Buzz: Post-Plywood Archives
EaterWire: Commerce To Debut 2/7, Resy Line Open
WEST VILLAGE—Commerce, the restaurant replacing Grange Hall (via Blue Mill) at 50 Commerce Street, will open to the public next Thursday, 2/7/08. From the 7th until the 12th, the food portion of the menu will be 20% off. Here's some brand-spankin' new PR speak to refresh your memory on what this is all about:
"Commerce, nestled in the heart for Greenwich Village, is an homage to old New York. The historic space that formerly housed the beloved Grange Hall has been restored by a handful of artisan craftsmen. The stylized interior features intricate tile work, original murals by artist David Joel, restored booths originally made from English Chestnut and a stunning art deco Brunswick bar circa 1941...Owned by Tony Zazula—a founder of Montrachet—and Chef Harold Moore, Commerce presents a contemporary American menu combining global flavors and classic American ingredients such as oysters, chicken and steak."Bonus: The resy line—(212) 524-2301—is now open, and tables for Thursday and next weekend are available. [EaterWire; previously]
Waiting for Merkato: Samuelsson's Grand African Still Unopened
Merkato 55, circa 1/17/08.
Initial projections had Merkato 55, Marcus Samuelsson's gargantuan North African restaurant, opening in last September; then it was December/January, then last week. And now, various reports indicate that it'll be open in early February. Someone we spoke to who has been inside says it's ready to roll—paint dried, murals complete, wood work installed, sidewalk lighting hung. So, then, what's the hold up?
Plywood Report Update Edition: La Zarza, Bar Tano
Two updates on Plywood Report alums to share this fine afternoon...
1) East Village: We last checked in at La Zarza back in November. A tipster sends along this photo with this note: "I'm a tenant at 166 1st Avenue in the East Village (between 10th/11th) and I just spoke with my landlord about La Zarza, the Argentinian (?) tapas restaurant that's going to be on our ground floor. Apparently they are having their final DoH inspection today [Monday Jan. 7] and if that goes well, the restaurant will open within one to two weeks. There has been a ton of work done there over the past few months since it was a nightclub before and has had to go through the requisite transformation to a restaurant, i.e. putting a kitchen in." [POST-PLYWOOD]
2) South Slope: Word of a newcomer at Third Ave. and 9th Street from the Bar Toto folks hit the Plywood Report back in July. The Feed reveals that it'll be named Bar Tano and open by the end of the month. Color: "The fetching restaurant—TONY's recent visit revealed a 24-foot zinc bar outfitted with a gleaming Cellini tap, and ornate eggshell-painted pressed-tin walls—will focus on Italian small plates and grilled pizzas." [PLYWOOD/POST-PLYWOOD]
Plywood Special Redux: Peter Luger Annex Revealed!
Dept. of Buildings permits still adorn the windows, but not for much longer.
As Eater reported yesterday, the first-floor annex room at Peter Luger Steakhouse—a room that's been under construction for the better part of the last five years—appears ready to open at last. Eater operatives dropped by last night and were allowed to peek into the room. New details: the room seats 50-to-60 patrons; the room has its own unisex, handicapped-accessible bathroom; the construction of said bathroom added to the project's delays; and said bathroom is close enough to one particular table that eaters at that table will enjoy quite the view. Meantime, the upstairs dining room—longtime Luger Siberia—will indeed close, but may enjoy new life as walls are ripped down to grow the space, which might be used as a private events space.
Oh, care for a look at the new digs? Right this way. >>Plywood Special: Peter Luger Annex To Open This Weekend?
Peter Luger regulars are familiar with a longstanding construction project at the restaurant, the renovation of a second downstairs dining room. It's been years in the making—we last checked-in on it a year ago—and word comes this morning that, as if a Christmas Miracle has been bestowed upon us, it may actually be very near completion. RichyRich (who if you don't know now you know) files from Williamsburg: "Upon walking into Lugers in Brooklyn tonight I had noticed a big plaid curtain to the right of the bar. Looks as though the mystery room which I have inquired about many times before on the site is set to open by weeks end. The manager Tom has told me the it will open by the end of the week but he still has to see it to believe it himself, the project has been ongoing for over 5 years and has been held back numerous times due to environmental issues. Right now the room is filled with tables and chairs and is completely lit with lights. I was also told that God Awful upstairs will close once the new room opens... Thought you would enjoy..."
· Plywood Special: Peter Luger [~E~]
· Peter Luger Steakhouse [peterluger.com]
New Museum's New Food Menu Revealed!
