C&B foregoes curbside cafe space after city can't seem to decide on outdoor dining guidelines

[Photo via @candbnyc]

We've heard from several frustrated restaurant owners in the neighborhood who abruptly had to change their curbside dining setups at the request of the city — despite following the city's instructions to the letter.

Pete Wells at the Times reported on the mixed messages courtesy of the city back on July 2.

Under an emergency program launched on June 22 to aid the ailing restaurant industry, some 6,800 establishments citywide were authorized to serve food and drinks on sidewalks and curbside spaces.

Inspections have continued this past week, and places such as Il Posto Accanto on Second Street have had to tear apart their solid and previously OK'd curbside dining arrangement – within 24 hours or risk losing their outdoor dining permit.

C&B Cafe on Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B posted about their experiences on Instagram yesterday:

This is how the story goes. Three different city/state officials came the last four days to give us different information about how we should practice the outdoor dining. Also we have four different emails from DOT about the guidelines suggesting different ways of building the spaces.

As you can imagine it is time-consuming and expensive to constantly change/build based on new information we get. Since the city is not covering all those expenses and labor we decided to keep the outdoor space as [owner Ali Sahin's] garden. He is going to try and keep these wonderful plants alive for the rest of the summer and hopefully find a permanent home for them once this thing is over.

Sahin decided against fighting the bureaucracy any further as C&B is primarily a takeout space to begin with.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A second look at Phase II dining in the East Village

Checking in on Foxface Al Fresco on St. Mark's Place

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

During the COVID-19 crisis, Ori Kushnir and Sivan Lahat, the owners of Foxface, have continued to be creative with their the shop inside the William Barnacle Tavern at Theater 80 on St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue.



Back in the spring, the East Village residents introduced several new offerings, including Provisions, a pantry of sorts, and the Foxface Farm Stand, where you can order farm-fresh items such as eggs, dairy, meats and honey. In addition, there's the Bread Stand, where fresh baked bread is available.

Now they've unveiled Foxface Al Fresco, a curbside dining option with a summer seafood menu, including local oysters and lobster from Maine. Lorcan Otway, Theater 80's owner and the proprietor of the William Barnacle Tavern, is offering a selection of wines and cocktails.



Ori told me that he had carefully set up the restaurant’s outdoor cafe to the city’s code, only to be told by the Department of Transportation that it was no longer following specifications and that they had 24 hours to correct the situation and to be in compliance, then reapply for approval. He was also told the restaurant faced hefty fines if they didn’t comply.

Foxface was featured in the Times last week. As Pete Wells reported:

Mr. Kushnir lost two days of business, he said, in addition to the more than $3,000 he had to spend on new, 18-inch-deep planters. "Anybody who tried to do the right thing the first time, and is trying to do the right thing now, is spending thousands of dollars on this," he said.

The couple show me the new planters they had built, and the repurposed plywood from the places that had boarded up during the pandemic. They speak about the research they conducted at the greenmarket before buying a tent, and about the confusing and fluctuating governmental requirements for restaurants to operate under PAUSE.

Our conversation is cut short by the arrival of the reservation-holders eager for their 5:30 dinner reservations...





For now, Foxface is open Thursday through Saturday... they are serving sandwiches from noon to 4 p.m., and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Keep tabs on the hours, menus and specials via Instagram. (And they are promising something special for this Sunday.)

The new-look storefronts at 99 Avenue B

After nearly five months, the plywood came down Tuesday outside the under-renovation storefronts at 99 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...



Looks a little more life-like than the broker's rendering... the spaces are both available. No mention of the rent.



The space on the left was home to Manitoba's, which closed in June 2019 after 20 years in service. A little bit of the old exterior from the bar run by Handsome Dick Manitoba of the Dictators is still visible through the new front door...



The other vacant space was East Side Ink, who moved one storefront to the south in early 2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Manitoba's has closed

• The former Manitoba's space receives the plywood treatment on Avenue B

Tac N Roll awaits an insurance assessment

Several readers sounded the alarm over the site of an empty Tac N Roll at 124 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Tac N Roll owner Eric Wong offered an explanation. His quick-serve food shop was looted late on May 31, along with many other local businesses...


[Photo on June 1 by Stacie Joy]

"[We] cleared out all the damages and equipment and are waiting on the insurance company assessment regarding the riot/vandalism in our store," he said in a message. "We would love to serve the neighborhood again depending on how much we get back [to be able] to order new equipment and fix our damaged decor. Hopefully, it would be soon."

