UPPER EAST SIDE—Is Eater hospice resident Jovia really, seriously on its last legs? Per Cutlets today, we learn that Jovia's owners may soon reimagine the restaurant as an uptown version of their downtown hit Zoë.
A restaurant insider who is also close to the couple tells us that they've finally decided to do the obvious and convert Jovia to a Zoë-like restaurant, perhaps even an uptown branch. "Nothing is final yet," Stephen tells us, but "if the change occurs, it will be pretty quick."Asked for response, Jovia's official mouthpiece Jennifer Baum replied, "NOT closing"—neither a confirmation or denial of the place's possible revamp. [Cutlets]
GREENWICH VILLAGE—Beloved neighborhood pizzeria John's of Bleecker Street, another victim of the recently shutter-happy DOH, may reopen as soon as tonight. Lost City has the news, direct from the horse's mouth:
If all goes well, John's Pizzeria of Bleeker [sic] Street should be open for the dinner rush tonight. This afternoon, I ran into the owner of the famed pizza joint, which was closed down last Thursday by the Department of Health in the wake of now world-famous, videotaped rat dance at the Taco Bell/KFC down the block. He said at the time (3:55 PM) that he expected someone from the DOH in about 20 minutes and, if all went well, "We should be open in an hour." That's means pizza for dinner.Can anyone confirm brick oven-firing-upage? [Lost City]
CHELSEA—Rat-fallout has stopped the West 23rd Street branch of Boston Market from selling roasted chicken, biscuits and the like—a reader reports the spot has been shut down by the DOH. Apparently, nearby sandwich shop Daniele's Piadina has also been temporary closed. [EaterWire Inbox]
LOWER EAST SIDE—Another cash-only spot is now accepting plastic. Word from Down By The Hipster is that Lower East Side mainstay and brunch-spot mecca Clinton Street Baking Company will take your AmEx. We've heard, though, that they're still hard-currency only at brunch. [Down By The Hipster]
