Pie in the Face

Brit chain Pret A Manger had moved into the former Tisserie space at 857 Broadway (at 17th Street), and now comes official word that when it opens for a test run this Friday, it will give away 3,000 free sandwiches starting at 12:15 p.m. — provided you snag one of the flyers that will be given away at the Union Square subway entrances between 8 a.m. and 9:25 a.m. that morning. Pret is calling this the “Guinea Pig Day” for what will be their U.S. flagship (the store features a fresh design and free Wi-Fi), but for better or worse, cuy won’t be served — instead, Pret is sourcing food directly from Greenmarket vendors. The location opens fully on June 22.

David Chang’s impressive restaurant empire is a joy to have in the neigborhood. His latest accomplishment is the weird and wonderful Momofuku Milk Bar on 13th near 2nd Ave. Try it out for some wild and tasty takeaway desserts. A little pricey, but it’s one of those “only in New York” things. We’re lucky to have it. Get the crack pie or the compost cookies.

Bon Jour to Patisserie Fouet on 13th St. just steps away. High-end delicacies with a Japanese twist. You can read all about them in their liquor license application.

Wow. NYU has some very big plans for its expansion.

Next week (December 24 to December 28), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors inside the building. The site will be closed on December 25th for the holiday but will be open on Monday the 24th and Wednesday the 26th.

The following week (December 31 to January 4), Material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, December 22nd for interior and superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.

The spectacular old stable building at 128 East 13th has finally been converted into the Peridance Center with six studios, a theater, and a cafe.