On the CB3-SLA docket: New operators for East Village classic Lucy's on Avenue A

With reporting by Stacie Joy 

The owners of Golden Age Hospitality, whose portfolio includes buzzy establishments like Le Dive, The Nines and Deux Chats, seek to take over Lucy's, the decades-old East Village favorite that has been closed since late November. 

According to public records, Golden Age reps are on Community Board 3's SLA committee meeting docket for May. To date, only the application is online. The questionnaire, which includes more details about the method of operation, has yet to be posted. 

Multiple tipsters have told us that Golden Age Hospitality's Jon Neidich was a big fan of Lucy's and was interested in buying the bar. (We're told Neidich once lived in the apartments above the bar at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.)

During several conversations in February, Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that she had many potential suitors for the bar and may have a role in the new incarnation. 

Neidich did not respond to previous emails about taking over Lucy's. We also contacted Golden Hospitality partner Craig Atlas, whose name appears on the CB3 application. We also have not reached Lucy, who has owned her namesake bar since 1987, this spring. (Her home phone does not have an answering machine, and we have not seen her at the bar in more than six weeks.) 

Meanwhile, there has been some activity inside the bar... in recent weeks someone has been stacking boxes and cleaning...

As we first reported, attorneys for the building's new landlord served her with a 30-day Notice of Termination in early February with a demand to vacate the space by the end of the month. 

Her lease expired in May 2015, and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord. Lucy told us that her last rent was $8,000 per month, and the new landlord, as of late December (West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC), is asking for $25,000, though there might be some willingness to negotiate. 

The bar (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) has been closed since November when some paperwork issues forced what was to be a temporary closure.

From February: Lucy with Avenue A bookseller Jen Fisher. (Photo by Stacie Joy) 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Exclusive: Lucy discusses the future of her iconic East Village bar

About Stylus, a private members-only club coming to the Lower East Side

A private members-only club is in the works for the under-renovation 48 Clinton St. between Stanton and Rivington. 

An EVG reader shared the photo below... in which reps for the new concept, Stylus, placed notices in adjacent buildings.

The unnamed applicants will appear before CB3's SLA committee on May 13 for a liquor license for the space.

According to the document, "Stylus is a unique, purpose-built listening and gathering club for the curious and creative in the Lower East Side neighborhood." 

The document goes on to share some background about the applicants, who are "medical entrepreneurs and art veterans in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors."

And!

The family, whose love for music and art encompasses generations and continents, created Stylus with the intention of sharing artistic and culinary experiences with a vetted community of art enthusiasts, colleagues, and friends in an elevated environment.

Stylus will take up residence in the basement and ground floor, featuring seating for 60 and a listening space. The "curated food and beverage program" will include "thoughtfully crafted small plates, each uniquely designed to seamlessly complement the focused listening experience while highlighting the fleeting beauty of seasonal ingredients." 

The proposed hours are 9 a.m. to midnight daily, with a 1 a.m. close on Fridays and Saturdays.

The May CB3 meetings calendar has not been posted just yet.

No. 48 was once home to LoHo Studios, where artists such as Joey Ramone, Willie Nelson, Phish, Patti Smith, and Joan Jett recorded. The building was also one of two local properties previously owned by entities of the Blue Man Group. 

In 2018, Dr. Arani Bose, co-founder of the medical device company Penumbra, reportedly paid $5.4 million for the property.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo of the roomy new porta-potties in Tompkins by Derek Berg)...

