Grub Street reports the not incredibly surprising news that Union Square restaurant Irving Mill will close on January 1. The restaurant, known for its chef turnover, a major lawsuit, and its one-time super porky menu, has been, how shall we say, underpopulated of late (or, the last year of its life really). Regardless, the owners—two brothers and one’s wife—meant well and it’s a beautiful, large space. And that Ryan Skeen burger had some serious potential back in the day. Life goes on, and this space will go on, reopening as a Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, the fratty barbecue chain, in March. Just think: a new TGI Friday’s and a Brother Jimmy’s? Union Square is looking like the place to be in 2010.
Open House New York, the annual architecture tour, is offering tours of the new Zero Irving at 124 E 14th St on Friday, October 21st.
Reserve at https://ohny.org/
The original location of New York mini-chain Heartland Brewery is slated to close on January 1. The Post reports that the building at 35 Union Square West has a new owner who is asking for more than the Heartland team can afford to pay. Owner Jon Bloostein says that when he opened the pub in 1994, the rent was $150,000 a year, but now the new landlord is asking for about $2 million a year.
Check out Qi on the north side of 14th between 5th and 6th. It’s a Thai restaurant that comes with lots of philosophy about spiritual centeredness and such. You can eat, and you can enrich your spirit, or qi (pronounced “chee”). May be a little bit upscale for this block. We’ll see.
Here’s the latest rendering of the very expensive condos that will rise in the hole in the ground at 13th and 5th. Note there are only a few duplex apartments. They will be really pricey.
