Epic CB3/SLA docket ready for April: Hello again Superdive (aka 'Not a Bookstore Inc.') and Caffe Buon Gusto!

Been some time since we've such seen an action-packed SLA & DCA Licensing Committee docket... 40 items!



Monday, April 11 at 6:30 pm — JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth Street at the Bowery

Here are a few items of interest! (The whole shooting match is here.)

Applications within Resolution Areas

• U-2 (Saint King J Corp), 6 St Marks Pl (3rd-4th Fl) (wb)

This is the karaoke portion of the former Cafe Hanover space (RIP, Mondo Kim's).

• Not a Bookstore LLC, 200 Ave A (op) (Superdive)

Ah! An inside joke from the Superdivers... a nod to Superdive's Rapture Cafe & Books past! Not funny!

• Casimir, 105 Ave B (op)

Changes in store for the French bistro?

• Ave B Caffe Buon Gusto Inc, 545 E 5th St (aka 76 Ave B) (wb)

Hello again, old friend! Been a long time since we've heard anything about this. Remember last time they were on the docket? To the recap!

Sidewalk Café Applications

• Café Cotto (Pasta Bar Café Corp), 127 Ave C

• Plump Dumpling (Big Dumpling Corp), 174 2nd Ave

• Percy's Tavern (Steelbar 180 Inc), 210 Ave A

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades

• Radley Realty Corp, 325 Bowery (alt/ extend license to sidewalk)

Peels wants a sidewalk cafe. #ShitShow

• To Be Determined, 500 E 11th St (trans/op) (Angels & Kings)

Interesting...

• To Be Determined, 351 E 12th St (trans/op) (Resto Leon)

I actually have never been to Resto Leon.

• 4AB LLC, 235 E 4th St (trans/op) (Tonda)

The Tonda watch continues.

• To Be Determined, 700 E 9th St (trans/op) (Banjo Jim's)

Anyone know anything about this?

New Liquor License Applications

• Trim Castle Corp, 87 2nd Ave (op)

The former Kurve-Rhong Tiam space.

• South Brooklyn Pizza (122 First Pizza Inc), 122 1st Ave (wb)

• Agave Azul (228 Rest Corp), 228 1st Ave (op)

This is the Mexican cantina that I reported was coming to the former David's Bagels space.

• The Other WineBar, 412 E 9th St (wb)

• To Be Determined, 107 1st Ave (wb)

The former Bonjoo space..

You may find some additional comments about all this at The Low-Down, Eater and Grub Street.

Superdive still threatening to return

Superdive was on last night's CB3/SLA agenda... Team Dive was a no show at the January CB3/SLA meeting, though they claim they never filed the paperwork to be on the docket...

So, prior to last night's meeting, I asked the Divers via e-mail if they'd attend the meeting. Short answer: No. (And, true to that, they were not there.)

Long answer:

"Susan Stetzer took it upon herself ... to put superdive on the agenda for the renewal. which does happen until the end of april and we are not required to notify until march but alas

let the facts be clear:

since 1/24/10 there have been no incidents, complaints about or violations issued at 200 avenue A.

superdive — superclean for over a year!

we would love to attend this hatchet trial but alas in no way would poppadive not be with mommadive on valentine's day.

and one day a real rain will come, an people's uprising, and swept away in the tidal wave of history will be the despotic demonic tyrannical "community" board.

WHO NEEDS DEMOCRACY WHEN YOU HAVE SUPERDIVE?

LONG LIVE SUPERDIVE

RETURNING SPRING 2011

On the CB3-SLA agenda: New eatery for the Permanent Brunch space; more tacos; and something called the Beagle

Well, here's a romantic way to spend Valentine's eve — at the February CB3-SLA meeting! Woo!

SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, February 14 at 6:30pm — JASA/Green Residence, 200 East 5th Street at the Bowery

Let's take a look at a few of the contenders! (Find the whole agenda here.)

Renewal with Complaint History

• Superdive (Rapture Café & Books LLC), 200 Ave A (op)

Heh ... Doubtful that they'll show up, based on previous comments from Team Dive ... I think this is their seventh or eighth or ninth time on the agenda...

Sick nine times? sound bite  Ferris Bueller's Day Off sound bites

Applications within Resolution Areas

• Taco Joint Inc, 119 St Marks Pl (wb)

Hey, another taco place. Just what we need here! This is at the location of Roni, the women's designer clothing boutique that closed in November.

