She's spent most of her summer in Tompkins Square Park chasing pigeons, avoiding aggressive terrier mix types (she's learned the hard way) and generally becoming part of the local cafe society. The photos here are of her favorite local haunts. (She'd rather not say precisely which establishments she frequents as she doesn't want the health department cracking down on her favorite places simply for having the temerity to serve a dog.)
She can report that she's not terribly fond of Mexican food (too spicy!) and loves, loves, loves, sautéed mushrooms. She's also exploring a run for a Community Board seat but isn't really prepared to talk about that just yet.
On the next episode: While searching for apartments, Kita learns that "two bedrooms" often just means two rooms.
An EVG reader asked if we had any recommendations for an East Village-based caterer to provide appetizers-hors d'oeuvres for an event... Well, we have no idea. Any readers with a recommendation?
The event is for 50-75 people later this fall... "Normal finger food. Party food kind of stuff," said the reader. So, nothing artisanal-farm-to-tablish featuring bone marrow stuffed with crushed, dehydrated black beans drizzled with sweet and tangy passionfruit sauce.
Darin Rubell, co-owner of downtown Manhattan watering holes GalleryBar and Ella, and partners Mark Trzupek (former manager of Life Café 983) and chef David Rotter (Norwood), have taken over the cafe from Kathy Kirkpatrick.
Although Rubell and company plan on changing the name to just 983 (a play on the café’s address which is 983 Flushing Avenue) refreshing the food and bar menus and some cosmetic changes, they plan to retain the overall character of the space which is affectionately known as “Bushwick’s Living Room.”
The closing of Life Café 983 is the end of an era, as the influential Life brand will no longer have a presence in New York City. The original East Village location at East 10th Street and Avenue B, where playwright Jonathan Larson wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning “Rent,” closed in 2011. Rubell, who hoped to also take over the East Village space and is opening new restaurant with Rotter this fall, sees the Bushwick location as an opportunity to continue to serve the needs of this exciting neighborhood.
There are multiple reports today about a 29-year-old woman who was found "bleeding heavily from a neck wound" at the foot of the stairwell on the first floor of 191 Orchard St. this morning. The woman, identified as Carlisle Brigham, was declared dead at Beth Israel.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the woman was staying at 191 Orchard St. just south of Houston temporarily ... and that she was estranged from her husband, named as Anthony Lindley Champalimaud. (Here is their wedding announcement from the Times.)
The Timesis reporting this afternoon that officials are still investigating whether her death "was a murder, a suicide or an accident."
Updated 6:45 p.m. WCBS reports that the victim is the daughter of former New York City budget director James Brigham, Jr.
Updated 7:54 p.m.
The Daily Newsreports that the victim's husband was believed to be working in London. He is reportedly vice president of development for YTL Hotels and Properties.
Updated 9:23 p.m. Police sources told DNAinfo that "it appeared that Brigham had fallen on the steps, cutting the side of her head and neck, and was bleeding heavily when she was found by a neighbor." Also, police did not find a weapon at the scene. In addition: "Sources said she had been drinking Monday morning and called another male friend to tell him, 'I am not happy with my life.'"
Updated 6:30 a.m. According to the Post, this happened "possibly after tripping on her high heels following a night of drinking with college pals."
Per the Post:
There was so much blood around Brigham’s neck when her body was found at 10:33 a.m. that investigators initially theorized she’d been slashed.
But they later said it appeared to be just a tragic accident, during which she shattered her chin on a step of the first-floor stairwell in the building.
Bobby Williams notes the downed willow tree limb here at the Ninth Street Community Garden Park... we're unsure if the limb was a casualty from the storm that swept through the area around noon...
The van seems to have escaped any extensive damage...
"Expansion" is the word coming out of the Duane Reade on Avenue B at East Second Street, per a tipster... Employees say that the drug store will expand next door into the spaces previously occupied by Zaitzeff ... and the long-dead High Chai Tea Room.
In addition, Duane Reade will add a second level, digging into the basement space where the Dolphin Gym was before closing back in February 2010.
Seems fitting to have a gargantuan Duane Reade here. This is the reality of the neighborhood ... Previously, this space was home to a gas station... shooting gallery ... and then, for a 10-year run, The Gas Station, aka Art Gallery Space 2B. Alex at Flaming Pablum wrote about the space here.
