Daniel Maurer Haile Bistro

Suffering Bastard, indeed?

The name of Richard Boccato’s proposed Polynesian spot may have taken on new meaning last night, as the owner of PKNY, a self-declared “native son” of New York, failed to win over Community Board 3’s SLA committee.

The storefront at 172 Avenue B has been vacant ever since Mercadito Cantina closed a little over two years ago. But the block is saturated with bars, argued neighbors such as Andrew Coamey, a member of the East Village Community Coalition. Sara Romanoski, the managing director of the E.V.C.C., presented a letter of protest, signed by herself and Damaris Reyes, executive director of Good Old Lower East Side, whose office is across the street from the proposed location.

After laboriously making the case that he and partner Ian Present had long roots in the neighborhood (Mr. Present grew up on that very block, between 10th and 11th Streets) Mr. Boccato challenged a man with a European accent who had spoken against the bar, saying, “With all due respect, your accent doesn’t sound like a native New Yorker.”
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Joseph Neighbor

Alder, chef Wylie Dufresne’s latest venture, has now been open 12 days. That’s a little less than two weeks of frenetic Internet buzz, of outlets like The Local trying to take pictures and ask questions, and long lines of foodies eager to have their conception of pub grub and cocktails deconstructed in delectable ways.

But despite the hype and all the stress that comes with it, Mr. Dufresne didn’t appear harried when we spoke to him last week. He looked exactly like every other time you’ve seen him: flawlessly trimmed angular sideburns, a chef’s coat he seems to sleep in, and a mien of Zen-like calm. He has a way of being friendly without smiling.

Sitting at the bar near the window, Second Avenue seemed a parade of familiar faces to him. The East Village, a few blocks from where he went to high school, has become a beacon for foodies, with marquee chefs setting up shop in droves. But Mr. Dufresne isn’t moving in; he’s been here all along. While his first restaurant WD-50 – a temple of avant-garde cuisine that celebrates its 10th anniversary today – introduced him to the world, Alder is re-introducing him to his neighbors. The Local spoke to him about his life — and now work — in the East Village.

Is it more difficult to open a restaurant now that you have such a reputation, and everybody’s watching?

Is it more difficult than it was to open WD-50? I don’t know. WD-50 was under quite a bit of scrutiny when it opened as well. It was a different kind of scrutiny. There wasn’t an Internet back then, and the ability for the anonymous blogger to weigh in instantly. I don’t know if I would say it’s more difficult, I’d just say it’s different. The game has changed, the rules have changed, the way it’s played has changed. Read more…

NYPD

A woman fought off a purse snatcher during the wee hours of St. Patrick’s Day, the police said.

The would-be thief, thought to be in his 20s, is said to have confronted the 31-year-old victim as she entered her East Eighth Street building around 3 a.m. on March 17. He forcibly swiped her purse but fled without taking anything after she was able to get it back from him, the police said.

Scott Lynch

Good morning, East Village.

A woman was hit by a cab Sunday afternoon. [More Than Usual]

One of the cars that caught on fire early Saturday belonged to Father Pat Maloney. [DNA Info]

Susan Faludi recalls Shulamith Firestone, the late feminist. “Few were as radical, or as audacious, as Shulamith Firestone. Just over five feet tall, with a mane of black hair down to her waist, and piercing dark eyes behind Yoko Ono glasses, Firestone was referred to within the movement as ‘the firebrand’ and ‘the fireball.'” [New Yorker]
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Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, LLPProposed changes to the north side.

After an initial disapproval from the Department of Buildings, a plan to turn the former P.S. 64 building into dorms has gotten its first nod of support from Community Board 3.

On Wednesday the Landmarks subcommittee voted to support developer Gregg Singer’s application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, concluding that changes would not radically alter the building’s facade and exterior space. (The “C of A” is a permit issued by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for work that also requires Department of Buildings approval.)

The updated building plans, posted to Community Board 3’s Website and reproduced below, show a ramp to the basement and a lift to its raised courtyard along East Ninth Street, both of which would improve wheelchair access. Additionally, all non-original fencing will be removed from the building’s grounds on the street level. The first-floor plans illustrate suite-style dorms with kitchens and bathrooms throughout.

The two most dramatic exterior changes will occur along East Tenth Street and on the building’s roof. The plans illustrate a raised, T-shaped courtyard space lined with railings. Two light wells border the courtyard and will open up the basement level of the building’s north side, and new doors and windows will open the previously closed space at street level.

On the roof, the plans show new staircase bulkheads and other mechanical equipment that will be surrounded by a series of small picket fences bordering the edge of the roof. Read more…

Konstantin Sergeyev

The cause of a fire that totaled a 2012 Volvo and a 1990s Honda Civic early Saturday is still unknown, according to a police source.

The blaze in front of 606 East Ninth Street (the former P.S. 64 building) was called in at 1:24 a.m. Saturday and extinguished by 1:45 a.m., according to Jim Flynn, a neighbor who posted footage to YouTube.

The incident was first reported on EV Grieve, who also noted a motorcycle fire on East Third Street this morning.