• Pastabar Café Corp, 127 Ave C (up/op) (aka 343 E 8th St)

This is the Caffe Pepe Rosso/Cotto Caffe on Avenue C at Eighth Street...

Sidewalk Café Applications

• Ninth Ward (Church and Louis Inc), 180 2nd Ave

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades

• Heartbreak Café (Christos Restaurant LLC), 29 E 2nd St (alt/wb/extend to proposed sidewalk café)

The new eatery on Second Avenue and Second Street hoping for a sidewalk cafe.

• Kuidouraku (141 Ebenezer & Song Inc), 141 1st Ave (trans/wb)

Home of Ramen Setagaya.

• The Beagle, 162 Ave A (trans/op) (Orologio)

Home of Orologio for now. The Beagle? Sounds really plaid to me. Or maybe retro...

New Liquor License Applications

• Momofuku Milk Bar (EV Milk LLC), 251 E 13th St (op)

The Momo clan is looking to annex the old salon across the street. Per Eater: "The folks at Momo Milk are considering taking up the space, for an expansion or to move the operation, but have yet to sign a lease or nail anything down."

• Marry The Ketchup Inc, 95 1st Ave (wb)

That's quite a name... this is space that counted Permanent Brunch as a tenant.



• 228 Rest Corp, 232 1st Ave (op)

This is the former David's Bagel's space near 14th Street. Word is a Mexican eatery is taking over.

• 56 Burger Fondue LLC, 56 3rd Ave (op)

Burger fondue? Hmm.. this is the former site of Lan, the Japanese restaurant between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Live above Superdive!

That's right! Now's your chance... there's a new listing this week for 200 Avenue A... Here's the description via StreetEasy (the link to the realtor was broken...):

Duplex with Roof Deck!*2 Baths!*A Must See!
Huge duplex with 2 baths.
Roof deck that is private to this unit.
New hardwood floors.
20 Foot Lofty Ceilings.

The one-bedroom unit is going for $2,400... Think how close you'll be to the action once Superdive reopens! And with two bathrooms, you may be able to charge Superdivers to use your restroom when their lines get to0 long...

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

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

Superdive was on tonight's CB3/SLA docket for the following:

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
• Superdive (Rapture Cafe & Books LLC), 200 Ave A (alt/op/legalize work done, move bar)

And Team Superdive was not there. So! A few residents spoke out anyway, figuring they'll need to come back next month when Superdive is likely back on the agenda for the 77th seventh time...

[Updated] Via e-mail, I asked Team Superdive why they didn't appear at the meeting:

"Kangaroo kafka kourts don't lend themselves dynamic discourse."

Also a no-show!

• Cien Fuegos (Cien Fuegos LLC), 95 Ave A ... the Cuban eatery/bar/what not was looking for a sidewalk cafe...

Imperial Tavern and Superdive pretty much having the same New Year's Eve party

The new Imperial Tavern on Ludlow Street...



Superdive...

Superdive on the January CB3/SLA docket

The Lo-Down notes that the CB3/SLA agenda is out now... (Set your calendar: Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.)

A few highlights ... including confirmation that Superdive is coming back from the dead...

Renewal with Complaint History
• La Vie (La Cave LLC), 64 East 1th St

Applications within Resolution Areas
• Coyi Cafe (Constance L Enterprise Inc), 42 Ave B (wb)

• Cien Fuegos (Cien Fuegos LLC), 95 Ave A

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
• Superdive (Rapture Cafe & Books LLC), 200 Ave A (alt/op/legalize work done, move bar)

New Liquor License Applications
• Ashton Thai Place Inc, 244 E 13th St (wb)

Superdive featured in the MTA's Tow Trucks of 2011 calendar

New Year's will be rung in with Superdive Surprises

Speaking of Superdive... Eater brings word that Superdive is open on New Year's Eve...

And it may not be the only time to enjoy Superdive in the New Year...

Rumors of Superdive's death have been greatly exaggerated, perhaps

The rumor working the, uh, rumor mill is that Superdive is coming back from the alleged dead in 2011. So I asked Team Superdive for any official word. So are you really reopening next year? "Quite possibly since the comm bd turned down the latest buyer."

