A new East Village home for Virginia's

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Virginia's looks to have a new East Village home at 200 E. Third St. ... the former Root & Bone space...

The restaurant's ownership will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight for a new liquor license for the address just west of Avenue B. 

The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website shows proposed hours of 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, with a 10 a.m. start Friday through Sunday (with a midnight close). A sample menu with the questionnaire shows a brunch service. The plans call for seats/tables for 52 diners with a four-seat service bar. 

Virginia's closed on 11th Street at Avenue C this past New Year's Eve. Their lease was up, and ownership decided to look elsewhere for a new space for the bistro that opened in May 2015.

The Virginia's website lists a fall opening here. 

Root & Bone shuttered in April after eight years in business.  

Don Ceviche opening an outpost on 1st Avenue

Don Ceviche, which offers authentic Peruvian ceviche at the Essex Market, is looking to open an outpost at 57 First Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

DC is on the July CB3 docket for a new liquor license. However, the applicants have already received administrative approval given the method of operation (restaurant wine license with hours from 11 a.m. to midnight) and limited capacity (7 tables and a 3-seat service bar). 

Don Ceviche takes over the space from Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen, a 1990s throwback that didn't make it out of the pandemic. 

And EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER the Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo that was here during a few glorious months in 2012.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo on East First Street by Daniel Efram...

A longtime home of curiosities and misfits going retail on 7th Street

A retail space for lease sign recently went up in the front window at 102 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

The listing via Meridian Capital Group isn't online just yet. 

This retail conversion brings an end to the space serving as a residence. Anthony Pisano lived in this converted storefront full of antiques and whimsical curiosities for nearly 40 years. He died in 2018 at age 86. Check out some interior pics from his home here.  

There was also this short film about Pisano's home...

   

Not sure who lived here most recently. There were vintage Playboys in the window... and a cat tower with some sleepy kitties. The resident(s) vacated the place in the spring... leaving behind a Misfits Mansion painting...

As writer Jeremiah Moss noted about this space in an Instagram post: "When all the misfits are gone from the East Village, there will be nothing but white hats and White Claws."

A bad sign at Akina Sushi

In early June, we noted that Akina Sushi had been dark in recent weeks at 424 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The restaurant had a lot of fans, some of whom were hopeful for a return here.

Unfortunately, a 14-day rent demand was recently taped to the vacant storefront... noting that a total sum of $149,337.80 for rent, late fees "and other permissible charges" is due on or before July 22... at which time the landlord will "commence summary proceedings" to recover the space.

Akina Sushi opened here in December 2008.

Thanks to Steven for the photo. 

Momofuku Noodle Bar reopening after a months-long renovation

Momofuku Noodle Bar returns to service on Thursday evening at 171 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

The flagship outpost in David Chang's empire closed in February for what was to be a month-long revamp... and that stretched into five months. The Noodle Bar Instagram described this as "a few long months of kitchen renovations."

 

Hours moving forward: 5-11 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

The Noodle Bar — Chang's debut restaurant — opened at 163 First Ave. in 2004 before moving a few storefronts away to this space several years later.

Today in Manhattanhenge pics

Photos by Peter Brownscombe 

The view from 14th Street this evening... weather permitting, half the sun will be visible tomorrow evening at 8:21... and the last Manhattanhenge until next year... 

Monday's parting shot

Today in Tompkins Square Park... photo by Steven...

Last call for Manhattanhenge until 2023!

Tonight and tomorrow are the last chances to witness Manhattanhenge (in person) this year. 

By the time it happens again in 2023, Wegmans may be open on Astor Place! 

Anyway, the action is set for tonight at 8:20, when the full sun will be on view above the city horizon. Then tomorrow at 8:21 p.m., only half the sun will be visible to your Instagram followers. 

Manhattanhenge occurs when the setting sun aligns with the numbered streets that run east and west on the city grid — 14th Street and above, generally.

Photo from 2014 via our friends @AcademyRecords!

New bar-restaurant planned for 132 2nd Ave., the current home of Dallas BBQ

A new bar-restaurant is in the works for 132 Second Ave., the current home of longtime tenant Dallas BBQ at St. Mark's Place.

Hospitality vet Curt Huegel is one of the principals behind this unnamed project. Huegel and company will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Wednesday night for a new liquor license for this address...   

According to the questionnaire on file for public viewing, the restaurant has proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. The menu posted with the questionnaire features a variety of burgers, sandwiches, bowls and salads ... including a weekend brunch service.

