All stories about "The Plywood Report"
The Plywood Report: Boqueria, Fro-Yo, Lansky's, and News from Le Madeleine's Space
1) Soho: According to a tipster, work has begun on the new Boqueria, moving into the old Kin Khao space on 171 Spring St. They already got liquor license approval from the community board, so barring any red tape from the city, they should be good to go once renovations are complete. [PLYWOOD]
2) Midtown West: Contrary to reports that the landlord was going to tear down the old Le Madeleine space on West 43rd, it looks like it's going to reopen as Le Petits Un Deux Trois. The tipster who sends in a shot of the new awning is still none too happy with the landlord: "A liquor license request is posted on the window for a Blague Corp. Thank God, the rumors about it being torn down are untrue...The landlord (Mark Scharfman, google this winner sometime) argued in court when he evicted Le Madeleine that he was going to exercise his right to tear the building down. Le Madeleine still had 12 years left on their lease. Somebody was lying." [PLYWOOD]
What's the deal with Lanskys? Up next.>>
The Plywood Report: Pinkberry, Fatty Crab, The West Branch, and More!!
1) Midtown West: If a small restaurant closes in this town these days, it's almost inevitable that some sort of frozen yogurt chain will be moving in. This time it's Pinkberry coming to 596 9th Ave at 43rd St. [PLYWOOD]
2) Upper West Side: Here we have an exterior plywood shot of Tom Valenti's newest venture The West Branch. He says it's too early to spill the details on it now, but we're hoping for some nice interior shots once construction gets going. [PLYWOOD]
3) Upper West Side: We decided to check in on the Fatty Crab space on 77th and Broadway, and let's just say there's not much to report. The space is large, unfinished, and you can spot a kitchen in the back of the room. [PLYWOOD]
4) Murray Hill: A tipster writes in with some Murray Hill news: "Passed by the construction of the new Brother Jimmy's on 31st and Lex this afternoon…..slated to open in 2 to 3 weeks according to one worker….looks like they better start working over-time." [PLYWOOD]
Chelsea, the West Village, and More.>>Plywood Report (now with map): Delicatessen, Socarrat, Five Guys, & More!
The Plywood Mega Report (now with map!): Williamsburgh Cafe, Frankies, JoeDoe, Sweetie Pie, and More!
The Plywood Report (now with map): Le Pain Quotidien, Lazzara's, Sakae Suhi & More!
1) Tribeca: A tipster sends in a photo of the progress being made at the corner of W. Broadway and Warren. It was once the Weat Broadway Cleaners (who moved across the street) and will now be a shiny new Pain Quotidien. [PLYWOOD]
2) Midtown West: Midtown Lunch reports some exciting pizza news: the well-loved Lazzara's Pizza is opening another branch, this one on 9th and 45th: "Unlike the original, which is opened Monday through Friday and only until 9 p.m., the new location will be opened 24 hours, and according to Tony Lazzara will be standing room only, delivery and take out." [PLYWOOD]
The Village, Clinton Hill, and the MAP, ahead.>>Plywood Report: Hummus Place, Wondee Siam, Grindhaus
1) West Village: A correspondent got a photo of the new Hummus Place going into the old Yummy Shawarmy spot on 7th Ave South. They've just started construction but already have their signature signs in the window. We doubt it will take them long to turn the space around. [PLYWOOD]
2) Red Hook: NewYorkology brings word of Grindhaus, a new "beer & sausage house with outdoor garden" at 275 Van Brunt. [PLYWOOD]
3) Hell's Kitchen: Life with Food and Drink reports on a new outpost of Wondee Siam opening up in HK: "The tables are in, and the funky light fixtures are up. One of the owners was inside and smiled at me as I peeked in. It's sort of weird I haven't noticed this place before (it definitely takes more than a couple days to get a restaurant to this stage), but Wondee looks truly ready to go." [PLYWOOD]
The Plywood Report: Hudson Drive, Five Napkin Burger, Rokara, Red Hot Szechuan, and More!
