Community Boards

CB2 Report: Sam Talbot and New Gansevoort Lounge Prevail, Lusardi Brother Not So Lucky

Photo: WireImage

Last night’s CB2 meeting was one of the smoothest we’ve experienced — maybe it was the holiday spirit? Top Chef alum Sam Talbot wasn’t present to rep his spot at 7 Ninth Avenue, but his attorney told us the menu would pay tribute to Talbot’s hometown of Charleston. We imagine something similar to Duane Park. The two-story venue’s name and opening date are TBD. Vote: For.

Vote: For
Chuck Perley, from the defunct French Mediterranean spot Le Pescadou, is coming back with a sequel, Le Pescadue, at 90 Thompson Street. It’ll serve reasonably priced Quebec-style French seafood until midnight. Opening date: April.

God Save the King, a club that’s going into the Gansevoort, won the Community Board’s favor, provided it has no D.J. box in the outside garden and no set dance floor (cabaret licenses are being pursued). A mother of twins said, “I am going to do anything I can to prevent my kids living across the street from a disco,” but the board acknowledged that millions had been invested in the venue and felt it was preferable to the club it’ll replace — the current “Oh no” of the neighborhood, Garden of Ono.

The Crosby Street Hotel, at 79 Crosby Street, will include a restaurant, bar, garden, and screening room. Supposedly, the restaurant won’t be a destination spot, but rather will offer hotel guests a menu similar to that of the London location (yes, there will be tea time).

At 133 Seventh Avenue, Mary Conway plans to open a new place similar to her other businesses, Fiddlesticks and Galway Hooker.

Vote: Against
The owner of La Pera was denied a recommendation last night for a spot on 54 Thompson Street. The deal-breaker was the 60-person outside seating area. The owner, Burak Karaçam, agreed to put big umbrellas over the outside tables, but the board was still nervous about noise.

New restaurateur Phillip Avalos is planning, along with a Blue Ribbon Sushi manager, a Japanese small-plates venture at 170 Elizabeth Street. Community activist Janet Freeman, who lives across the street, complained that the potential owner had “nice drawings, but they do not conform to the space.” Another resident was concerned that such a restaurant would drive out a self-employed piano teacher such as himself. The board voted to deny based on the neighborhood opposition, its proposed closing time of 2 a.m., and its location near a house of worship.

No Vote
A Lusardi brother of the famed Lusardi’s got turned away for a new spot at 312 Bowery for not having the proper floor plans. He can return in January.

Until next year…

CB2 Report: Sam Talbot and New Gansevoort Lounge Prevail, Lusardi Brother Not So