Pommes Frites Plans to Reopen in April

March 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment

pommesfritesExterior2.0.0.jpgThe beloved East Village spot Pommes Frites, which was destroyed last March in the massive Second Avenue explosion, has announced plans to reopen this April in their new storefront at 128 MacDougal. The french fry spot, known for their dozens of homemade sauces, faced some hurdles getting up and running again – including delays from the Department of Buildings and opposition from the local community board to their liquor license.

Despite those hurdles, co-owners Omer Shorshi and Suzanne Levinson are excited for the new space, which will have more deep fryers and a larger seating area. “Hopefully, all the people don’t have to wait in line as long,” Shorshi tells Eater – although we’re guessing that line will be plenty long on opening night.

To read more, click here.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Openings Tagged With: ,

Multiple Scenarios for an L Train Shutdown, None of them Good for Business

February 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Rumors have been stirring for awhile now about a possible shutdown of the L Train in order to make repairs, and local business owners in Williamsburg are feeling the pressure. Two possible scenarios discussed by the MTA involve either a 3-year, 24-hour-a-day shutdown, or a 7-year shutdown of night and weekend service. The MTA has yet to commit to either, and some doubt the service disruptions will be so severe, but the deadline to receive Federal relief money for damage done by Hurricane Sandy is quickly approaching.

Businesses in Williamsburg are understandably concerned, particularly Bars and Restaurants for whom nights and weekends are the worst possible shutdown times. Matthew Webber, owner of several restaurants in Bushwick and Williamsburg, says that past weekend disruptions have resulted in a 30% drop in sales for some of his restaurants. When the L train shuts down, “Williamsburg gets brutalized,” says Webber.

Some business owners, like Kevin Adey of Faro in Bushwick, don’t believe that the shutdown will happen. Since real estate developers now have a huge stake in Williamsburg, they may have the opportunity to influence the MTA’s decision and lessen the blow, possibly by expanding G train service. But without some compromise, the MTA warns that delays due to hurricane damage and increasing wear and tear could become much more commonplace.

To read more, click here.

 

Filed Under: Heard on The Street, Local Market Buzz Tagged With: , ,

Maison Kayser Plans Two New Midtown Locations This Fall

August 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment

French bakery concept Maison Kayser plans to open two new locations this fall, both in midtown.  One location, at 58th and Broadway, will open at the end of September.  A second will open on West 40th Street, near Bryant Park, by the end of the year.

Maison Kayser currently has two locations open in NYC, one on the Upper East Side at Third Avenue and E. 74th Street, and another in the Flatiron at Broadway and 21st Street.  There are dozens of other locations throughout the world, including the original Paris location which opened in 1996.

Founder Eric Kayser has become known for his breads and viennoiserie.  For the full story, click here.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Openings, Shopbuzz Tagged With:

Veggie Vans Roll Into New York City Food Deserts

July 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Refrigerated trucks carrying locally-sourced produce will begin driving through New York City’s food deserts, neighborhoods underserved by farmers markets and traditional grocery stores.  Called Veggie Vans, these trucks will offer local produce to residents at a reasonable price.

Residents sign up to participate in the program through participating community organizations, then have access to $10 bags filled with produce each week.  Residents can use cash, credit, debit, and food stamps to purchase the bags.  Veggie Vans will stop at senior centers, NYCHA buildings, nursing homes, and other locations each week so that all residents can have easy access.

The trucks will begin today in Manhattan’s Two Bridges neighborhood and expand to other communities, including Harlem and Washington Heights.  The program is open to anyone wishing to participate.

For more information, click here.

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Merchants Hospitality Opens New Food Venues at Pier 15

July 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Over the holiday weekend, Merchants Hospitality opened two new food venues at the East River Waterfront Esplanade near Pier 15.  Pop-up taco stand Oaxaca Express is the latest addition, opening July 3 at 70 South Street between Fletcher Lane and Maiden Lane.  The stand has waterfront patio seating for 150 with views of the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges and will be open daily for lunch and dinner through the fall.  Oaxaca Express’s fare will include soft-shell tacos, chips, salsa, guacamole and a full bar.

It joins other recently-opened enterprises in the area from Merchants Hospitality, including ice cream shop Cones Cafe, which serves Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and Watermark Bar, which serves classic American fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and lobster rolls.

The East River waterfront area was hit hard by Sandy, but has begun developing again and “‘becoming a neighborhood of its own,'” said Abraham Merchant, co-owner of Merchants Hospitality.

For more information about the new enterprises and area development, click here.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz, Openings Tagged With: ,

New York Food Artisans Win Big at 2013 Sofi Awards

July 3, 2013 by 1 Comment

The Specialty Food Association posted the list of Sofi (specialty outstanding food innovation) Gold Award winners for 2013, handing out top honors to the best specialty food products from around the world at the Summer Fancy Food Show.  Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson hosted the ceremony.

Several New York-based companies won Gold, including Chocolat Moderne (Avant-Garde Bar Blood Orange Bergamot Flavor Chocolate Bar), Tate’s Bake Shop (Whole Wheat Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies), We Rub You (Spicy Korean BBQ Marinade), Bee Raw (Manhattan Rooftop Honey Flight) and Sarabeth’s Kitchen (Legendary Velvety Cream of Tomato Soup).

See the full list of Gold winners here.

Filed Under: Events, Local Market Buzz Tagged With: ,

Christine Quinn Proposes New Children’s Meal Regulations

July 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

NYC mayoral candidate Christine Quinn announced a new proposal today to limit the calories, fat, and salt in meals marketed to children in the city.  The regulations would apply to chain restaurants with more than 15 locations in the city, who are already required to post calorie counts.  Children’s meals at these enterprises should be required to meet the same federal standards as meals served in elementary schools, said Quinn, meaning they should contain no more than 650 calories, 7 grams of saturated fat, and 740 milligrams of sodium.

Quinn said she may still pursue the new regulations this year while she is the City Council Speaker, but that if elected mayor, she would either enact the program through the Board of Health or a legislative initiative.

New York State Restaurant Association spokesperson Andrew Moesel issued a statement opposing the proposed regulations, saying “‘The City Council, the mayor, the government shouldn’t be dictating what customers can eat in restaurants or how those restaurants can market to the customers.'”

Read more about Quinn’s proposal and reactions here and here.

Filed Under: Local Market Buzz Tagged With: ,
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