And!
"Go by and see the sign, we are lighting the way for Santa."

Indeed, the sign had red-and-green bulbs in it this past weekend...

Perhaps this is all a little saber rattling on the part of Team Superdive, spook the locals into thinking they'll return if the Community Board doesn't approve the next taker...

Post columnist defends the marginalized frat boy, people with college degrees

There's a humdinger of a column today in the Post titled "East Village bohemian snobs drive out the frat boys."




You need to read the article for yourself — that is, if you know how to read. ... A few excerpts to get you warmed up...

“Superdive made a lot of us into activists,” a 58-year-old former social worker named Dale Goodson told Capitalnewyork.com, which offered a fascinating history of Superdive.

So, what brand of humanity is considered undignified to a guy who spends his days shepherding the underclass?

Frat boys. Solid men in Big Ten regalia. Business types who spent their college years learning about balance sheets instead of transgressive modes of self-actualization. To these, the East Village can be as intolerant as a monocle-wearing English aristocrat from a P.G. Wodehouse novel, gazing down upon the polloi and pronouncing them a little too hoi.

And!

Community Board 3, at a meeting in which residents carried signs reading (really) “Not in my backyard,” last month opposed one businessman’s request for a liquor license at a new space to replace a former bar at 34 Avenue A — without even listening to his proposal. Silence a dissenting voice? Not very “Rent.”

Or maybe very “Rent” indeed. A bohemian’s idea of anarchy always seems to come with a surprisingly detailed set of standards. The story of the East Village might be how little things have changed — it’s still a cramped little hipster Vatican suspicious of outsiders.

But if your neighborhood is steeped in youthful rebellion, don’t be too outraged when free-spirited types come flocking around in a mad celebration of twentysomething exuberance. And don’t hate them just because their hero is Rex Ryan instead of Allen Ginsberg.

An epic story on the life and death of Superdive

Sarah Laskow files a detailed piece at Capital titled "Fast times on Avenue A: The life and death of Superdive."

A few excerpts!

LONGTIME VILLAGERS OFTEN TALK ABOUT the change in their neighborhood as synonymous with the rise of bars and restaurants that create street traffic and noise unlike that in any other neighborhood. Words and phrases like rowdy, circus atmosphere, zoo are used to describe the street scene at night. When bar owners and nightlife operators argue that the East Village has always been a nightlife destination, they respond: Yes, but. Something’s different now.

Academics have a word for what the neighborhood has become: a nightscape. Bars and restaurants were once peripheral to the main drag's primary economic drivers: supermarkets, coffeehouses, boutique shops, record stores. But in post-industrial cities, nightlife has grown into an industry in its own right. As in any industry, shop owners tend to cluster. A century ago, that meant the creation of a Garment District. Now it means the creation of a Party District.

And!

Superdive was self-conscious, though. It promised not just beer or a dance floor, but an experience directly targeted at a crowd the East Village had perhaps hoped it hadn't overtly been catering to: Not some group of characters out of an old Lou Reed song, so much as the group of characters you'd find on Bourbon Street, or worse, North Avenue in White Plains. There was some irony in the marketing of Superdive, but not much.

“Superdive made a lot of us into activists,” Dale Goodson, 58, said recently.

Read the whole shebang here.

About Superdive the other night

On Wednesday evening, we heard that Superdive, despite being closed and for sale, looked kinda open... We asked management for an explanation. "Sorry you missed Babydive, Momadive, and Papadive having our family dance party and contemplating the next move..."

Breaking: Superdive is open?!

As Goggla sent along tonight: "I thought they were finally closed?! Despite 'closed' and 'for rent' signs, Supderdive appears to be open."

An investigative team will be dispatched, if he feels like getting off the couch.

Diablo Royale Este owner blasts the 'blasphemous lies' of residents, invites the State Liquor Authority to investigate

A discussion of Diablo Royale Este prompted a heated exchange during tonight's CB3/SLA subcommittee meeting between owner Jason Hennings and Avenue A residents.

Hennings and his attorney were present to discuss a review of the stipulations that the bi-level Mexican-themed bar and eatery at 169 Avenue A agreed to upon being approved for a liquor license. The restaurant opened in May. Among other things, it is stated the bar must closes its 18x20 backyard space by 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Several Avenue A residents were on hand (many carrying signs reading "Northern Avenue A says No More") to discuss ongoing issues with the bar, including noise and overcrowding. (And several people brought up the Sept. 5 Boats 'N Hoes bash!) Residents also claim that the backyard stays open beyond its stated hours.



