New restaurant plans for 304 E. 6th St. and 117 Avenue A

Restauranteur Huey Cheng, who currently operates Raku on Sixth Street and Kura on St. Mark's Place, is the applicant of record for two proposed establishments seeking new liquor licenses in front of CB3's SLA committee this month.

Here's a look:

• Entity to be formed by H Cheng, 117 Ave. A (pictured above)

There's not too much information about the unnamed project here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website (PDF here), the establishment will serve "New Age American food."

The proposed hours: noon to 2 a.m. daily. The seating chart shows 14 tables to accommodate 62 guests as well as a 14-seat bar.

The previous occupant, the Black Rose, closed last April after nearly two years in business. No. 117 was the longtime home, until August 2013, of the Odessa Cafe & Bar.

• Entity to be formed by Huey Cheng, 304 E 6th St

Cheng's name is also attached to an application at 304 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Again, not much information on the questionnaire for view at the CB3 website. (PDF here.)

The food is described as "New Age American/Pan-Asian." The proposed hours are daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

This address is currently Mayahuel Mariposa, which was Mayahuel. There was some reported conflict over rent and naming rights after Ravi DeRossi and Co. departed and building owner Keith Siilats reopened the space under the same name. (Eater has a recap here.) Now it appears Siilats has a new team taking over the operation.

The CB3-SLA meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. Other applicants this month include Bubbleology Tea and the team behind Entwine eyeing the former Golden Market.

By the way, this is the second of the CB3-SLA committee meetings this month. Last Monday's meeting at the Perseverance House Community Room on Fifth Street included the license upgrade for Club Cumming.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Black Rose, 'a neighborhood rock and roll bar,' opening in the former Odessa Cafe and Bar space (73 comments)

Reminders: CB3/SLA meeting tonight; what is Nice Guy Eddie's future?

CB3's SLA Licensing Committee meets tonight at 6:30 — JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at the Bowery. We looked at the agenda here. The full docket is here.

Here's a recap of a few of the more interesting items on the docket:

• Major alterations are in store for the public spaces at the Standard East Village (April 12)

• 34 Avenue A is now off this month's CB3/SLA docket (April 9)

• Joe's Bar is joining the Sophie's-Mona's family (March 29)

Meanwhile, it looks as if Nice Guy Eddie's run on Avenue A at East First Street is coming to an end. (As far as we know, CB3 member Dave McWater is still involved with the current ownership of Eddie's.)

An entity called Downtown Dining LLC is looking to open a restaurant in this space, according to documents on file at the CB3 website (PDF).

The applicant's paperwork doesn't mention anyone by name. However, in the section about principals having other businesses in this area... three are listed: Tower Brokerage, Ella and The Gallery Bar...

Knowing that Josh Boyd is a principal at Ella and The Gallery Bar, I sent him a message via Facebook about the Nice Guy Eddie's space... Boyd responded that he isn't involved with the new venture; that his partner Darin Rubell is.

Rubell, who's related to Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell, is also the founder of Mercadito on Avenue B.

In any event, at this point, I don't have any other details on the venture... no word on the fate of Chico's Kiss mural either...

[Old photo of the mural via Eater]

CB3 denies La Vie; owner responds by calling Susan Stetzer a 'racist'

The CB3/SLA committee meeting last night got off to an ugly start thanks to an often contentious 45-plus minute discussion about a renewal for La Vie, the hookah-flavored club at 64 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

First, a little about the address... which has seemingly been home to a succession of clubs in recent years...

A quick refresher from their Facebook page:

Open Daily 5 pm-4 am
Happy Hour: 5 pm-10 pm
Kitchen: 5 pm-3 am (Daily)
DJ: 6 nights a week
Wednesday: Live Middle Eastern Band

There is no mistake that this venue, designed to take a regular evening and turn it into a spectacular one, is called La Vie. Upon entering, life as you know it stops and your definition of New York nightlife changes, as French-Moroccan cuisine, cocktails, and décor fuse to attract a multitude. Come for happy hour, dance all night long, or come when our doors open and stay until the doors close, La Vie is on every night.

Several First Street residents were in attendance to address the ongoing issues with La Vie (and its predecessors), and the fact that they have been operating as a club under the guise of a restaurant.

According to residents, the dance music emanating from the two-level club is loud and disruptive to their quality of life ... and there's often chaos in the streets as clubgoers come and go, etc. ... Meanwhile, residents say management has been unresponsive to the issues. A manager told a resident that the club couldn't turn down the music, saying "they need to keep a good vibe for dancing."

Another resident stood up and gave one of the most heartfelt and straightforward pleas before the Community Board that I have ever heard. He estimated that he has put hundreds of hours into trying to get La Vie to be a better neighbor, even spending $3,500 on an independent sound study. He talked about the anxiety that he and his girlfriend were experiencing... being perpetually exhausted on just a few hours of sleep most nights... the dread of anticipating the nonstop thump-thump-thump of the music. "We refuse to retreat to another borough or community," he said.

