Harlem’s only gay bar vandalized in suspected hate crime
Police are investigating a suspected hate crime at Harlem’s only gay bar Alibi Lounge, where rainbow flags outside the bar were set on fire over the weekend, just before the start of Pride. Nobody was injured, but surveillance video reportedly showed a vandal specifically lighting the symbol of gay pride on fire. Both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio condemned the act, calling it a “disgusting act of bigotry.” Owner Alexi Minko, who says Alibi is the only black-owned gay bar in all of New York, is keeping the flags up and the bar open. “To the homophobic coward, we will make our mission to find you!” Minko posted on Instagram.
Joe’s Shanghai plots bigger Chinatown location and other openings, and closings
Seminal soup dumpling chain Joe’s Shanghai is moving its Manhattan Chinatown location. Following more than 20 years at the original Pell Street location, the restaurant seeks to move into a bigger space over at 46 Bowery. The restaurant helped familiarize the Shanghai-style dumpling in New York, and aside from this location, it has outposts in Midtown, Flushing, and Japan.
Over in the East Village, fast-casual slop chain Dig Inn is plotting a location at Thirteenth Street and Fourth Avenue. On the Upper West Side, pan-Asian noodle restaurant the Tang has debuted its newest location near Columbia University. Former Red Farm chef Kim Hui Teo helms the kitchen, adding new dishes such as Coca-Cola chicken wings to this outpost.
But bubble tea shop CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice has shuttered its St. Marks location. Plenty of locations of the Taiwanese chain are open elsewhere in the city.
Bushwick now has an ice cream parlor with flavors for dogs
Bushwick is now home to Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff, an ice cream parlor with flavors such as “bread and roses” and “midnight mint.” One of the biggest attractions here is that owner Eric Kyriakopoulos has also made ice creams specifically for dogs, including a “peanut butter pumpkin butt.” People lined up for opening weekend, and the shop sold out both days, according to the shop’s Instagram.
Neighborhood restaurants the Eddy and Wallflower are closing
After more than five years, well-liked neighborhood restaurants the Eddy and Wallflower are closing this month. The Eddy, open in the East Village since 2014, will have its last day on Saturday, June 15, while West Village’s French-leaning bar and restaurant Wallflower will end service after Monday, June 17. In a letter to diners, owner Jason Soloway did not offer a reason for the closure. But until the day of closure at both places, all bills will get a 25 percent discount, regardless of the minimum.