Linkage

· 10-Day Weather Outlook For 10021 [Weather.com]
· A New York Co-Op History [The Cooperator]
· Scorsese Buys Townhouse On 64th [The Real Deal]
· Three-Month ‘Culture Orgy’ [N.Y. Mag]
· O.C. Creator Readies ‘Gossip Girl’ [N.Y. Mag]
· Moving A Wine Institution [N.Y. Mag]
· Burglar Caught Stealing From Woman’s Wallet In UES Hospital [N.Y. Post]
· Lance Bass Hates the UES [N.Y. Mag]

Penang To Close, Maggie Moo’s Exits For Bayside

More closings in the neighborhood:

1) Penang: Malaysian spot Penang, on 2nd at 83rd, is the latest victim of a rent hike according to a sign on its front door.  The restuarant, which is about a block away from the former DT UT, which suffered the same fate last last month, is set to close Thursday. 

2) Maggies Moo’s:  Tipster Rob points out that ice cream spot Maggie Moo’s, on 2nd at 75th, has packed up shop. The possible Pinkberry casuality has a sign on its former spot that reads “we’ve moved to Bayside.”  No word on what might be heading in. 

Scarlett Linkhansson

· Weekend Weather For 10021 [Weather.com]
· Bizarre Case Of ‘Spin Rage’ At UES Equinox [WCBS]
· Taxi Union Announces September 5th Strike [NY1]
· Rite Aid Robber Strikes On 96th and 2nd [NY Post]
· The Best Duck Confit Near The Met? [Chowhound]
· “The Nanny Diaries,” Starring Scarlett Johansson, Reviewed (Excerpt Below) [NY Post]

LOCKED down in a celluloid prison cell marked “The Nanny Diaries” for 105 punishingly awful minutes, I was seconds away from crying “Attica” and leading a tactical assault on the projectionist’s booth when the words “The End” appeared on screen. I rocketed out of my seat as though wearing a jet pack.

Commission To Look At Mayor’s Congestion Pricing Plan

A commission was assembled yesterday to study Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing, traffic-cutting proposal and present a recommendation to state and city lawmakers.  The plan includes a fee for drivers, up to $8, for driving into Manhattan below 86th Street during peak hours.

According to the New York Times:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer nominated Marc V. Shaw, a former deputy mayor under Mr. Bloomberg, as head of the 17-member commission, which must make its recommendation by Jan. 31 on whether to impose an $8 daily charge on drivers entering Manhattan below 86th Street. The charge for trucks would be $21.

The commission includes two other members appointed by the governor, who has endorsed the mayor’s proposal, three members appointed by Mayor Bloomberg and three appointed by City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, who has also supported the plan.

It would appear from those appointments that the mayor can count on a majority of commission members to back his plan. The commission was created by a law passed during a special legislative session in July as a compromise between supporters and opponents of the congestion pricing plan.

The federal government revealed last week that it would give New York $354 million if it went forward with the mayor’s congestion plan.

Members Named for Panel Studying Traffic-Cutting Plan [N.Y. Times]
Panel Established To Debate Congestion Pricing Plan [NY1]

UES ‘Cash Cow Coffee Shop’ For Sale

This ad, attempting to attract buyers to a “Cash Cow Coffee Shop” on the Upper East Side, recently hit our inbox. 

A pristine and trendy cafe opened in 1998. It has a full kitchen and espresso bar, and provides all manner of coffee, espresso, cold drinks, pastries and panini. The lease is valid through April 2012. The owner purchased all new equipment (oven, stove, refrigerators, bakery cases) when he opened the cafe. The owner works full-time in the business and also has 3 full-time and 1 part-time employees. Although small, the charm of the facility is able to generate a very high revenue per square foot.

Asking Price Range: $250K – $500K
Gross Revenues: $312,010
Cash Flow: $147,919
Cash Flow Type: Sellers Discretionary Cash
Inventory: $80,000
Seller Financing: Yes

About The Business
Year Established: 1998
Number of Employees: 4 – 5
Relocatable: No
Franchise: No
Current Real Estate: Leased
Property: Property For Lease

The only thing, no location details. So, where is this!?  Please hit the comments with educated (or uneducated) guesses.

