Divya's Kitchen now open in the Bhakti Center on 1st Avenue

Back in early September we noted that Divya’s Kitchen was opening in the Bhakti Center's dining space at 25 First Ave. between First Street and Second Street.

After a few days in soft-open mode, Divya's Kitchen is now up and running... the restaurant's reps sent along the following opening announcement:

Food trends come and go, but preserving your health is ongoing. For this reason (and much more) we proudly introduce the newest addition to the East Village, an Ayurvedic, vegetarian dining establishment — Divya’s Kitchen.

Brought to you by Chef Divya Alter, author of the forthcoming cookbook "What to Eat for How You Feel," (Rizzoli, April 2017), and co-founder of Bhagavat Life, a non-profit culinary school promoting health, wellness and holistic living.

Divya’s Kitchen will be the first ever New York City restaurant presenting authentic organic Ayurvedic cooking in a wide variety of culinary styles. Rooted in the ancient Shaka Vansiya (SV) Ayurvedic principles, this unique and esteemed practice takes pride in great tasting and beautifully presented food that makes you feel great both during the meal and beyond.

Not only will Divya’s Kitchen be a place to grab a meal and enjoy the company of others, it will be a place to learn more about the art of Ayurveda through your meals, the knowledgeable staff and their Boutique Gift Shop. The shop will be featuring a select inventory of Ayurvedic teas, spice blends, house-made cultured ghee, and books.

Divya's Kitchen is open Tuesday-Sunday from 5-10 p.m.

Noted

The organizer's of SantaCon have announced the date for this year's SantaCon — Dec. 10.

There's a Facebook event page to follow for more details. Not much is known now, such as what bars are participating this year and what other neighbors will be part of this.

Gothamist reports that it will start in Williamsburg. After that, who knows.

In 2015, SantaCon kicked off in McCarren Park before departing for the East Village.

The Daily News reported that the NYPD made five arrests and handed out an even 100 summonses — ranging from open container violations to disorderly conduct to public urination — during SantaCon in 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
SantaCon announces its path through the East Village for 2015

A SantaCon 2015 postmortem (first of several perhaps) and a look ahead to next year!


[Photo from SantaCon 2015 by Derek Berg]

Blink Fitness is now open on Avenue A

The Blink Fitness opened today at noon at 98 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at 11:45. Here's more on the gym via the EVG inbox...

As a part of the Grand Opening celebration, Blink Fitness will donate 50 one-year memberships, worth over $10,000, to Lower Eastside Girls Club, an organization dedicated to connecting girls and young women to healthy and successful futures.

The newest Blink Fitness facility will boast a broad offering of top-of-the-line strength equipment that includes free weights, plates, and machines for upper body, lower body, and core, as well as a wide variety of premium cardio machines and a multi-use space for additional exercises, stretching, and functional training.

Certified personal trainers will be available for those members who wish to create a custom workout experience tailored to their personal goals. As a gym that promises to provide a premium experience to all who join, memberships are available for as low as $25 per month with a free start up personal training session.

Blink Fitness will bring its Mood Above Muscle™ philosophy to its newest location, celebrating the idea that exercise is not only about looking good, but also about feeling good. Blink Fitness strives to make working out fun and uplifting by creating a Feel Good Experience™, which is made up of five pillars that make Blink unlike any other fitness club. This includes their respectful and friendly staff, bright and open gym design using colors that are scientifically proven to enhance mood, a spotlessly clean facility, and music specifically selected to motivate members.

Here are the hours for the gym based in the retail space of Ben Shaoul's luxury residences at 100 Avenue A:

Monday-Thursday: 5 am to 11 pm
Friday: 5 am to 10 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 7 am to 7 pm

More humongous fungus

After our previous post on the topic, EV Fungi reader Jackson Gilkey, a gardener at La Plaza Cultural on Ninth Street and Avenue C, shared the above photo... of that yellow fungus growing on the smaller willow. Jackson notes that you can see it from Ninth Street near the western end of the garden by the gazebo.

Consensus seems to be that this is chicken of the woods.

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston

Back in August, news broke that Red Square, the residential complex at 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, was in contract for some $100 million, according to published reports.

Ahead of the final sale, the statue of Lenin was removed last month from atop the 13-floor building. (It will reign again nearby on Norfolk Street.)

Now a building resident passes along a letter that he or she received from the Dermot Co. announcing the new ownership...



