Just two weeks into zed-four, and new restaurants are a' sprouting on the Lower East Side. On Clinton Street, the never-ending race to convert every last storefront into an upscale eat-place continues apace with the opening of Cube63, a sushi restaurant by some folks (including, ominously, "an investment-bank controller by day") somehow associated with East Village raw fish temple BondSt. It's near Chibitini on the 71 Clinton side of the street. We'll check it out and report back... In case you missed it, two clearly unhinged East Village entrepreneurs are offering $2,500 if you can name their restaurant. Here's the official contest page (we'll take 15%, thanks). Amy uncovered the related Craigslist ad; more at NewYorkish... Today's Post has a deeply random roundup of some East Village/LES Italian restaurants [via tfs]... As always in NYC dining, one man struggles while another relaxes. Strolling down Second Ave. a few days ago, we noted a boarded-up storefront where the great sushi haven Iso used to reside. Correspondent JH points us to a Chowhound thread lamenting the passing, and a follow-up post indicating the place will return next month with a new name and Iso's two top assistants at the helm... Back on the LES, we won't lament the rumored death of Essex Street dive bar Filthy McNasty's, where the bartenders always lived up to the name.
I'm very sad about Iso closing, but learning that Iso wants to take a break...well, it makes it a little bit more understandable, considering how hard he worked. Honestly, I wondered how much longer he might have heart for it after the Bar Veloce shooting in 2002 (and Iso was shot in the hand when he went over to inspect/help).
Posted by: Jen at January 14, 2004 12:35 PMEbway.org has the scoop on cube63 from about a week ago Lock.
Posted by: Morty at January 16, 2004 12:18 PMIndeed. You gotta get up pretty early in the morning to beat Ian.
Posted by: Lock at January 16, 2004 01:06 PMYep, I'm buying Filthy McNasty's! I used to own Liquid Lounge bar/art gallery in Hoboken, so expect this place to be art oriented and lounge-y. The name, you ask? 12 INCH BAR. The place will be decorated with album covers (ie 12 inch platters) and be kind of a listening room with DJs playing an eclectic mix. As for making the place "upscale"? Well, I do plan on making it clean (it really is a pit now , and not in a cool divey way), and painting and fixing it up, adding a solid beer and wine selection, and displaying artwork - is that too upscale? LOL. Aiming to open in March. And yes, PBR will still be on the menu!
Posted by: Joe at January 28, 2004 11:25 AMin regards to Cube 63 - we tried it about 3 weeks ago and other than the fact that it makes Jewel Bako look spacious, the food was lovely. Nice waitstaff, too.
Posted by: :r at January 30, 2004 10:13 AM12 inch bar? Can I come if I only have 3?
good luck with the new endeavor, it sounds good.
Posted by: Resident at January 30, 2004 12:02 PM