More:
Cash Cow Coffee Shop – Upper East Side [Globalbx]

Linkage

· Today’s 60licious Forecast [Weather.com]
· What’s New On The UES Retail Scene? [Racked]
· A $62 M. Townhouse? In Mad Manhattan, Prices Are Meaningless [N.Y. Observer]
· Missed Connections – Crazy Pigeon Lady (w4m) [Craigslist]
· Missed Connections – Russian Girl Taking Bus To Washington DC On Friday (m4w) [Craigslist]
· Lost – Cannon Digital Camera – BIG REWARD – [Craigslist]
· Lost – Orange Male Cat – [Craigslist]
· Lost – Camera In Cab/Or Annex [Craigslist]

UES Chowhound Chatter

There’s been a lot of UES chatter on internet food messageboard Chowhound recently. Favorite shushi, Tiramisu or Pig Heaven, in search of ‘charming hole-in-the-wall,’ — Foodies click below:

Favorite sushi restaurant?
Agatha and Valentina restaurant for brunch?
A ‘grandma pizza’ thread that leads to Mimma’s on 2nd Ave & 84th.
Tiramisu or Pig Heaven?
ISO UES charming hole-in-the-wall.

What’s The Deal With: Loui Loui, The Cocktail Room, Abandoned Liquor Store On 2nd

 

Here’s a round-up of recent questions from 78thand2nd readers about neighborhood happenings.  If you’re in the know, please enlighten us all in the comments section.

1) 75th and 3rd – What’s going on with the former Loui Loui restaurant space on 75th and 3rd?  Besides waging an aggressive campaign against posting bills, looks like a ‘lil construction happening. Marshall writes in “I live on 75th and 3rd and yesterday, I saw a wood facade go up around the restaurant called Loui’s, which closed a few months ago.  I heard a rumor that Citarella has purchased the space and plans to open its own restaurant there… any truth to that?” 

2) 73rd and 1st – Michael writes “I noticed what might be movement/preparation for something in the space the formerly occupied by the Cocktail Room (on 73rd between 1st and 2nd).”  The windows have been given the once-over treatment with that “first sign of construction, don’t look in here” paper, now blocking the views inside. Is the former Cocktail Room, which closed earlier this summer, being prepped for something?

3) 78th and 2nd – 78thand2nd commenter Ace raises a question I’d love answered: “Does anyone know why the liquor store next to Bardalino has been under renovations for what seems like forever?”  The spot has been closed for at least a year and a half, with no nothing happening there at all.

A round-up of answers coming later this week!

Monday Links

· 10 Day Weather Forecast For 10021 [Weather.com]
· Plans For Former Bartha Residence (On 62nd) Draws Criticism [N.Y. Times]
· Profile Of The Cielo On 83rd [N.Y. Condo Blog] 
· More From UES Ladies Lingerie Jogger Guy [N.Y.Post]
· Police Are Searching For Stick-up Men [N.Y. Post]
· Totonno’s, Other UES Restaurants Band Together To Not Give This Person Receipts? [Serious Eats]
· Remember – Best Bars Polls Are Open – Please Weigh In [78thand2nd]

Timberlake Drops In On Southern Hospitality, Crew Changes Timberstoves

 

Pop star Justin Timberlake was seen entering Southern Hospitality (on 2nd, near 76th) this afternoon, probably dropping in to count the piles of cash the place is raking in.  While the Timbermobile — the black Escalade with the tinted windows – sat parked out front, the Southern Hos crew gave the kitchen a boost with some new stoves (pictured above). 

A few week’s back we asked when the crowd at Southern Hospitality would begin to thin out and those who responded all gave dates that have already passed.  Should Brother Jimmy’s be getting nervous?

More:
Southern Hospitality Still Mobbed [78thand2nd]
Timberlake’s Southern Hospitality Opens…Kind Of [78thand2nd]
Justin Timberlake Sets Up Shop On The Upper East Side [78thand2nd]

More pics after the jump.