• EARTHQUAKE (Friday) 

• Lower East Side legend Sammy's Roumanian Steak House announces its reopening dates (Tuesday) 

 

• Essex Card Shop robbed on Avenue A (Saturday) 

• Turn it up: East Village Radio returns this spring (Monday) 

• The porta-potties of Tompkins Square Park now have hours of operation (Saturday)

• Why the International Bar has been closed (Tuesday) 

• On the April CB3-SLA docket: a Rice Thief outpost for the East Village (Monday) ... The Onion Tree Pizza Co. (Wednesday) 

• Vacated 9th Street parking garage fetches $14 million for likely residential conversion (Tuesday) 

• The $24 million renovation of the Nuyorican Poets Café is officially underway (Thursday) 

• At Tabby Twitch's 'Prime' (Wednesday) 

• Weekday lunch service begins at Superiority Burger on Avenue A (Monday) 

• After 8 years in the East Village, Fortnight Institute has closed its doors (Thursday) 

• Mr. Throwback gets a spin-off on 9th Street (Wednesday) 

• The 'Kim's Video' documentary unreels at the Quad; Alamo Drafthouse next (Friday)

• On Avenue B, damaged façade shutters Gruppo (Thursday) 

• A new pizzeria for the former pizzeria at 36 St. Mark's Place (Monday) 

• A new awning for East Village classic Veniero's (Thursday)

• Openings: Yokox Omakase on Avenue B (Wednesday) 

• Let's look inside the Five Guys slated for 2nd Avenue and 12th Street (Thursday)

 

• Signage alert: Lilly's Shakes & Crepes on 1st Avenue (Monday) 

...and checking in with the St. Mark's Place Welcome Committee...

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On the April CB3-SLA docket: The Onion Tree Pizza Co. on 1st Avenue

A Long Island-based restaurant known for serving some unique pizzas is opening an East Village outpost.

Jay and Raquel Jadeja, a husband-wife team, plan to debut an outpost of The Onion Tree Pizza Co. at 214 First Ave., on the SE corner of 13th Street, this spring. 

The owners are on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license but will not be appearing before the committee. (They have received administrative approval based on the method of operation, a beer-wine license for a previously licensed space that will primarily be a restaurant and not a bar.)

The restaurant out in Sea Cliff on the North Shore serves traditional (and not-so-traditional) pizzas, including a chicken tikka masala. (The menu is available here.)

The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website shows that The Onion Tree Pizza Co. plans to have daily hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ... with 16 tables accommodating 36 guests.

Koko Sushi was the most recent tenant in this corner space.

Thanks to Pinch for the second photo!

On the April CB3-SLA docket: a Rice Thief outpost for the East Village

According to documents on the Community Board 3 website, Rice Thief, a celebrated delivery service specializing in Korean crab dishes, is opening a restaurant at 95 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

The CB3-SLA committee meeting is scheduled for April 8, though Rice Thief reps will not appear before the group. (They have received administrative approval based on the method of operation, a beer-wine license for a previously licensed space that will primarily be a restaurant and not a bar.) 

Some background on the business from a January post by Eater: 

Richard Jang, alongside his mother, Jong Sook Jang, and girlfriend, Haiqi Yu, started the business in the fall of 2022, specializing in soy-marinated crab that's hard to find in New York, known as ganjang gejang, as well as seafood stews, and rice. The service — which has drawn a waitlist — started at his home, before relocating to a Sunnyside, Queens ghost kitchen. 

On Dec. 26, Rice Thief announced that it would be opening a restaurant in Long Island City. Meanwhile, in an Instagram post from Dec. 26, TradedNY reported that Rice Thief had signed a lease for 95 Second Ave. (Rice Thief hasn't mentioned the EV location as of yet.)

In an Instagram message last evening, Rice Thief confirmed they'd be opening in the East Village and Long Island City.

According to the CB3 questionnaire, the EV Rice Thief will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. ... with seating featuring 16 tables for 32 guests. 

No. 95 was most recently Thailand Cafe, which did not reopen following the pandemic PAUSE of March 2020.

A new pizzeria for the former pizzeria at 36 St. Mark's Place

As the pizzerias turn at 36 St. Mark's Place.

Cellos has been added to the existing Pizzeria signage here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. This development comes as an applicant is on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license for the address. (The applicants have already received administrative approval.) 

The questionnaire isn't online, so we don't know more about the new owners.

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Updated: The questionnaire lists the operator as Larry Kramer, who owns Whitman's on Ninth Street (and Hudson Yards).