The new owner is 250 Houston Investors, LP, and is managed by Dermot. (A news release on the deal, which didn't disclose the terms, states that "The Dermot Company, in partnership with Rockwood Capital, LLC, announced the joint-venture acquisition of 250 East Houston St.")

The letter to current residents also notes that 250 East Houston (the name Red Square has apparently been retired) "will be undergoing a renovation project that will encompass updating common area spaces, adding amenities, renovating apartments and upgrading building systems."

According to the reader, one of the first actions by the new management was to "cut the staff salaries by 30 percent. The doormen were making around $16/hour, now cut to $11. They were given ONE DAY to accept or leave. Not being union employees, they had little choice."

The reader continued: "Should be interesting to see these new owners try to sell this place as 'luxury' with unhappy employees."

Meanwhile, another Red Square 250 E. Houston St. resident wrote in to say how treacherous the building's elevators are.

Both elevators at 250 Houston have been malfunctioning for more than a year. Shoddy and ineffective repairs are being made as often as 4-6 times a week and have not alleviated severe problems in either elevator.

And what about new ownership?

The elevators need immediate and substantial repairs. The new management will replace them — there's even a rumor that they are going to take both offline to do that.

I don't feel safe using them — and they shouldn't be allowed to operate that way for the next 6-12 months.

The building, which features 130 rental units, also has 23,000 square feet of retail space. According to the Post last August, the retail space was not going to be part of the deal. There are four vacancies in this strip of shops, which include a Dunkin' Donuts, Subway (sandwich shop), Sleepy's (for the rest of your life), China Town Chinese restaurant and a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center.

Per Streeteasy, there are currently two rentals available. A 2-bedroom apartment with balcony for $4,875 and a 1-bedroom unit for $3,000.

The building, the creation of Michael Rosen, opened in June 1989.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

[Updated] Lamia's Fish Market headed to SLA for a beer-wine license for 45 Avenue B

[45-47 Avenue B file photo]

A restaurant called Lamia's Fish Market is in the works for the long-vacant storefront at 45 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

Lamia Funti, the applicant, appeared before CB3's SLA committee meeting back in April. The application was reportedly denied based in part on the history of the space. (The Lo-Down reported on this here.)

Media outlets have identified Funti as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk at 47 Avenue B... Le Souk was a years-long thorn in the side of neighbors, as widely reported here ... and here ... and here ... and here.

In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority cancelled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

According to a neighborhood block association member, Lamia's Fish Market has now applied directly to the New York State Liquor Authority for a beer-wine license. This application is one of many to be heard during an SLA board meeting today at their New York City office, 317 Lenox Ave. at 126th Street. (The block association rep didn't have an exact time for this applicant during the public meeting, only that it will be heard between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)

The block association member provided a recap about the applicant(s).

The location is the former Le Souk space, and the principal/proprietor of this new establishment (Lamia Funti) is the wife of Marcus Andrews (formerly, Marcus Jacobs, one of the principals of the old Le Souk along with his brother Sam Jacobs). She is the manager of the current Le Souk, now located on LaGuardia Place in the Village, which Marcus owns. She is proposing a restaurant, not a club/lounge like the old Le Souk or the current business on Laguardia, with only a Beer/Wine license and a 12 am closing every night. This type of license would typically be approved by the SLA without question. However, this situation is unusual and merits special consideration by them.

Even though Ms. Funti was not officially involved with the old Le Souk on Avenue B, she is associated with the Jacob family and their other businesses. At the current Le Souk, which she manages, there have been online reports of fights (involving the owner), a stabbing, plus 311 calls and complaints. Given this background, many involved in the Block Association believe that, even on her own (much less because of her familial affiliations), she does not run the kind of business we want on Avenue B.

You can read CB3's lengthy Recommendation To Deny from the April meeting at the CB3 website here (PDF)

Updated 10/26

The SLA approved this applicant for a beer-wine license according to someone in attendance. More info as it becomes available.

3 new name possibilities for Church of Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity on 3rd Street

[EVG photo from the summer]

Last week we noted that there's a movement afoot to change the name of the Roman Catholic Church of Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity on East Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. (The Church of the Nativity on Second Avenue merged with Most Holy Redeemer in July 2015.)

Father Sean McGillicuddy solicited suggestions for the new name via the church bulletin.

The three top proposals are:

• Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity Church

• The Nativity of Most Holy Redeemer

• Saint John XXIII Church

According to an EVG reader and parishioner, ballots will be given out at every mass next weekend and the results will be given to Cardinal Dolan.

