PSA: The original Russ & Daughters Appetizers is closed for a few weeks for renovations

In case a trip to the original Russ & Daughters was in your future... the family-owned landmark (since 1914!) at 179 Houston St. between Orchard and Allen is closed as of Monday (July 17!) for renovations. 

As they noted in an Instagram post: "109 years means it's time for a tune-up." 

The shop is expected back open in early August. (And don't expect significant changes: "We will be keeping it as true to form as possible!") 

Meanwhile, you can still order online... and the cafe remains open on Orchard Street ... as well as the Brooklyn outpost... and as you may have read, a new location opened Tuesday on West 34th Street and 10th Avenue.

Full reveals: 650 E. 6th St.

Workers recently removed the scaffolding and sidewalk bridge from outside the all-new 650 E. Sixth St. just west of Avenue C.

According to the listing, this five-unit condoplex features residences with "a gorgeous jumbo reclaimed-brick facade, floor-to-ceiling casement windows, intelligently curated custom design elements, and steel balconies reminiscent of the neighboring steel pre-war fire escapes."

Streeteasy shows two available units — one for $1.995 million and another for $3.25 million. Two other homes are in contract in the mid $2.5-million range.

The four-story apartment building that previously stood here was demolished in early 2018... two years after the condoplex plans were initially revealed. 

No. 650 is the second residential reveal along here this summer... joining the all-new 699 E. Sixth St. on the NE corner of Avenue C.

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

 

Dedicated sidewalk dining in the rain today outside Little Poland, 200 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street...

When the Cube returned to Astor Place late Monday night

Photos by Lawrence Lee 

The Cube (aka Alamo) is back in working (spinning) order on Astor Place after being away for two-plus months for repairs and refurbishment. 

Versteeg Art Fabricators in Bethany, Conn., put in a new weatherproof spinning mechanism and added a few coats of paint (and in record time). After a visit to Southampton for the Hamptons Fine Art Fair this past week (Alamo creator Tony Rosenthal lived and worked in the Hamptons), the Cube returned to Astor Place, its home since 1967. 

Just as the sculpture was whisked away late at night back in May... the return followed the same MO to avoid daytime pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Lawrence Lee shared these photos of its arrival a little after 11 p.m. on Monday when a crew from Mariano Brothers Specialty Moving — the Bethel, Conn.-based specialists in rigging and installing museum and art pieces — delivered the Cube and helped put it back in place with the help of a team from Versteeg Art Fabricators.

  

 

The Cube had been out of commission with structural damage since December 2021. At the time, we were told that the spinning mechanism for the Cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working. 

Rosenthal's estate picked up the estimated repair bill of $100,000.

Previous repairs to the Cube took place in 2005 and 2016, though it was away longer than this 2023 trip to the shop.

Photo below from yesterday by EVG

Report: Metropolitan Playhouse is closing after 30-plus years of productions

According to published reports, the Metropolitan Playhouse is leaving its longtime home at the Cornelia Connelly Center on Fourth Street and suspending production for the foreseeable future. 

The company has staged 31 seasons and "built a reputation for recovering overlooked theatrical treasures and commissioning new works about the city's history on a small stage upstairs from the Connelly Theater in the East Village," as American Theatre first reported.

Citing changes in the theatre's economic and operational foundations, producing artistic director Alex Roe said in a statement: "Metropolitan has accomplished far more than we might have dreamed in these three decades. We have shone a light on scores of forgotten gems of American theatre to reflect on our contemporary culture and premiered hundreds of new works celebrating our neighborhood. Ultimately, we have reached the limits inherent in a company of our small size, and it is time to draw the curtain on a wonderful run."

Founded in 1993, Metropolitan Playhouse started staging production from a 51-seat theater at the Cornelia Connelly Center between Avenue A and Avenue B in 1997. Roe introduced several series reflecting the neighborhood's history and residents, including the Alphabet City monologues and the East Village Chronicles.

The 1st Manhattan outpost of Ayat shapes up on 7th Street and Avenue C

Renovations continue inside the storefront on the NW corner of Seventh Street and Avenue C ...

As we first reported in April, Ayat, a Palestinian bistro with several Brooklyn outposts, including the original in Bay Ridge, is opening its first Manhattan outpost here later this year.

The East Village location will offer Middle Eastern/Palestinian food — and no alcohol.