For 10 years, the Gas Station, with its towering sculpture built from discards ranging from a 1970 Plymouth Valiant to department store mannequins to television sets, has been a symbol of the Lower East Side's Bohemian ways and artistic resolve.
Back in January, we reported that a parcel of land at 321 E. Third St., just west of Avenue D, hit the market for $6 million ... the space, long the subject of a tug-of-war between various factions, was officially sold in June to the vague 321 E. Third Street Realty LLC.
[Streeteasy]
EVG reader Steven Matthews noted late last week that workers started clearing out the space, chopping down trees, uprooting bushes, etc.
[Steven Matthews]
And now.
There's nothing on file with the DOB. So, this is a site to keep an eye on for future development.
Meanwhile, directly behind this lot on East Fourth Street... the Orchard Alley community garden remains closed. It shut down in the middle of July... and here is the reason why...
In recent weeks, there has been some activity at No. 27, including new plywood....
But not much else appears to be happening inside the barren lot.
Ah, via the comments, we learned that NY1 has been on the story ... you may watch their report here.
Despite the convenient blogging portals at 84 Third Ave., we still can't see exactly what's going on behind the plywood here at East 12th Street. Other than some digging.
Over on East First Street in the Shoppes at Avalon Bowery Place... signage is up for the restaurant that is taking the Bowery Wine Company space...
Back in June, Grub Street reported that the name of this new place will be called L'Apicio. According to Eater: "Chef Gabe Thompson, of L'Artusi and Dell'Anima, will create an 'Italian inspired' menu, and Joe Campanale will be in charge of the wine and cocktails."
As we've noted in our previous posts about the space ... Not familiar with Dell'Anima? (Like us!) Here's a summary via New York magazine:
This is what happens when a former Babbo sommelier and an ex–Del Posto kitchen whiz get together and open an unassuming little trattoria: mobs of salivating foodies and goggle-eyed scenesters clamoring to get in.
Meanwhile, this tree obscures the signage over what appears to be the main entrance...
Let's hope that the tree doesn't meet with any accidents...
EVG reader Faces brings word that Fu Sushi has closed on Avenue B... Saturday was their last night in business here between East 11th Street and East 12th Street.
In June 2011, the DOH temporarily closed Fu Sushi ... and there were reports that the restaurant stayed open on a weekend despite the closure... (inexplicably) prompting three damning articles by the Post, who, after all that, never bothered to note that Fu Sushi had reopened.
A branch of the zpizza franchise is opening here on First Avenue at East Second Street ... BoweryBoogie noted this impending arrival back on Dec. 23, 2010... but there was never much more activity in this former Cafe Rama space...
This will be the Laguna Beach, Calif.-based company's second NYC location... right there with Terminal 4 at JFK...
New to zpizza (like us!)? Here's some info via a zpizza blog:
Our dough is made from certified organic wheat flour prepared fresh every day, hand-thrown and fire-baked until uniquely crisp. We combine select ingredients such as certified organic tomato sauce, part-skim rBGH-free cheese from grass-fed cows, MSG-free pepperoni, and additive-free sausage. Even our fresh produce sets us apart. Exotic delights like Cremini and Shiitaki mushrooms, roasted eggplant, pili pili and truffle oil, pine nuts, artichoke hearts, roasted bell peppers and caramelized onions assure you'll never experience a boring pizza. The same holds true for our gourmet salads and sandwiches. That said we hope you enjoy our unique and authentic recipes as much as we enjoy making them for you.
Back in March, we reported that a second outpost of the Glaze Teriyaki Grill is opening here on Fourth Avenue near 13th Street... (the flagship location is at Lexington near 54th Street...) The website describes the food as "Seattle-Style Teriyaki."
Anyway, it opened Friday. We hear good things about the food. Gothamist has more on the menu and stuff here.
...and Glaze kept the iconic "walk ins welcome" lettering on the front out of homage to the previous tenant, Ibiza Salon... (OK, OK — it's not iconic... but i thought it was funny...)
Anyway, here's a time-lapse video of the renovation...
Shawn Chittle spotted this at East 13th Street at First Avenue. Let me know if this stuff belongs to you. I actually took all the pills and am watching the Shirley Temple films. And I'm wearing the glove. And the lipstick. So. Maybe later.
You still have until 8 p.m. to check out FringeNYC on Fourth today... Pictured is East Village-based painter Lauren Edmond, one of the locals in a group show at Alex Harsley's 4th Street Photo Gallery...