Since it looks like most of NYC’s capacity restrictions will be lifted before the summer—whether or not everyone is vaccinated, including tourists—it seems even more important than usual to pay attention to this month’s crop of Community Board 2 SLA applications. (Our comments in parenthesis and italics after each item.)
SLA Licensing 1
Tuesday, May 4 (6:30 – 10:30pm, on Zoom)
Applications to the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) for Change in Method of Operation to existing Restaurant Wine (RW), Tavern Wine (TW) or Full Liquor On-Premise (OP) Licenses:
- Thor James Hotel Leaseco, LLC, Highgate Hotels, LP, and 530 Lounge, LLC d/b/a Modernhaus SoHo fka The James New York SoHo, Veranda, The Signature Room, Jumpin Jacks, and Jimmy, 23-27 Grand St. 10013 (OP-Hotel, Restaurant, Lounge and Event Space) (*DJ) (*Patron Dancing) (*Live Music-Will Vary by Event) *Limited to Cellar Private Event Space) (to Add Advertising Signage on the Outside of the Hotel) (In case you missed it during the pandemic, owner Thor Equities recently rebranded The James as Modernhaus SoHo, and it looks like they’re expecting a very busy summer.)
1c. Applications to the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) for Alteration Application to existing Restaurant Wine (RW), Tavern Wine (TW) or Full Liquor On-Premise (OP) Licenses:
- 113 Mulberry Restaurant, LLC d/b/a Manero’s Pizza, 113 Mulberry St. 10013 (OP-Restaurant) (Patio or Deck) (Garden/Grounds) (Sidewalk Café-Open Streets Program) (to Use Backyard Garden) (Open just a year and a half, Manero’s is currently tiny and standing room only, so it’ll be nice to be able to both sit and drink there. Try the soppressata slice!)
1e.* Apps. to the SLA for New License for New Beer and Wine license (RW/TW):
- Sullivan Taqueria, LLC, 71 Sullivan St. 10012 (TW-Bar/Tavern) (Previously Unlicensed) (A tiny space occupied until fairly recently by About Coffee; best guess from looking through online records is that the new place is probably from the same Ibrahim Almimeh who owns Tribeca’s long-established Pupculture dog grooming and walking business.)
- KwangHo Lee on Behalf of an Entity to be Formed d/b/a Momoya, 47 Prince St. aka 259 Mulberry St. 10012 (RW-Restaurant) (DOT Open Restaurants) (Odds are this will be the first downtown branch overall of Momoya, a mid-range Japanese restaurant that’s already in Chelsea and on the Upper West Side.)
1f.* Apps. to the SLA for New License for Full Liquor On-Premise (OP):
- Easy Victor, LLC d/b/a Bumble Brew, 98 Kenmare St. 10012 (OP-Restaurant) (Sidewalk Café) (The dating app Bumble has been trying to open a combination coffee shop/wine bar concept in our area since 2019. They cancelled just before the pandemic, but here they come again!)
- TT & B Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Be La’Amore Restaurant, 171 Mulberry St. 10013 (OP-Restaurant) (No information yet about the applicants, but his space used to be one of three consecutive storefronts occupied by La Mela Ristorante, which is still open in the other two.)
- 357 W. Broadway, LLC, 357 W. Broadway 10013 (OP-Restaurant) (Patio or Deck) (Sidewalk Café) (No information yet.) (Thought for sure this building, which was built in 1825 making it one of the oldest in the city, would turn into a private residence, but we were wrong!)