No word just yet on an exact opening date... though the space is shaping up nicely.

Zum Schneider, the popular biergarten and restaurant, closed here after 20 years in late February 2020. 

(H/T Jill Woodward for the initial renovation tip!)

Suki Japanese Kitchen hasn't been open lately on St. Mark's Place

Multiple EVG readers have noted a lack of activity of late at Suki Japanese Kitchen at 32 St. Mark's Place along the busy Second Avenue-Third Avenue corridor.

The gates have been down for at least the last three weeks.... plus someone removed the signage.

There isn't any mention of a permanent or temporary closure on the well-regarded restaurant's website or Instagram account. We reached out for more info on Suki's status. 

Suki relocated here last summer.

Chef Kelly Cho opened Suki in July 2018 in a six-seat space at 86 E. Seventh St. and received favorable notices in the Times and via Michelin. Suki moved around the corner to No. 111 in the summer of 2020... before closing to move to St. Mark's.

Cho also operates Hakurakuso on East 50th Street. 

Tuesday's parting shot

A sunrise view today featuring the Christodora House, the Con Ed plant and some pigeons...

RIP Big Lee

Leroy "Big Lee" Lloyd, who owned and operated The Hard Swallow on First Avenue, died on Friday. According to an Instagram post from his wife and business partner, Maria "Sasha" Lloyd, he died of hypertensive cardiac arrest. He was 51. 

If you didn't know Big Lee, you likely saw him at some point in the neighborhood. He was 6-3, though he seemed taller with his chunky black boots. As a Vice feature once noted: "Most people were terrified of Big Lee." 

However, he was one of the kindest people you'd meet, with the sincere friendliness of a hospitality veteran. Big Lee was a former doorman/bouncer at Hogs & Heifers and Coney Island High on St. Mark's Place as well as other NYC establishments.

He and Sasha finally realized their dream of opening their own bar in 2015 with Big Lee's at 140 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. After a lengthy legal battle "with a notorious bar magnate," the Hard Swallow opened in the space in 2018. (Photo below from 2018 by Steven.)

Sasha said that the Hard Swallow "will remain open while we navigate this new reality." 

Big Lee, a Coney Island native, raised two sons, Nicholas and Jacob, with Sasha. 

There's a visitation this Sunday, July 23, from 4-8 p.m. at Provenzano Lanza Funeral Home, 43 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street. 

A family friend launched a GoFundMe to help Sasha and her sons manage funeral expenses and other financial challenges after Big Lee's death.

Top photo via Instagram

[Updated] The Cube returns to Astor Place — and ready to spin again

The Cube (aka Alamo) is back on Astor Place (as of last night) after spending the past two-plus months in the shop — not to mention an art fair.

Dave Petrie, the director of creator Tony Rosenthal's estate, told the Times that the Cube got a new weatherproof spinning mechanism via Versteeg Art Fabricators in Bethany, Conn., "that should keep it turning for 20 years or so."

From there, it went by truck to the art fair in the Hamptons, where some attendees did double-takes. "They can't believe they’re seeing the real 'Alamo,'" Petrie said. "They think they're seeing a new sculpture. Five coats of paint." It had even been painted inside, he said.

Just after midnight on May 8, workers whisked away the Cube from Astor Place for repairs. It had been out of commission with structural damage since December 2021. At the time, we were told that the spinning mechanism for the Cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working. 

However, before returning to its Astor Place home of 56 years, the sculpture appeared in the Hamptons, where Rosenthal (1914–2009) lived and worked. (Rosenthal's estate picked up the estimated repair bill of $100,000.)

Dan's Papers said the Cube was in Southampton for the Hamptons Fine Art Fair from July 10-16.

City officials are expected to officially unveil the refurbished Alamo at some point today. 

Updated 10 a.m.

City officials and the Tony Rosenthal Art Estate unveiled the newly restored Cube in a short ceremony this morning (thanks to Steven for the photos)...

The Avenue C Laundromat has a new owner

The Avenue C Laundromat has been on life support at 69 Avenue C at Fifth Street since February. 

The owner of the two-story building was said to be selling the property. However, the laundromat remained open until last week when the sale was made official. 

According to TradedNY, Hildreth Real Estate Advisors bought the property from Gwangil Kim for $3.4 million.

