Friday, March 20, 2020

A new era for Urban Etiquette Signs?



Perhaps before our current global health crisis someone would not have taken exception — via a Hello My Name Is "Are you fucking kidding me?" sticker — over a discarded tissue in an East Village hallway.

Thanks to Mark White for the photo!

Local grocery stores with special hours for people 60 and over



Here's an expanded list of local supermarkets with senior-specific shopping hours... via local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera...



C'mon Get Happy



Siouxsie And The Banshees with "Happy House" from March 1980.

Press pause: Gov. Cuomo says all non-essential workers must stay home



As you have likely heard, Gov. Cuomo today ordered a statewide stay-at-home directive that will shut down most of the state, including New York City, during the coronavirus pandemic.

The restrictions take effect Sunday night at 8. Per Cuomo's office:

New York State on PAUSE: In New York we know that Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone
Governor Cuomo will sign an Executive Order mandating that 100% of the workforce must stay home, excluding essential services.

Exemptions from the order will include shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, health-care providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions.

Enacting Matilda’s Law to protect New Yorkers age 70+ and those with compromised immune systems
Remain indoors
• Can go outside for solitary exercise
• Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
• Wear a mask in the company of others
• Stay at least 6 feet from others
• Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services will be closed to the public effective Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m.

The Governor's office did not provide a projected timeline for how long this stay-at-home directive will last.

Meanwhile, because several EVG readers have already asked: LIQUOR STORES HAVE BEEN DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS AND MAY REMAIN OPEN.

This info. comes from the suddenly loved New York State Liquor Store Association. (Thanks David for this link!)

Materials needed for mask-making at Mary O's on Avenue A



Friends and family of Mary O's, the pub at 32 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street, are making masks to donate to people who may want or need them. They are asking for any donations of 100-percent cotton clothing or material (unused) ... you can drop the materials at the bar.

San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals



Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Earlier this week, several thoughtful people in the neighborhood ordered food from San Loco to be delivered to the workers at two local hospitals.

I tagged along with San Loco owners Jill and Kimo Hing as they — and their team — created, packaged and delivered hot lunches on Tuesday to two area hospitals, including Beth Israel’s emergency room.













The staff at both hospitals — on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak — were clearly tired and stressed, though grateful for the meals. I could see firsthand the conditions today and having the gift of food delivered was appreciated.





San Loco has set up these grab-n-go burrito grande meal packages (beef, chicken, pork, tofu, roasted veggie or rice and beans) along with a side of guacamole and chips and can do the same if you’d like to order food for some local first responders, hospital staff or nursing home/senior center employees.

To purchase meals, please call San Loco at its Stanton Street location at 212-253-7580 or email via this contact.

San Loco's Avenue C location is currently closed, but the outpost at 111 Stanton St. is open for takeout and delivery.

The 1st Avenue fruit cart has departed



The fruit-vegetable vendors here on First Avenue and Sixth Street outside Village View packed up and left last night. (H/T Janet!)

Noticed yesterday afternoon that they had an ample supply of produce. Were people just not buying any?

These East Village institutions are now currently closed



After a to-go sandwich service on St. Patrick's Day, McSorley's is now closed over at 15 E. Seventh St. for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak ...



Meanwhile, Veselka, 144 Second Ave. at Ninth Street, decided to shut down operations starting yesterday. Here's part of their Instagram post:

Veselka has closed indefinitely. That was not a fun decision to make, but it was an easy one. The safety of our staff and customers comes first.

Rest assured that we’ll be back! We may be suspending operations before some other places, but we’ll start boiling the borscht as soon as the scientists and regulators give us the all-clear.

And B&H, 127 Second Ave., is also closed now. Tuesday was their last day, in which they were giving out some menu items.

Their future seems less clear, and there is now a crowdfunding campaign in place to help them in the interim.

Street signs of the times



On the Bowery at East Houston, and several other NYC intersections: "Stay In, Sane." As in: Stay In. Stay Sane. (Not to blogsplain or anything...

Via @plannedalism

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Thursday's parting shot



Photo from Union Square via jdx ...

It won't be a self-quarantine Christmas after all



Today, the first day of spring, on Avenue A...

Checking in on Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery



EVG regular Lola SaÊnz reports that Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery is up and running at 215 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. Pompeyo and company are making their Mexican food (to go) ... the small shop also has other grocery items (beer! milk! rice!)



For now, the shop is open from 9 a.m. to late evening.

The return of Grant Shaffer's NY See



After a brief hiatus, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's NY See — an observational sketch diary — is back.

Working 9 to 5 at East Village Organic


[Photo by Steven]

So you know the hours for Whole Foods. (See previous post.)