The two owners were on hand... they took over La Vie this past fall... the two seemed sympathetic to the situation. One owner says they have spent $100,000 the last 45 days installing sound-proofing and getting sound testing done. The owners even offered to soundproof the apartments of any residents experiencing noise problems. "We understand there is more work to do," one owner said.

Later it came out that the previous club here also soundproofed the space, prompting people to wonder how much soundproofing was needed for one place ... Committee member Ariel Palitz, who owns Sutra around the bend on First Avenue, lectured the owners — and offered an inexpensive solution. Why not just turn down the music?

During the discussion, one of the owners said that his partner with him — Mohamed Elsayed — was the proprietor of Horus Cafe on Avenue B and Sixth Street and the Horus Cafe on Avenue A and 10th Street.

CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer mentioned that Horus on B had run afoul of the State Liquor Authority (SLA) for an illegal sidewalk cafe. There was more discussion, and the committee voted against renewing La Vie's license... sending the matter on to the SLA, where the owners already have a hearing scheduled on Feb. 2 related to several prior violations, including an illegal trade name and unauthorized alterations (La Vie put in a retractable roof).

After the dismissal, a glowering Elsayed approached the committee table and made several angry comments. Turning to walk away, he inexplicably called Stetzer a racist. This prompted an exchange.

"Your mind was made up before we got here," Elsayed semi-shouted while leaving the room.

A little later, one committee member said in jest in front of the room, "If douchebags are a race, then I'm a racist."

Previous posts on last night's meeting:

LES nightlife game-changer: Team behind 13th Step, Down the Hatch OK'd to take over Café Charbon space

[Updated] Superdive a CB3/SLA no-show tonight

On tonight's CB3-SLA agenda, applicants for 185 Avenue C, 507 E. 6th St.

[185 Avenue C]

Here are a few of the items on tonight's CB3-SLA agenda...

New Liquor License Applications

• Rumba NYC Bar & Grill Corp, 185 Avenue C between 11th Street and 12th Street

A bar-restaurant with a Latin-influenced menu called Rumba NYC Bar & Grill is in the works for this space. The proposed hours are 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday; with a 2 a.m. close on Friday and Saturday.

The applicants also run Salome Latin Cuisine on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, per the questionnaire on the CB3 website.

There has been a lot of turnover in recent years at this address. The last tenant, Bar Taco, which closed earlier this year, arrived in early 2018, taking over the space from a short-lived venture called Malcriada, a self-described "Latino Gastropub" ... which arrived after Kaz, another short-lived venture that lasted seven months.

Cafecito, the Cuban-style cafe, had a good run here, closing in early 2016 after 14 years in business.


[505 E. 6th St.]

Items not heard at Committee

• Entity to be formed by Jae Lee, 507 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (wine-beer only)

A Korean-American restaurant called Nowon will open in this space.

The applicant, Jae Lee, has been running the well-regarded kitchen at Black Emperor on Second Avenue. He was previously the executive chef of Rice & Gold at Hotel 50 Bowery.

NowOn's hours are listed at 5 p.m. to midnight during the week, with a noon opening on Saturday and Sunday. Find the full questionnaire here.

No. 507 was last Carma East, the dim sum bar that closed in early 2019.

Tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting starts at 6:30 at the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pub in the works for longtime corner bar space on Houston and Suffolk

Pizzeria proposed for the corner of Avenue C and East 8th Street

[EVG file photo]

In recent years, not even proposed restaurants have been able to make the space on the northwest corner of Avenue C and Eighth Street work.

This month, the proprietors behind the cocktail bar Mother's Ruin in Nolita will appear before CB3's SLA committee for a full liquor license for a proposed pizzeria.

According to public documents on the CB3 website, the space will feature 22 tables with 56 seats and a bar for 13. (The configuration also shows five sidewalk tables. The previous restaurant tenants here also had sidewalk cafes.) The proposed hours are noon to 2 a.m. (until 10 p.m. for the outdoor seating).

The documents include a sample menu...


[Click to go big]

In January, an applicant appeared before CB3 for a sushi restaurant. CB3's SLA committee would only approve a beer-wine license with a midnight closing time. The applicant was seeking full liquor with a 2 a.m. close. In addition, according to CB3 meeting notes, "this applicant has no experience operating or managing a licensed or similar business and has no developed plan or team to operate this business." So apparently the applicant decided to move on.

As previously noted, this corner space has been home to Lumé, the "Epicurean drinkery," ... Life - Kitchen and Bar … which had taken over for Verso. Other restaurants here in the past seven years include Caffe Pepe Rosso and Caffe Cotto.

The SLA meeting is April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 8th Street and Avenue C, home to 5 restaurants in recent years, is now on the market

Discussion on 34 Avenue A to continue next Tuesday

We're catching up to Monday night's CB3/SLA meeting. We weren't able to attend. But. The big ticket item on the agenda was 34 Avenue A, a modified proposal for a restaurant-bar-performance space. The CB3/SLA committee rejected the plans from Phil Hartman and Todd Patrick back in March.

