Three Things: (on Vandy)

I agree with #1 -- this is insane how long it's been! I was so excited for them opening...

Re: #1: What whynot said.

Re: #2: Indigo Blu closed because of a shooting that occurred during off hours. You can read more about that here if you're interested. I haven't heard anything about a new business in that space, but it would be most welcome!

Re: #3: This space was supposed to become a country western bar from the owners of Beast and has been "about to open" for well over a year. I hope it happens soon, and I hope they have a mechanical bull!

whynot_31 wrote: Paquena is reportedly involved in a protracted battle with DOB. They received a Stop Work Order several months ago, and have not been able to get it resolved because their landlord won't give them permission to build the ventilation system that the DOB is requiring.

This is another silly city trick. The existing grill was vented to the outside. Depending on the interpretation of the person at DOB the new grill and oven may need to be vented @5 ft above the tallest part of the existing structure, Had Barrette left there the small grill in place they could have possibly skirted the code. The old kitchen was way too small to prepare and cook food if using the sq footage as a eatery vs a bar with a super small menu.. The stainless steel chimney that NYC is probably mandating is not cheap either. The thing about the landlord is he or she will probably agree if Paquena assumes all of the risk* we will leave the grill and venting stack and all associated equipment if we end our lease, and or we will remove it if we leave and bond the repair if we find ourselves without a penny. Any of the 20 crappy situations that Pequena finds themselves in all must have pity. Ratner can change his plan in which there will be less employment, housing, no additional impact study because of the modifications and as a big business person he keeps marching on. A Mexican food spot tries to update an existing kitchen and change the use of the space for the better of the community on many levels. New Kitchen is safer, more energy effic, and the space will dispense more food than drink, rather than the other way around. Most community groups like more food than booze in most examples . As you can tell getting in the way of good Mexican food really pisses me off. DOB yo are a bunch of BDB's. Viva Pequena

jgregorie wrote: There is also something going on at that old african art place on the corner of prospect and vanderbilt across the street from milk bar. there hasn't been any activity there for the past several weeks but at one point I did see some guys move in an industrial size mixer. Possibly for some kind of bakery or bagel place.

From another thread:

Carnivore wrote: [quote=Smokin' Joe]bagels? baked there? anyone have any intel on that? and i don't know who owns zaytoons and don't want to presume, but might this be the first arab-owned bagel shop?

It's going to be on the corner of Vanderbilt and Prospect in the Chris Wearable Art space. It would be truly awesome if the bagels are good and I'm trying to keep an open mind, but I don't have high hopes. There are so few places that do bagels right.

harrytrav wrote: the folks trying to open Paquena are the same shady folks
who were previously operating with suspect practices in the same location, under a different name.

Wait -- the people opening Pequena aren't Pequena (like the restaurant from Fort Green?) but rather a fake one being opened by Barrette people?

Is this what you mean?

I agree with catwalkertesxasranger on this one. The D.O.B. is corrupt in both residential and commercial permits. Oy vey!

The old Indigo Blu space will be reopening on Monday (hopefully) as Woodwork. They plan to have many beers in bottles, a wine selection, as well as spirits, and they will have soccer games featured as well. They also plan to have food available, with organic offerings (no corn products). I spoke to the owner tonight, and he seems really engaged in the neighborhood. Hopefully, this will be another successful addition to the Vanderbilt scene.

See you all there on Monday night!

xlizellx wrote: Where is the old Indigo Blu space?

Vanderbilt and Dean.

The next Vanderbilt Pub Crawl is going to be AWESOME!

1. Paquena on Vandy: W. T. F.

Yup,

I too agree with catwalkertesxasranger. I've had to deal with the inefficiency and corrupt practices that are legend at DOB. However, given the sheer scope of their work and their woefully inadequate resources...its not a surprise. The key then, is to be prepared for it...

However, that doesn't change the fact that the folks behind Pequena were trying to strong arm an elderly landlord to the detriment of residents in the building. Nothing at all to do with shady food, just unethical practices, that would make the best food seem suspect...

The kind of duckwork (sheet metal fabrication and installation) required by DOB isn't unreasonably priced. Note the new duckwork across the street from Pequena on Bergen Street. Really, this kind of work isn't brain surgery, but would contribute to safety for the residents of the building that Pequena should seek to be good neighbors with.

Of course, if you're trying to get away with labor you pick up on the corner, putting peoples health at risk, while working with no permits---any cost may feel instrusive.

So even though another eat and drink spot is on hold, in this case, our public good is ultimately being served in this case. Hopefully things get straigtened out before too long...