Possible new name aside, the neighbor told us previously that several of Father McGillicuddy's initiatives have been perceived as "ruinous" by some of the parishioners, who don't feel comfortable speaking out about the changes.

Fall greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Via the EVG inbox...

This unseasonably warm weather (last week anyway!) made us realize that it’s been quite a while since Miss Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street has checked in at EVG.

Miss Kita had a very busy summer doing her best to insinuate herself into as many swimming holes (concrete or otherwise) as possible.

She also spent some weekends sailing on Long Island Sound — one of her favorite ways to piss away a summer day.

Now that the days are growing shorter she’s back to spending more time in the neighborhood and most frequently in Tompkins Square Park.

Meanwhile, Miss Kita wishes everyone a marvelous Halloween, though she herself does not celebrate the holiday.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Meet Kita

The further adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

The further (often truly) amazing adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Happy holidays from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street has her first ever annual checkup

Holiday greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Summer greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street is on the mend!

Sigmund Pretzel Shop makes closing official on Avenue B

Our original location in East Village is now closed. Hard to believe it's been 7 years. A lot more to come. Stay tuned! We are forever NY's favorite pretzel ! Come see us at #urbanspacevanderbilt 💛😢🍻🍷💫🎬🌄

A photo posted by Sigmundpretzels (@sigmundpretzels) on Oct 24, 2016 at 8:09pm PDT

Yesterday we noted that the pretzel-centric bar-restaurant had not been open lately at 29 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street. The folks at Sigmund's shared a message on their social media accounts last night noting the closure.

The Urbanspace Vanderbilt location lives on in Midtown. And as noted, the popular pretzels are on the menu of several restaurants in the city and sold via carts at various locations and events.

As for Avenue B, perhaps this concept was too adult for the block... they'd need 186 giant TVs and kegs of free brunch mimosas to help put a dent in the nearby crowds.

The humongus fungus among us (aka, What the hell is that?)

Goggla shares these photos (and that was her headline!) from Tompkins Square Park... showing some kind of blooming fungus exploding from the tree closest to the recycling bins across from the men's room.

And for scale, here is the thing next to a squirrel...



Perhaps it's a chicken of the woods? Where's a mycologist when you need one?

Meanwhile on 2nd Street...

Photo from yesterday between Avenue A and Avenue B by @mcinthenyc

Wayland team opening Drift Inn at former Evelyn Drinkery space on Avenue C

As we first reported last Monday, Evelyn Drinkery has closed after four years at 171 Avenue C between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Now Robert Ceraso, who along with Jason Mendenhall, owns The Wayland on Avenue C and Ninth Street, has confirmed that they will be taking over the Evelyn space for their Drift Inn concept they've been planning the past year.

This marks their third attempt at opening another bar along Avenue C. Plans for both the former Duke's space and current Royale fell through.

This is how Ceraso explained the concept in October 2015:

"We envision The Drift as a laid-back bar that takes some slight inspiration from small seaside bars that we’ve been in over the years. The little places that have a mix of locals, surfers, backpackers and expats. My partner Jason and I have had a lot of experience in those bars over the years and the feel of those places has a special place in our hearts."

And today: "Concept is still the same. Laid-back neighborhood bar. No cocktail list, no TVs. Just a good jukebox, couple of tacos, reasonably priced drinks and maybe a shuffleboard table if we can fit one."

CB3 approved the liquor license for Drift Inn for 171 Avenue C last month.

"Honestly, the space is really great and screaming to be a slightly divey, dark and warm neighborhood bar," said Ceraso, who also owns Good Night Sonny on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place. "We don’t have a lot to do. We hope to be up and running before the New Year."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Wayland owners catching a Drift on Avenue C

Virgola is no more on 7th Street

The landlord has taken legal possession of the space that housed Virgola at 111 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue...



This was pretty quick (compared to how long the situation has dragged on over at 198 Avenue A with Empire Biscuit). The wine-oyster bar just opened last December.

As previously noted, there was ample oyster competition here, as the well-established Desnuda is across the street. And the wine bar Ruffian, with a broader menu, opened at 125 E. Seventh St., around the same time as Virgola.

Meanwhile, the proposed location for a Virgola outpost on Avenue B isn't happening.


[221 Avenue B]

The original Virgola opened three years ago on Greenwich Avenue. And Virgola has expanded nationwide with locations in Florida, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, according to the Virgola USA website.

