Scandalized Uptown Party Spot La Marina May Not Reopen

More trouble for La Marina

The scandalous uptown party spot La Marina had lofty plans to reopen for the summer season by Memorial Day, but it has reportedly not received the go-ahead from the city’s Parks Department. The Manhattan River Group, which operates the restaurant, has been in proceedings in bankruptcy court and has submitted plans for a $150,000 loan from a real estate group in order to get back up and running. But lawyers for the Parks Department responded to those filings with a document that characterized these plans as unrealistic. This is the latest development in a long line of lawsuits and scandals for the restaurant.

Jennifer Lawrence celebrates engagement in Brooklyn

Actor Jennifer Lawrence and her fiance Cooke Maroney hosted a dinner party in celebration of their celebrity engagement at the classy River Cafe in Dumbo over the weekend. The couple bought out the whole restaurant for the occasion, and Page Six reports that big names like Emma Stone were also in attendance. Duck was served.

Two new restaurant openings

A new vegan Dominican restaurant opened in the South Bronx: Next Stop Vegan at 1818 Archer St. comes from Blenlly Mena and serves vegan versions of sancocho, mofongo, and a chimi burger made with onions, peppers, scallions, chopped beets, quinoa, and smoked paprika. For now, the restaurant is only open on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with plans to extend hours. Plus, the seasonal Juicy Lucy juice kiosk is back at First Street and First Avenue in the East Village, doling out smoothies, coffee, breads, and pastries in addition to juices.

And a coming attraction

District Local will be a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Chelsea, serving small plates alongside cocktails. It comes from the team behind District Tap House and District Social and will open at 72 Seventh Ave. on May 29. Dishes include a short rib tagine with root vegetables, and one of the cocktails is a nod to Game Of Thrones. Called the “Dracarys,” it’s made with mezcal, dragonfruit, and prosecco.

The Cosme and Atla team heads to Vegas

Enrique Olvera, Daniela Soto-Innes, and Santiago Perez of Cosme and Atla are set to open an unnamed Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas. It’s going into the space formerly held by pan-Asian restaurant Andrea’s in the Wynn Las Vegas hotel in early 2020. Olvera, renowned internationally for his Mexico City restaurant Pujol, is the latest in a long line of New York City chefs to expand to Vegas, like Mario Carbone with Carbone, David Chang with Momofuku, and Daniel Humm with the NoMad.