Huegel's portfolio includes concepts such as Bill's Townhouse, Campagnola and Printers Alley ... closer to home, he's part of the ownership team at Jackdaw on Second Avenue and 13th Street. 

If all this goes through, then this likely means the end of Dallas BBQ — at least at this location. We reached out about a possible closure or relocation. 

The family-owned Dallas BBQ has 11 locations in the metropolitan area. The original Dallas BBQ opened on the Upper West Side in 1978, and the EV location debuted in the 1980s (1984?). They have a solid following who enjoy the enormous platters of reasonably priced food (onion loaf!) and supertanker-sized drinks. 

There were rumors in 2018 that this outpost would relocate, but management decided to stay put after a few protests from regulars.

The Dallas BBQ on University Place and Eighth Street shuttered in 2007... the original UWS outpost closed in December 2014 — both the result of rent hikes.  

Íxta announces itself on the Bowery

Storefront signage is now up for Íxta at the long-vacant 299 Bowery between First Street and Houston. 

Last August, CB3 OK'd a liquor license for restaurateur Akbarali Himani, whose credits include a Chickpea in Penn Station and NISI Mediterranean in Times Square. 

A job listing for an executive chef here describes Íxta as a "trendy upscale Mexican restaurant." As previously noted, the space in the Avalon Bowery complex is quite large, with a capacity of 194 patrons, who would be treated to "live Mariachi performers," per the restaurant's questionnaire at CB3.

Daniel Boulud closed DBGB here in August 2017 after an eight-year run. 

La Mia Pizza remains closed for now

La Mia Pizza remains closed at 124 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street... a board still covers the front window... (thanks to Steven for the photos)

On July 3, firefighters responded to a report of a gas leak at the building and called for ConEd to inspect the property. 

Initial reports indicated that a small explosion occurred in the pizzeria's kitchen, causing a minor injury to a ConEd worker (who declined a trip to the hospital). There were also accounts from passersby that the blast knocked out La Mia's front window. 

However, according to NBC 4, the explosion took place in a boiler room; that first responders broke the front window trying to access the restaurant. 

A look through La Mia's front door shows that there isn't any damage to the interior...

An employee told 1010 WINS that it was "just a little bit of fire." The cause of the leak has not been publicly identified.

There isn't any signage about a temporary closure, and there isn't an outgoing voice-mail message at the shop. Delivery apps list Friday as a reopening date, though that's far from official.

La Mia opened here in September 2020.

Fast-food chain getting ready to Express itself on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

Several EVG readers have pointed out that the Panda Express Chinese Kitchen is looking closer to opening on the SW corner of First Avenue and 14th Street.

Workers have removed the paper on the front windows, offering a view inside...

No word on an opening date (and this outpost has yet to make the PE website).

News of the PE arrival first surfaced in January. 

This marks the latest outpost for the quick-serve Chinese restaurant chain that launched in California in the early 1980s ... with more than 2,000 locations today (with a handful around NYC).  

An AT&T store was here for a few months... taking over for the Vitamin Shoppe.

And previous posts about PE's arrival have brought out comments of support for the delicious and affordable Mee Noodle Shop & Grill down the block at 223 First Ave. (between 13th Street and 14th Street). It was Allen Ginsberg's favorite restaurant (when it was at the former location at 219 First Ave.). You can find their menu via all the online delivery platforms. (212) 260-7838.

CannaCulture NYC opens in former St. Dymphna’s space on St. Mark's Place

Cannabis lifestyle brand CannaCulture NYC is now open at 118 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. (H/T Steven!)

We don't know too much about the business model at the moment. 

Meanwhile, last Thursday, the state's Office of Cannabis Management State regulators sent cease-and-desist letters to "52 unlicensed merchants who are illegally peddling marijuana ... before New York has even issued licenses to sell cannabis," as the Post reported. 

Among the local merchants who received letters: The Empire Cannabis Club on Allen Street ... as well as the uptown locations of Paint Puff 'N' Peace, which also has an outpost on Second Avenue near St. Mark's Place. Read more at Gothamist here.

As for 118 St. Mark's Place, this space was previously home to St. Dymphna's, which closed in October 2018 after 24 years in business. The tavern later reopened at 117 Avenue A.  

Week in Grieview

Posts this past holiday week included (with a photo on Seventh and A by Derek Berg)... 

