Bike lane paint returning to 1st Avenue

Back on Friday, DOT crews finally started painting the First Avenue bike lane — some six weeks after the city finished paving the roadway.

To date, though, the painting has only taken place on five blocks between Third Street and just shy of St. Mark's Place...



And no paint yet for Second Avenue...



Still to come (and as previously reported): the new offset crossings on select intersections on First Avenue and Second Avenue to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians. The previous mixing zones forced cyclists and drivers to negotiate the same space at the same time, as Streetsblog noted.

And here's an example of offset crossing, as seen on Fourth Avenue and 13th Street...



Meanwhile, the bike lane is still MIA on the freshly paved 12th Street between First Avenue and Avenue B...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Resurfaced roadways on 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue to have offset crossings

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll debuts on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll opened Saturday at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

This is the third NYC outpost of the popular quick-serve establishment, which got its start in Flushing where owner Joe Rong has apparently perfected the art of the rice roll — known as cheung fun in Cantonese.

Per the cooking site Taste:

With a steaming machine imported from Guangzhou specifically used to make cheung fun, Rong makes each dish to order, so texture is never compromised. And similar to street vendors throughout Guangdong province, you get to choose what goes inside, like ground pork, barbecue beef, or dried shrimp, and extras that get mixed into the slurry of rice flour batter, including a cracked egg, corn, cilantro, and scallion.

No. 36 has seen a variety of food concepts come and go of late, most recently Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Joe’s Steam Rice Roll puts up the signage on St. Mark's Place

Signage is up for Auriga Cafe on Avenue A

Auriga Cafe took another step toward an opening date with the arrival this past week of their storefront signage here at 198 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

As previously noted, David Duran, who runs El Camion a storefront away on the corner at 12th Street, is behind this new venture.

No word just yet on particulars, such as menu items. (The website doesn't appear to be up and running yet.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Auriga Cafe announces itself on Avenue A

Blue Bottle Coffee now open on Astor Place

The Blue Bottle outpost at 2 Astor Place debuted over the weekend. You can find them open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This marks the 16th NYC location for the global brand.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo and tip!

Whiteout at the former Sidewalk

A lot of people wrote in over the weekend to note that workers painted the exterior of the former Sidewalk Bar and Restaurant on Avenue A and Sixth Street.

And photos to show that fresh coat of white paint...





As we've been reporting, a new bar-restaurant is in the works for the ground floor. The Sidewalk, with a long-standing open-mic night, closed in February after 32-plus years in business.

Laura Saniuk-Heinig, one of the restaurant space's new co-owners, did not respond to an email from Friday seeking more information about the new venture.

Previously on EV Grieve:
1-floor expansion planned for Avenue A building that housed the Sidewalk

Gabriel Stulman seeking sidewalk cafe license for Great Jones Cafe replacement The Jones

As you may know, restaurateur Gabriel Stulman is opening a new venture called The Jones in the former Great Jones Cafe space.

And tonight, Team Stulman will appear before Community Board 2 in a bid for a three-table/six-seat sidewalk cafe for The Jones on Great Jones Street west of the Bowery...



This item is just one that CB2 will hear at NYU's Silver Hall, 32 Waverly Place, room 405, per the public notices on the Bowery and Great Jones.

Meanwhile, the planning continues for The Jones...

View this post on Instagram

mood board in the works for @the_jonesnyc // #behindthescenes #getinvolved #happycooking #comingsoon S/F 2019

A post shared by Gabriel Stulman (@gabestulman) on May 27, 2019 at 11:34am PDT

The Jones also has a teaser site that mentions a fall 2019 opening date.

Stulman, under his Happy Cooking Hospitality, operates a handful of West Village establishments, including Joseph Leonard, Jeffrey's Grocery, Fedora, Fairfax and Bar Sardine.

Great Jones Cafe never reopened after Jim Moffett, the longtime owner, died last July at age 59. The Cafe, a popular yet low-key spot, first arrived in 1983.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Keeping up with the Joneses: Gabriel Stulman confirms plans for former Great Jones Cafe

Elvis has left Great Jones; 'seafood focused neighborhood restaurant' coming soon

[Updated] The future of the former Great Jones Cafe

CB2 SLA committee OKs license for new ownership of Great Jones Cafe

That Dunkin' Donuts outpost on 14th Street is currently closed

That Dunkin' Donuts location on 14th Street (at Irving Place) has been stripped of its coffee-and-doughnut identity here in the base of NYU's University Hall.

EVG reader Gojira shared this photo, showing paper covering the windows of the dorm's retail space.

This location is no longer on the DD website... (and not the first time a DD has shuttered around here) ...



However, an NYU dining website lists that the DD is closed for the summer. In addition, University Hall is is in Phase 2 of interior renovations and electrical upgrades.

