The new restaurant called Chocolat (at 120th and FDB/8th Avenue) looks like they will be ready to open by the end of summer. A reader pointed out the NOW HIRING signs that have been up recently and there was an open call this past Wednesday. A nice coat of high gloss paint on the facade details has dressed up the exterior out front and the interior looks like its going to be decidedly contemporary. Folks who missed out on the open call might want to drop by Moca Lounge a couple of blocks south seeing that both establishments are by the same proprietor:
LINK. The nearest subways to this location is the A,B,C,D train at 125th Street or the B,C at 116th. Photos by Ulysses
The new restaurant called Chocolat (at 120th and FDB/8th Avenue) looks like they will be ready to open by the end of summer. A reader pointed out the NOW HIRING signs that have been up recently and there was an open call this past Wednesday. A nice coat of high gloss paint on the facade details has dressed up the exterior out front and the interior looks like its going to be decidedly contemporary. Folks who missed out on the open call might want to drop by Moca Lounge a couple of blocks south seeing that both establishments are by the same proprietor: LINK. The nearest subways to this location is the A,B,C,D train at 125th Street or the B,C at 116th. Photos by Ulysses
btw, walked past Lee’s Bakery yesterday and there were signs of life. . . a board outside stating a breakfast special, lights were on, curtains parted.
ReplyDeleteNo customers that I saw, though, but I didn’t linger to peer inside.
Saw a flyer for Lee's Bakery 'advertising' his breakfast specials. I think the fella needs a bit of help. This thing looked like your typical dog walker effort. Black and white and very difficult to see. Still, good to see some form of advertisement.
ReplyDeletehope this place sucks less than Moca.
ReplyDeleteI hope Chocolat opts for an open, airy feel. I find that so many of the restaurants/lounges up here obscure their exteriors with shades or window coverings of some sort: Moca, Native, Melba's Orange St, Mojo, Zona. The only places that look truly inviting to me are Yatenga and Chez Lucienne. 5 & Diamond isn't obscured but is somewhat austere. Society will hopefully soon be released from the wretched scaffolding.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Anon 12:38. Great spots on FDB are not inviting as inviting from the sidewalk as they have the potential of being. Especially during the spring/summer, we often do find ourselves dropping in on an establishment when we see the potential for people watching and a general open vibe to compliment good food and drink. But if it's it's closed off or hidden from view, we're not that curious.
ReplyDeleteAnother establishment that not only obscures its exterior but does it with their take-out kitchen and cooks as their window display is Questan's sea food place. I hear it's actually quite nice inside but who could tell from the sidewalk?
New business owners are excited to bring downtown uptown but they still need to some cue from their neighbors to the south. Establishments in Williamsburg or ParkSlope have those type of inviting spaces in spades. Owners need to trust REAL design artists and be open to the fact that others' input for curb-appeal would greatly improve their business.
Agree with above posts. I live near Questan's but have no idea what it's like on the inside because the front is totally blocked from view to people walking by.
ReplyDeleteAs regards the "now hiring" and "open call" signs in the window: I saw them as I walked by the other day. I stopped to inquire about the jobs, thinking of my young neighbor, a student, who has been applying everywhere for work. The person "in charge," manager ? owner ?, was quite rude, imperious, and unprofessional. He was engaged in shop-type conversation with another local restaurant person and he pointedly ignored me and the three or four other people nearby, obviously job seekers, in the end simply turning and walking away without acknowledging any of us. My heart went out to them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this kind of attitude contributed to the demise of Moca.
Questan's has terrific food, carefully prepared, absolutely fresh fish and local, often organic, vegetables. It is well worth a visit in spite of the sometimes-slow service ... which they are working on, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhen Moca opened, I and 2 girlfriends (party of 3) met up after work to catch up. 1 in the party did not drink alcohol. When the bill came we were charged $8 for each of the 4 glasses of wine, and $8 each for the 2 glasses of Coca-cola. $16 for two 7-8 ounce glasses of Coca-cola?
ReplyDeleteA glass of Coca-cola was less expensive at The Plaza and Tavern on the Green.
You might be able to get away with this at the hot trendy chic Tribeca place where they're lined up to get in all night, but a new bar trying to build a customer base?.....I never went back, that was I guess 5 years ago?....
Me thinks the ownership ain't the best.....