• Steve Croman sells 8-building portfolio (Wednesday) 

• Thrift NYC sets up shop on 14th Street (Tuesday)

• Plywood removal at the former P.S. 64 (Thursday) 

• City raises hourly wage for lifeguards to ease pool staff shortage (Thursday) 

• Unarrested development: activity at the long-stalled corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue (Friday ... Saturday) 

• Openings: A'more Caffè on 2nd Street at Avenue A (Tuesday) ... Murphy's on 9th Street (Wednesday)

• Giving Tuesday: the return of twice-a-week alternate side parking (Tuesday) 

• Report of a gas explosion at La Mia Pizza on 4th Avenue (Sunday)

• HAGS sets July 20 opening date on 1st Avenue (Tuesday) 

• Workers remove this elm in Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday) 

• Comings and goings on 10th Street: Montauk Salt Cave closes; and a new restaurant from 2 Momofuku vets (Thursday) 

• 4.5 years later: A tenant for the former Noho Star space on Bleecker and Lafayette (Tuesday) 

• Full reveal at El Churro on Houston and Allen (Wednesday) 

• Puff & Puff Convenience debuts on Avenue C (Tuesday) 

• The Ainsworth closes East Village location (Tuesday) 

... and speaking of the Ainsworth closing... a few readers asked (once again): Who's responsible for removing the curbside dining structure when a restaurant shuts down? The one outside the former Ainsworth on 11th Street at Third Avenue is one of the largest in the neighborhood...

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Saturday's parting shot

The dumpster furniture of Second Avenue today via Derek Berg...

Detour alert: The FDR will be closed overnight

In case a drive along the FDR was in your plans overnight and into tomorrow morning... both the northbound and southbound lanes of the FDR will be closed from midnight to 10 a.m. between Houston and Fulton so workers can remove the Corlears Hook Bridge as part of the ongoing East Side Coastal Resiliency Project.

On St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue, let the barrier games begin (again)!

As a follow-up to yesterday's post... workers have (apparently) finished up the plywooding and barricading on the NW corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place. 

Once again this busy thoroughfare has been narrowed down to (eventually) make way for the construction of the 9-story office building slated for the corner lot...

This marks the return of the barriers after a 10-month reprieve. Last October, workers removed them from around the work site... allowing pedestrians to use the sidewalks again — for the first time since the barricades arrived in June 2020. And, to be honest, not much work actually took place in the pit that whole time. (There was some legal drama per published reports that the developer defaulted on a $48 million mortgage.)

The pedestrian passageway on the north side of St. Mark's Place at Third Avenue had been involved in an ongoing game of barrier accordion that saw the corridor shrink-expand anywhere from 18 inches to an inch. (Relive the memories here and here.)

We'll have a few years of this, as construction is (optimistically) expected to wrap up in the summer of 2024. 

A new reading series: Poetry and Prose at P&T Knitwear

Photo from May by Stacie Joy 

Longtime East Villager resident Wayne Kral, who co-produced a reading series from 1995-2015 beginning at the Telephone Bar, then Bar 82, dba and 2A, is launching a new series at the recently opened P&T Knitwear bookshop at 180 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton. 

The first one is this Monday (July 11) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. He'll be doing this every two weeks at P&T. Here's info about the initial participants via the EVG inbox... 

• Phil Gammage is a New York-based fiction writer and musician best known for his eight solo album releases. Twisting from railroad cars, burlesque houses, endless roads, and the folklore of 20th century America, Phil's stories and songs draw inspiration from his life as a musician, historian, and fiction writer. "Beatniks, Broads, and Burlesque" is a reading from an ongoing short story collection Phil is writing. 

• Phillip Giambri aka "The Ancient Mariner" left home at 18 and never looked back. He's seen and done what others dream of or fear. That's how he lives and that's what he writes. His 2020 novelette The Amorous Adventures of Blondie and Boho is a story of love, survival, and gentrification in NYC's East Village. 

• Jonathan Berger used to read his little poems every Monday night at the Sidewalk Cafe until he couldn't anymore and then he read his little poems every Monday night at Gran Torino until he couldn't anymore and then he read his little poems at Bar Freda until he wouldn't anymore and now he's coming to this.

• Linda Kleinbub is the curator of Fahrenheit Open Mic, founder of Pen Pal Poets & editor of Pink Trees Press. Linda was one of six local poets invited to read at the Americas Poetry Festival of New York 2021. Some of her work is found in The Best American Poetry, Brooklyn Rail, The Observer, and Sensitive Skin Magazine. Her first full-length book of poetry COVER CHARGE is an Unbearables Title from Autonomedia. 

For information on reading contact Wayne at bopstreet@gmail.com

Friday's parting shot

A moment during the downpour this afternoon on Avenue A and Seventh Street (and featuring Downtown Yarns owner Leti Ruiz on the right) ... photo by Derek Berg...