There are petitions in a few of the businesses on Grand Street seeking the community’s support for a new restaurant called “Grand Park.” You guessed it: this is where “Isabella’s Oven” used to be, 365 Grand Street. You’ll recall, Isabella’s was evicted by the building’s owners, the Seward Park Co-op board — and then someone smashed the place to smithereens (review the whole saga here and here.)
The petition from Jesse Hartman (of Two Boots?) says he plans an “elegant eating counter/bar” and a “beautiful patio and garden.” “Grand Park” plans to serve Italian tapas (cicchetti), salads, sandwiches and grilled items. Hartman wants to serve wine, beer and cocktails. The restaurant hopes to replicate European style dining – serving food late.
According to the State Liquor Authority’s web site, 365 Grand’s current liquor license expires in 2010. Isabella’s was only permitted to serve wine and beer – no cocktails. Hartman will go before Community Board 3’s licencing committee next month. In the petition he points out that he is a longtime Lower East Side resident and pledges to be “the best neighbor I can be.”