Per TradedNY: "Hildreth Real Estate Advisors is actively seeking mixed-use, free-market buildings in New York City, especially if the commercial tenant is a laundromat." 

No word on what the plans are here... though do you think another laundromat is really in the future here? 

Speaking of laundry, Avenue C Laundromat has been back open for business, per a regular.

Avant Garden reopens in new Avenue A home

Avant Garden is up and running at its new home, 95 Avenue A at Sixth Street.

As reported in March, Avant Garden was leaving its home of eight years around the corner at 130 E. Seventh St.

Ravi DeRossi, the owner of Overthrow Hospitality, told us that Avant Garden is one of the busiest restaurants in his plant-based portfolio and that they've outgrown the 28-seat Seventh Street space with a small electric kitchen.

On the second level of 95 Avenue A, Avant Garden now has double the space for diners and an expanded wine-spirits list. This corner building also houses Overthrow's Amor Y Amargo. The upstairs last hosted the pop-up concept Café de L’Enfer, an absinthe and champagne cocktail bar.

June 24 marked Avant Garden's last day on Second Street. (The address is on the rental market.)

After the relocation, multiple EVG readers noted the Department of Transportation posted a "Termination" notice on Avant Garden's curbside dining space on Seventh Street... dated July 5.

Michelin named Avant Garden one of NYC's five best vegetarian restaurants, including Overthrow's Cadence and Soda Club.

During the first months of the pandemic in 2020, Avant Garden provided free plant-based meals to anyone in need. 

Say high to the latest retail tenant at this 2nd Avenue storefront

Signage is up now for the new tenant at 97 Second Ave. — Hi Society, a cannabis shop. (And why not High Society? There is already an online weed delivery service by that name in NYC.) 

The arrival comes as New York State started taking new measures to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops last month ... with the Office of Cannabis Management able to fine the establishments $10,000 per day; $20,000 if sales persist. 

There are at least four regulated, licensed dispensaries in the immediate area. 

The address here between Fifth Street and Sixth Street was the laundromat Launderette for years until 2014. Recent ventures include several hot pot restaurants... and a pick-up spot for the grocery delivery company Getir.

Top photo by Steven; second shot by Derek Berg

Monday's parting shot

An EVG reader shared this from outside the former Ink today ... someone left out a large box of condoms — marked with a "free" sign — here on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

Workers were spotted clearing out some of the storefront today... and this makes for a thoughtful parting gift.

Panda Express debuted TODAY on 14th Street and 1st Avenue

Photos by Steven

After nearly 20 months since the start of storefront renovations at the address, the Panda Express officially debuted today on the SW corner of First Avenue and 14th Street...

Employees were handing hand Panda Express keychains as well...

This marks the latest outpost for the quick-serve Chinese restaurant chain that launched in California in 1983 ... 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.

Posted hours here at this location: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Late-morning red-tailed hawk watch

Photo by Derek Berg 

Amelia and Christo's three red-tailed offspring this summer remain very active in Tompkins Square Park (despite the heat index!).

One of them today took a moment from its busy schedule to pose for EVG readers.

Goggla has a lot more photos and updates on the hawk family here.

On the CB3-SLA docket: A new home for the Boiler Room; a pizzeria for Avenue B

Photos by Stacie Joy

Here's a look at a few applicants who will appear before Community Board 3's SLA committee this evening. (See below for info on watching online — or in person.) 

 • Lollo Ristorante, Pizzeria & Bar (Lollo LLC), 27 Ave B (op) 

We mentioned this pending arrival back in April.

A group of partners originally from Northern Italy are behind the new establishment, Lollo Italian Restaurant. (Lollo is short for Lorenzo, the chef and one of the partners.) 

They are taking over the former Solo Pizza space between Second Street and Third Street. Solo closed last September after 15 years in business courtesy of a rent hike.

Application here. (PDF)

• Cozy Cafe (Cozy Cafe Corp), 43 E 1st St (upgrade to op) 

The hookah bar is looking to upgrade its liquor license. Application here.

• The Boiler Room 45 (JBMT Tavern Corp), 45 2nd Ave (op) 

After a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments, the Boiler Room will leave its home of 34 years at 86 E. Fourth St. near Second Avenue later this year. 

Ownership has signed a lease for a space at 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street, previously home to the Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu.