According to the Lo-Down, the discussion for 34 Avenue A lasted two hours and 15 minutes. After several attempts with various stipulations, the CB3/SLA committee was unable to reach a majority vote, so the item was booted over for the full Community Board to discuss on Tuesday night.

The Local East Village reports that 11 people spoke out in favor of the establishment (many of them musicians); while 16 people spoke in opposition.

CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer, speaking she said as a private citizen, was against the proposed new venue. "What we're talking about is kind of community planning. This is 150 more people on the street at 4 a.m.," she was quoted as saying in the Local East Village. "We cannot accommodate that."

Here are a few details about the space: It's called the Piney Woods, featuring a kitchen serving "affordable" Southern cuisine ... and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Jeremy Spector, owner and chef of the Brindle Room on East 10th Street, will serve as the chef here.

The second-floor stage aims to showcase the kinds of bands you'd have seen at the original Knitting Factory on Houston as well as Tonic. During the day, the stage would be made available to local community groups to use for fundraisers, student productions, etc.

People we spoke with who attended the meeting — both for and against the proposed space — described the proceedings as "pissy" and "contentious." Oh, and "ludicrous." We're reluctant to recount what happened via the attendees, because the course of events varies a bit from person to person.

As the Local East Village reported: "Tensions ran high among the crowd gathered ... At one point, chatter from audience members prompted Alexandra Militano, committee chair, to scold the spectators for 'heckling' when opposing viewpoints were presented."

Here are a few other highlights, gleaned from the post that Devin Briski wrote for Eater:

• The committee said no to the sushi place hoping to open at the former Mondo Kim's/Cafe Hanover at 6 St. Mark's Place.
• No go either for the aspiring East Village Brewery & Beer Shop at 14 Avenue B. (They were the ones who borrowed the Prime Meats menu for display...)
• Frankies got the OK to expand its storefront at 17 Clinton St.
• Bistro Nomad at 78 Second Ave. was OK'd to expand its sidewalk presence and extend its hours.
• JujoMukti Tea Lounge at 211 E Fourth St. did get the OK for a beer and wine license in a resolution area ... per Eater, "a decision that was made in an attempt to save the healthy living center after enthusiastic patrons spoke out about the venue's uniquely diverse presence and focus on a nurturing lifestyle."
• Cooper Craft and Kitchen ( a craft-beer-focused bar-restaurant) got OK'd for a full liquor license for the former Kurve/Rhong-Tiam space on Second Avenue at Fifth Street.

BoweryBoogie has a little more on other LES agenda items here.

As for Tuesday, the fun meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
PS 20 - 166 Essex Street, (Between East Houston and Stanton Street)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Phil Hartman bringing a 'performance venue' back to former Mo Pitkin's space

[Updated] Bringing 'the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic' to 34 Avenue A

Because you want to know more about the plans for 34 Avenue A

[Updated] Lamia's Fish Market headed to SLA for a beer-wine license for 45 Avenue B

[45-47 Avenue B file photo]

A restaurant called Lamia's Fish Market is in the works for the long-vacant storefront at 45 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

Lamia Funti, the applicant, appeared before CB3's SLA committee meeting back in April. The application was reportedly denied based in part on the history of the space. (The Lo-Down reported on this here.)

Media outlets have identified Funti as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk at 47 Avenue B... Le Souk was a years-long thorn in the side of neighbors, as widely reported here ... and here ... and here ... and here.

In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority cancelled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

According to a neighborhood block association member, Lamia's Fish Market has now applied directly to the New York State Liquor Authority for a beer-wine license. This application is one of many to be heard during an SLA board meeting today at their New York City office, 317 Lenox Ave. at 126th Street. (The block association rep didn't have an exact time for this applicant during the public meeting, only that it will be heard between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)

The block association member provided a recap about the applicant(s).

The location is the former Le Souk space, and the principal/proprietor of this new establishment (Lamia Funti) is the wife of Marcus Andrews (formerly, Marcus Jacobs, one of the principals of the old Le Souk along with his brother Sam Jacobs). She is the manager of the current Le Souk, now located on LaGuardia Place in the Village, which Marcus owns. She is proposing a restaurant, not a club/lounge like the old Le Souk or the current business on Laguardia, with only a Beer/Wine license and a 12 am closing every night. This type of license would typically be approved by the SLA without question. However, this situation is unusual and merits special consideration by them.

Even though Ms. Funti was not officially involved with the old Le Souk on Avenue B, she is associated with the Jacob family and their other businesses. At the current Le Souk, which she manages, there have been online reports of fights (involving the owner), a stabbing, plus 311 calls and complaints. Given this background, many involved in the Block Association believe that, even on her own (much less because of her familial affiliations), she does not run the kind of business we want on Avenue B.

You can read CB3's lengthy Recommendation To Deny from the April meeting at the CB3 website here (PDF)

Updated 10/26

The SLA approved this applicant for a beer-wine license according to someone in attendance. More info as it becomes available.

Cinema Paradiso looks to bring foreign and independent films to Avenue A

Updated 5/11: The CB3-SLA committee voted against this applicant's plans as presented, instead offering stipulations that Marcello Assante can only serve food-dinner during the films — not before or after, thus doing away with any necessary revenue to keep this operation viable. He plans to return to CB3 next month. We'll have more about this in another post. 

