All stories about "Plywood"
The Plywood Report: Kafana, Last Licks, Alma Thai, Yoganic, and More!
1) East Village: A new Serbian spot, Kafana, is opening up on Avenue C between 8th and 9th Streets. Businesses seem to rotate out of that stretch fairly frequently but maybe it has a chance due to the novelty of the cuisine in the nabe. The owner says it will open in 10 days. [PLYWOOD]
2) Upper East Side: A reader and/or owner sends in the following tip: "Set for a 'soft opening' next week is Last Licks...A new ice cream store and sports memorabilia spot on 93rd and 2nd. A party room, a 'dugout' for interactive gaming and of course ice cream..Pending health department approval..." [PLYWOOD]
3) Harlem: Uptown Flavor has an enthusiastic update on the progress at Alma Thai on 11th Ave: "The place looks slamming! They were painting the doors black and gold when I arrived. The lions had some paint work done on them as well. I was able to look past the paper covering parts of the windows and the place looks flipping awesome! Spacious and swanky! I asked the guys who were around and they told me they were opening next week." [PLYWOOD]
FiDi, Tribeca, and Midtown East, ahead.>>
Plywood Special: 2nd Ave Deli Coming to East 14th St.??
East Village: A devoted resident on 14th and C has been closely watching a development on the south side of 14th and offers evidence that, wait for it, 2nd Ave Deli may be working on a project there. From the inbox: "As I tipped before, there is something going into the old "Jack's Deli" spot on 14th Street and Ave C right next to the Auto Parts store. Trucks have been in and out of there all month, including the 2nd Ave Deli van. This morning, a grease recycle and maintenance truck, a food supply truck, a plumbing and sprinkler truck, and the aforementioned van showed up to do some work. Scaffolding in front of the place is still up, and no one working will say anything, but I'm psyched." Oh, and so are we. Developing. [PLYWOOD]
Plywood Special: Walker's Expansion
Tribeca: Walker's, the large tavern at the corner of Varick and North Moore and one of New York's oldest bars, is, for what we think is the first time in over a century, expanding. They are taking over the unused room next door to the bar, adding what looks to be some outdoor seating, and doing some major work on the sidewalk. Work is also being done to the facade, and by the looks of all the Landmarks Committee documents posted in the window, they could be restoring it to its original 1880's grandeur. This is huge news for any nostalgic types, Tribeca residents, and all lovers of unpretentious bars and of course, cowboy chili. We're hoping they roll it all out before the height of summer. [PLYWOOD]
Plywood Lazarus Edition: Yummy Shawarmy
West Village: Last week was a time of ceaseless DOH'ings, and restaurants were felled left and right by the Department's inspections. This week may be the time for once hopeless cases to rise from the dead. The blurry sign above says "We Will be Open Next Week!" and it can be found on the doors of West Village Middle Eastern joint Yummy Shawarmy, which was declared to be dead just two weeks ago. If they can do it, and Mei Lai Wah can do it, the rest of you can.
· The Shutter: Yummy Shawarmy [~E~]
Oh boy—this just in from Brownstoner: "At 113 North 7th, which is between Berry and Wythe, East Village bar d.b.a. just signed a lease for its first Brooklyn outpost (there's one in New Orleans, as well). One of d.b.a.'s owners says the bar, which is known for its extensive beer selection, should be up and running in the Burg by the end of next month." [Brownstoner]
Plywood Report: Lantern, Novo Space, Tasti D'Lite, Fu, and More!
1) Gramercy: A tipster reports: "Lantern on the corner of 18th and 2nd Ave is almost finished. The plywood is scheduled to come down for a proposed opening on Monday. From the decor and the Lantern logo it seems to be the Manhattan off-shoot of Lantern Thai in Brooklyn." [PLYWOOD]
2) Upper East Side: 78th and 2nd reports on the construction of the Upper East Side's 10th Tasti D'Lite: "Tasti D-Lite is unrolling a new location which is situated just off Lex and 86th. That is the company's tenth spot on the Upper East Side, by my count, which is now nearing Starbucks-like numbers (13 locations)." [PLYWOOD]
3) West Soho/Hudson Square: The space that was most recently Novo the wine bar and lounge (and before that Novo the restaurant) is now under construction. No word as to who's behind it or what it's to become. [PLYWOOD]
East Village and Harlem, up next.>>Eater Sneak Peek: Red Hook's IKEA Restaurant
The good people over at the Red Hook Ikea took time away from their day prepping the behemoth for its opening next month to give our friends over at Racked a sneak preview. They've got all the dirt on the space, but the above gallery shows how the restaurant is shaping up. The main dining area will have 450 seats, the above views of the Statue of Liberty, the skyline, and a couple parking lots, and will serve all the usual Ikea items—Swedish meatballs with lingonberries, salmon plates, etc. They also plan on adding some unspecified "New York" specialties, to be finalized later. The other dining area you see here is the "Bistro", which will serve snacky things like hot dogs and soft serve ice cream. Since it takes about a day and a half to get out to Red Hook from Manhattan, you'll be needing the sustenance.
