Near & Far Taking Over Kuta Satay House on Rivington

Despite half-assed promises to the contrary, one neighborhood restaurant did not upgrade nor did it ever reopen with “an exciting new menu.” No surprise there, really.

Kuta Satay House at 65 Rivington Street folded last July like so many businesses before it – handwritten signs announcing closure due to some unspecified “renovations.” It’s usually a ruse seemingly employed with more frequency these days on the Lower East Side. Sorta like an ambiguous admission of defeat.

Throughout the winter, the neglected Rivington restaurant space remained jailed behind colorfully painted security shutters, its signage and awning remarkably intact. But with the advent of spring, change is now palpable in the air. We started seeing some onsite action within the last couple months – doors open, cleaning, etc – signaling a new tenant takeover. That much was confirmed when the address was listed on the SLA docket for Monday’s CB3 licensing committee meeting.

Documents recently submitted to the board reveal that Christopher Miller, part of the team behind TriBeCa sports tavern Warren 77 (Sean Avery’s place), is jockeying to open a new eatery here called Near & Far. He will argue for a full on-premise liquor license at Monday night’s meeting. Some highlights:

• Restaurant serving “contemporary American fare”
• Capacity for forty diners (twelve tables)
• Sidewalk cafe for ten diners (five tables)
• Fourteen-foot bar
• Sunday through Wednesday, 11 am – 12 am; Thursday through Saturday, 11 am – 2 am

Will Near & Far bring hockey to the Lower East Side?