Konstantin Sergeyev, a contributor to The Local, sent in the following photos of the aftermath. Read more…

Joanna Marshall

The density of juice bars in the East Village is starting to reach critical mass. An outpost of Organic Avenue, a chain with several locations around town, is setting up shop at 30 Third Avenue, which was vacated by STA Travel last summer.

The juice joint — opening in about a month, according to a representative — isn’t the only chain coming to the avenue: it’s next to a new UPS Store and across the street from a Subway sandwich shop opening soon at 31 Third Avenue.

It’s also three blocks from Liquiteria, six blocks from Daily Juice, two blocks from the Juice Press that opened at 201 East 10th Street a couple of months ago (not to mention their two other locations), and within spitting distance of countless corner stores that sell freshly pressed juice.

Maybe this is a good thing? It’s nice to have a healthy lunch option in lieu of another slice from Joe’s Pizza. Then again, Joe’s is now delivering…

Danny Ghitis for The New York Times Travis Bass

Travis Bass, the “impresario of the night” who split with EMM Group after running Bow, has found a new home just a stone’s throw from 199 Bowery: he’s now overseeing the basement at perennial Lafayette Street hotspot Butter.

A representative confirms that the restaurant’s basement has been transformed into a lounge with separate entrance called 415. Mr. Bass will run the room Tuesday through Saturday. A party attendee said the space has been outfitted with mirrors, plants and a smoke screen. “It looks similar to his previous short runs at White Slab, Jobee’s/Madame Wong’s and Red Egg,” the tipster said.

This isn’t the only change in store for Butter, which turned 11 last month: another representative who didn’t want to be named said the restaurant is renovating — “just painting, things like that” — while dinner service continues upstairs.

Meanwhile, The General’s basement, which has faced considerable kickback from unhappy neighbors, is now going by the name Jazz Room at the General, and is hosting two nightly seatings for live music.

That doesn’t mean the parties are over. A representative confirmed that after midnight on select nights, the space transforms into a lounge with DJ.

Scott Lynch

Good morning, East Village.

Did you notice St. Marks Place got a shoutout during the season premiere of “Mad Men” last night? Last week Off the Grid took a look at the show’s version of the Village. [Off the Grid]

Anthony Weiner was spotted brunching at Cafe Mogador. [NY Daily News]

Rev Billy made an appearance at a theatrical No 7-Eleven protest in Tompkins Square Park on Saturday. [Save the LES, Gamma Blog]
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Mel Bailey

Mel Bailey

Maybe you noticed that red-and-white truck blaring music at Astor Place today? Uniqlo launched its “UT 2013” campaign this week and its “truckshop” made a pit stop in the East Village.

The truck houses the brand’s limited-edition spring “collab” t-shirts, and a changing area where customers can try on the goods. This season’s hot seller for men? $19.90 tee-shirts featuring the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who of course once had a studio over on Great Jones Street.

The truck will be at Gansevoort Plaza every Saturday in April, with musical guests and DJs performing on the roof.

Lila Selim Rosie Mendez (center) at press conference.

Members of the city council are calling on the New York City Housing Authority to submit to a standardized public review process as it moves ahead with its plan to lease parking lots and playgrounds to private developers. But today the agency rejected that idea, fueling accusations that it’s moving too quickly and steaming-rolling right over tenants.

At a City Council Committee on Public Housing hearing this morning, tenant-association presidents from at least four of the eight sites that have been selected for development expressed concerns about the plan — and in the case of Smith Houses, Meltzer Houses and Baruch Houses, outright rejected it. Read more…

When the seventh annual Anarchist Book Fair kicks off tomorrow at Celemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, interviewers will ask attendees “What does anarchy mean to you?” so their answers can be compiled into a zine or book.

“The vision is to understand what anarchism means to the individual as well as groups of people. Because there is a lot of misconception out there from the media,” said Elias, a member of the collective that planned the fair. “Anarchism isn’t just about causing mayhem.”

East Villagers might remember that the book fair last year ended in smashed windows and scuffles with police.

This year, the Ninth Precinct will be keeping an eye on the proceedings, a police source told The Local. While “the book fair itself wasn’t a problem,” the source said, the fair is “something we need to be aware of in case it gets out of hand.”

Members of the Anarchist Book Fair Collective have insisted that the fair does not promote violence and contend that undercover police officers instigated the confrontation last year. In any case, this year, the Anarchist Book Fair has a new “Safe Space Policy” that’s “intended to make this event a supportive, nonthreatening, and safe environment,” according to the fair’s webpage. There will be no violence of any kind tolerated and violators of the Safe Space Policy will be asked to leave.

That’s not all that’s new this year: this time around, the fair will be two days instead of just one, and there will be more than 40 tables featuring zines, radical and New York City publishers.
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For every East Village business that’s opening or closing, dozens are quietly making it. Here’s one of them: Gruppo Thin Crust Pizza.