· Progress Report: Hook Ikea Preps for June Reveal [Racked]
Cha-Chum! Chumley's Delays Continue
West Village: For the Plywood Report a couple of weeks ago, a correspondent reported that Chumley's looked pretty much the same as it did one, two, and three months ago. Lost City chimes in today to say that barely any substantial work has been done and that the crew needs to put it into drive:
"Work does continue on the building. There's a new piece of scaffolding in the inner courtyard that wasn't there when I last looked. But this saloon is nowhere close to being ready to accept customers. And I don't see how it will ever open with just a few guys puttering around inside from time to time. A near wreck like 86 Bedford Street needs an army of workers buzzing around it 24 hours a day to have a hope in hell of rising up from the ashes."We are with you Lost City. And at this point, we will settle for a mid-June opening.
· No Chumley's For May [Lost City]
· Plywood Report: Chumley's [~E~]
The Plywood Record Turnaround Edition: Song 7.2
East Village: Hey, remember, oh four days ago, when American Grill/Go! Go! Curry shuttered? Well from a look at the progress that has already been made (above), the new "Asian Cuisine" restaurant Song 7.2 might win a record for the turnaround on the space. [PLYWOOD]
Jermiah's Vanishing is speculating that a new spot going in on 9th Ave between 17th and 18th is owned by well known and "trendy" restaurateur Danny Emerman (owner of Barocco and Bottino). He sites as evidence the building permit, name on the license, the recent proliferation of suits on the property, and Emerman's general connection to the nabe. [Jeremiah's Vanishing]
Plywood Coda: East Village Gets Spice
Mini-chain Spice officially extends its Thai empire.
East Village: Bamboo House folded up and fled town in a hurry back in November. Now Spice is coming to take over their space on 2nd Ave and East 6th St. Bamboo was a dusty old place where few people dined, but it was one of the last sit-down Chinese restaurants around, a treasure trove of paper lanterns, snake plants, and piles of peapods being shucked on tabletops. Before Bamboo, a place called Hoagies and So Forth occupied the location. Here it is, boarded up and burning back in 1969. Hopefully, Spice will have better luck. They've got a really cheap lunch special and one thing the East Village needs, as more affordable places are run out of town, is a good cheap meal.
--Jeremiah Moss
· All Plywood Coverage [~E~]
Plywood Report: East Village Tavern, ZeZe's New Project, and More
1) East Village: We've got news of a new bar replacing the sushi joint on C and east 10th St. Per a tipster: "New Pub going in at the corner of 10th and Ave C called "The East Village Tavern." Saw one of the owners working on it at 8:15 on Wed night, says they're aiming to open next weekend. 14 beers on tap and great bar food, he said. Has a cool light wood interior and bar, and big window front. I'll check it out, for sure, I love a good brewpub." [PLYWOOD]
2) Williamsburg: There's a new potential stunner going in on Bedford and North 9th in Williamsburg. The workers didn't reveal much except that it will be a bar and not a restaurant. [PLYWOOD]
3) Midtown East: And we have news from the inbox of a new project from ZeZe the florist: "The word in the neighbor these days is that ZeZe, the florist, will be opening a bistro or wine bar in his old digs on the south side of 52nd, just east of 1st (across the street from Le Perigord). (He moved his flower shop around the corner to First Avenue.) The building is a very small, one story box that was tacked onto the back of the building on the corner that faces the avenue." [PLYWOOD]
A Chumley's Non-Update Next>>Plywood Report: New York Muffin, Rink Bar, Frankie's, Sinigual
1) Williamsburg: New York Muffin is expanding into the vacant space next door. Writes in our BK correspondent: "Looks like it took over the store next door. I thought part of the point of the place was to stand around outside so I don't know if that'll change just because there's room to stand inside." [PLYWOOD]
2) Midtown: We already have ample evidence that spring is here, but here's just a little more. Rink Bar in the Rockefeller Center's ice skating rink has its tables set up and is putting the finishing touches on the outdoor bar and restaurant. [PLYWOOD]
3) Williamsburg: The signage for the upcoming Frankie's was spotted by two Eater tipsters. It's on Havemeyer right by the BQE and looks to be close to opening. NB: this place is neither connected to Frankies 457/Frankies Spuntino nor to Lil' Frankies in the East Village. [PLYWOOD]
More midtown ahead.>>The Plywood Report: De Novo, Uva 99, Il Porto & More!
