Sunday, April 3, 2011

Be careful that you don't S'mac your head!


Eh, OK... Outside S'mac this morning on 12th Street...

Non-shockers: More bars in 10003 Zip Code than anywhere else in NYC



From the Post today, in a piece titled Booze 'n the hood: E. Village tops tipsy ZIP-code liquor list:

A Post analysis of state liquor licenses by ZIP code has zeroed in on the booziest blocks, with the East Village's 10003 rising to the top of the suds-soaked list.

There were 474 bars, restaurants and corner stores licensed to sell hooch in the hood, beating out Times Square and Hell's Kitchen.

Those who live in the city's cocktail capital have increasingly had enough of the day-to-night debauchery.

"It's like a red-light district," said Andrew Coamey, 44, a CFO who lives in the East Village. "It's honking cabs all night. It's like a bad, disturbing dream."

Jeremy makes a good point in the comments... not really fair to call 10003 "the East Village."

That's some rough


Just looking at an errant golf ball here on East 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

City tossing longtime Astor Place newspaper vendor

From the Daily News:

A beloved newsstand vendor who has presided over Manhattan's Cooper Square for 24 years is getting tossed out like yesterday's papers.

The city is booting Jerry Delakas, 62, from a kiosk on Astor Place and Lafayette St. because he's not the legal license holder.

That decision contradicts the dying wish of the woman who held the license, happily allowed him to operate the stand and designated him as heir.

[Photo by Hagen for News via The Daily News]

Saturday, April 2, 2011

April 1


EV Grieve reader Mike sent along this shot from First Avenue between Second and Third streets from late yesterday.

Once again, the shot lacks a newspaper cover for authentication purposes. However, the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring (ICTTS) will allow this tree to enter this year's competition. Why? According to one ICTTS official: "It's clear that this photo was taken from the street in either a fast-moving vehicle or on foot. Either way, we salute this bravery."

Avenue A, 8:49 a.m., April 2


Avenue A near 10th Street.

Window shopping on St Marks Place



Waiting for a friend


At the Tompkins Square Park dog run. Photo by Bobby Williams.

Friday, April 1, 2011

April showers


Avenue A near St. Mark's Place via Bobby Williams.

Damned if you do



The Damned, circa 1985-6 during the Unfortunate Outfits Era, with a Barry Ryan cover. (A video well worth your time watching.)

Which NYC neighborhood has the most happy hours? (One guess!)

We somehow missed this item at Grub Street Wednesday evening. It's info from a Happy Hours app via Village Voice Media. From Grub Street:

Using co-developer GoTime.com’s database of 972 happy hours in Manhattan, the Voice came up with a “happy hour density” (i.e., happy hours per square blocks) in various Manhattan neighborhoods south of Harlem. ... Not surprisingly, the East Village has the most happy hours, so expect to see this graphic presented as “Exhibit A” in a heated Community Board 3 meeting soon!

[Image via Grub Street]

Next stop, Board of Elections!

Earlier today, we brought you the sad news that Cherries, the adult gift-and-DVD shop on St. Mark's Place, has closed.

Thanks to EV Grieve reader Don Stahl for this shot... in which workers are removing the "viewing booths."


And, despite that juvenile headline, there's no truth to the rumor that the Board of Elections in the City of New York bought the old booths.

(See more of Don's photos on his Tumblr here.)

Today in April Fools Day gags on Avenue C

Outside the Sunburnt Cow near Ninth Street...


Only porn adult gift and DVD shop on St Mark's Place closes

Fresh off our conversations about one person's unhappiness over a certain sign and "bordello"-esque red curtains on Avenue A...

Cherries, the adult gift and DVD shop and what not, at 18 St. Mark's Place...



[Above photo by ShamrockTattoo via Flickr]

... has closed. We saw the 50 percent signs go up recently ... and last evening we walked by to see that it was gone... No goodbye sign — nothing... (And I recall reading on Eater that Michael "Bao" Huynh owned the lease here...??)


"Saturday Night Live" also featured a quick shot of Cherries during its intro last season... you can see it at the 1:24 mark...

Part 2, the sequel: Other East Village signs maybe someone can take issue with

Following up on our post from two Fridays ago ...



Today in cute photos of squirrels in Tompkins Square Park


Photo by EV Grieve wildlife correspondent Bobby Williams.

Your Chloe Sevigny-free roster of new Community Board 3 members

From the EV Grieve inbox...

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer [yesterday] announced the 2011 appointees to Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards. The City Charter mandates that all Community Board appointments be made by April 1, and this year’s selection continues the trend toward greater diversity and expertise that began when President Stringer first took office.

“I have been committed to energizing and revitalizing Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards since taking office in 2006, and I am proud that this year’s appointees reflect these priorities,” said Stringer. “Today, our community boards are platforms for robust discussion of neighborhood issues and vehicles for ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz [editor's note].”

Anyway! here's the list of the Community Board 3 members... the names of the new appointees are in bold.



In case you can't make out the bold names...

Gary Tai
Charlotte Miles
David Conn
Natasha Dillon
Karen Blatt
Carlina Rivera
Jack Waters

And, as you noticed, no Chloe Sevigny!

Walls and memories left at Carmine's

Early last week, Julie Shapiro at DNAinfo reported that the bar and other fixtures from shuttered EV Grieve favorite Carmine's were sold and shipped to the Old Stein Inn near Annapolis, Md.

The 107-year old eatery at the South Street Seaport looked like this...


[Photo by Goggla via The Gog Log]

EV Grieve reader Tony Devers caught a look inside the other day. Ugh.


Tony has also sent along this shot... (Despite the weather, this was NOT taken last night...)


Previously on EV Grieve:
Hope fades for a new Carmine's at the Seaport

Bowery Wine Company will be closed on Sundays during April

What the sign says here on East First Street anyway...

The MTA's idea for lowering fares?


Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street.