Meanwhile, East Village Organic, 124 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whole Foods allows customers 60 and over to shop an hour before the general public



Whole Foods Market has adjusted its hours of operation and set aside a special time for seniors to shop so they're less exposed to the coronavirus, per a company statement.

All Whole Foods stores are allowing customers 60 and older to shop for an hour before opening to the general public.

“We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment,” Whole Foods said in a statement.

At the Whole Foods Bowery, 60-and-over shoppers can start at 7 a.m. (ditto for the Union Square outpost, which has the same 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours)...



Thanks to Mercedes Sanchez for these photos!

Daily bread at C&B Cafe



C&B Cafe, 178 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is one of the many local businesses who had to dramatically adjust its method of operation in recent days. For now, the cafe, which opened in January 2015, is able to offer sandwiches for takeout.

Chef-owner Ali Sahin has also been busy making 4-pound loaves of sourdough that take three days to prepare.

He discusses it in an Instagram post:

I have been baking bread in the cafe for almost 4 years. Some days bread would come out perfect but for the most part it was inconsistent and I didn’t care as much. Funny enough last 2 weeks my bread is coming out perfect. So I have been baking bread everyday. Bread is holy where I come from. I was thought a wasted crumb is a big sin.

So don’t waste a crumb of it and share it with others. I was told that if my bread rises so would my house. And my house did rise to be a successful cafe. Starting from [March 19], I am shrinking my menu to sandwiches only. I will keep baking bread as long as I have flour so you can keep ordering sourdough if you need bread at home.

C&B will be closed on Friday, so Ali can "go visit city offices to find out what kind of relief they are offering to small business." You can order bread by stopping by or sending a DM via Instagram.

A heartbreaking look at temporarily closed East Village businesses


[Photo by Paul Gale]

On Monday, Mayor de Blasio announced that restaurants, bars and cafes will only be allowed to serve only takeout and delivery. A good number of East Villages restaurants are continuing to operate (find our list here) ... while some bars have gotten creative.

Other bars and restaurants decided to close up for the duration. Here's a look several East Village businesses now on hiatus during the coronavirus outbreak...


[Photo by Vinny & O]


[Photo by Steven]




[Photo by Pinch]





911 calls in the coronavirus era



Reported at the McDonald's on 14th Street near First Avenue via the Citizen app.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Wednesday's parting shot



Photo on Avenue A by Grant Shaffer...

EVG on Twitter


In the weeks ahead I'll also be posting more to Twitter... in case you are on Twitter...

Loews Village 7 likely closed for 6-12 weeks



The Loews Village 7 on Third Avenue at 11th Street is likely out of commission for up to 12 weeks.

AMC, the country's largest theater chain, made the announcement yesterday.

All AMC locations in the United States will close for at least six to 12 weeks, in compliance with local, state and federal directives, and as a precaution to help ensure the health and safety of moviegoers and theatre staff. AMC will continue to monitor the situation closely, and the Company will remain flexible on reopening, in accordance with CDC recommendations and governmental directives.

No word on the status of AMC employees during that time.

And how long will that stories-high ad for Dave Bautista vehicle "My Spy" remain up...?


[Photos from a few weeks ago]

These 2 East Village mainstays are open for now



• Russo's Mozzarella & Pasta, 344 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue (checking on the hours)

• East Village Meat Market, 139 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Morning messages



Photo from along the FDR and East River Park via Vinny & O...

Checking in on La Sirena Mexican Folk Art



Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Dina Leor, owner of La Sirena, 27 E. Third St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery, is feeling emotional when I arrive to take her picture and talk to her about the challenges small businesses face during the coronavirus outbreak.

Dina recommends purchasing reusable bags for the shopping we’re doing right now — not to mention the recent plastic bag ban. Bags start at $3 (some perfect ones for little kids who may wish to have their own reusable shopping bags!) and go up to $35 for larger, oilskins versions.



There are also $4 prayer candles, Mexican milagros (religious/folk charms for healing miracles), and colorful rosaries. During this challenging economic time, Dina is offering an East Village neighbors discount if you mention you live in the neighborhood.

You can also support the store via its online shop here. She is also taking phone order (212-780-9113). Dina hopes to remain open as long as possible. Hours are noon until 6 p.m. daily for now.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Tuesday's parting shot



The marquee at City Cinemas Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street. Now playing: Stay safe and healthy. (Please do!)

Photo by Steven

St. Patrick's Day at McSorley's



McSorley's over on Seventh Street is always — obviously — quite festive on St. Patrick's Day... today, they are open to sell a variety of sandwiches to go... growlers too...





Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Ravi DeRossi's East Village restaurants are giving out free vegan lunches to NYC school kids



Starting today from noon to 2 p.m. Pick up at Mother of Pearl, 95 Avenue A, Avant Garden, 130 E. Seventh St. and Ladybird, 111 E. Seventh St.

Key Food this morning (March 17)



Key Food on Avenue A at Fourth Street is the closest grocery to my apartment. So I'm more likely to have updates from here as opposed to some of the other neighborhood groceries. (I welcome comments about other markets.)

This morning, there were seven delivery trucks outside the supermarket, delivering everything from dairy to Peppridge Farms.

Key is no longer open 24/7. They are closed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for sanitizing and restocking...



They also put a limit on high-demand items like, toilet paper and milk...



They were hit and miss on a few things (boxed unsweetened almond milk, randomly) but generally stocked.

Meanwhile, the Key Food soundtrack was keeping the 80s fresh with "Hip to be Square" by Huey Lewis & News.

Updating: What's open in the East Village for takeout and delivery


[Photo by Steven]

First draft as of 9 a.m. on March 17. Here are East Village cafes-restaurants open for takeout and delivery — many with contact-free options. Yes, this is an incomplete list. But it is a start. We'll continue to update throughout the day. Additions are welcome via the comments and email. Find the in-progress list of closures here.

Please call ahead or check the restaurant's website or social media for updates. All this is subject to change. Several of the vendors we talked with we're unsure how long they'd be able to stay open. Thanks to Lola SaÊnz and Steven for the reporting!

Updated 3/21: Continuing to update. Some of the information below may be outdated. Several restaurant owners told us that they have decided not to continue at this time. One restaurant owner said he had two orders the entire day.

Updated 4/5. Updated the list. Removed the closures and put the restaurants in alphabetical order.


• Abraço, 81 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Alphabet City Beer Co., 96 Avenue C. They've expanded their grocery items, and added fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy products. Open from noon to 7 p.m.

• Artichoke Pizza, 321 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Barnyard Cheese Shop/Brix Wine, 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street

• B Cup Cafe, 212 Avenue B at 12th Street is open for picks up deliveries

• The Bean (Third Avenue/Ninth Street and Broadway/Ninth Street) are open for takeout and delivery. They also have touch-free pick up.

• Bin 141, 43 Avenue A at Third Street, is open from 3-7 p.m. They are offering a variety of grab-and-go dinners for $10. See the list here.

• Bite, 211 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Brodo, First Avenue at 12th Street. The to-go Brodo window is open 100 First Ave.

• Brick Lane Curry House, 79 Second Ave. near Fifth Street.

• C&B Cafe, 178 E. Seventh St. near Avenue B. Open for takeout and delivery.

• Caffè Bene, 208 Avenue A at 13th Street

• Calexico, 99 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

• Casa Adela, 66 Avenue C between Fourth Street and Fifth Street, is open for takeout.

• Craft + Carry St Marks, 118 Saint Mark’s Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. Only beer to go. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Dallas BBQ, 132 Second Ave. at St. Mark's Place. Pick up, takeout and delivery.

• Dan and John’s Wings, 135 First Ave. between Saint Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Takeout, pick up or delivery via their website or DoorDash.

• Desi Galli, 172 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street, is open for contact-free takeout and delivery. Customers can save 15 percent off all their orders on www.desigalli.com with coupon code DESI15.

• Dim Sum Palace, 59 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street.

• The Dip, 58 Saint Mark’s Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Takeout and delivery.

• East Village Meat Market, 139 Second Ave. between Saint Mark's Place and Ninth Street

• East Village Pizza, First Avenue at Ninth Street

• ElevenB, 174 Avenue B at 11th Street. Takeout and delivery. They are also offering a special to the neighborhood: large pizza for $12, which is $3 off the usual price. Pick up only.

• Eliza's Local, 2 St. Mark's Place, has beer and growlers to go.

• Esperanto, 145 Avenue C at Ninth Street, is offering takeout and curbside pickup (including a to-go happy hour!).

• Fonda, 40 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Frank and Lil' Frankie's are open for takeout and delivery.

• Fresco, 138 Second Ave., between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, takeout and delivery from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Gena's Grill, 210 First Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street

• Gnocco, 337 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Takeout and delivery.

• Gomi Korean Wine Bar, 186 Avenue A. near 12th Street. Take out only.

• Grape and Grain, 620 E. Sixth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C, is now serving sustainable sushi from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday for take out and delivery. For a limited time only. Details here.

• Gruppo, 98 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, is open for takeout and delivery from noon to 9:30 p.m. (No fee delivery when ordered via their website.)