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A little pizzeria history here... Funzi's opened late last June and aspired to be an East Village throwback with a 1970s-80s decor modeled after owner Kevin Cox's grandmother's house. 

Cox left the business in November ... taking the Funzi's name with him for a new version of the pizzeria in another EV location. (Funzi's was named after the youngest of Cox's three sons.) We never heard anything more about a new spot for Cox.

After Cox departed, the business pivoted to St. Marks Pizzeria... with a message on its website noting, "Same Pizza. Same Chef's. Same Location. New Name." This post-Funzi's concept went dark in December, and paper went up on the front windows several weeks ago.

You can see where the new operators simply put Cellos over where Funzi's was on the sign... and the post-Funzi's version below (both pics last year by Stacie Joy)...

Cellos marks the ninth food establishment at No. 36 — St. Marks Pizzeria, Funzi's, Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, Joe's Steam Rice Roll, Cheers Cut, Friterie Belgian Fries, Fasta and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza — since 2015. 

Signage alert: Sugar Mouse on 3rd Avenue

Signage for Sugar Mouse is now above the entrance at 47 Third Ave. ... at the NE corner of Third Avenue and 10th Street. 

This game-hall concept has been in the works for the past 18-plus months ... reps for ownership appeared before the CB3-SLA committee meeting in September 2022. 

The bar, offering pizza and snacks, will feature various table games (foosball, billiards, shuffleboard, etc.) Ownership also operates Sour Mouse on Delancey, billed as "the hottest underground social club in the LES." 

As we understand, Sugar Mouse is taking part of the retail space, which was made available when TD Bank downsized in early 2022. A previous listing for the corner storefront noted, "Join Game House/Entertainment Venue and Bar Sugar Mouse." 

No word on a Sugar Mouse opening date.

At the September 2022 CB3 meeting, several residents who live nearby spoke out with concerns about the business,  particularly the proposed late-night closing times. Block association reps wrote a letter and submitted a petition with more than 100 signatures from nearby residents in opposition to the application, per the minutes from the meeting. (At the same time, 61 people residing within two blocks of the location, including 28 residents who live above the premises at 101 E. 10th St., signed a petition in favor of the application.)

CB3 OK'd the application with several stipulations, including a 1 a.m. closing time and entrance on Third Avenue instead of 10th Street.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo from Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg)...

• Source: DA's office mulling charges against tow truck driver in the death of longtime East Village resident Merle Ratner (Thursday) 

• 2 weeks left before Gizmo closes and relocates from longtime East Village home (Wednesday) 

• Boris & Horton, NYC's first dog-friendly cafe, announces the 'devastating' decision to close on Feb. 26 (Thursday) 

• On the CB3-SLA docket: Williamsburg’s Win Son Bakery plans East Village outpost (Monday) 

• Peter Jarema Funeral Home ad comes back from the dead on 7th and B (Monday) 

• Joey Bats Café making its Essex Market debut (Saturday)

• A Citi Bike docking station for 3rd and A (Monday) 

• Storm center: Scenes from around the East Village after Nor’easter moves off the coast (Tuesday) ... more flurries! (Saturday) 

• In case you Wonder what's coming to this Stuyvesant Street space (Monday) 

• Signage alert: Dear Rufino on 2nd Avenue (Thursday) 

• Closings: Emilia by Nai on 1st Ave. (Wednesday) 

• We are now signage official with the new Bank of America Branch (Thursday) 

• Yummy Hive announces itself on 2nd Avenue and 10th Street (Monday) 

• Signage alert: N25 on St. Mark's Place; YGF Malatang on 3rd Avenue (Monday) 

• Daniel's Bike Shop slated for this 14th Street storefront (Thursday) 

• Now $1.50, 99¢ Fresh Pizza enters a new era (Wednesday)

... hoping this doesn't turn into a copycat crime wave ...  as seen on the Citizen app...