1) Lower East Side: Per the shot above, a new smallish spot is opening next to Freeman's Sporting Goods on Rivington. White tiling along the back wall, big open windows to the street, a grouping of small tables. Looks like a casual cafe. [PLYWOOD]
2) Upper West Side: A tipster writes in about a new wine bar/restaurant opening on 99th and Broadway: "Called 'UVA 99,' on b'way bet 99th and 100th...I spoke with the owners who were there overseeing the work, who say they intend to open this Friday evening. The food will be Italian and French with about 5 main courses, a larger variety of small plates including terrines and patés supposedly made on site, and desserts...there is a long bar at the front with tables along the facing wall, and a larger dining area in the back." [PLYWOOD]
3) East Village: Imbible has the news on another new place going in on the northern end of Avenue B, De Nova: "The space, formerly home to the Furniture Place...is larger than it looks, but it's unclear whether De Nova will be a coffee shop-style cafe posing as a restaurant that serves three squares a day, or whether it'll be more like a real restaurant with a coffee bar. I suspect they don't have a liquor license and won't be able to get one." [PLYWOOD]
West Village, Meatpacking, and the BK, next.>>Plywood Report: Sakuza, B. Cafe, Pies & Thighs, and More!
1) Williamsburg: A Williamsburg correspondent grabbed an interior shot of the new Pies & Thighs space. He said the interior is a lot bigger than it appears in the shot. We'll all get a chance to see it come summertime. [PLYWOOD]
2) Upper West Side: A restaurant rep emails and a correspondent sends in a shot of the new UWS restaurant Campo: "The old Pertutti has been bought, gutted and is opening this week as Campo 'The Gathering Place'. Headed up by new owner, Michael Wetherbee, former frontman for Chef Sammy DeMarco at Fireside. And helming the kitchen is Chef David Rotter, former protege of Chef Terrance Brennan (Picholine) and the late Chef Vinny Scotto (Gonzo). Grilled Pizzas galore." Opens Thursday. [PLYWOOD]
3) Williamsburg: The space on Metropolitan and Graham Avenue that once held Japanese restaurant Nori, and then had a car driven through the front window last November, is going to reopen as Sakuza. It will be one of the few sushi joints in that part of Williamsburg. [PLYWOOD]
West Village and Upper West Side ahead.>>Plywood Report Addendum: Manna Cafe, Desy's Clam Bar, Yogurtland, and More!
There was so much plywood this week, we couldn't fit it all in one report. Here is a handful of more soon-to-open spots:
1) Williamsburg: A Brooklyn correspondent takes the above shot and writes in about a space on Berry between North 7th and 8th: "The old Brooklyn Dugout is totally going to be something. I've been watching the progress and this is looking really promising. What's up with the center of the tables? More table top BBQ Korean?" [PLYWOOD]
2) West Village: Yogurtland on Bleecker looks ready to open any minute. Maybe it will compete with the Grom opening tomorrow.
3) Chelsea: And we have a shot of the progress at the space that was most recently Medina at 315 10th Ave: "This was Medina on 10th ave...It's funny to see how the online customer reviews of Medina slowly get worse and worse. I couldn't figure out quite when it finally closed." [PLYWOOD]
Williamsburg Squared, the old Buffa's space, ans an LES Noodle Bar, ahead.>>Mega Plywood Report: Five Guys, NYC ICY, Barrio, & More!!