Mel Bailey

Last week Evan Mann, manager of Gruppo, sent the word out via text message: “FREE BEER TONIGHT!!!” The pizzeria had just relocated from its longtime location at 186 Avenue B and opened up a handful of blocks away, at 98 Avenue B.  Why the move? Antonio Gomez, the owner, said his landlord tripled his rent. “We never missed a payment and when we reached the end of our lease we expected to have a civilized conversation with our landlord about the lease, and it was not a nice discussion at all,” he said. “So, we had to pay them what they wanted month to month and at the same time find a spot very quickly.” About a year later, thin-crust pies are coming out of the oven just a few blocks away. We asked Mr. Gomez how the new spot is working out.

Why do you think your landlord acted this way? It seems it’s better to have someone in the space than not, yet it never seems to be that landlords think that way.

My understanding is that the building was sold to a corporation. The previous owners were wonderful, but the new corporation, we just are numbers on the page. It was a strange, painful situation for us. There was no room for negotiation. It was clear that we weren’t a part of their plans. Read more…

Scott Lynch

Good morning, East Village.

Jim Gaffigan, no stranger to the neighborhood, made a surprise appearance at EastVille Comedy Club last night. Among other things, he spieled about Whole Foods: “There should just be a garbage can at the entrance with a $ sign on it.” Todd Barry returns to the club’s stage tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday.

“The very embodiment of the East Village zeitgeist, Deee-Lite led a multi-racial, pan-sexual party on wheels for a few years before their worldwide breakout hit, 1990’s ‘Groove Is In The Heart.'” [Dangerous Minds]

Cat Power’s new video features some East Village scenes. [Twerking Hard in EV]

Is Alder the hottest restaurant in the city right now? [Grub Street]

Kavitha Surana SLA offices

The State Liquor Authority has denied a full liquor license to an East Villager hoping to open a Latin bistro on the Lower East Side, handing another victory to a group fighting rampant nightlife in the neighborhood.

About 30 people appeared at the liquor authority’s Harlem offices today to support Jose Rodriguez and Robert Payne, whose seven-month struggle to score hard liquor for their establishment at 106 Rivington Street — currently called 106 on the LES — at one point touched off accusations of racism. Their attorney, Donald Bernstein, tried to argue that a Latin establishment serving rum was culturally important for the 40,000 Latinos living around the Lower East Side and that it would change a dilapidated storefront into a commercial space that late-night partiers would be less likely to vandalize.

Residents who live in the popular nightlife neighborhood, loosely organized as L.E.S. Dwellers, have strenuously opposed plans for a full liquor license at every turn since September, showing up at Community Board 3 hearings and publicizing their opposition and concerns through flyers and social media.
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Roni Jacobson

Elderly residents are worried they’ll be left in the lurch when Peter Stuyvesant Station Post Office moves to a smaller location next year.

The branch on 14th Street — located across from Stuyvesant Town and blocks from Jacob Riis Houses and Campos Plaza — will move to an as-yet undetermined location when its lease expires in February of 2014, The Local has learned. “It is right down the street from public housing, so it is ideally located to serve seniors,” said Chris LeBarge, a spokesperson for Councilwoman Rosie Mendez. “If in fact it is relocated, we want to make sure there are no interruptions and it is not harder for seniors to get to the post office and use services.”

In February, the United States Postal Service sent a letter to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer announcing the relocation plan. The current 34,000-square-foot site will be downsized to a 5,000-square-foot retail space, according to Mr. LeBarge. Mail that is currently sorted in the back office will instead be sorted at the post office on East 23rd Street. Read more…

Rosie Mendez and Margaret Chin are calling on the New York City Housing Authority to improve community outreach as it goes forward with a plan to lease land to private developers. At a press conference tomorrow, the City Council members will demand more time before a Request For Proposal is released, so that residents can review a draft of the document. They’ll also ask the housing authority to submit to a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure involving input from community boards as well as the Borough President, City Planning Commission, and City Council. Other demands are outlined in a press release here.

Kavitha Surana

The tiny storefront at 91 Clinton Street is starting to gain a reputation for quick turnover – in the past two and a half years it briefly housed Djerdan Burek and Xiao Qin Flower shop. Now, furious renovations are taking place as Chef John Daley aims to open his first solo venture, New York Sushi Ko, in about five weeks.

Mr. Daley, 33, is a member of the traditionalist sushi tribe. After training rigorously for almost three years at 15 East under Masato Shimizu in New York, he traveled to Tokyo to study under his master’s master, Rikio Kugo. “Outsiders of a culture usually delve deeper into aspects that people living inside the culture will take for granted, “ he said, musing about his passion for Japanese sushi philosophy and details. “I’m going to experiment with presentation at Sushi Ko, but this isn’t going to be an Asian fusion restaurant. I’m going for strictly traditional Japanese flavors.”

To recreate the quality of his experience culling fish from Tokyo’s legendary Tsukiji market, Mr. Daley plans to go to extreme lengths: “Last call at Sushi Ko will be at 3 a.m.,” he explained. “By 3:30 a.m. I’ll be in my car, driving to get my fish for the day in Queens or Brooklyn, just landed in JFK from Tokyo.” Read more…