So far Virgola has not responded to our query about the closure.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Oysters coming to the former Bourgeois Pig space on East 7th Street

Another broker for former Chase branch on Avenue A; where the asking rent is nearly $50k a month

There are new for rent banners up at 20 Avenue A at Second Street... by our count, this marks the fourth broker to list the corner storefront since Chase closed here in November 2015.

According to the listing we spotted, the asking rent is $49,947 a month (or $139 a square foot).

Back in February, the listing via Town featured renderings showing two wine bars in this location.

The 62-unit apartment building was sold in the summer of 2014 for $26.2 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The retail-wine bar possibilities for the former Chase space on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

[Updated] Sigmund Pretzel Shop hasn't been open lately on Avenue B

Residents who live near Sigmund Pretzel Shop at 29 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street note that the restaurant has been closed for the past week.

The Sigmund's Instagram account only mentions their Urbanspace Vanderbilt location in Midtown. The popular pretzels are on the menu of several restaurants in the city and sold via carts at various locations and events.

In the summer of 2013, Sigmund closed to renovate the Avenue B space, from what they called a place for a "neighborhood snack" to more of a "neighborhood restaurant" featuring items such as sandwiches on pretzel buns as well as a beer and wine license. They opened here in the fall of 2009.

H/T Salim!

Updated 10/25

The closing is official.

Week in Grieview,

[Friday in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

The New York City Rescue Mission is in urgent need of clothing donations (Wednesday)

RIP Adrian Gilboe (Friday)

Brooklyn-based Bakeri now serving bread, croissants and coffee on Sixth Street (Tuesday)

A name change suggested for Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street (Wednesday)

At the Moxy hotel protest on 11th Street (Thursday)

122 2nd Ave., home of the Ukrainian Sports Club, being pitched for retail or a restaurant (Tuesday)

An application filed for a second newsstand on Astor Place (Thursday)

The storefront at 332 Bowery, current home of Intermix, is for lease (Tuesday)

Reader report: Tracking the source of "a mid-range whining or humming noise" on Eighth Street (Thursday)

A $19,500 rental on Avenue A (Friday)

GET YOUR FLU SHOT OR ELSE (Thursday)

The nail salon One Plus One has closed on First Avenue (Wednesday)

Fall (the season) on 10th Street (Tuesday)

New roll-down gate for the old Chase branch (Wednesday)

Benjamin Restaurant & Bar closes on Second Avenue in Kips Bay (Wednesday)

Timbuk2 now open on Lafayette (Tuesday)

...and after three-plus months, the Citi Bike docking station returned Friday to Second Avenue at Fourth Street...


[Photo by ‏@cecilscheib]

...and also, the Fresno II Gourmet Deli opened Friday on Avenue C at Third Street...

@evgrieve open! pic.twitter.com/e2d4KLJyp6

— Jason Chatfield (@Jason_Chatfield) October 21, 2016

Your chance to capture some LES history

[Via the NYPL collection]

On Tuesday evening at 6, several NYPL volunteers will be conducting a oral history training session at the Tompkins Square Library branch for the Lower East Side Oral History Project.

A little bit about the project via the EVG inbox:

This is a neighborhood oral history project that works to both preserve document, and celebrate Lower East Side neighborhood history through the stories of people who have experienced it.

This project will collect oral histories of people who have lived or worked in the Lower East Side neighborhood. Community volunteers will be trained to conduct these interviews. Interviews will be preserved at The Milstein Division of US History, Local History and Genealogy and accessible at the New York Public Library website.

A link to RSVP to the event can be found here.

The session is from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday. The Tompkins Library branch is at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

At the 26th annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade

Here's a sampling of the costumes from this afternoon via EVG contributor Stacie Joy… there were the usual pop-culture influenced outfits... and only one Trump (and one Ken Bone)...































-------

And a few more images via Derek Berg...







...and wait a minute...

[Updated] Claribel is missing

East Village resident Ravi DeRossi was out of town for several days... and the person taking care of his pets accidentally let out one of his cats.

"Her name is Claribel. She's not the friendliest cat in the world, she scratches a bit but she means the world to me."

There is a $1,000 reward for her return. She was last seen on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Here's a number to use for any info about Claribel: (917) 597-2692.

Updated 6:25 p.m
She has been found and is back home...

Reader report: Construction truck takes out tree on 13th Street

An EVG reader passes along word that a construction truck working on the Extell development at 500 and 538 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B "leveled this tree on 13th Street" yesterday afternoon. (The new building's loading docks are on the 13th Street side.)

...another view via a reader on the block...



... the tree was later cut down and mulched...