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On the CB3-SLA docket: Williamsburg’s Win Son Bakery plans East Village outpost

The team behind the popular Taiwanese-American Win Son Bakery in East Williamsburg will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight for a liquor license at 23 Second Ave. between First Street and Second Street.

Like the Brooklyn outpost, the East Village location will serve as a café, bakery and restaurant ... with proposed hours of 8 a.m. to midnight daily. (Find a PDF of the questionnaire here.)

The bakery opened in September 2019 at 164 Graham Ave. at Montrose Avenue... several years after the Win Son restaurant debuted (to long lines). 

Many of their goods have been celebrated, like the mochi millet doughnuts. The New Yorker called their Mortadella Pancake a perfect breakfast sandwich in November. You can check out the Win Son Bakery menu here.

The previous tenant here, the dance studio Exile Professional Gym (EXPG), never reopened after the PAUSE of March 2020.

Also on tonight's agenda: The AYS Hospitality Team (that includes Tabetomo on Avenue A) is behind two new concepts on the same block...

• AYS Libations LLC, 126 St Marks Pl (op) — the former East Village Social space ... (PDF here)

• AYS Libations LLC, 122 St Marks Pl (wb) — the former Holyland Market... (PDF here)

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

Le Dive owners looking to take over the Boiler Room space on 4th Street

File photo by Stacie Joy

Restaurateur Jon Neidich, under his Golden Age Hospitality brand that includes the scene-y Le Dive on Canal, is applying for a new liquor license for 86 E. Fourth St. just east of Second Avenue — and the current home of longtime dive the Boiler Room.

On Monday evening, the Golden Age Hospitality reps will appear before CB3's SLA committee.

As for the unnamed new concept for No. 86, there will be food service with various sandwiches (turkey club, BLT, croque monsieur, etc.) and cocktails, according to the sample menu on the questionnaire here. The configuration shows 21 tables for 42 guests (with plans to use the unenclosed roadway space from 5-10 p.m.) The proposed hours are daily from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.

After a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments, the Boiler Room announced last summer that it was leaving its home of 34 years ... ownership will be moving to 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street (previously home to the Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu) later this year.

Monday's meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Find the Zoom link here. 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.  

Paulie Gee's Slice Shop in the works for the former Huertas space on 1st Avenue

Paulie Gee's is coming to the East Village. 

Reps for the popular Greenpoint pizzeria are on CB3's SLA docket tonight for a liquor license at 107 First Ave., the former Huertas space between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. 

Paperwork (the PDF is here) shows that the space will hold 63 guests (16 tables) with an eight-seat bar. The proposed hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., with a 2 a.m. close Thursday through Saturday. 

This will be the first Manhattan location for the brand... which now has outposts in Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and Philadelphia. Paul Giannone opened the first location in Greenpoint in 2010, and the lines followed.

Huertas closed in August after 10 years in service. There's a new landlord for the building, and chef Jonah Miller said that he could not come to "suitable terms" for a new lease.

Tonight's SLA 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.

Sammy's Roumanian Steak House now looking at a new Lower East Side space for its return

When Sammy's Roumanian Steak House returns to the Lower East Side, Stanton Street will now likely be the location for the new home. 

Owner David Zimmerman will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight to license 112 Stanton St. between Essex and Ludlow...

In May, as we first reported, Community Board 3 approved an application for 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton. 

We're not sure what happened with the Orchard Street space ... as previously mentioned, it had been vacant for nine years and needed a lot of work to bring it into service. Apparently, Zimmerman and Sammy's team needed to move on from the location.

The method of operation (questionnaire here) will be similar on Stanton Street as it was proposed on Orchard Street ... and the same as when Sammy's reigned on Chrystie Street. The proposal calls for six tables to accommodate 66 guests... and a "Sammy's Dinner Show" twice-nightly (6 and 9).

Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 45-plus years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St. between Delancey and Rivington.

The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.

In an Instagram post at the time, Zimmerman left the door open for a return. 

112 Stanton St. was previously home to Sushumai Asian Fusion.

Tonight's SLA 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.

