Earlier this year, Winnie’s, the popular neighborhood dive at 104 Bayard St., closed its doors after almost 30 years in business. Now Community Board 3’s January meeting agendas show a a possible new venture headed for the Chinatown space.
Among the applicants listed for a new “Winnie’s Restaurant” is Ben dos Remedios of Dudley’s, the popular Aussie-inspired cafe on Orchard Street. The team is requesting full liquor service with hours of operation from 10 a.m.-4 a.m. There would be 25 seats and karaoke would be part of the mix (Winnie’s was, of course a favorite karaoke spot).
The sample menu includes breakfast service, featuring dishes such as: smoked sable and soft egg scramble, chia seed pudding and slow smoked pork and cashew grits. The dinner menu includes something called a Baja Bucket (shrimp, lobster, carne asada, chicken) for $32, braised goat and a carnitas platter.
Karlin Chan, a Community Board 3 member and longtime Chinatown activist, tells us he’ll be opposing the application. In the past, he has battled against applicants seeking to open new bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, arguing that Chinatown is becoming too nightlife-centric.
