhile, the NYPD has the barricades up for the pancake-eating masses tomorrow…



Also, an ambulance is standing by in case you eat too many short stacks.



As a bonus for reading this far… we'll flash all the way back … to National Pancake Day here in 2012....

How did you survive today's snowstorm?

[Via the EVG Twitter account]

It was pretty wicked out there, as you can see from this photo that we bravely snapped around 7 a.m. on Second Avenue… as conditions continued to deteriorate…

Still, while forecasters were off the mark by, say, 7.999999 inches, there was just enough snow for an original #sprkl on East Fifth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square…


[Photo by Derek Berg]

[UPDATED] 7-Eleven in talks to open store in retail space at Arabella 101 on Avenue D

The retail space at Arabella 101, the rental building that sits atop the new Lower Eastside Girls Club on Avenue D between Seventh Street and Eighth Street, remains empty.

However, word is that The Dermot Company, developer and manager of the 12-story residential building, is in discussions to bring 7-Eleven to one of the available spaces.

According to a retail listing at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, there is 5,000 square feet available.



The listing shows that "ideal uses" include "quick-serve restaurants, discount retailers, medical, pharmacy, laundromats and salons."

We hear that the Girls Club and some members of the Avenue D community are concerned — they thought that they had a solid agreement with the Dermot Company not to bring fast-food and chain stores into the building.

Meanwhile, at East 11th Street and Avenue A, members of the community and the No 7-Eleven group continue to hold weekly "No 7-Eleven" rallies outside the store that opened last October.

Arabella 101 began leasing in July 2012.

Updated 12:10 p.m.
A representative for The Dermot Company contacted us, stating "the deal is not moving forward with 7-Eleven."

Also, according to the Dermont spokesperson, the condo documents prevent them from leasing to national fast-food chains ... (other types of chain retain are apparently OK) ... The spokesperson also acknowledged the restriction that they are not permitted to seek stores/retailers who sell alcohol for off-site consumption.

Weekend recap: Japadog has closed

As we first reported Friday, Japadog has closed on St. Mark's Place.

The Japanese-inspired hot dog restaurant by way of Vancouver opened the first U.S. outlet at 30 St. Mark's Place to great fanfare in January 2012.

And we were completely wrong about this place… predicting long lines and the end of humanity, pretty much. (We weren't alone in this feeling!) But the place never quite seemed to catch on. (Remember when they tried a breakfast service for a day or two?)

What do you think? Too much food competition on St. Mark's Place with $1 pizza, sliders, ramen, Chipotle, etc., etc.? Not to mention an already established hot-dog specialist down St. Mark's in Crif Dogs. The arrival of Papaya King back in May could not have helped…



We haven't heard an official reason for the closure. An employee told Eater yesterday that Japadog closed due to "problems with management." There hasn't been a mention of the closure on Japadog's various social media platforms.

As for what's next here… the space is fully vented for a restaurant… we spotted the listing on Craigslist back on Thursday … still, you have to figure ramen, $1 pizza, bubble tea, FroYo or vaping products as possible candidates here…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cue the long lines: Japadog opening first New York City location on St. Mark's Place

Breaking: Japadog is closing for good after tonight on St. Mark's Place

Japadog construction starts; plus, the end of an era for 'the doorshitter'?

'Demolitions and renovations' starting today at 128 Second Avenue

[EVG file photo]

The remaining residents of 128 Second Avenue now have a gut renovation to look forward to…



[Click image to enlarge]

To date, we've heard accusations of harassment from the new landlord … as well as stories of days without heat and hot water.

Back in the fall, the ownership of 128 Second Ave. changed hands for $7.5 million… The listed buyers for the building between between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street are LLCs... with addresses that matched up to Stellar Management ("known as a premier owner and operator of commercial real estate") and Icon Realty Management, the hotshots who have bought up several East Village properties, such as 205 Avenue A.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Happy holidays from 128 Second Ave.