Plans are in the works for a cafe-cinema at 44 Avenue A, the former home of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater's East Village outpost, UCBeast, as well as the Pioneer Theater.

Marcello Assante is on tonight's CB3-SLA agenda for a liquor license for Cinema Paradiso, a cafe-theater concept for the space here at Third Street adjacent to Two Boots. (Questionnaire here.)

Assante, a Naples native, has owned and operated a handful of restaurants through the years, including Bella Ciao, Capri Ristorante and Marcellino in Little Italy as well as Local 92 on Second Avenue. Assante has also been involved with the film industry in Italy, having worked with director Abel Ferrara. 

The space on Avenue A, which is already equipped with a movie screen, stage and theater seats for 119 people, seems perfectly suited to Assante's vision of creating a "big cinema culture" — a cultural center for cinephiles to enjoy foreign and independent features.

"My big love is cinema," he said in a recent phone call. 

Aside from new indie and foreign releases, he's also exploring hosting film festivals, premieres and live events, such as director Q&As, similar perhaps to, say, the Metrograph on Ludlow Street.

Cinema Paradiso will also include a cafe for people to have a pre- or post-film meal and drink. At the moment, he's not sure if he'll offer in-theater table service, such as at Alamo Drafthouse and the Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn or the iPic Theaters at the South Street Seaport. The cafe portion could be a standalone restaurant such as the Commissary at the Metrograph. 

"We need a liquor license to help support the rent, which is very high," Assante said. Would he move forward if the Community Board nixes the license? (UCBeast, the previous tenant, did serve alcohol.)

"I don't know. We are trying now and we will take it from there," he said. "We are here for cinema and culture."

The business name, Cinema Paradiso, comes from the 1988 Italian drama that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

"I'm Italian... 'Cinema Paradisio' is like my story," Assante said. "It's very personal. I was 8 years old and watching movies."

Citing financial woes, the Upright Citizens Brigade closed this theater in February 2019 after eight-plus years. UCB had taken over part of the expanded Two Boots empire — the video store on Avenue A and the Pioneer Theater with an entrance around the corner on Third Street.

The single-screen Pioneer Theater, which featured indie, underground and cult fare, closed on Nov. 7, 2008, after eight years. As owner Phil Hartman said at the time: "[I]t was always a labor of love and never commercially viable." 

[Image from 2002 via Cinema Treasures]

Tonight's virtual CB3-SLA committee meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• UCB East has closed; what's next for their space on Avenue A and 3rd Street?

New concept for Nevada Smiths includes record store paying homage to Thin Lizzy, plus a bar

[EVG photo from December]

An applicant was on CB3's SLA committee meeting docket in January for the former Nevada Smiths space at 100 Third Ave. between East 12th Street and East 13th Street.

However, the applicant was a scratch in the weeks leading up to the meeting. There wasn't much known about the plans for the football/soccer establishment other than that the name of Bruce Caulfield appeared on a notice with the application.

Since 2003, Caulfield (with two business partners) has run the train-themed Tracks Raw Bar & Grill in the LIRR level at Penn Station. He's also a partner in Harp Raw Bar & Grill on Third Avenue near Grand Central as well as a longtime NYC business owner.

Caulfield, a former Nevada Smiths partner, is back on the agenda for the February CB3-SLA meeting along with two other familiar names — James Morrissey (The Late Late on East Houston) and Gerard McNamee (GM of Webster Hall).

Morrissey and McNamee are elsewhere on the agenda with their proposed concept for The Honey Fitz, a restaurant-cocktail bar-freelance-work space in the works for the former Hop Devil Grill and the temporarily closed Nino's Pizza storefront on St. Mark's Place and Avenue A.

The plans for the three-level Nevada Smiths space are equally ambitious. According to public documents (PDF) on the CB3 website, the proposed venture is called Vinyl, which will be a coffee house, vintage vinyl record store and bar/restaurant all under one roof...



The record store will pay homage to Irish rock band Thin Lizzy... the record store and cafe would open daily at 10 a.m. ... with the bar/food starting at noon, with proposed closing hours of 4 a.m.




[Screenshots via the CB3 website]

The proposal also calls for "poetry & spoken word cultural events." No word on what will become of the 20 Plasma TVs and two life-size projection screens that arrived with the new Nevada Smiths, which opened here in April 2013. Nevada Smiths never reopened after the Marshal took legal possession of the business last September.

You can read the comprehensive questionnaire for Vinyl at the CB3 website. (PDF here.)

The SLA committee meeting is Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Nevada Smiths is closed, and here's what's next

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smiths

The East Village will lose a parking lot and gain an apartment building

Here then, where Nevada Smiths once stood

The Marshal seizes Nevada Smiths on 3rd Avenue

[Updated] New life for the Nevada Smiths space on 3rd Avenue

So Max probably won't be opening that outpost on Second Avenue then, huh?

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Max will close its Avenue B location after the Italian eatery opens a branch in Williamsburg this spring...

