All stories about "The Drying Of Nyc"

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

First Word: McNally's Pizza Joint, Bobo, and Beatrice Benched in Epic CB2 Meeting

Welcome to First Word, wherein Eater and its correspondents sit for hours at steamy community board meetings to bring back the first word of new establishments and what they're up to. Your reports from the field always encouraged to tips@eater.com.

Last night the beleaguered Business Committee of Community Board 2 met in front of an incensed public to review liquor license applications. The word of the night from the committee was “layover!” The complaint of the night from the public was “noise!” A number of hotly contested applicants, including The Beatrice Inn and Spread NYC were laid over until August’s meeting. The crowd considered the layovers to be an elaborate conspiracy to cheat the public out of voicing their opposition, as most of the more vocal and opinionated members of the public will be off vacationing at the time of August’s meeting. To set the tone of the meeting, committee chair Raymond Lee began with a rant about people speaking out of turn, declaring, “I am not in the mood!” Let’s begin:

1) Keith McNally’s proposal for a new pizza-centric restaurant on the corner of Bowery and Houston was met with public outcry. He requested hours of 9 am to 2 am for the 2300 sq. ft. space. McNally defended his proposal with details of his good relationships with communities and neighbors of his other restaurants. Committee chair Raymond Lee advised the members of the public that McNally’s proposal was "one of the best applications that could be in this space.” McNally agreed to layover the decision until September.

A response from a member of the public to McNally’s presentation was the quote of the night: “I find this to be a really elaborate fishing expedition.” No further explanation of this metaphor was provided.

Beatrice, R&L, and More!!!>

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

First Word: JoeDoe Greenlit After A Battle

Last night the full board of Community Board 3 met to, among other things, pass final judgment on many a restaurant's request for liquor license approval. Our report this week comes not from one of our trusty community board correspondents. Rather restaurateur Joe Dobias, owner of JoeDoe, a restaurant set to open on East 1st St., weighs in with his account. Unsurprisingly, we learn that even though the restaurant won approval, it was not smooth sailing for the team last night. Tell us how it went down Joe:

"Once again we were singled out as being malicious and untrustworthy...by one communtiy member. This woman was a vocal opposer of our transfer since the block association meeting we had almost two weeks ago. I am writing to say that we were singled out unfairly and were judged based upon the wrongs of other establishments. Let me clarify and say that we were approved to transfer our license at the meeting, but we are writing to express our deepest regret at the way this one community member went about her opposition. She spoke to 'friends; and simply told them to vote no because she said so, not based on facts.

Joe's message to the community.>>

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Ask Eater: 'Is Death & Co Still Open?'

Since we've received more than one query about the status of the beleaguered cocktail den Death & Co., we figured it was time to check in with owner David Kaplan. The quick answer to the FAQ above is: yes...for now. If you haven't been following Kaplan's saga, it goes something like this: the bar opened in early '07 and was almost immediately bombarded by neighbor complaints. In December the SLA revoked its license renewal, allowing Kaplan to serve alcohol for four more months while he appealed. As he promised he would do when this all went down, in mid-May Kaplan sued the SLA to have his normal hours and license reinstated. But after the lawsuit, we're not sure if Kaplan has much further recourse. He is reluctant to talk about its possible outcome and the future of the bar but offers the following to curious minds:

"We had our day in Supreme Court on May 14th and it went very well. At this time we are awaiting judgment. The SLA may be better suited to answer questions regarding the case. We are optimistic about the case and continue to operate seven days a week, 6pm to 12am.

A new chef and everything.>>

Friday, June 13, 2008

> The Drying of NYC —

Community Board 1 rejected the liquor license for 'beca, the ground floor restaurant in the new Duane Hotel, citing their feud with the former owner, Sam 'destroyer of cities' Chang. While the new owners argued that they shouldn't be punished for the community's grievances with the former developer, the board wasn't having it: "'A beer and wine license remains a privilege, not a right,' said Jean Grillo, president of the Duane St. Block Association. To approve the license would reward the developer’s 'lousy community relations,' she said." [Downtown Express]

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

> Liquor License Loopholes —

Apparently enough sneaky restaurateurs and bar owners have moved their doorways in order to be further than 200 feet from a house of worship or school that the neighbors are pissed. They are calling it a liquor license "loophole" and have taken their complaint all the way to Albany. [Brownstoner]

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

> The Drying of NYC —

People just can't let things go, eh? Even though restaurateur Jim Mamary already won approval from Brooklyn's CB6 for a full liquor license for his restaurant Oyster Bar, the issue is up for debate yet again. His opponents are saying the last meeting was flawed, and they'll all rehash the issue tonight. [GL]