As for the DD, perhaps it could use a revamp too based on the array of 1-star reviews on Yelp.

Weekend recap: H Mart opened! H Mart opened!

ICYMI: The H Mart opened Saturday morning over on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

And here are the hours for the Korean supermarket chain, which features an array of hard-to-find specialty items...



Saturday's post has some interior shots and reader comments.

Previously on EV Grieve:
H Mart is open! H Mart is open!

Sunday's parting shot

A scene in Tompkins Square Park today via Derek Berg...

Week in Grieview

[Depp thoughts on 2nd Avenue by Derek Berg]

Posts from this past week included...

This is what the Hells Angels building sold for (Thursday)

Miscelanea NY announces June 16 closing date (Wednesday)

Report: Man attacks M15 with a knife on 2nd Avenue (Friday)

The Eddy is closing June 17 on 6th Street (Monday)

Gelarto packs it up on Avenue A (Wednesday)

New equipment for the former Moishe's Bake Shop (Thursday)

About the 'Pay It No Mind' mural honoring LGBTQ+ advocate Marsha P. Johnson outside the F train stop on 2nd Avenue (Friday)

Last weekend for Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen before the summer break (Friday)


[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Optyx has closed at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (Monday)

Dig Inn confirmed for 13th Street and 4th Avenue (Monday)

Kick out the jams: The 'Community of Dreams' piano arrives on Astor Place (Wednesday)

Moneyball: Is A-Rod your new landlord? (Monday)

Tai Thai is temporarily closed (Thursday)

A new age on 10th Street: Rocky’s Crystals & Minerals opens (Friday)

A new tenant — and landlord — for the landmarked 137 2nd Ave. (Tuesday)

On 2nd Avenue, renovations turn into a seizure by the Marshal at Hot Box (Tuesday)

CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice shutters on St. Mark's (Monday)

Just For Fen folds on 1st Avenue (Thursday)

Another look at that two-wing building growing in Brooklyn (Thursday)

A 30th anniversary tribute to the Tiananmen Square protests on the LES (Tuesday)

On Avenue A Bin 141 is open, though Angelina Cafe is not (Friday)

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Roll up for the Magical Mystery Tour at Tompkins Square Park

The Abracadabra Field Trip mobile music jam bus was back on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place last evening.

Daniel Efram shared these photos and this text...

The Abracadabra Magical Mystery Tour (which is affiliated with Airbnb) touched down at Tompkins Square Park yesterday to the bemusement and enjoyment of dozens.

The onlookers enjoyed the festivities featuring topless dancers and some songs they were all familiar with, including from The Beatles and their own original music.

It seemed as though a good — albeit a little confusing — time was had by all. Some didn't know what to make of it. One audience member joined the festivities by removing her top in a show of solidarity.

We should be thankful that this type of fun event can still happen in New York City without the NYPD arriving to shut it down. Thank you Abracadabra Magical Mystery Tour. We appreciate you.

Jazz in the Garden today on 8th Street

If Puke Island isn't the tonic to sooth your jangled nerves... there's another Jazz in the Garden session today (Sunday, June 9) in the Green Oasis Community Garden with the Eric Paulin ensemble ... happens from 2:30-5:30 p.m. The Green Oasis is on Eighth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Puke Island returns to Tompkins Square Park

The ninth annual Puke Island takes place this afternoon (Sunday, June 9) in Tompkins Square Park.

Per the invite:

As many of you know, the first Punk Island was complete and utter chaos, and 100% free expression. A badly organized bolt from the blue. Without going into detail, it's gotten way TOO organized for a lot of people.

PUKE ISLAND carries in its original spirit, allowing us to bask in what it used to be. PUKE ISLAND is not affiliated with Make Music New York, ABC No Rio, or Anyone else.
In cahoots with the SHADOW underground newspaper.

The bands will be:

2 — Room Full of Killers
2:40 — Necrotic Society
3:30 — Patterns of Decay
4:20 — False Gods
5 — Eye of the Destroyer

Astor Piano

Thanks to Jefferson Siegel for this action shot of the Sing for Hope piano in use today on Astor Place... the piano, titled "Community of Dreams" and created by Joan Dilieto, will be here through June 23.

H Mart is open! H Mart is open!

[Photo from 8 a.m.]

The H Mart on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street opened its doors today around noon (H/T Steven!)...

And there's an unconfirmed report that @sukebornloose was first in line...


[Photo by Steven]

This location of the Asian-American grocery will also carry BBQ chicken...



And the hours of operation...



More, much more, later... and previously.

Updated 1:15 p.m.

A few interior shots via Steven...