Several residents spoke in front of the committee about the crowds on the sidewalk. Avenue A resident Shawn Chittle recounted how he had to walk on Avenue A to catch the 14A because the sidewalks were so full. When he turned to look, the bus' rearview mirror clipped him in the forehead, causing a deep gash. Upon hearing this, Hennings was seen smiling, laughing and shaking his head, which prompted an angry reaction from Chittle.

Avenue A resident Andrew Coamey said that during the bar's Halloween party, Hennings allegedly approached him on the sidewalk ... that he would see him in 10 years and Coamey "would still be complaining about gentrification." At the time of the confrontation, Hennings was dressed as a gladiator.

After hearing a handful of residents speak out, Hennings called their claims "blasphemous lies." He apologized to the committee for being so upset, but that sitting there and hearing the residents was "angst provoking."

"I'm laughing at some of the stories that I hear." He said that not only does he own Diablo Royale Este, but he also manages the space. He estimates he's there 100 hours a week.

Hennings said that he has only ever received one complaint from residents. He said the Boats N' Hoes bash wasn't their party; that an NYU student had rented out the space and misled the bar on his intentions.

Hennings later singled out Coamey, who he described as a "full-time activist." Coamey quickly stood up and noted that the is the senior vice president for housing and chief financial officer of Housing Works Inc., overseeing 600 employees and a $50 million budget.

Acting committee chair Herman F. Hewitt asked Hennings if Diablo Royale Este operates as a restaurant. He said that they did, and he had his executive chef on hand as well. Hennings estimates that he spends 20 hours a week working on new recipes for the restaurant with his chef.

The committee decided to recommend sending a letter to the State Liquor Authority to investigate Diablo Royale's various stipulations and claims. Committee member David McWater asked Hennings if he would voluntarily agree to stop using the backyard. If he did so, then the committee wouldn't send a letter to the SLA.

"I'm happy to be investigated," Hennings said. He wanted the fact that he welcomed the investigation to be noted in the letter. Several times Hennings mentioned that he had surveillance cameras in the backyard, and that the committee could review the video.

Also on the docket: The committee voted down Jevan Damadian's plans to reopen 34 Avenue A, the onetime home of Aces and Eights....ditto for the "restaurant for the senses" planned in the old Superdive space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Diablo Royale Este opens today: features two bars, one screening room and spit-roast pigs in the backyard

The possible future of 200 Avenue A: A destination restaurant 'that involves all the senses'

Tonight, the folks who want to take over 200 Avenue A (aka, Superdive) go before the CB3/SLA subcommittee... Last Monday, the team who plans to open a new restaurant here met with neighbors to explain the concept...

I did exchange e-mails with one of the partners who wants to take over the space... However, we never were able to meet to discuss the concept. Jill at Blah Blog Blah attended last Monday's confab... and she passed along some notes....

• They were very sincere in their desire to create something special and unique that would also provide a high return on investment.

• They were truly surprised that there would be opposition to their concept. They knew that SuperDive had a lot of problems ... but did not seem sensitive to the issues about how SuperDive had impacted the residents.

• Most of the owners/investors (there were about 6 people there from their organization) had never been to the block on a weekend night. The residents with the most vocal opposition were those that have been directly impacted by the problems that SuperDive caused in terms of direct noise and loss of sleep and lowered quality of life from those crowds. The next set of opposition came from people who are dismayed with the change of character in the neighborhood brought on by the frat bars, as well as the loss of retail diversity.

• Their concept is more about the concept and the branding than about food. They don't have a menu, prices or chef, but they do have an idea, funding and a manager.

• The landlord representative said that the owner of the building will not consider any tenant other than a restaurant ... but did not want something that was only a bar.

• They want to create a "destination restaurant" that involves all the senses. They will have several large video screens in the back room lounge, with couches and maybe a smell machine. In the front there will be a 13-foot bar with an unknown number of seats and an unknown number of tables seating an unknown number of people.

• They want to build a brand and then take it to the west coast (or possibly sell it?). To my ears, I heard something akin to "Hard Rock Cafe" — a branded theme chain with locations all over the world.