On the CB3-SLA docket: Applicants for the former Mermaid Inn and Cheese Grille spaces

Photo of the former Mermaid Inn by Steven 

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

New Liquor License Applications 

 • Wonderland (Feichangchengong Inc), 96 2nd Ave. (op) 

Wonderland is the proposed restaurant offering an "Asian fusion menu" at the former Mermaid Inn space on Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. 

The proprietors also operate Chili, a Sichuan restaurant on East 37th Street. You can find their CB3 questionnaire here, which includes a sample menu and proposed hours of operation (indoors, 4 p.m. to midnight daily). 

The Mermaid Inn arrived in the East Village in 2003, with several outposts to follow... they closed here during the pandemic, only to reopen then close again in the fall of 2022 after just seven weeks. 

• Sunflower East Village (RJM Hospitality LLC), 88 2nd Ave (op) 

This is a holdover from last month... we previously noted that the NE corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street will be home to another location of Sunflower, a cafe serving breakfast-brunch on Third Avenue between 25th Street and 26th Street. 

The EV location looks to have the same menu/vibe, though with dinner service. Find the questionnaire here. 

Sunflower is owned and operated by the same folks as the previous tenant here, Eros, the Greek restaurant that quietly closed in August 2022 when a "temporarily closed" sign arrived on the front door. Eros took over for their diner concept, The Kitchen Sink, in September 2021.

• Idleflora LLC, 188 Allen St (op) 

Idleflora is the name of the proposed "plant-based tea shop and tapas bistro" at 188 Allen St. between Stanton and Houston. 

According to the questionnaire on the CB3 website, the space will also include a retail flower shop. The proprietors operate several East Village restaurants, including Shinn East and Thirteen Water on Seventh Street and Appas Pizza on First Avenue. 

This long, narrow storefront was previously home to Cheese Grille for nearly 10 years. 

• Made in Houston Inc, 205 Allen St (wb) 

The owners of C as in Charlie on Bleecker Street are behind this new restaurant serving Korean cuisine from the SW corner of Allen Street and Houston. You can find the questionnaire here, which includes a sample menu and other details. 

The arrival of the unnamed new restaurant means the end of Mi Salsa Kitchen, the Cuban eatery, at this location. (We contacted Mi Salsa for info about a possible relocation.)

Items not heard at Committee

• MT 121 St Marks LLC, 123 St Marks Pl (wb) 

This applicant will not be heard this evening — they've already received conditional approval for a beer-wine license based on their method of operation, hours (11 a.m. to midnight daily), etc. 

The owners of Chicago's Moody Tongue Brewing Company are behind this venture, a still unnamed Japanese restaurant that will serve a variety of sushi platters and entrees. You can find more details and a sample menu here. 

The team opened Moody Tongue Sushi on West 10th Street earlier this year. The Dining Room at Moody Tongue in Chicago boasts two Michelin stars. 

This space on St. Mark's Place just west of Avenue A last housed Pop's Eat-Rite, the veggie burger joint.

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

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included ... (with a photo outside Cabin on 9th by Chris Rowland)... 

• An overhead view of Tompkins Square Park when the lights are off (Wednesday) 

• RIP Maryanne Byington (Tuesday) 

• The milling of the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park is underway (Tuesday) 

• This nearly block-long parcel on 2nd Avenue is now for sale (Monday) 

• A last look inside Wegmans before its grand opening on Astor Place (Monday) 

• The DOT wants your feedback on the future of East River Park waterfront access (Friday) 

• Capturing Monday's rainbow action (Monday)

• On Union Square, Target debuts ahead of its announced opening day (Thursday) 

• Speaking out against the ongoing sweeps on 9th Street and 1st Avenue (Friday)

• On the CB3-SLA docket: A new home for Han Dynasty on 3rd Avenue; a Sunflower for 2nd Avenue (Monday) 

• The Dash Snow tribute has been painted over on the Lower East Side (Thursday) 

• How to tote around the Essex Card Shop with you (Saturday) 

• What's happening at the former Trader Joe's Wine Shop on 14th Street? (Thursday)

• About the Earth School's Fall Fair on Nov. 4 (Thursday)

• Storefront signage alert: Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart on 2nd Avenue (Monday) 

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On the CB3-SLA docket: A new home for Han Dynasty on 3rd Avenue; a Sunflower for 2nd Avenue

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

• Han Dynasty (Han Dynasty East Village Corp), 98 3rd Ave (op) 

Han Dynasty has enjoyed a successful run at 90 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street for the past 10 years.