Which reminds us... back in January 2010, as Eater first noted, Max was on the CB3/SLA docket to open a location at the rather mysterious northwest corner of Second Avenue and Second Street ...

Those plans never materialized, for whatever reasons... the CB3/SLA sign is even still on the front window...

We dug through the CB3 archives... Max appeared before the CB3/SLA committee in February 2010, and it looks as if they were approved for a license here...

Anyway, anyone know what's going on with this space here at 39 Second Ave. (aka 36 E. Second St.)? The building was owned by Wilbert Tatum, the publisher and editor of The New York Amsterdam News who died at age 76 in February 2009. Tatum's wife, Susan Kohn Tatum, transferred ownership of the building to Zubrinski & Co. LLC last April, according to city records.

A new suitor for 269 E. Houston St.

There's a potential bar/restaurant in the works for 269 E. Houston St., the building at Suffolk with nine different for rent/sale signs.

This applicant is on the August CB3/SLA committee docket:

• Lower East Side NY Bistro Corp, 269 E Houston St (op)

Dunno anything about it just yet... though the word "bistro" makes it seem as if it will be a more upscale tenant than in past years.

As for recent history here... The Local 269 never reopened last fall after a flood apparently KO'd much of the live music venue's equipment. The space was previously home to Meow Mix and Vasmay Lounge. The Local opened in February 2009.

Applicants who were previously involved with the Apocalypse Lounge (2004-2007) on East Third Street apparently had designs on a new bar here. However, the applicants apparently never appeared before the CB3/SLA committee back in March, according to the CB3 meeting record.

We'll have more on the August CB3/SLA meeting later... the meeting is set for Aug. 19 at 6:30 pm.

No Five Guys for 171 Avenue A, but the fishmonger is back — and with a Plan B

So, there won't be a Five Guys coming to 171 Avenue A. (However, we're certain to see them pop up somewhere else in the East Village.) After that post, a tipster said that the fishmonger was coming back...

Indeed, Keith Masco confirms that he is moving forward with his plans for Sea on A in this space despite his last go-around with CB3.

A quick recap!

At the April CB3/SLA meeting, the committee approved a full-liquor license (within a resolution area) for Masco's seafood market/restaurant/high-end cocktail bar at 171 Avenue A.

Masco will sell fresh fish in the front of the space during the day ... with room for 48 diners in the back along with a bar selling specialty cocktails.

However, the full CB3 rejected the plans. So it was back to the CB3/SLA in June ... and they denied his applications.

Via e-mail, I asked Masco if he was amending his original plan that the CB3 denied.

"We are going ahead exactly as planned. I see no reason to bow to the communists at the community board. My business plan is perfect, it is exactly what the vast majority of residents here want and need."

And if CB3 says no?

"If the SLA doesn't see it the same way, I will be locked into a ten-year lease anyway. So if that be the case, I will give the under-represented and underage residents something they don't have — an all ages 24-7 diner/arcade. Having raised two children here, I know there is absolutely nothing for these kids to do, and by kids I mean even 18-20 year olds, whom despite having thier own apts, can't even hang in the park after midnite. We would have an entire dessert bar and juice bar as well. It will also be a great place for all those AA people who can now hang in an alcohol-free bar."

On tonight's CB3-SLA docket: Boris & Horton, New York's first dog friendly coffee shop

We've looked at a few of the applicants on this month's CB3-SLA docket, including Joe and Pat's ... and the Ainsworth East Village.

Here are two more items of possible interest on the schedule tonight.

---



A "contemporary American" restaurant is being planned for 105 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

The applicants, who have experience at the Blind Barber and Drexler's on Avenue A, are behind this venture. The paperwork (PDF here) on file ahead of tonight's meeting shows seating for 44 via 14 tables as well as one bar with 10 seats. The proposed hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Thursday; Friday until 3 a.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The questionnaire did not include a sample menu.

Empellón Cocina closed here in May after five years in service.

---



Boris & Horton, billed as "New York's first dog friendly coffee shop and community space," is the concept for the former Ost Cafe and Raclette spaces on Avenue A at 12th Street.

The questionnaire at the CB3 website (PDF here) shows proposed hours of 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. The operators are seeking a beer-wine license to go alongside menu items such as sandwiches and paninis.

A help wanted ad on Craigslist offers more information about the business:

In cooperation with the Department of Health, Boris & Horton will serve coffee and snacks in a dog friendly environment. The coffee bar will be glassed in with double doors leading to the dog side, which will feature café style seating and upscale pet products. We have a lifelong passion for animal rescue so Boris & Horton will be a hub for adoption events and fundraisers.

The principals are listed as Coppy Holzman and his daughter, Logan Holzman.

Ost Cafe closed in February after nine years in business. Their owners said that it had "become too expensive to stay open any longer." The Grand Street location is still in service. Raclette moved from its 14-seat space on A around the corner to the former Northern Spy on 12th Street last fall.

---

The July CB3-SLA committee meeting is tonight at 6:30 at Ian Schrager's Public Hotel, 215 Chrystie St. just below Houston.