Most recently, Tac N Roll was sharing the space with the pop up Black 6 Coffee Trading Co. The veteran-owned company, which was created to fund the nonprofit organization the Black 6 Project, was serving coffee and a variety of breakfast parathas.

Wong, a Marine veteran, opened Tac N Roll here in December 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• The Black 6 Coffee Trading Co. takes up temporary residency on 4th Street

Openings: Green Garden Buffet

Reposting this info that originally appeared on EVG on July 3.

Green Garden Buffet opened on June 29 at 332 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.


[Photo by Lola Saénz]

For the time being, owner Tamika Gabaroum or one of her assistants will serve you at the door from a buffet setup that's billed as healthy French food. (Another reader described it as Chadian, as Gabaroum is originally from Chad.)

This system is still a work in progress. You need to indicate just how much you want of the daily menu items. On my last visit, I had the okra, sautéed zucchini, sautéed spinach with garlic and baked sweet potatoes. (They also usually have a meat or fish of the day too.)

Gabaroum is a former public health advocate with the Peace Corps who served in UN Peacekeeping Missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She was an early recipient of a loan last summer as part of the East Village Revitalization Loan Fund for small business owners. (You can read more about the partnership with City Councilmember Carlina Rivera and community advocates here and here.)

Green Garden Buffet is open daily from 1 to 10 p.m. The food is all served to go.

The Tompkins Square Library is hosting this online discussion with Alan Kaufman

The Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street continues to offer compelling online programming.

This conversation is happening tomorrow night (Thursday, July 9) from 7-8 p.m.:

You're invited to join us as we host celebrated neighborhood author Alan Kaufman, who will be reading and discussing his work. Now a San Francisco resident, Alan was a long-time East Villager, and our neighborhood has had a major influence on his work. He will be discussing his works "Jew Boy," "The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry" and "The Berlin Woman."

You can register via this link.

Meanwhile, the NYPL has eight branches opening on Monday. Unfortunately, the East Village locations are not among those reopening on Monday. For now, the closest open branch will be Epiphany on 23rd Street and Second Avenue.

Photo of Alan Kauffman by Stacie Joy

12th Street ghost signage

In recent days, a crew has been working on 188 Second Ave. at 12th Street ... where they have uncovered some ghost signage — LEANERS.



This was likely one of the many shops in the area specializing in horseshoes. Leaning, of course, is the throw of a horseshoe so as to lean against — but not encircle — the stake, a game popular in early saloons. In a different era, it became a place for Leaners, who have attitudes and behaviors that are very similar to those of partisans.

Kidding, it was a cleaners of some sort.

The space is currently home to Strings, home of the Monster Hell Ramen Challenge.

Thanks to Shiv and everyone who sent in photos of the signs!

Let's stroll through Tompkins Square Park on this June 1, 1967

Fans of the Grateful Dead likely know that the band's first East Coast outdoor show took place on June 1, 1967 — right here in Tompkins Square Park during the Summer of Love. (We wrote about it here.)

A recent article about the gig on NYSMusic.com provides more details on how the show transpired and why the NYPD asked the Dead to play in Tompkins Square Park ...

[The hippies] that had descended upon Manhattan’s Lower East Side grew fond of playing their congas and bongos at the park. Puerto Ricans, the neighborhood majority, wanted their music to be prevalent and the Black community also fought for control of the musical output. Over the last few weekends, fighting at the park had become rampant.

Most recently, 38 people were arrested at Tompkins Square Park on Memorial Day after being confronted by police for sitting on the grass where they were playing music, both park violations. Per a Village Voice article from June 8, 1967, "A couple of cops went over to the park and told the hippies to shut up and get off the grass. The kids laughed, and kept singing. The cops ordered them to leave. 'They laughed at us,' patrolman John Rodd explained. 'That's when the trouble began.'" 

Throw in all the other issues that the summer of 1967 undoubtedly brought and it becomes clear that local police were in danger of losing their city, as far as popular opinion went, and needed to rethink their tactics. 

Part of the NYPD's plan: a free show by the Grateful Dead.

After some initial reluctance, they were nudged to accept after lead guitarist Jerry Garcia spoke up, seeing it as a chance for outsiders like them to bring another community together via music.

The NYSMusic.com post includes a 5-minute video clip that was new to me via the Associated Press that shows scenes from the Park on this June 1, 1967... and in some places (RIP the bandshell!), the Park doesn't look all that different 53 years later...







As the details on the video note: "Some 3,000 'hippies' found a place for themselves in the sun of tompkins square park to show police that they cannot be intimidated" ... please note that the first two minutes of this clip does not have any audio...