> The Undrying of NYC —

In a departure from the usual denials and rancorous debate, last night's Community Board 1 full meeting approved Osterio Casano, Ma Maria, Jerry's (a.k.a. YourAsian) for full liquor licenses and the Duane Hotel for a beer and wine license. Drink up, Tribeca. [EaterWire]

Monday, May 19, 2008

> The Drying of NYC —

The Death & Co liquor license saga continues—now owner David Kaplan is suing the SLA for not renewing his license. "Mr. Kaplan and his attorney have argued that the proprietors 'never defrauded nor made misrepresentations' to the S.L.A.—despite what some critics in the neighborhood have alleged." [NYO]

Thursday, May 15, 2008

> The Un-Drying of NYC —

In a victory for bar owners, liquor license advocates, and lovers of Union Hall across the city, the beleaguered bar won approval from the full Community Board 6 last night at what can only be called an epic and emotional meeting. The board voted to overturn last week's rejection and to support Union Hall's May 31st license renewal. Gothamist was on the scene: "Union Hall's staff and a fair amount of its clientele showed up in force this time around: cheering loudly as they watched the tables turn in their favor, booing Sones...and finally staging a victory celebration on Borough Hall's steps after the vote with picket signs in hand..." [Gothamist]

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

> The Drying of NYC —

Brooklyn's CB2 is considering flat out denying bars and restaurants seeking full liquor licenses in areas it deems "oversaturated": "The two 'over-saturation' examples Perris gave were Atlantic Avenue near Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights (Brazen Head, Floyd, Last Exit, Magnetic Field, Montero's, Waterfront Ale House) and the intersection of Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene (Frank's Lounge, Moe's, Stonehome Wine Bar)." [Brownstoner]

First Word: CB2 vs. Boqueria, Scuderia Gallo at 10 Downing, Turks & Frogs, and More!

Last night's raucous CB2 Business Committee Meeting was packed with noise-hating neighbors and a slew of restaurant owners begging to serve booze. Though the committee was tough, a few restaurant owners squeaked by, especially if they offered to abide by the committee's "suggested" 2 am closing time. All restaurants will still have to go before the full board later this month.

1) Boqueria got the green light for liquor in its second location, slated to open this fall at 171 Spring Street in the former Kin Khao space. A 12 am closing time pleased the committee, and a neighbor actually came to speak in favor of the restaurant because of its commitment to fix the exhaust system.

2) Thirty-three years in the neighborhood was not enough to save Da Silvano owner, Silvano Marchetto, from an intense grilling about his new place, Scuderia Gallo, opening across the street at 10 Downing. This spot will serve lighter fare, like paninis and salads, as well as breakfast. Though he claimed the building owner actually approached him about the restaurant because they knew he was such a good neighbor, multiple tenants of 10 Downing came to complain about noise. A woman from the Bleecker St. Residents Association claimed that more people want to complain about Da Silvano's noise but "are afraid of what might happen to them."

In the end, the restaurant agreed to close at 2 am, shut its windows at 11 pm on weekends, and nix an outdoor alley of tables, which was enough for the committee.

Turks and Frogs and an ugly turn for Vig Bar.>>

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

> Drying of NYC —

The Union Hall v CB6 fight gets dirtier by the day. The Brooklyn Paper reports that one anti-Union Hall member is being called out for conflict of interest issues (he owns a competing bar) while another has been reported to the fire marshals for filing a false complaint and wasting community resources. This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. [BP]

Friday, May 9, 2008

> Mirman Speaks Out —

Eugene Mirman, comedian, Park Slope resident, and fan on Union Hall, speaks out about the circus of a CB6 meeting last night and mentions parts of it will make it into an upcoming documentary: "Many of the people who spoke at the meeting were rude, entitled, self-righteous and over dramatic...Two people claimed the noise was killing them — not figuratively — but literally. Maybe Brooklyn isn’t the best place for someone who has a life-threatening allergy to bar noise? [Gothamist]

The Drying of NYC: CB6 Drops Hammer on Union Hall

Looks like the press release submitted by some members of Park Slope's CB6 to make their case against bar and music venue Union Hall did the trick: last night the landmarks/land-use committee voted against allowing the venue to renew its liquor license, unless the owners meet serious stipulations. Brownstoner has the details:

"After a lengthy and often rancorous public hearing about renewing the Park Slope bar and venue's liquor license, the committee voted 6 to 2 in favor of a motion that denies Union Hall a renewal unless the business's owners sign a contract stipulating that they will take measures to ameliorate noise, such as stopping the sale of alcohol after midnight. Although the motion is ultimately only advisory, the committee member who introduced it—Lou Sones, who himself owns a bar, The Brazen Head on Atlantic Avenue—described it as the community board's 'nuclear weapon' in terms of being a powerful indication to the State Liquor Authority that Union Hall is disturbing the lives of nearby residents."