Read our post about the Boiler Room's upcoming closure at this link. Find their application here.

• San Marzano (Evir Corp), 117 2nd Ave (upgrade to op) 

The 11-year-old brunch-and-pasta spot on Seventh Street and Second Avenue wants to upgrade its liquor license. Application here. 

Items not heard at Committee 

 

• Dora's Restaurant (Galvan Restaurant LLC), 40 Ave B (wb) 

Dora's Restaurant received administrative approval to serve beer and wine with its "ceviche fusion cuisine."

Dora's daily hours will be 3-11 p.m., per its questionnaire. 

The restaurant takes over the space from El Carnaval, which CB3 accused of serving liquor without a license in the summer of 2021.

• Nine Cases (Nine Cases LLC), 86 E 3rd St (wb) 

Nine Cases is a new Mediterranean wine bar slated for this block between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (This small space was Uminoie, the Japanese restaurant that closed during the pandemic.)

Find the application, which includes a sample menu, at this link.

• Orpheum Theatre (Orpheum Live LLC), 126 2nd Ave (wb) 

One day you'll be able to have a beer or glass of wine before a show at the Orpheum (or maybe during intermission — if there is one).

• Sip and Co East Village (Proper Cafe Management LLC), 433 E 9th St (wb) 

Codetta is the name of a new coffee shop-cafe coming soon to this storefront between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The application describes the method of operation as a coffee shop by day offering cafe fare and a wine bar "serving small bites" in the evening.

The principal here is also behind Hard to Explain, the Japanese coffee shop-wine-beer-sake bar on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

The address was previously Westville Bakery... and Superiority Burger used the space afterward.

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Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link at this link.

This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

So what's next for this block of 2nd Avenue?

ICYMI. On June 26, we noted activity — workers picking up trash and random bricks — inside the empty lot on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. 

As previously reported (first here), there are/were approved work permits (as of last summer) for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

An anonymous commenter previously had claimed: "Their plans were deemed dangerous for the neighboring property by DOB. Gemini is actively trying to sell the lot."

After our post, a rep for Gemini Rosemont Development told us the following: "The project is frozen, and we are currently evaluating options for the site."

DOB records show a variety of infractions, many involving non-maintenance of the construction fence.

In the spring, the DOB posted a "Notice to Revoke" on the approved application...

The address is still on the Gemini Rosemont Development website, though clicking on the address takes you to a random landing page.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

To date, we have not seen any new notices about the sale of this lot. (Maybe you have and want to share?)

So the space will likely remain vacant for a few more years ... by the time someone makes a purchase and gets any new plans approved. 

Openings: Tacombi on 12th Street

Tacombi debuted at 139 E. 12th St. at Third Avenue (NW corner) last week. 

This is the 17th outpost for the brand, though the first counter-service-only location for the brand. 

A few details via a Tacombi rep: 

The menu, from Master Chef Carmen Miranda ... consists of five tacos: Tacos al Pastor, thin slices of marinated and Mexico City-style spit-roasted pork topped with pineapple; Tacos de Suadero, traditional slow-braised beef tacos from Mexico City named after the cut of meat; Tacos de Ribeye, with cilantro, onions, salsa ranchera and lime; Tacos de Longaniza, ground pork seasoned with garlic, dried chiles, achiote, cumin and clove, cooked with the meat of the suadero; and Tacos de Milanesa, a twist on a Mexican staple, this plant-based version is made with a blend of spices, flaxseed, and roasted mushrooms, that are breaded and lightly fried. 

And! 

The East Village location is a departure from Tacombi’s typical dine-in format and will offer a communal standing table for guests on the go ... guests will order when they walk in and then watch the Master Taqueros ... prepare their food.

The taqueria is open for breakfast tacos and coffee from 8 to 10:45 a.m. and lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

As previously noted, Tacombi takes over the space from iSouvlaki, which closed last summer after a two-year run.

Next up in 'Classics in Black & White' at Village East by Angelika — 'Double Indemnity'

The monthly "Classics in Black & White" series continues tomorrow (Monday!) at Village East by Angelika on Second Avenue at 12th Street. 

Screening tomorrow (still Monday!) at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. — Billy Wilder's "Double Indemnity" from 1944. Find ticket info here. 

FYI: It's MURDER!