• Hanoi Soup Shop, 119 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue, is offering takeout and delivery from noon to 9 p.m. They are also offering the full beer, cocktail and wine menu available to-go, as well as 20 percent off bottles of wine.

• Holiday Cocktail Lounge, 75 St. Mark's Place, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Hub Thai, 103 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street

• Iggy's Pizza, 173 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street

• IHOP, 235 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Open for takeout and delivery.

• Jiang Diner, 309 E. Fifth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Open for to-go or delivery from 5 to 10 p.m.

• John's of 12th Street, 302 E. 12th St. near Second Avenue, is open for delivery and takeout.

• Juicy Lucy, 85 Avenue A between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. Open for takeout and delivery.

• Katz's, 205 E. Houston St., is open for takeout and delivery.

• Kitchen Sink, 88 Second Ave. at Fifth Street. Open for pick up and delivery.

• Kona Coffee and Company, 57 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. Open to-go from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Kotobuki, 56 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street, has pickup, delivery and curbside service.

• La Palapa, 77 Saint Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Takeout and delivery.

• Le Petit Parisien, 32 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

• Le Sia, 11 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Takeout and delivery.

• Love Mama, 174 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street. Delivery and takeout.

• Lower East Side Coffee Shop, 442 E. 14th St. near Avenue A, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Madame Vo, 212 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Open for takeout as well as delivery on Caviar

• Makiinny, 32 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Takeout and delivery

• Mamoun’s, 30 St. Marks Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue

• Mary O's, 32 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Mimi Cheng’s, 179 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street. Delivery and takeout. Currently only serving hospitals.

• Misoya, 129 2nd Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

• Mother of Pearl, 95 Avenue A at Sixth Street, has pickup and delivery options.

• Native Bean, 36 Avenue A. Open for takeout and delivery.

• Nolita Pizza, 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

• Numero 28 Pizzeria, 176 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street. Delivery and takeout.

• Odessa, 119 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. Takeout and delivery only. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Weekdays and Sunday. 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Original Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwich Shop, 209 Avenue A at 13th Street. Open for takeout.

• Paquito’s, 143 First Ave. between Saint Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Take out and delivery.

• Paul’s Da Burger Joint, 131 Second Ave. near Saint Mark's Place. Takeout only.

• Pink's, 242 E. 10th St., near First Avenue, is available for takeout and delivery.

• Porto Rico Importing Co., 40 Saint Mark’s Place near Second Avenue

• Post, 42 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street. Takeout and delivery.

• Proto’s Pizza, 50 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street.

• Pylos, 128 Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue (pick up and delivery)

• Rakka Cafe, 81 St Mark's Place near First Avenue

• Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A. To-go window is open. They are also delivering via services like Seamless, Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash.

• Ray’s Pizza, 2 St Mark's Place at Third Avenue.

• Remedy Diner, 245 E. Houston St. at Norfolk Street, is open for takeout and delivery.

Royale, 157 Avenue C near 10th Street, which is open for takeout and delivery from 5-10 p.m.

• S'MAC, 197 First Ave. at 12th St. They will continue to offer takeout and delivery during regular operating hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Sammy’s Halal, 109 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. Takeout and delivery.

• San Loco's Stanton Street location is open for takeout and delivery from noon to 10 p.m.

• Sauce, 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue [Only open on weekends]

• Shake Shack, 20 Third Ave. at Astor Place. Takeout and delivery.

• Souen, 326 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, is open for takeout and delivery.

• Starbucks, 125 St. Mark's Place at Avenue A. Open for takeout via the mobile app.

• Stromboli Pizza, 83 First Ave. between Saint Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Hours to be determined depending on how business is.

• Sweet Generation, 130 First Ave. between Saint Mark's Place and Seventh Street. Takeout and delivery only.



• TabeTomo, 131 Avenue A. between St Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Pick-up orders.

• Tacos Cuautla Morelos, 438 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Takeout and delivery

• Taqueria Diana, 129 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

• Thai Direct, 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. (They have contactless takeout and pickup.)

• Thai Terminal, 349 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. [Reopened on 4/20]

• Thailand Cafe, 95 Second Ave. near Sixth Street.

• Tompkins Square Bagels (both locations)

• Village Square Pizza, 147 Avenue A. Take out and delivery.

• Vinny Vincenz Pizza, 231 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street

• Westville Bakery, 443 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue

• Westville East, 173 Avenue A at 11th Street, is open for delivery between 11:15 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

• Whitman's, 406 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, has pick up and delivery from 5 to 10 p.m. daily.

• Zaragoza, 215 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street, is open for food to go. They also have some groceries for sale.