A Clinton Street ramen restaurant might be getting all the press love this week, but over on Orchard Street, another Japanese noodle joint has quietly prepared to open in the former home of Caribbean lounge Spur Tree.
Ochado, at 76 Orchard St., is on track to debut in two to three weeks, owner Jimmy Cheung told us this afternoon. Cheung, an electrician by trade, and a partner who is an architect, have completely redone the space. They installed a low-slung bar illuminated with pendant lights in the front left and cleaned out a small outdoor garden in back. The 34-seat restaurant will serve traditional Japanese ramen as well as a selection of small plates, Cheung said.
He is planning to serve beer and wine, but has not yet cleared all the paperwork hurdles. The State Liquor Authority database shows an active license for restaurant wine at that address that expires in 2015. (Spur Tree’s full-bar license is now inactive.)
Cheung, who lives in Flushing, also owns an Asian-fusion restaurant in Rockville Centre on Long Island, called 212 Sushi Lounge. Years ago, he owned a vintage boutique at 248 Broome St. called Constellation Orion. Ochado is Japanese for “orchard.”
“It’s good to be back on the Lower East Side,” he said.
