Beirut's Al Mayass Said to be Taking Over Dans le Noir Space

A couple of months ago, signage on 24 East 21st St. revealed that Dans Le Noir, the blindfold dining restaurant would be coming to New York. However, after facing disapproval from the community it now looks like the restaurant has backed out of that space and is applying for a liquor license in the old Tonic space on Norfolk St. A neighbor on 21st St. reports that after the lease fell through, the property manager instead signed with Al Mayass.

Al Mayass is a popular Armenian restaurant in Beirut (and now Kuwait) that has won accolades both with the locals and with the likes of Food & Wine. The restaurant expanded to the States by opening Mantee in Studio City last year, and the folks over in LA confirm the NYC expansion plans. Says our tipster, "Seriously, I can already imagine the play on words...regardless, both restaurants seem to be well received."
· Dans Le Noir to Unleash Dark Dining Upon East 21st Street [~ENY~]
· CB3/August: Liquor License Applications [TLD]