On second thought: No to the fishmonger for Avenue A

At the April CB3/SLA meeting, the committee approved a full-liquor license (within a resolution area) for Keith Masco's seafood market/restaurant/high-end cocktail bar at 171 Avenue A.

As you'll recall, Masco will sell fresh fish in the front of the space during the day ... with room for 48 diners in the back along with a bar selling specialty cocktails. He also has plans to utilize the 400-square-foot garden in the back. (Forgot to mention what the place would be called: Sea on A.)

However, the full CB3 rejected the plans. So it was back to the CB3/SLA last night ... and Masco returned with more signatures of support... and he said he will expand his retail counter from 9 feet to 15 feet to show that he will be a retail operation, selling fresh fish from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Again, while people generally like the idea of a fishmonger in the neighborhood, the opposition remains... residents do not want another liquor license on this section of Avenue A. There are now six of nine storefronts on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street that sell beer, wine or liquor. This would make seven. One longtime resident spoke about the importance of having retail diversity, not just bars and restaurants. The density of bars is creating an unhealthy balance in the neighborhood.

Michael Rosen, a founder of the East Village Community Coalition, was also on hand to speak out against another liquor license. He discussed how the saturation of bars changes the nature of the community.

There were petitions with signatures for and against the application. People spoke passionately for and against the application.

In the end, the committee rejected Masco's application after approving it two months earlier.

Previously on EV Grieve:
CB3/SLA highlights: Avenue A fishmonger approved; Michael Huynh's DOB rejected

Mono + Mono's 4th Street return

A quick item to note on tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting... it appears that Mono + Mono (or just Mono Mono now) is making a return to its former home at 116 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

A fire swept through the single-level structure in April 2013. (The restaurant's extensive collection of jazz LPs were reportedly spared.)

At various times through the years, Mono reps said that they would be returning. A flower shop is in the space now. This sign appeared in the shop's window last summer...


[Photo from August]

In any event, the CB3-SLA signage has been up on the storefront this past week...



It's unclear from the materials posted at the CB3 website if the same owners are involved. The paperwork shows that the applicant also operates a restaurant on 32nd Street.

The sample menu on file with the questionnaire shows a variety of tapas, such as the mung bean pancake as well as a variety of rice and noodle dishes. (The sample menu does not list the double-dipped Korean fried chicken, a speciality of the previous incarnation of Mono + Mono.)

The proposed hours are 4 p.m. to midnight daily.

Mono + Mono first opened in August 2010. I never ate here. I know people who liked the ambiance. (This review at Serious Eats said "that the food wasn't taken as seriously as the space.")

CB3's SLA committee meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. (corner of the Bowery).

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning fire at 116 E. Fourth St., home of Mono + Mono

(Kind of) An update on Mono + Mono

What is happening with the Mono + Mono space?

Report: Mono + Mono plans fall reopening

A few dining details about Joe and Pat's, the Staten Island pizzeria opening on 1st Avenue

Work continues over at 168 First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Given the scaffolding and construction netting, it appears that the entire building is getting a rehab.)

Joe and Pat's, the pizzeria and restaurant that debuted on Staten Island in 1960, is opening a location here, in the former longtime home of Lanza's.

The pizzeria's owners are on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a new liquor license for the space. The questionnaire on file ahead of that CB3-SLA meeting reveals a few more details about what diners can expect at the the East Village Joe and Pat's.

For starters, aside from pizza, Joe and Pat's will offer an "extensive menu" of Italian food. (Find their menu from the Victory Boulevard location here. Or check out their Instagram account here.)

The proposed hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; and until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The configuration shows seating for up to 43 diners, including use of the rear yard, where there are five tables. (It's not clear if this is an enclosed space. And the rear yard space won't be in use all hours.)

Earlier this year, New York magazine wrote that Joe & Pat’s offers the best of Staten Island pizza. "Its pies are the ultimate version of one of the borough’s dominant styles: thin-crust, vodka-sauced bar pie. Open since 1960, it doesn’t look like much, but the pizza is magnificent."

The July CB3-SLA committee meeting is July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Ian Schrager's Public Hotel, 215 Chrystie St. just below Houston.

[Updated] A look at the rest of tonight's CB3-SLA meeting docket

[45-47 Avenue B]

CB3's SLA committee meeting is tonight 6:30 in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

To date, we've look at several applicants:

• 98 Favor Taste, 37 St. Mark's Place

• Unnamed pizzeria, Avenue C and Eighth Street

• Vietnamese restaurant, 119 St. Mark's Place

• Desi Galli, 172 Avenue B

And one applicant we looked at is no longer on the agenda. The owners of the Brazen Fox had plans to open another bar-restaurant directly across the street from their current two-level bar-restaurant on Third Avenue and East 13th Street.




We do not know why they are a scratch from the meeting. In any event, this would be a tough sell... a full liquor license with a sidewalk cafe for a space (Gothic Cabinet Craft shop) that was not previously licensed within a saturated area... from applicants who already operate a successful space right across the street. Not sure what the public benefit is here.