The bar's merits, Eugene Mirman, and a whole lotta heckling, ahead.>>

Friday, May 2, 2008

> The Drying of NYC —

The Villager reports today that embattled restaurant Lola got rejected once again for a liquor license. What they don't mention is how gleefully triumphant/self righteous the Soho Alliance's press release sounds: "There are three dozen places to have a drink within a block of Lola. The Courts have again vindicated our years-long struggle to preserve the residential character of SoHo, and prevent SoHo from turning into a zoo, like the Meat Market or 'Hell Square' on the LES." [The Villager; previously]

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Drying of NYC: CB Has it In for Union Hall

Back when Bouley was having problems getting community approval for Brush Stroke, he sent a preemptive PR blitz to all CB1 members prior to the meeting. Following suit, there's some major lobbying going on ahead of the public hearing for Union Hall, the popular Park Slope music venue and bar up for a controversial liquor license renewal next week. This time, the press release comes from the community members who are up in arms about the so-called "public nuisance." It's up to you to decide whether or not these community leaders are bat-shit crazy or if they are simply aggravated neighbors with a worthy complaint. (You can guess which way we're leaning). Here's a snippet from the release, with most of the 1200 word treatment ahead:

"'Since Union Hall opened in June of 2006, those of us who live closest to the bar have found that rooms on the street side of our apartments are unlivable, from early in the evening until 4 and 5 a.m., seven nights a week,' says block resident Laura Jones. 'Beds have been moved away from windows into back kitchens, and young couples with infants are unable to make full use of their living rooms..."

And it goes on...

The ubiquitous 500 foot law, next.>>

> The Drying of NYC —

NPR takes on the community boards and the 2am closings in today's "Morning Edition". In three minutes they interview MePa revelers, an aggravated community type, and a nightlife lawyer. One takeaway: "The community boards have wielded so much influence over the past few years that now less than 10% of liquor license applicants in Jones' neighborhood even ask to stay open past 2. To some people that makes the city feel less like New York." [NPR]

Monday, April 28, 2008

> Resignations —

Last week the CEO of the State Liquor Authority, known for abiding by the interests of community boards, quietly and somewhat suddenly resigned. Now the question is, where will the next CEO's sympathies lie?: "The news of the sudden resignation stunned community groups. 'This is very troubling, very worrying,' said Susan Finley, co-founder of the Flatiron Alliance. 'He was behind the movement to clean up the SLA...' The SLA revoked 239 liquor licenses in 2007 and 203 in 2006. In 2003, only 88 licenses were pulled." [NYP via DBTH]

> The Drying of NYC —

The community boards out in Queens are starting to sound like the good 'ol CBs 1, 2, and 3 in Lower Manhattan: "'There's a saturation of bars and restaurants; in Long Island City,' said Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley. 'People are saying enough is enough.'...Doocey, a communications consultant, added, 'We're not anti-business. We're not even anti-bar. But the next thing you know, Vernon Blvd. will become a mess like the lower East Side.'" [NYDN]

Friday, April 25, 2008

> Scores' Liquor Woes —

The situation is quickly deteriorating at the Scores empire. First came the prostitution busts, legal battles, fights with the SLA, and bankruptcy filings, and now this: "State Liquor Authority officials plan to put out of business not only Scores West, but also Scores on the East Side, by yanking the liquor licenses for the jiggle joints, officials said yesterday. Club-condoned prostitution at Scores West has tainted the licenses for both clubs, SLA officials said yesterday." [NYP via NYO]

Monday, March 24, 2008

The Drying of NYC: Lola Loses Live Music License For Good

The battle between Soho Cajun soul food restaurant Lola, its neighbors (the Soho Alliance), the community board, and the State Liquor Authority has been a long one, stretching three and a half years and involving lawsuits, appeals, and hearings. And while owners say the fight isn't over, all signs indicate we should file this one as a done deal. The restaurant has been fighting to a) get permission to have live music and b) keep its liquor license. Owners say they need both to survive, but they just got the final and official denial to host live acts last week from the SLA. Per The Observer:

"...upon moving to the corner of Watts and Thompson streets, the duo initially applied to play background music only. The owners insist that this was a clerical error and that the application was later 'orally amended' by the SLA. But the neighborhood Soho Alliance, which has twice sued to overturn the restaurant's liquor license, alleged that the Patrick-Odeens had attempted to deceive regulators and the community on the music issue. Over the course of the legal wrangling, the entire composition of the entire liquor board changed and any alleged verbal agreement apparently got lost in the process. The couple recently returned to the current SLA to request that live music be reinstated."

The good news for the restaurant is the Soho Alliance hasn't be able to overturn the liquor license. Not yet anyway.