Out on a walk with Touchy Blinky

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

I received an urgent message one recent evening about an interactive art installation with music in Tompkins Square Park. So I raced over to see for myself.

There, I met East Village resident Uriel Guy, the creator of what's known as Touchy Blinky. It was something to behold in the heat of a summer night in the park. Uriel showed me how Touchy Blinky works by adjusting the lights, patterns, colors and music.



I had some questions, so we agreed to meet up the next time he brought it out. I tagged along with Uriel and his friends as they steered the piece from its East Third Street home to Tompkins Square Park.



How did Touchy Blinky come to be?

Touchy Blinky came about as I wanted to build the biggest Burning Man art installation that I could fit in my one-bedroom East Village apartment.

Originally I envisioned it as a musical instrument — something that people can press buttons and affect the music played, but by the time I built the buttons and light parts of it I realized I am not musical at all, and decided to focus it on the tactile and visual experience, which proved to be even better than the original idea.

It was actually planned to leave NYC for good this summer and permanently live at Burning Man and create room for other projects, but with coronavirus canceling the event, I decided to put it on wheels and share it with the neighborhood. I want to help keep the East Village — and NYC — weird.







How did you create the piece?

I wanted to create a giant musical instrument. The main considerations were to make something portable, so I can take it to places in [a car], and cool, so people enjoy it.

After prototyping a few versions, I had one that survived about a year and required tons of maintenance, so some more work later, I created the one I have now. I’m very proud that I was able to do it all on my own — design, woodwork, electronics and coding.

One of the happiest moments was when I realized I can use takeout containers with paper towels instead of having a custom-made box. That’s probably what made the project affordable and brought it to life rather than get abandoned along the way.

The name came up as half a joke when trying to find names with my girlfriend at the time, but it described it perfectly and sat well with the "this is just for people to enjoy" attitude of the project.





Where have you and Touchy Blinky traveled?

The first version — may God rest its soul — went to a festival named Transformous and to the NYCResistor Interactive Show in Brooklyn.

This version has been to Burning Man a few times, where it’s double in size, with the other half in storage there, the National Mall for the Catharsis on the Mall event, and a couple of parties in NYC and one in D.C.

What’s the general reaction to Touchy Blinky? How do you decide where to bring it?

The question I get most often is, "What is it?," which I admit I don’t have a good answer to. It seems that people like it, and I'm happy to say we're starting to get regulars. I'm very glad to meet new people from the neighborhood.

Generally, I try to find places where Touchy Blinky won't be too much of a nuisance. Mostly it's just Tompkins Square Park ... but there are walks planned soon to the Lower East Side and Washington Square Park.







You can keep tabs on Touchy Blinky via Instagram.

Professor Thom's doesn't look to be reopening

Several tipsters have claimed that Professor Thom's will not be reopening on Second Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street.

The sports bar, which showcases Boston teams, has been closed since mid-March at the outset of the COVID-19 PAUSE. Meanwhile, the bar's website domain has expired and the phone has been disconnected. An email to bar bounced back as undeliverable.

A retail listing for the two-level space also arrived in mid-May, with an update on Monday. The broker describes it as a "fully vented commissary kitchen" with 4,000 total square feet.

Professor Thom's opened in 2005, and became known for hosting "Lost" viewing parties during that era of TV.

Tuesday's parting shot

Outside B Cup Cafe on Avenue B and 13th Street this morning ... hearts by @newyorkromantic ... photo by Vinny & O...

Hoops return to the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

Workers in Tompkins Square Park were spotted late this afternoon putting the hoops back up in the Tompkins Square Park basketball courts... one of the amenities that the city was returning for the start of Phase 3.

And as this photo by Goggla shows, some kids were ready to play. However, any kind of organized team sports and group play are off-limits, as they remain high-risk activities.

The Parks Department removed the hoops on March 26.

Afternoon views

Amelia and Christo, the resident red-tailed hawks of Tompkins Square Park, were spotted this afternoon taking a break atop the cross at Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity Church on Third Street...



Meanwhile, lord knows what kind of trouble their kids are getting into at the Park!

Thanks to Steven's bionic vision for the photo!

Punjabi Grocery & Deli reopens on Friday

[Photo from 2019 by Vinny & O]

Inexpensive eats favorite Punjabi Grocery & Deli reopens Friday here at 114 First St. between Avenue A and First Avenue... hours have yet to be determined...