We first spotted the branding for the Asian-American supermarket here last August. This is the third H Mart in Manhattan (the others are on West 32nd Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side). Overall, H Mart, based in Lyndhurst, N.J., has more than 70 outposts in the United States and Canada.

Workers combined four retail spaces on this block in the base of NYU's Alumni Hall to fit this H Mart — the former Birdbath and Citi Habitats office (both of those businesses left in the summer of 2014 ... as well as a Subway (sandwich shop) and Saint's Alp Teahouse.

The Tompkins Square Middle School Music and Food Festival is today

The Tompkins Square Middle School Music and Food Festival happens today from noon to 4 p.m. ... taking place in the playground behind the school (enter on Fourth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C).

The invite promises food, live music (via students and teachers), "pie-in-the-face," tie-day t-shirts and tote bags, and a rummage sale.

There's a also a raffle — $2 per chance or $5 for three. The prizes include a $50 Big Gay Ice Cream gift card and four tickets to the One World Trade Observatory.

Friday's parting shots

The East Village sunset view tonight courtesy of @cecilscheib...

And another view on Second Avenue by Mary Jane Glaser...

Primal 'Scream'

Midnight, the new record (produced by Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest) from Detroit-based musician Stef Chura is out today. The video here is for the track "Scream."

Look for her out at Rough Trade on July 12.

About the 'Pay It No Mind' mural honoring LGBTQ+ advocate Marsha P. Johnson outside the F train stop on 2nd Avenue

This new mural titled "Pay It No Mind" arrived this past weekend outside the F stop on Second Avenue at East Houston...



The work is a collaboration between Suriani, a visual artist based in Montréal, and Homo Riot.

It's part of an in-progress Queer Street Art documentary by photographer and filmmaker Daniel Albanese aka @dustyrebel for Pride Month. This piece honors LGBTQ advocate Marsha P. Johnson, a leader in the Stonewall uprising.

(Suriani’s imagine of Marsha P. Johnson is based on Richard Shupper’s studio portrait of Johnson from 1991, the year before her death.)



Albanese talked more about the mural in an interview published yesterday at Brooklyn Street Art:

This wall is actually the kick off to a series of Queer Street Art that will be coming to NYC for Pride Month. I have partnered with Art In Ad Places, Keep Fighting NYC, and other community based projects to create a queer alternative to the overwhelming flood of corporate pride events.

While not part of Reclaim Pride Coalition’s inaugural Queer Liberation March on June 30, I was inspired by the activists who have organized to bring the “Spirit of Stonewall” directly to the street, and who are keeping the focus on the continuing needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

The mural was also defaced short after its arrival on Second Avenue:

I know street art is ephemeral, and I also know that work that is unapologetically queer is especially targeted. So I knew it was coming, I just didn’t expect something that big and that fast in less than 30 hours. We made this piece as a community, for our community. We really wanted to start conversation about the issues that LGBTQ+ people face, and to honor the memory of Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Riot. To have that important conversation cut short felt like a punch in the gut.

View this post on Instagram

In less than 30 hours from completion, New York’s only non-corporate sponsored, fully and unapologetically queer pride mural was destroyed. . But like Marsha, we PAY IT NO MIND . And rise again . . @homoriot @surianiart #homoriot #surianiart #marshapjohnson #payitnomind #suriani #queerliberation #stonewallwasariot #PassThatBrick #dustyrebelproduction #worldpride #queerstreetart #gaystreetart #nycstreetart #instagay #lgbtq #queerart #gayart

A post shared by TheDustyRebel (@dustyrebel) on Jun 3, 2019 at 9:14am PDT

Late last month, the de Blasio administration announced that it will create a permanent Greenwich Village monument to honor Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, founders of the Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries.

Report: Man attacks M15 with a knife on 2nd Avenue

[Montage via @Pix11]

A knife-wielding man attacked an M15 last around 8 on Second Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street, according to witnesses and multiple published reports.

Here's WABC-TV with some narrative:

The seemingly emotionally disturbed man stopped traffic and climbed onto the MTA bus, then began stabbing the front of the bus with some kind of object.

Eventually he was stopped and taken down by the bus driver and some Good Samaritans until police arrived.

"I opened up the doors and told him listen, you've got to get off the bus or get off the bumper," said the driver, Louis Huertas. "Sure enough he pulls a knife out on me and starts coming after me. After he broke the windshield wiper somebody yelled, 'yo he put the knife away'. When I asked were they sure, they said yeah he put the knife in his front left pocket. That's when I went ahead and grabbed him and swung him and threw him on the floor."

And via Twitter...

Another crazy day in NYC #unionsquare #mtaselectbus #nyc pic.twitter.com/LElZU3A4fJ

— katelyn (@vxkatelyn) June 7, 2019

Charges are pending against the bus assailant, per WABC.

You can find other reports at CBS 2 and PIX 11.