Lunch Counter Legend B&H Dairy Could Reopen as Early as Next Weekend

Legendary East Village lunch counter B&H may finally start serving its thick slices of challah and blintzes again next weekend. The small restaurant has been dark since the nearby 2nd Avenue explosion in late March forced the team to shutter and upgrade their sprinkler and venting systems before reopening. Once the work was completed, owners Fawzy and Ola Abdelwahad struggled to get all of the necessary sign-offs from Department of Buildings inspectors and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. But, a glowing photo of the couple posted on the restaurant's Facebook page this weekend says the DOB has given its final go ahead: "Gas should be turned on early [this] week and then they stock and get cooking [sic]. We will announce an opening date soon — could be as soon as a week." The team is also getting close to meeting its $30,000 fundraising goal to cover the cost of the new systems and pay employees' wages.

Meanwhile, across the street, the owners of Stage Restaurant, another old school lunch counter, are still fighting an eviction notice from their landlords in court.