View this post on Instagram

hours TBD. all social distancing guidelines must be followed. masks and gloves mandatory. looking forward to seeing you all there on opening day! (photo credit @jeffjablansky)

A post shared by Punjabi Deli NYC (@punjabidelinyc) on Jul 5, 2020 at 6:23am PDT

The small, no-frills shop that offers delicious fare such as curried chickpeas and saag and samosas, closed on March 21 as the COVID-19 crisis took hold in NYC. This is a very welcome return.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• At long last a taxi relief stand for East Houston and 1st Street outside Punjabi Grocery & Deli

Construction watch: 15 Avenue A

Post-PAUSE work continues at 15 Avenue A between First Street and Second Street.

As previously reported, there are approved plans on file with the city for a gut renovation and extension of the currently vacant building. No. 15 will receive two new floors, moving from four to six... with five residential units (likely condos) in the making.

You can see part of one of the new floors in the photo...



The new retail tenant is expected to be a wine bar from Bushwick-based pizzeria Roberta's.

Chef-owner Carlo Mirarchi told Grub Street last fall that they’ll be opening what he calls Roberta’s Wine Bar.

Roberta's got its start in Bushwick in 2008. As Eater noted, Roberta's has been on an expansion kick, with openings in several food halls, and adding two locations in Los Angeles and one in Williamsburg ... not to mention its frozen pizza business.

The retail space at 15 Avenue A was previously the Family Dental Center, which moved down to Essex Street in 2017. The retail listing at the time noted that this would be a "great location" for a restaurant.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Former Avenue A dental center is 'great location for restaurant'

2 years in, Suki relocates to larger space on 1st Avenue

Suki, the Japanese curry shop, is now open (as of yesterday) from noon to 10 p.m. for takeout and delivery in its larger space at 111 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

It was a short move for the restaurant, which relocated from its six-seat spot around the corner at 86 E. Seventh St.

Chef Kelly Cho opened Suki in July 2018 and received favorable notices in the Times and via Michelin.

No. 111 was previously home to Maharlika, which closed in December after eight years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Suki is moving to a larger space around the corner

Rumors: A new tenant for the long-empty bank branch on Avenue A and 4th Street

After sitting vacant for the past two-plus years, a tipster tells us that there's a new tenant for the former Santander branch on the southwest corner of Avenue A and Fourth Street.

Brown paper now covers the windows of the storefront. Santander pulled out at the end of April 2018.

Rumors of the new lease brings an end to ChaShaMa's tenure here. The nonprofit partners with property owners to transform unused real estate into spaces for pop-up galleries.

The new lease also brought a premature end to Darrell Thorne's current show. The Brooklyn-based designer and performance artist (and onetime East Village resident) was midway through an interactive exhibit titled "Under Glass and in Color" here. It was expected to be up through July 12, but went dark at the end of June.


[Photo of Thorne by Stacie Joy]

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Designer Darrell Thorne is 'Under Glass and In Color' on Avenue A

• ChaShaMa making a bank statement at former Santander branch on Avenue A

On 2nd Street: Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

This mural, titled "unalienable," went up over the holiday weekend alongside the 1st Ave. Laundry Center on Second Street at First Avenue. The work — freehand spray — is by BKFoxx.

[Updated] Phase 3 begins today

[The TSP dog run in April via Stacie Joy]

Gov. Cuomo cleared NYC to enter Phase 3 of the state's four-phase reopening plan today.

Under this phase, personal care services — including nail and tanning salons, spas, massage parlors and tattoo shops — can open with COVID-19 safeguards in place. (Note: State regulations prohibit any service that requires a customer to remove a face mask, so no tongue piercings or facials.)

In addition, the Tompkins Square Park dog run is expected to reopen today after nearly three months ... and the hoops are said to be returning to the basketball courts — here and elsewhere in the city. However, any kind of organized team sports and group play are off-limits, as they remain high-risk activities.

NOT part of Phase 3: Indoor dining, which has been postponed indefinitely given the rise in COVID-19 cases in other states. This story was well-covered last week at Eater ... Gothamist and Grub Street.

Updated 9 a.m.

The Tompkins Square Park dog run is confirmed open... (thanks Steven!)

John's of 12th Street remains closed due to mechanical issues

John's of 12th Street has been closed since mid-May due to a plumbing issue in the building that's unrelated to the classic Italian restaurant here between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



Unfortunately, it looks as if the necessary repairs and subsequent inspections are moving at a glacial pace. From the restaurant's most-recent Instagram post — five weeks ago:

Con Ed and building still resolving the plumbing issue. Hopefully the city will be able to move very quickly to get whatever inspections and such needs to be done so we can resume making the best Italian food for the world’s best customers.

John's, which opened in 1908, had been offering takeout and delivery this spring.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Exclusive: New owners of John's of 12th Street look to carry on the restaurant's tradition