Popular Chinese Hotpot Joint ’99 Favor Taste Restaurant’ Expands to 285 Grand Street
This image has been archived or removed.
The new glass box at 285 Grand Street touched down from outer-space one year ago. It arrived three years after that terrible fire consumed almost half the block, resulting in the destruction of two tenement buildings, the displacement of 200 residents, and the loss of an elderly Chinese man. But the fire-kissed properties have finally made their comeback. Rehabilitation of number 289 was finally completed over the summer, allowing former residents to return and a 99-cent store to open in the retail space; a day care center also opened on the second floor of number 285.
This image has been archived or removed.
Of all the possible commercial uses on the ground level of 285 Grand, however, a Chinese restaurant was actually the last thing we expected. Nevertheless, 99 Favor Taste Restaurant will open here imminently. The hotpot joint has roots in Sunset Park, where it opened the first outpost in 2012. Store signage was installed earlier this week after months behind a shroud of smokey glass. But the interior still needs plenty of organization.
Below is the menu from the Brooklyn location; the Lower East Side version can’t be much different.
Recent Stories
I May Survive Coronavirus, but My Friendships Won’t [OP-ED]
While I may survive the COVID-19 pandemic, some of my friendships won’t. As xenophobia grips the masses, racist attacks and harassment against Asians are on the rise at home and abroad. While many would condemn attacks or harassment on social media platforms, how many would intervene when it involves friends? Sadly, my guess is probably not […]
Tenement Museum Faces ‘Extraordinary Crisis’ Amidst COVID-19 Shutdown
The Tenement Museum is struggling to stay afloat, as the COVID-19 shutdown eliminated foot traffic and steady funding. Since closing to the public on March 14, the Lower East Side museum laid off 13 full-time employees (out of 66) – mostly from marketing, visitor services, and gift shop – and told another 40 not to […]
Grindr Date at Baruch Houses Gone Awry as Man Robbed with Taser, Amidst COVID-19 Crisis
A man was threatened with a taser and robbed in the Baruch Houses this week after a Gindr meetup gone awry, police said. The victim had been corresponding with another man on the Grindr dating app, and arranged an early-morning meetup at the Baruch Houses on March 23. (Nevermind, COVID-19.) At 7:30am, the victim arrived […]
Bowery Mission Serving Daily Meals to those in Need, Rain or Shine
While thousands across the city are isolating at home, there are others who don’t have many – if any – options for food or shelter during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bowery Mission is helping to curtail that by handing out meals to people at their Bowery site. Earlier this week, staff and volunteers distributed “to-go” […]
In Memoriam: Big Steve of East 3rd Street
A fixture on the Lower East Side for decades, Juan “Stevie” Guzman passed away last week of heart complications. He was kind, gentle and hilarious. Affectionately known as “Lil’ Steve,” and later, “Big Stevie,” he and his family lived on East 3rd Street and First Avenue since the 1960s. Many of of his relatives still […]
