Tavern on Jane, Clinton Craft House Get CB3 Green Light
The SLA subcommittee of Community Board 3 met yesterday evening to discuss this month’s applicants. With only a few items on the agenda, it clocked in as one of the shortest meetings in recent years.
Tavern on Jane, 349 East 13th Street
Probably the biggest news of the night was that Tavern on Jane principal Michael Stewart scored approval to install an East Side version of same on 13th Street. His proposal is to transform the Redhead – which closed shop last month after a successful 10-year run – into a 53-seat restaurant with the same look and feel as the Tavern.
There was no negativity for this applicant. (Not counting the revelation that Stewart allegedly promised drinks to supporters who wrote letters of recommendation to CB3.) In fact, it was a rare sight to see so many longtimers in attendance to support Stewart’s endeavor. They all mentioned how he cultivated an “asset” to the West Village that draws a multigenerational crowd with little deleterious effects on the neighborhood. The proposal easily carried the committee, albeit with truncated hours (i.e. no 4am closing).
Bowery Craft House, 293 East Houston Street
Beware. The Bowery Craft House, assuming control of Ariel’s Latin Bistro, has all the makings of bait-and-switch. Untested operators, full liquor license, menu of “Contemporary American” food, late closing time, four televisions, etc. One of its principals, Patrick Lane, is the general manager of Murray Hill beer garden Tuttles (but that wasn’t disclosed on the initial application). His partner, Michael Hrdlovic, works in the family catering business in Jersey City.
The major sticking point in this sale of assets, aside from four televisions, was the 3am ask for all nights. There was also some heated opposition from Katja owner Andrew Chase, who opined that the menu was far larger than the space could handle, insinuating that a devolution to something else would be inevitable.
Ultimately, the motion carried with 2am weekday closing, and 3am on weekends.
Mazaar Lounge, 137 Essex Street
Mazaar Lounge was a last-minute scratch yesterday afternoon for its controversial liquor license renewal. Predictable. Eleventh-hour withdrawals are oftentimes a tactic employed to wear down opposition. CB3 Showed its lack of teeth. Could’ve forced the hand of a bad actor. Instead, the hearing is delayed until next month for further consideration.
Recent Stories
Next Phase of Market Line at Essex Crossing Now Visible
With scaffolding and other construction elements removed from The Artisan building at Essex Crossing, another part of the Market Line is coming into focus. Unlike the westernmost third of the Market Line, this section beneath 180 Broome Street feels less like a dungeon. Design elements, including massive grand staircase and full facade glass open the […]
14-Story Eldridge Street Hotel Hit with Stop Work Order
The hotel newcomer underway on lower Eldridge Street – recently topped out at fourteen stories – met the might of the city. Inspectors from Department of Buildings issued a stop-work order on 79 Eldridge about a week ago. It’s a full order which only allows work “to provide shoring for all staircases and provide design […]
Eighteen Groups Sign Open Letter Demanding Transparency over CB3 Removal of Committee Chairs
Eighteen community groups within Community Board 3 on the Lower East Side this week co-signed an open letter to city and state officials urging inquiry into the removal of Alexandra Militano and Carolyn Ratcliffe as chairs of the SLA and Arts & Culture subcommittees, respectively. The shakeup, apparently inspired by a stated “new direction” for […]
East Broadway Subway Tiles Free of Disgusting Deposits
Down in the bowels of the East Broadway subway station, those hideous wall monsters are now a thing of the past. For years, the tunnel tiling devolved into a complete mess. Conditions were ripe for the formation of brown, slug-like deposits that grew ever larger by the week. Until this month, coincidentally the 85th anniversary […]
Chinatown Welcomes New Easy Access COVID-19 Testing Sites
Finally a step in the right direction. Pop-up COVID-19 test sites opened in Chinatown yesterday, providing much-needed alternatives to locals seeking a swab. The sites – one at 62 Mott Street, and the other at Confucius Plaza – offer walk-in swab tests and antibodies tests. Center Laboratories is handling testing and results, which are emailed or texted […]
