Last Night at Hea

What VP debate? While you were huddled on your couch, wondering what Sarah Palin might say next to embarrass herself and her party, I was doing what every patriotic American should have been doing: Drinking. Also eating--delicious things like spicy tuna rolls, coconut soup, fried rice, duck and pork belly at East Village newcomer Hea (pronounced "he"), which serves Asian fusion cuisine (and cocktails) in an aesthetically pleasing environment. With low booths and small tables, the lounge-like lower level was ideal for the cocktail hour that preceded last night's press dinner--during which time I guzzled enough lychee martinis to stumble up the steps on my way to the second floor for dinner. Okay, so I missed the debate. But instead, I got a free dinner, a moderate hangover and the respect of everyone smart enough to recognize that free booze is more important than being informed.

More new and notable restaurants here.

Covering restaurants has been a pain the ass lately. First R&L opened for a glorious couple of days before closing down indefinitely, and then Kurve kept everyone guessing by constantly closing and reopening. Which brings me to Black Iron Burger Shop, the new upscale burger joint that had everyone from Shecky's to the NY Times droolin'. I kept calling and visiting after their supposed open date, but sadly got no response. But as of this week, the wait is finally over.

Right now the casual East Village spot is only open from 6pm-3am, but it will open for lunch at 11am starting Saturday. It has a casual, worn-in feeling, with bar stools, exposed brick walls and classic punk tunes on the radio. The burgers themselves were delicious and well-worth the very reasonable $7 price. The griddle created simple, misshapen burgers that let the natural flavor of the beef really shine--no fancy special sauces needed here.

What really impressed me was the beer selection, which ranges from Sixpoint Brownstone to Saratoga Lager, all priced at $5-$6. The waitress was friendly, if a little green, as is to be expected at a brand-new restaurant.

The best thing of all? It's open until 3am, meaning I can stumble across the street after playing skeeball all night at Ace Bar.

Tong Thai Brasserie has been in the works for quite a while over on East 13th Street, and as per the signage above, they'll officially open this Thursday. If only every new restaurant were thoughtful enough to provide all this info right in the window.

The space looks nice and the menu is interesting and quite affordable, with small plates (like fried squid, smoked chili soup and pencil spring rolls) ranging from $5 to $7, and larger plates (like blue swimmer crab fried rice) weighing in at $9 to $14.

Tong will also be delivering between 23rd Street and Bleecker Street, from 7th Avenue to 2nd Avenue. The restaurant will begin serving lunch daily sometime next month.

We first reported on a new spot called Fu Sushi coming to the East Village back in May. Well, the awning is up, the paint has dried, and the furniture has arrived at the seemingly soon-to-open restaurant, which is located at 182 Avenue B (between 11th and 12th), in the space formerly occupied by vintage shop Suzette Sundae.

As for that liquor license petition we were asked to sign by Mr. Fu himself, according to Eater good ol' CB3 put the kibosh on that. Perhaps would-be restaurateurs on this short stretch of Avenue B should heed some advice: If you don't already have a liquor license--as in literally have it in your hands--you better have Jean-Georges himself cooking up a storm in your kitchen, 'cause you're not gonna be paying the (exorbitantly high) rent around here with anything other than food sales.

Yet again, you woke up recently lamenting your dry mouth, your alcohol-oozing pores and your raging headache. That's when you swore off drinking. Again. For once, stick to your new determination--at least for a day--by enjoying a new kind of happy hour. Between now and September 15th (5pm-8pm), stop by the East Village outpost of Chocolate Bar, where $5 gets you a mini brownie, a truffle and either a liquid chocolate (iced hot chocolate) or a classic egg cream. While you're at it, also check out our extended list of Restaurant and Bar Deals.

I'm sad to say that 26 Seats, one of my favorite French restaurants in the East Village, has been closed by the Department of Health. The notice is dated August 6th, and as of last night the gate was down during the dinner hour. No word on precisely what violations led the restaurant to close, but we hope they are able to re-open soon. 

In January, we got word of a new neighborhood cafe coming to 182 Avenue B at 11th Street, in the space formerly occupied by the Furniture Place. At the time, we were told that the owners expected to open "in February." Then in April, we reported that the cafe appeared to be on the verge of opening--there were flower-filled vases in the window, stacks of glasses behind the counter, all the equipment seemed to be in place, and to my knowledge, the place never even sought a liquor license, so they weren't waiting on that.  So for reasons I cannot explain, two more months passed without a bagel sold or cup of coffee poured.

But as of yesterday, De Nova cafe officially opened its doors, and today I took the opportunity to check it out. The menu is a bit strange for a place that looks and feels like a coffee shop. At the counter they offer the usual--pastries, bagels, coffee, various other drinks like raspberry iced tea. But the sit-down menu is a cross between random American pub-grub (like nachos) and small plates with a decidely Greek flavor (grape leaves served with yogurt salad; a feta cheese and olives small plate). There are also five or six different salads and several larger plates.

Whether or not the menu will work remains to be seen, but I will say that the prices can't be beat. My enormous iced coffee was just $1.50 (compared to $2.45 for a small at my usual place, just two blocks north), and the salads are all between $5 and $6.50. It's probably not a destination unto itself, but for the locals chances are it'll be a welcome addition to the 'hood.

After what seems like an unnecessarily long period of construction and preparation, the new Hot & Crusty at 14th and 1st, which we brought news of several months ago, is certified open as of today. Last night, in addition to a sign in the window that said "grand opening Friday," the display case was already stocked with various "fresh" baked goods in anticipation of today's opening.

If necessity is the mother of invention, then perhaps longevity is the mother of reinvention. Marc Meyer and Vicki Freeman's first attempt at resurrecting Soho's Provence didn't quite work out as planned. But the tenacious couple won't give up the spot just yet. It's now Hundred Acres, a farm-forward eatery much in the vein of their Cookshop and Five Points restaurants. At the unveiling last night, new design details were exposed, like the subway-tiled bar, potted herbs galore (pictured) and warm wood paneling. Passed snacks: potato and wild nettle croquettes; asparagus tempura (billed as "Long Island asparagus fries"); oysters with smoky cocktail sauce and cheddar-topped sliders. Oh, and my sluggishness today reminds me of the nice pinot poured.

Long vacant Mexican restaurant Nopal Del Este on 13th Street and Avenue A is apparently on its way to becoming a new Lebanese restaurant / lounge / cafe called Al Diwan, as per the signage pictured above ...

In other East Village news, I was stopped in front of my building last night by a man looking for signatures to petition for a liquor license at his soon-to-open Japanese restaurant, also in the vicinity of Al Diwan. He told me he hasn't yet chosen a name for the place, but is toying with the idea of "Fu"--"as in 'F-U.' It's my name," he explained.