And there was neighbor opposition to the application as well... based on the flyers on the block...



Meanwhile, here's a quick look at some of the other East Village applicants on tonight's meeting agenda...

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Fish Market Inc, 45 Ave B (wb)

A venture called Lamia's Fish Market is in the works for the long vacant storefront at 45 Avenue B between East Second Street and East Third Street. The questionnaire (PDF) on file for public viewing at the CB3 website shows a restaurant with 40 tables seating 160 people. The proposed hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Monday though Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.

Lamia Funti is the name of the applicant. Media outlets have identified her as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk at 47 Avenue B... Le Souk was a years-long thorn in the side of neighbors, as widely reported here ... and here ... and here ... and here. In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority cancelled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

Updated 4/19

The committee voted to deny the application. The Lo-Down has the details about the operators here.

• Baker's Pizza (Baker's Pizza LLC), 201 Ave A (wb)

The pizzeria that opened back in February between East 12th Street and East 13th Street is seeking a beer-wine license.

Sidewalk Cafe Application

• Lionsbeerstore (Beer Factory LLC), 104 2nd Ave

• Biang (Wen Zi Inc), 157 2nd Ave

The previous tenant at this address, Alder, had an eight-table, 16-seat sidewalk cafe.

New Liquor License Applications

• AGN Restaurant LLC, 166 1st Ave (op)

This is the former North River/Nite Owl space near East 10th Street. The owners of the Belfry on East 14th Street are looking to open a bar-restaurant here serving American comfort food, according to the questionnaire (PDF) on file at the CB3 website.

The proposed hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday; until 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

• Proto's Pizza (Fifty East LLC), 50 2nd Ave (wb)

Items not heard at Committee

• Virgola (Virgola 3 LLC), 221 Ave B (wb)

They were denied at the February meeting ... this will be the second Virgola location in the East Village.

• Dumpling Go (Dumpling 2 Avenue Inc), 188 2nd Ave (wb)

The restaurant has been closed for the past week. Looks like a renovation, though there aren't any signs for customers.

On December's CB3/SLA docket: More taquerias! The Belgian Ale House! Something big on the Bowery!

On Monday, the CB3/SLA Licensing Committee gets together for its monthly bloodletting meeting. As Eater pointed out yesterday, "There's nothing too ground breaking here." True! Still, several interesting items. Here's the whole agenda:

Renewal with Complaint History
1. Apotheke (Apotheke LLC), 9 Doyers St (see also # 6)
2. Nurse Bettie, 106 Norfolk St (op)
3. Webster Hall, 125 E 11th St (op)

Applications within Resolution Areas
4. Hachi Enterprises Inc, 185 Orchard St (op)
5. Mini Thai Café (Tony Restaurant Group), 105 Ave A (wb)

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
6. Apotheke (Apotheke LLC), 9 Doyers St (trans/op)
7. Northern Spy Food Co, 511 E 12th St (up/op)
8. Via Della Pace (48 E 7th St Associates Inc), 48 E 7th St (alt/op/extend license to outside tables within building line)
9. Hea Hea Bar Restaurant (Friend Tri New York Inc), 145 E 13th St (alt/change of method of operation)
10. Inhabit Lounge (Samond Inc) 39 Eldridge St (trans/up/op)
11. To Be Determined, 432 E 13th St (trans/op) (Bistrouge)
12. 93 Art LLC, 93 2nd Ave (trans/op) (Fuse)

The Lit Lounge folks went before the CB3/SLA back in March to obtain a license transfer to launch a new venture in the space. ... in the process, Lit heard it from neighbors... since then, they've made efforts to be a better neighbor, as outlined here.

13. To Be Determined, 74 Orchard St (trans/op) (Bunny Chow)
14. 133 Essex Restaurant LLC, 133 Essex St (trans/op) (Mason Dixon)
15. Shoolbred's (211 Ave A Restaurant Inc), 197 2nd Ave (alt/op/extend license to sidewalk cafe)
16. Cooper Square Hotel (25 CSH Operating LLC), 25 Cooper Square (trans/op)

New Liquor License Applications
17. Sabor a Mexico Taqueria (Jarlene Corp), 160 1st Ave (wb)
18. Ashton Thai Place Inc, 244 E 13th St (wb)

What's going on here? This is Zabb City's address.

19. To Be Determined, 241 Bowery (op)

Ah! This is the space below the Sunshine Hotel that I noted last month... it's a HUGE space with 5,000 square feet... (BoweryBoogie has been keepings on the eatery opening next door.)

20. Belgium Ale House (Belgium NYC Corp), 54 2nd Ave (wb)

Hey! The Belgian Ale House at the Crazy Landlord building!

21. Taqueria East Village (Berraza Foods Inc), 104 2nd Ave (op)

This is the former Matsukado space... so the EV may be getting another taqueria?

On the March CB3/SLA docket: 200 Avenue A (again) and Bikinis (woo!)

Hey now. The CB3/SLA agenda for March is out...

First, the details: Monday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. — JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at Bowery.