The restaurant's ownership is on the agenda tonight (questionnaire here) for a new liquor license for a space several storefronts to the north at 98 Third Ave. — the formal Bar None...

The application on file at the CB3 website doesn't mention whether this is a move or, perhaps, a second location. Ownership did not respond to an email seeking clarification.

We assume the lease is up at 90 Third Ave., and they are moving nearby. (They did something similar at a Han Dynasty in Philadelphia.)

Bar None closed in the spring of 2022 after nearly 17 years in service.

• Sunflower East Village (RJM Hospitality LLC), 88 2nd Ave (op)

The NE corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street will be home to another location of Sunflower, a cafe serving breakfast-brunch on Third Avenue between 25th Street and 26th Street.

The EV location looks to have the same menu/vibe, though with dinner service. Find the questionnaire here. (Note: There will only be a service bar here — no bar seating.)

Sunflower is owned and operated by the same folks as the previous tenant here, Eros, the Greek restaurant that quietly closed in August 2022 when a "temporarily closed" sign arrived on the front door. Eros took over for their diner concept, The Kitchen Sink, in September 2021.

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

On 2nd Avenue, Moko temporarily relocates during renovation

Photos by Steven 

Moko, an omakase restaurant that opened in the fall of 2021 at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, is now closed for renovations. 

According to a sign on the door for patrons, Moko has "relocated temporarily for renovations" ... and can now be found at Moko's unnamed sister restaurant at 214 E. Ninth St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

In July, Moko's ownership was to appear before Community Board 3 for a new liquor license for 214 E. Ninth St. The restaurant, Shiso, was said to offer a Japanese and French tasting menu. (Questionnaire here.)

It's not immediately clear how long Shiso may have been in service. We spotted two nearly identical TikToks about the opening (here and here) from July. 

According to minutes from the July meeting (PDF here), CB3 SLA committee members recommended denying Shiso's application for a liquor license. 

Per the minutes: "Three people spoke in opposition, including a representative of the condominium board, primarily due to noise, safety, and quality of life issues as well as DOB violations for the construction, liens against the building for unpaid contractors and that they have already held events with velvet ropes, doormen and large crowds outside without a license." 

In addition, "there were 2 residents who wrote an email in opposition, and 2 residents who said their signatures were forged on the petitions."

According to the State Liquor Authority, this address has no active liquor license. Public records show that the license expired at the end of August for the previous tenant, Dumpling Lab, which closed last fall shortly after making the 2022 Michelin Guide's list of 18 new Bib Gourmands.

Moko's Second Avenue outpost also did not have an active liquor license, per the State Liquor Authority. 

On the CB3-SLA docket: Schmuck on 1st Avenue

There's a pretty light agenda for Community Board 3's SLA & DCA Licensing Committee meeting this month. Just a handful of applicants are on tonight's agenda, and most of them are below Houston. (See below for info on watching online — or in person.) 

Here's one applicant of potential interest:

• Schmuck, 97 1st Ave (op) 

There's a new bar-restaurant in the works for the long-vacant SW corner of First Avenue at Sixth Street. 

According to the application on file at the CB3 website (PDF here), Miami-based bar owner Dan Binkiewicz is behind a new concept called Schmuck.

The restaurant, with proposed daily hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., will offer Middle Eastern-style cuisine. The sample menu includes items such as pan bagnat sliders, hummus, pomme dauphine and a burrata stick ("a playful Mediterranean take on the corndog.") 

