Eva’s Kitchen, a casual all-day cafe at 359 Grand St., has permanently closed after a little over a year in business.
A notice breaking the news went up on the front door and on Eva’s website and social media this week: “It is with the deepest sorrow and a heavy heart that I must inform you that Evas’s Kitchen is now closed permanently. Due to unforseen and overwhelming circumstances continued operation has become impossible.”
The business opened in April 2024 by Eva Pesantez and Josh Lebowitz. The cafe is located in a commercial strip that’s part of the Seward Park Cooperative. In her message to the community, Eva explained, “I have cherished getting to know you, hearing your stories, sharing your laughter and of course having the pleasure of feeding you. Your kindness, support and appetites have been the driving force to keep me going.”
Eva’s Kitchen may have struggled but is was not alone. In recent years, the space just to the east of Essex Street (steps away from the Pickle Guys) has been home to short-lived restaurant concepts, including “Best Chicken,” “Randalls Barbecue” and “Friedman’s.” Back in 2014, Shalom Chai, a kosher pizzeria, shuttered after a long saga involving the city’s health department and rent arrears.