After our comrades at Curbed got a special sneak peek inside the New New Museum on The Bowery this morning, we snagged these pics of the museum's new cafe, tucked in the back of the ground-floor lobby. The Modern it's not, but, friends, can you say puff? Alas, the $5 cheese puffs wasn't yet available for sampling, but given that it's got its own menu section, we've got high hopes. Doors open to the public Saturday, though if you don't yet have a resy for the free first 30 hours, we suggest keeping your puff cravings at bay until early next week.
Ahead: two more photos of the New Museum's new take on food. >>Plywood Report Reveal Edition: New York's First Red Mango
Red Mango, from blogger gracenotesnyc
Blogger gracenotesnyc lands herself a serious exclusive in the form of a reveal of the on-the-verge Red Mango at 183 Bleecker Street in the Village. Click through for the full reveal, including a back garden—believed to be the first of its kind in New York.
· Gracenotesnyc EXCLUSIVE!! [gracenotesnyc]
Plywood Report: The Smith Meets the Neighborhood
East Village: The de-plywooding of The Smith, Glenn Harris and Jeffrey Lefcourt's (Jane and Neptune Room) new brasserie in the former Pizzera Uno storefront on Third Avenue at 10th Street, is in progress at this moment. Officially, you should know that this eye sore of a sign (above) is temporary. It's a 'space holder' we're told, until the real one arrives. Now, let's see how the neighborhood is reacting to the restaurant they are to receive in a few weeks time. 1) "Walked by the former Pizzeria UNO on 11th and 2nd this AM--I knew it has been closed, and here is the signage for new occupant, The Smith (see attached). Any info on this place? Club house for fans of the band? Local hangout for Smith College ladies?" 2) "They are starting to take down the plywood from the old Uno's on 3rd Ave. and 10th Street. There's a big giant sign that says "The Smith". No pic unfortunately. What is this??" Basic questions answered, image challenges established.
· Fall Tracking Report: The Smith [~E~]
Plywood Report Reveal Edition: Steak Frites on Varick Getting Close
Hudson Square: In the space that was very briefly Charolais, Steak Frites is readying to debut their relocated, from Union Square West, and slightly bigger digs. As the interiors (below) reveal, Steak Frites has kept much of the Charolais install, save, perhaps, for the lighting fixtures. With bottles of wine and such on site, the open here can't be too far off. And now for some bonus reader color: "Just walked by the former Charolais space. Looks like the same interior but there are now Pastis-ish red awning things above the windows that say "STEAK FRITES." Several times. Over and over. STEAK FRITES STEAK FRITES STEAK FRITES STEAK FRITES. What could this new mystery restaurant have in store for us?"
Up next, the interior revealed. >>The restaurant Lunetta, replacing the beloved and missed Mayrose on 21st and Broadway, will open on Monday: The PR color: "Lunetta, the second coming, opens on October 29th, 2007...Executive Chef and Owner Adam Shepard, who will split his time between the original Lunetta across the street from his home on Smith Street in Brooklyn and the new Lunetta near Union Square, is expanding on his exquisite paean to Italian-American home cooking. Lunetta's menu is a mosaic of home cookery. Dishes are topped off with herbs and the sauces are a medley of flavors which complement and compel you to feast further." The full press release/menu reveal is here. [EaterWire]
Fall Tracking Report III: Momofuku Noodle Bar
Last week there was word that David Chang's new Noodle Bar, relocating from its original location to a bigger space (exterior, above; interior, below) a few blocks north, would open this week. Seeing as it's 'next week' now, we checked in with the mayor of the East Village last night for the latest. Chang says the place isn't quite ready yet. The staff is just about there, but the real rub is a Con-Ed hook-up that has not yet happened. So we wait.
Oh, there's a shot of the interior up next, if that's of interest. >>Hell Square Plywood Reveal: 133 Essex Street/Evan Ford
Above, as seen on Essex Street (between Stanton and Rivington), the quirky lock that's barring the door at 133 Essex Street, née Evan Ford, the latest Hell Square creation from Rob and Will Shamlian, the gentlemen that brought us the Dark Room, Fat Baby, and the surprisingly solid Spitzer's Corner. Things to recall about this new venue, at one point known as Evan Ford: first, that it's going to be "rockabilly bar/restaurant" with—well, if they can pull it off—a mechanical bull; and second, that when last we left the Shamlians, they were arguing in front of a community board that, uh, the signatures on their liquor license application weren't faked. Ahem.
Anyway, the place looks about finished. Here's a look inside. >>Back to top
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