1) East Village: Just last month, Bao 111 moved from its Avenue C home to a new spot in the West Village. No word yet on what's going to take its place, but here's an preliminary picture and report from out EVill correspondent: "...the picture is the space that was formerly Bao 111 on c between 7th and 8th...the worker said he thinks it's french and work should be done in about a month." [PLYWOOD]
2) Greenwich Village: The long awaited third Manhattan Five Guys location is said to be opening soon over on LaGuardia: "A new five guys is opening on LaGuardia (west broadway) between Houston and Bleeker in the west village. The guys inside said it would be open 'next week.' Looked almost done with the interior complete and signage up. They are starting to take over.." [PLYWOOD]
3) Midtown West: A tipster writes in and TONY's Feed Blog reports that NYC ICY is coming back to the city. Fans of the long shuttered location on Avenue B and East 3rd St. will have no problem making the trek: "Walking in my neighborhood this afternoon, I spotted a new NYC Icy awning on 10th ave between 44th and 45th! Looks like the rumors are true-- it really is coming back! Very exciting." [PLYWOOD]
News from Midtown, the Slope, Chelsea, Astoria, and more.>>Plywood Report: Action Burger, Subway, Connecticut Muffin, Brooklyn Bread, Pinkberry
1) Williamsburg: Action Burger, a soon to open burger place on Grand between Lorimer and Union, is the latest in a string of restaurants coming to the eastern edges of Williamsburg. The windows are papered over in old comics. [PLYWOOD]
2) Chelsea: Bottomless Dish has the news on yet another chain opening in Chelsea: "Talk about twisting the knife--it was bad enough that Mexican-fusion favorite Bright Food Shop was replaced by Chipotle wannabe Qdoba, but now Bright Food's adjacent takeout spot Kitchen Market looks like it's becoming a Subway. Chelsea officially wins 'the new Upper West Side' award this week." [PLYWOOD]
3) Fort Greene: Brownstoner reports on a new branch of NYC chain Connecticut Muffin: "One of Brooklyn's biggest little coffee/pastry chains, Connecticut Muffin, is opening another Fort Greene location, this one at the corner of Lafayette and Fulton. The storefront used to be a Citibank mortgage center, according to General Greene, and it looks like it'll be in business pretty soon." [PLYWOOD]
Brooklyn Bread and Pinkberry up next.>>Bar Milano Preview: Denton's Project Five Days Out
Though Bar MIlano was still heavy into the plywood stages just one week ago, we hear construction has been completed and the place is set to open this Wednesday. In just five days the public will be able to witness the place in all its Dentonian glory. To hold us over until then, a report from a tipster who attended a private function there last night:
"So you walk in and there are two rooms. There's a smaller bar on your right with a lounge, and the left part is the restaurant. Theres a gently domed ceiling, and the most noticeable feature is one wall behind the banquettes is lined with different slabs of marble. Jason said he and his brother Joe went to Emilia Romagna to find them. On the other wall there's another line of tables and there's a pathway for the waiters to go back to the kitchen. And you know at 'inoteca how they have those different kinds of cheeses listed on yellow placards? Here they're brass and drilled into the wall. The whole place seemed like a cross between Lupa and San Domenico. I was talking to him about the look and he said, 'We didn't want it to be too downtown we didn't want it to be too uptown, we want it to fit with the neighborhood.'Remember folks, when you're imagining the place, that neighborhood is Murray Hill.
· Bar Milano Plywood Special [~E~]
Plywood Special: Jerry (of Jerry's) To Open Chambers St. Asian Joint
Yes, that is a yin-yang
Jerry Joesph, owner of the now shuttered Soho institution Jerry's is opening a new restaurant at 90 Chambers St., to be called YourAsian. There were some rumors to that effect, but now the restaurant has been confirmed by the man himself. And what's even more exciting: the place is only 11 days out. This should be welcome news for any fans of the 20 year old Soho space, but don't expect the new project to look anything like Jerry's. For one thing, items from the lunch menu can be made in three minutes. For another, well, just check out that yin-yang on the signage. Here's the complete breakdown, from Jerry himself:
Cuisine: "We have selected some of our favorite dishes from Thailand, Indonesia and a small sampling of China and Japan and even Vietnam...the best food in Asian countries is found on the street, where it is usually cooked by a family that lives in the back of their stall and serves the food in the front of their quarter...Our goal is the serve that type of street fare."