The application shows that Schmuck is also seeking curbside dining for both the First Avenue and Sixth Street sides — 22 tables for 44 guests ... as well as five tables (10 seats total) for sidewalk seating on First Avenue. 

Binkiewicz's résumé includes the Miami Beach cocktail bar Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company.

In the 10 years since Banjara moved out in late 2013, the restaurants at 97 First Ave. have gone through through multiple name changes/concepts... including, but not limited to, Figaro Villaggio, an Italian bar-restaurant that later changed its name to Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill.

They eventually gave up part of the space to Apna Masala. In March 2015, Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill changed its names/concepts to La Esquina Bar & Grill ... then the name evolved to La Esquina Burritos and Bar ... and eventually East Village Burritos & Bar. Then Spicewala Bar Indian Cuisine. And then Mancora moved here from across the street. And...

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

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a "Barbieheimer"-era photo from the Village East by Angelika on Second Avenue ... Or "Barbenheimer" if you prefer)...

• RIP Big Lee (Tuesday) 

 • When a young red-tailed hawk gets stuck in the airshaft outside your kitchen window (Friday) 

•  The Cube returns to Astor Place — and ready to spin again (Tuesday) ... When the Cube returned to Astor Place late Monday night (Wednesday) 

• At the last night of Ink on A (Sunday) 

• A visit to Ella Funt on 4th Street (Friday) 

• Details about some upcoming shows via the Knitting Factory at Baker Falls on Avenue A (Thursday) 

• Report: Metropolitan Playhouse is closing after 30-plus years of productions (Wednesday) 

• 'Star Wars' parody at the Orpheum is joining the dark side after Sunday (Thursday)

• The Avenue C Laundromat has a new owner (Tuesday) 

• Suki Japanese Kitchen hasn't been open lately on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday) 

• Panda Express debuts on 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Monday) 

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

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

• So what's next for this block of 2nd Avenue? (Monday)

• Avant Garden reopens in new Avenue A home (Tuesday) 

• Target makes it signage official on Union Square (Thursday) 

• Openings: Tacombi on 12th Street (Monday) 

• PSA: The original Russ & Daughters Appetizers is closed for a few weeks for renovations (Thursday) 

• Say high to the latest retail tenant at this 2nd Avenue storefront (Tuesday) 

• Full reveals: 650 E. 6th St. (Thursday) 

... and in concert news... U.K.-based singer-songwriter Declan McKenna played a sold-out show at Webster Hall on Friday night... and the line on 11th Street started early... (photos by Stacie Joy)...

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, local EVG faves Hello Mary played a sold-out Bowery Ballroom as the trio continues to tour in support of headliner Blondshell this summer...

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Follow EVG on Instagram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

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.

With Community Board approval, Sammy's Roumanian Steak House takes another step to returning to the Lower East Side

Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse received a critical approval from Community Board 3 last night as the NYC institution continues to move toward a return to service on the Lower East Side.

As previously reported, Sammy's was looking to open in a new home at 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton.

CB3's SLA committee signed off on the application, though with some debate on the language in the stipulations. Prior to last night's virtual meeting, owner David Zimmerman met with the local community group L.E.S. Dwellers and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. The main sticking point: dinner seating in the outdoor garden behind the restaurant. Zimmerman has agreed not to use the outdoor space for any service. 

Neighbors/residents also agreed to the method of operation, which will be similar to its old basement space on Chrystie Street, including the services of a lounge singer on keyboards.

In addition, based on the day of the week, there were different proposed closing times, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The new Sammy's will close nightly at 12:30 a.m.

After the unanimous approval, Zimmerman, who was on the Zoom meeting, flashed a Famous Sammy's T-shirt, stating, "We are all proud."

By the way, the new outpost will sell Sammy's merch.

Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 45-plus years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St. between Delancey and Rivington.

The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.

In an Instagram post at the time, Zimmerman left the door open for a return.  

And now it's happening, though no word on an opening date. The space has been vacant for nine years, and needs a lot of work to bring it into service.