As you can see, we circled one of the applicants — something called Bikinis slated for 56 Avenue C. We have no idea what this is all about. (And 56 Avenue C is two storefronts as far as we can remember ... Nublu Records and an empty space?)

Woo! Bikinis! This could keep us in posts for the next, oh, 18 months... However, the name and concept might not have anything to do with swimwear.

Now...

A few other items of note:

Corporate Change

• Luzzo's (Luzzo's 211 LLC), 211 1st Ave (op)

???

Applications within Resolution Areas

• Yong Fa Restaurant Inc, 507 E 6th St (wb)

This is the former 6th Street Kitchen space, which never reopened after that awful fire in Janaury 2011. The space had been for rent. One neighborhood told us they heard it would be "an Asian fusion" restaurant.

• San Matteo Panuozzeria E Birra (San Matteo Panuozzeria Inc), 121 St Marks Pl (b)

[File photo of 200 Avenue A]

• Ave A Hospitality LLC, 200 Ave A (op)

They're back! Good lord. The one-time home to Superdive... This is a little complicated... A group calling themselves Hospitality LLC with a concept for an "art gallery with a full-service restaurant" (smell machine!) concept has appeared before and been rejected by the CB3/SLA committee three times. The group then decided to go directly to the State Liquor Authority for its license. Read the background here.

• Bikinis, 56 Ave C (wb)

Woo!

• Babel, 129 Ave C (op)

• 116 Avenue C Restaurant LLC, 116 Ave C (op)

The former Lava Gina space.

• Drop Off Service, 211 Ave A (op)

???

Alterations

• Prime & Beyond (Prime & Beyond NY Inc), 90 E 10th St (wb/extend to backyard)

By the way, has anyone ever eaten here?

• Wechslers (Eichstatt LLC), 120 1st Ave (wb/extend to backyard)

Oh! The part of the backyard that used to belong to the International...

New Liquor License Applications

• Hotel East Houston (Soho New York Lodging LLC), 151 E Houston St (op)

This is the hotel for sale at Eldridge. The marketing materials say the roof would be a good place for a bar. Neighbors likely have another opinion.

• Village Grill 82 Inc, 202 2nd Ave (wb)

Not sure where 202 Second Ave. is... the Verizon Building is 204; the Little Pakistan Deli and Little Poland are 200 Second Ave.

• Sahara Citi, 137 E 13th St (wb)

This is an empty storefront on the north side of the street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Near the Cruises.

• Iconic Hand Rolls (IHR One LLC), 83 St Marks Pl aka 135 1st Ave (wb)

Quite a name! Of course, we thought it said Ironic Hand Rolls at first. Anyway, this must be the empty storefront next to JoeDoe...

• Angelica Kitchen Inc, 300 E 12th St (wb)

----

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations |up=upgrades

CB3 commitee OKs upgraded license for live music and DJs at Club Cumming — with stipulations

It was standing-room only — even on the sidewalk outside — at Monday night's CB3-SLA committee meeting at the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The main event: a license alteration for Club Cumming to include live music and DJs. As previously reported, Club Cumming on Sixth Street was under investigation by the State Liquor Authority for its live music programing, including piano and cabaret nights, which was happening without the proper permits. The bar-cabaret between Avenue A and Avenue B suspended its live music and DJs until they could apply for the appropriate license.

Several dozen supporters showed up at the meeting — so many that CB3 reportedly asked people to wait outside the Perseverance House Community Room...

A post shared by DJ Matty Glitterati (@matty_glitterati) on Apr 9, 2018 at 3:57pm PDT

Here's a recap via Bedford + Bowery:

Ultimately, CB3’s SLA and DCA four present committee members did vote unanimously to grant the license alteration, which would allow live music and DJs “provided they are not scheduled and that there are no ticket sales or entrance fees.” The committee stated this was because the bar’s zoning “does not provide” for them, and they lacked the power to change that.

According to CB3 officials, the situation with Club Cumming had more to do with compliance rather than complaints. (And it wasn't reported if anyone spoke against the upgraded license.)

“The bottom line is how [the Department of Buildings] interprets it,” stated District Manager Susan Stetzer. Historically, [committee chair Alexandra] Militano added, the DOB has not allowed scheduled performances and ticketed events to exist in a residential area, even at spaces licensed to have live music and DJs. Club Cumming’s address, 505 East 6th Street, is in zoning area R7B, a type of “residential district.”

It will be interesting to see how CC's owners, Daniel Nardicio and Alan Cumming, revamp their schedule once the license gets the final OK via the SLA.

Cumming, an East Village resident who spoke at the committee meeting, later thanked the Club's supporters on Instagram yesterday:

Last night our community board approved the change to our license so that live performance and DJs can happen again at @clubcumming. Now we just have to have the actual license changed by the State Liquor Authority and the show can go on again! It was a truly humbling and beautiful thing to see so many people turn up and show their support for our little bar, and to hear those who spoke express how important it has become as a safe community gathering place that both nurtures new talent and celebrates the artistic and cultural legacy of the East Village.

Club Cumming opened last September in the former Eastern Bloc space.

You can read coverage via Patch here.