Various sources report on the opening of Hea, the new eatery from Friend House owner Joe Ngai. They write: “Chef Heng Meng Kong (Penang) indulges his Malaysian background with dishes like green curry with market vegetables and skate wing grilled in banana leaves. Hea morphs into a lounge at night, where drinkers can sample elixirs such as a blend of plummy spiced rum, lemon juice and seltzer, or vodka mixed with Calpico (a Japanese soft drink) and yuzu.” 145 E. 13th Street, 212-982-1688.

Looks like Tong Thai Brasserie is ready to open on 13th just east of University. The menu looks much more interesting than that of the average Thai place, and they will be doing delivery as well.

Shanghai Square, the new Chinese restaurant slated to replace Izu/Lemongrass Grill on our 13th St. side has released its menu. First reaction: it’s aggressively boring. There appears to be nothing on it that suggests this will be anything other than another run-of-the-mill Chinese.

Looks like Izu/Lemongrass Grill is done. In its place will be Shanghai Square. No details yet. Stay tuned.

Read it here.

Opening: A Steve Madden shoe boutique north of Union Square on Broadway, a new high-end Japanese restaurant at 13th and 3rd, and Tong Thai Brasserie right across University on 13th.

Closing: That great magazine shop at the corner of 6th Ave. and 11th Street, which is very sad.

The Times has an article about the arcane and contradictory rules governing what can and can’t be sold in the Union Square farmer’s market. Bottom line: it’s a mess.

Here is a long article from the Villager about what’s going on with the New School project.

The annual meeting of shareholders took place on July 22. Two days later we distributed the minutes and the Powerpoint presentation via e-mail to everyone whose address we have. If you did not get this material and would like to see it, please contact donwillmott@hotmail.com.

The north end of Union Square Park will soon look a lot better. 21 trees are on the way.