Who's the chef and what will the place look like, ahead.>>Plywood Report: Co Pizzeria, Hot & Crusty, Five Napkin Burger and More!!
1) Chelsea: Co Pizzeria, the long awaited project from Sullivan St. bakery's Jim Lahey has plywood boards up, but the space looks a long way from being completed. We haven't heard much on the place since the announcement last summer, but hopefully things are still moving forward. [PLYWOOD]
2) Midtown West: A correspondent writes in: "The former Jezebel (690 9th Ave) space will apparently be 'Five napkin burger' and it is applying for a sidewalk permit but it's still pretty rough inside." This space has been in plywood stages for months, but this is a sure sign of progress. [PLYWOOD]
3) East Village: A tipster writes in with a shot of the new Hot & Crusty on east 14th St.: "For better or for worse, a hot & crusty opened on 14th and 1st. used to be a subway and GNC." Imbible spotted the place as well: "Though I generally don't support the chain-ization of the East Village, as a local, I must say that I'm not displeased to have a fancy deli in the 'hood. We've got tons of cafes and restaurants that are great for eating out, but there aren't many places that offer made-to-order takeout salads, bagels, etc." [POST-PLYWOOD]
Olive Vine Cafe, Brasserie Cognac, Al Diwan, Red Egg, and more next.>>Pies 'n' Thighs Update: Layout Details Revealed
As noted in the Times on Wednesday, Sarah Buck & co. finally signed the lease on the new Pies 'n' Thighs space on South Fourth and Driggs. They'll go before CB1 for real this time to get a beer and wine license next week (with that board it's in the bag), but here are some details on the new space.
· The space is divided into three parts: an inside dining room and kitchen, a backyard, and a covered garage, all of which will fit a combined 40-50 seats
· Indoor dining room: where the old bodega used to be, 600 square feet
· Back yard: Private but can be seen from the street, 100-150 square feet
· Garage: Can be used year round as a second dining room, 200 square feet
· Menu expansion: "We'll have the same menu but we might expand it a bit, add a couple of big dishes to share."
· Smoker: Rumor has it a smoker has been procured, but details are scarce on which kind. Developing.
· Opening Date: Buck says, "If everything goes super smooth it will be June but we'd be happy with July."
· Off the Menu: Pies 'n' Thighs [NYT]
· Pies 'n' Thighs new S. 4th Street Digs [~E~]
Plywood Special: Bar Milano Moving Closer
Gramurray: Here are the latest shots of Jason Denton's highly anticipated new Italian venture Bar Milano. It's a fine mess now, but the shots don't necessarily imply Denton and apprentice/partner Steve Connaughton are off schedule for an April opening. Per a tipster: "Jason Denton's new northern italian spot, Bar Milano is going to be located at 323 3rd ave. its the northeast corner of 3rd and 24th and is in the Marcel Hotel. planned opening second week in april. Will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. Construction is far from complete still stud walls up, but aiming for early april opening."
· Bar Milano, The Ital That's Going to Take Lupa's Stars? [~E~]
· Jason Denton on Track for a March' 08 Opening [~E~]
The Week in Eater: Ippudo Preview, Sand in at WTB, Manuel Out at Dos Caminos, and More
It's time for the Week in Eater, where we review some of the week's most interesting and newsworthy stories via a convenient and attractive photo gallery.
This week's top stories: Ippudo Sneak Preview, Sand in at Water Taxi Beach, Top Chef's Manuel out at Dos Caminos, Mega Plywood Report, North West Restaurant Seized, Scouting out the Kefi Location, The Saga of the Sosas.
Plywood Coda: Bar Q Decals Up
1) West Village: It's been a couple weeks since our latest update on Bar Q, Anita Lo's West Village 120-seater still slated to open this April. Looks like we're inching ever so slightly closer. Here's the tip from the inbox: "Decals are up at anita lo's new spot bar q and sean scotese the former chef de cuisine from mai house was outside in chef whites..." No interior shots yet but we'll count a chef sighting and some window decals as signs of definite progress. [PLYWOOD]
· Plywood Report: Anita Lo's Bar Q Shooting for April [~E~]
· Plywood Report Coda: Anita Lo's Bar Q One Month Out [~E~]
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