1) Soho West: Here are some updated shots of the old Novo space, soon to be Harbor Drive. According to Flo Fab, Alex Garcia will be the chef, and it's owned by Richard Schaeffer. We also hear Bill Spector from Smac Entertainment is involved, and workers tell us it'll be ready in two months. [PLYWOOD]
2) Hell's Kitchen: Janine from Life with Food and Drink emailed us earlier in the week with a report on plywood vet Five Napkin Burger, and now she has some pics up: "...passed by the plywooded 5 Napkin Burger this morning on 9th ave between 44th and 45th, and they're in the midst of putting their signage up." Life Vicarious adds that they'll be opening on Monday will a liquor license and outdoor seating. [PLYWOOD]
3) East Village: Jeremiah's Vanishing reports on a new place going into the old Cosmos Parcels space on 1st between 7th and 8th: "I went in one evening to find Kati Duncan, paint-spattered and covered in plaster dust, turning the 45-year-old Ukrainian packing and shipping shop into La Rokara, a jazz café." [PLYWOOD]
Red Hot Szechuan, Asian Fusion ahead.>>The Plywood Report: Apiary, Antibes, d.b.a, Production Lounge, and More!
1) East Village: Someone associated with the restaurant informs us about a cattle call at the East Village's soon-to-open Apiary: "Chef Neil Manacle, formerly of Bar Americain, will open an exciting new restaurant 'Apiary' on June 16th. Apiary will be a high end, East Village restaurant with fabulous food and extraordinary wine list. We will be holding our first job fair on Thursday, May 29th from 11am to 2pm and Friday, May 30th from 10am to 1pm...Please join us at 60 3rd avenue." [PLYWOOD]
2) Williamsburg: Our roving photog got an updated shot of the new place going in at Driggs and North 7th. Now the windows say "Fiambreria" and "Queseria". The painter says they're two months from opening. [PLYWOOD]
3) Midtown: Midtown Lunch reports on some plywood on 46th: "The space formerly occupied by Kati Roll on 46th btw. 6+7th (before they moved to 39th St.) is finally getting a tenant. A 'kitchen man' showed up yesterday, and it would appear as if the place is being gutted. They were pretty hush hush about what was moving in, except to say it was a 'reputable restaurant' with 'American fare' switching spots from their current location in Midtown." [PLYWOOD]
Greenpoint and Williamsburg galore, ahead.>>The Plywood Report: Braeburn, Okiba, Lasagna, Uncle Louie G & More!!
1) East Village: From a tipster regarding a gutted space on 3rd Ave: "I live on third and 10th and I've been noticing some heavy construction going on round 60 3rd Avenue. It's still in plywood but last Friday the big door was open and I snuck in a few photos. It looks like a restaurant with the bar. build out seeming to be almost complete." [PLYWOOD]
2) West Village: Zagat reports on the pre-plywood news of Braeburn opening on Perry St.: "This summer, chef Brian Bistrong (The Harrison, Bouley, Lespinasse) goes chef-owner when he opens Braeburn in the West Village with partner John Paul O'Neil. The menu's focus will be New American, with seasonal ingredients – including vegetables from Bistrong's own garden – combined with French cooking techniques." [PRE-PLYWOOD]
3) Midtown East: The New York Sun brings word on Obika, a new cheese bar on Madison: "Obika, the mozzarella bar that has created a furor in Rome, Milan, and London, has its sights on New York City. The corporate Web site says its next opening will be at 590 Madison Ave. (at 56th Street), and plywood...surrounds a space in the atrium of the office building at that address." [PLYWOOD]
Lasagna & Ice Cream ahead.>>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 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.>>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.>>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.>>The Plywood Report: Simple Kitchen, Prana, Pomme de Terre, Aperitivo
1) East Village: Imbible has the newest look at the former Subway on 14th St. and 1st Ave: "The renovations are definitely underway on a spacious new bar and restaurant...As of last week, lights are on, and, though the windows are still covered, we were able to snap a few interior shots through the fog. It's still got a ways to go, but there's certainly been some rapid progress." [PLYWOOD]
2 ) Chelsea: Looks like the space at 361 West 17th St (above) is coming along nicely. Per signage neat the plywood, it will be "Simple Kitchen: an organic market & cafe." [PLYWOOD]
East Village, Ditmas Park, and the Slope, all next.>>Sign up for our email newsletter.
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