128 Second Ave. has been sold

Kung Fu Tea closes on East 10th St.; move to St. Mark's Place apparently in the works

The Kung Fu Tea location at 241 E. 10th St. at First Avenue closed for business after Friday… there is a note on the door…



While there isn't any mention of this on the sign or elsewhere … word from St. Mark's Place neighbor Jordy Trachtenberg is that Kung Fu Tea will move over to 32 St. Mark's Place … formerly the home of 8 Crown Trade, the family run T-shirt and souvenir shop at No. 28 that was ousted by a rent hike last June…



After this move occurs, you will have plenty of bubble tea choices right here… TKettle is directly next door while CoCo Fresh Juice & Tea is directly across the street.

A development at the dormant Pride and Joy space that doesn't involve a lawsuit

[Photo Saturday of an entrance on East 2nd Street]

There's a doozy of a lawsuit going on over at 24 First Ave., the former Lucky Cheng's space where the remaining Pride and Joy BBQ partners are hoping to open a restaurant.

Things are stalled at the moment as Pride and Joy is suing landlord Hayne Suthon for $22 million for allegedly lying to them about the condition of the space and trying to evict them for not paying the rent … this after the restaurant was apparently ready to open for business last May before celebrity BBQ chef Myron Mixon filed a lawsuit accusing his partners of "trademark infringement, breach of contract, and misappropriation of name and likeness."

Meanwhile, in a development that doesn't involve a lawsuit, someone needs to pay the Con Ed bill (again) …



The outstanding charges are for $1,820.71 … given the recent Con Ed rate hikes, this might just be for one week of service.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Myron Mixon's Pride & Joy BBQ now in the works for the former Lucky Cheng's space

Fire reported at incoming Pride and Joy BBQ on East Second Street

Myron Mixon lawsuit puts opening of Pride and Joy BBQ in question at former Lucky Cheng's space

More alterations for the Pride and Joy space

Report: Pride and Joy BBQ partners suing landlord Hayne Suthon for $22 million

Pride and Joy's unpaid electric bill

Bhakti Center vegetarian buffet on hiatus through March

The Bhakti Center launched the Bhakti Buffet last October at 26 First Ave.

However, the cafe is closed for the time being… per an e-newsletter item from the Bhakti Center…

Our Bhakti Buffet has been off to a great start, nourishing body and soul through the Fall and Winter. As the Spring approaches, we are looking forward to an exciting season of increased services and offerings. Our chefs and host team are working to provide you with expanded hours, developing menus, and enhanced dining experiences.

To make this happen, we will need to close our doors for a few short weeks to facilitate a few renovations and upgrades to our operations. Beginning Monday February 24th and through the month of March, the Bhakti Buffet will be closed; we will re-open the first week of April. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause any of you and we deeply hope that you can share the excitement with us as we patiently await the coming Spring and look to re-open in April.

And they are not the only folks patiently awaiting the coming Spring.

Because several people started commenting randomly about Chipotle the other night

[Via Gothamist]

A Chipotle conversation broke out in the comments section in the post about Japadog closing Friday night. So this is for you!

Chipotle is introducing its new tofu-based burrito, sofritas, in NYC locations today.

We'll let Gothamist explain what goes into this. Or these.

Watery, chalky supermarket tofu this is not. The chain sources their product from Oakland-based Hodo Soy, which crafts artisanal tofu with beans sourced from organic, sustainable farms across the country. The partnership reflects the company's commitment to natural products, as well as the desire for the best-tasting product they can find. The quality stands out, both in the tofu's slightly chewy texture and the subtle nutty flavor.

To create the sofritas, the tofu gets seared and then ground into crumbles similar to the chorizo bits you might find in a taco. The tofu is also braised with chipotle chilies, roasted poblanos and lots of spices, in a treatment similar to the ones given to other protein offerings. The resulting product has a deep, earthy flavor with bright notes of cumin and lots of heat from the peppers.

Meanwhile, in the post last week about the 139th Chipotle opening around Union Square, I said that I had never eaten at a Chipotle.

Per EVG commenter Axis of Eville: "I can't comprehend the idea that someone hasn't had Chipotle."

It's true!

But I will try this new tofu thingy. Some day.

[Updated] Reader report: Cab crashes into Optyx on Second Avenue and East 14th Street

An EVG reader sends along the above photo from a little earlier this afternoon (roughly around 4:45), noting "Multiple fire trucks, cops, etc. Fortunately it appeared that no one was injured."