• They did not have a menu, a potential menu, or a chef. When asked the price point of the entrees, they had no idea. When asked $8 or $30, they said "somewhere in between."

• They intend to operate 6 pm-4 am 7 nights a week, serving food until within an hour of closing. When asked if they would consider closing earlier, they said absolutely not.

• They will have doormen and not encourage the fratboy scene

• They intend to do extensive work to soundproof the interior

• They were unclear about the music but it would fit into their "sense" theme, and would be bringing in live music and djs for an event or specific purpose. Not rock bands, but amplified music is in their agenda. But it's not a nightclub. When asked if they would consider not having live music, they said absolutely not.

• They have never owned a restaurant with a liquor license. They ran a themed sandwich shop called Project Sandwich in Soho which closed after 9 months. They run 40+ sushi bars in supermarkets around the city and Long Island.

• They plan to invest $1 million in this venture

• They served delicious sushi and cookies, which I enjoyed to their fullest

I asked the Superdive owners about the future here... and via e-mail, Team Superdive said: "The liquor license has been put in safekeeping and we all look forward to Nov. 15 when a prospective purchaser, (a fine intelligent respectful gentleman i might add), appears before the beloved community board.

Hopefully, the trial by kafka is not the experience he undergoes. a bright light perhaps but please comm bd 3 — no waterboarding!!!"

Speaking of night's meeting, we hear that CB3/SLA chair Alexandra Militano won't be able to attend. We heard that she fell last week and had to have emergency surgery on her elbow.

What is taking over the Superdive space

The owner of the former Aces and Eights space at 34 Avenue A isn't the only person reaching out to the neighborhood.

Signs are up now at the Superdive space. The new owners of the space are on this month's CB3/SLA docket.




As you can see, the new owners want to meet the neighborhood tonight — with promises of cider and pastries. I sent Han Kao an e-mail Saturday morning asking for more details on what people can expect here, though he didn't respond.

However, a neighborhood power broker tells me the new owners are thinking something nouveau American cuisiney but aren't going to commit to anything until they meet with the neighborhood. The resident says while the new owners sound friendly enough, nearby neighbors would love a business that doesn't require a liquor license. One resident along Avenue A asked, "Why can't the landlord bring in a Yoga/Meditation center with a juice bar?" Noted another neighbor: "Great idea. Wrong lifetime."

On the November SLA/CB3 docket: A rebranded Aces and Eights, another Taqueria and, of course, Superdive

As you may have seen yesterday at Eater or The-Lo-Down, the CB3-SLA docket for November is now online.

A few items of interest:

Renewal with Complaint History

• Odessa, 117 Ave A (op)

Review of Stipulations
• Diablo Royale — home of the Hopsicle! (East Village Café & Restaurant LLC), 167 Ave A (op)

Three words for you: Boats 'N Hoes! (Or is that two words?)

Applications within Resolution Areas

• Corp to be Formed, 200 Ave A (op) (Superdive)

Heh heh.

• 34A Restaurant Corp, 34 Ave A (op) (Aces & Eights)

Well, we were told the former Aces and Eights, now closed, would rebrand itself as 34A...

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
• Empellon, 105 1st Ave (trans/op) (Counter)

The end for the veggie bistro?

• Tozzer Ltd, 112 Ave A (alt/op)

Interesting... this is the address of Niagara... curious to learn more hat this is about...

• Henry's Hat (Henry's Hat New York LLC), 90 3rd Ave (trans/op)

At the location of Montien Thai Cuisine, which has been on the block.

New Liquor License Applications

• Corp to be Formed, 101 3rd Ave (op)

This is the former Cosmic Cantina space.

• Taqueria East Village (Azpeitia Barraza & Rivas Cuellar Inc), 107 1st Ave (op) (Bon Joo)

Bonjoo, the Korean restaurant on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, closed earlier this year... and it looks as if First Avenue is getting another Taqueria.... like the one below...

• Sabora Mexico Taqueria (Jarlene Corp), 160 1st Ave (wb)

This is the new Mexican place in the former Western Union space.

Monday, November 15 at 6:30pm — JASA/Green Residence, 200 East 5th Street at Bowery

Your unwanted Superdive weekend recap

Friday night. Closed!



Saturday night. Open!