And via @amybraun7 …



At this point, we don't know any other particulars… such as the cause of the accident…

Updated 6:19

Plate on cab that crashed store today at 14th/2nd has 18 violations on record, 4 for running red: https://t.co/4Z2tpKitJs h/t @alter_spaces

— newyorkist (@Newyorkist) March 2, 2014

Updated 6:23

Here's a photo by ddartley via Flickr, where you can find a few more shots…



And several people have pointed out the fact that the driver crashed into a storefront with an awning reading "eyes examined."

Updated March 3

A witness told 1010 WINS reporter Gary Baumgarten that the vehicle was driving fast when it crashed through the front window. "He was driving extremely, extremely fast," Richard Ciero said.

The impact was so loud that a nearby store owner came outside thinking that a bomb had gone off.

And an EVG reader left this comment:

It was my daughter in the back of the cab. She was on her way to the airport. She has severe whiplash. Very grateful her injuries were not worse.

Hey, have you guys seen Sabrina's bear coat?

Spotted on Third Avenue at East 13th Street… Dang.







Well, it does sounds rediculous, Sabrina, but we hope you get your bear coat back. As you said, it brought joy to the people, as does this sign.

The Houston/Bowery Mural Wall gets 1st celebrity endorsement

As long as you consider Lindsey Lohan a celebrity. Via her Instagram account this past week.

Maya Hayuk's criss-crossy mural is currently on the wall.

[H/T Marjorie Ingall]

Week in Grieview

[At the Ukraine memorial on 2nd Avenue via Derek Berg]

A look at the all-new USPS retail outlet (Monday)

40 years of Ray! (Friday)

Here's that TD Bank taking over the former Mars Bar space (Tuesday)

Japadog has closed (Friday)

Out and About with Dina Leor (Wednesday)

35 years later, East Village resident auctioning off the work of her former lover, Basquiat (Wednesday)

A "Physical Graffiti" anniversary on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Introducing the Chocolate Egg Cream Candle from Katz's (Monday)

Another Chipotle for the Union Square area (Wednesday)

Former San Loco space for rent on Avenue A (Monday)

Company Bar & Grill is for sale (Thursday)

Nesting on the Christodora (Wednesday)

Tree removal on Avenue D (Thursday)

Is this cause for a rent abatement? (Wednesday)

A special Lou Reed delivery (Monday)

Building that houses Brickman & Sons on First Avenue is for sale (Friday)

Facebook arrives in Midtown South/Astor Place/East Village/BroDo (Tuesday)

Vivi Bubble Tea coming to East 14th Street (Monday)

Rotating art program at Louis 649 continues tonight

[Photo by Michael DeBruyn]

From the EVG inbox… from the folks at Louis 649, the 10-year-old bar/lounge on East Ninth Street at Avenue C...

Launched in late 2013, Louis 649 is now proud to be featuring a unique Rotating Art Program that showcases the work of talented local artists from across the five boroughs. Artists display their work on the walls at Louis for a duration of six weeks; all displayed artwork is available for purchase, with a price list available at the bar.

We're celebrating the gallery opening of our second artist, photographer Michael DeBruyn aka 'insky', tonight at 7. DeBruyn will be in attendance.

His gallery is themed around F Scott Fitzgerald's "The Crack-Up" — a selection of his pieces on display may be found here.

The ice water is ready

Oh… @occupy12thst pointed out this partially frozen wooden water tank over on East 13th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B …

You have a few days left to see the work of East Village photographer Sally Davies

East Village-based photographer Sally Davies has been showing her work from around the neighborhood at the Bernarducci Meisel Gallery (37 W. 57th St. at 5th Avenue) this month. Here's your last chance to see it… The exhibit has been extended an extra day… today and on Tuesday…

You can see her work like this…



The gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Closed Sunday and Monday)

Ad changer on the loose!

In recent days someone has taken a Sharpie (or whatever) to various ads around the neighborhood… providing some social commentary…


[Photo via ‏@MeredithJM]

… and pop-cultural observations…