Robin Standefer and husband Stephen Alesch, owners of renowned design firm Roman and Williams, have partnered with James Beard-award-winning restauranteur Stephen Starr to open the Roman and Williams Guild at 53 Howard Street last month. The Starr bakery and restaurant Le Mercerie is located within the Guild retail store, which showcases Roman and Williams furniture and other designs. This is a continuation of their long collaboration, as Roman and Williams designed Starr’s Upland and Le Coucou restaurants, and other notable restaurants and hotels in New York. The kitchen at Le Mercerie will be run by Marie-Aude Rose, a celebrated Parisian chef. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the Roman and Williams Guild and Le Mercerie team.
Upstate New York giant liquor and wine wholesaler Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, the largest in the country, was fined a whopping $3.5 million by the New York State Liquor Authority yesterday. This is the largest fine ever imposed by the SLA. An investigation into its “pay to play” activities began in January 2016. Southern salespersons allegedly swiped their company credit cards at favored retail licensed establishments without receiving anything in return. This, according to the SLA, was intended to influence the retailer’s decision to buy products from Southern, a violation of the “gift and services” prohibition of state law. SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley called the extent of the violations “staggering.”
The 114 room James Hotel on Grand Street in Manhattan was sold last week to Joseph Sitt’s Thor Equities. The 18 story hotel, purchased for $66 million, features a cellar restaurant, outdoor terraces and a rooftop bar. The hotel will be managed by Highgate Hotels. Thor is planning to rebrand the hotel is 2019. Bernstein Redo, P.C. secured the approval of Community Board 2 and the liquor permits necessary to facilitate the purchase. We are proud to be a part of the Thor Equities and Highgate Hotels team.
Ferris, a new restaurant in the recently opened Made Hotel at 44 West 29th St., was added to Eater’s list of hottest new restaurants this month. Former Le Turtle chef Greg Proechel has landed at Ferris, an American restaurant with a global influence. The Made, owned by Sam Gelin, features a stunning indoor and outdoor 18th floor lounge and a second floor patio for hotel guests. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the Made team.
One of China’s most famous chefs, Dong Zhenxiang, simply known as DaDong, is opening his first U.S. restaurant at 3 Bryant Park on the second and third floor of the cube building. DaDong has nine restaurants in Beijing and two in Shanghai and is world famous for its Roast Peking Duck. The 440 seat flagship restaurant was designed by the architect George Wong and has an outdoor garden. Reservations are already booked through February 2018. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the DaDong team.
Juku, one of the most highly anticipated new restaurants, opened earlier this week at 32 Mulberry Street in Chinatown. The well-appointed space – which spans three floors and offers multiple dining styles – serves menus curated and prepared by renowned Chef Zazou Yoshida. Upstairs, patrons can partake in the omakase experience, while the ground floor and basement offer la carte options. Juku is already receiving rave reviews from diners and critics. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be part of the Juku team.
Soho House is bringing its name brand, members-only club to Brooklyn Bridge Park. This will be the third Soho House in New York and the space was approved this month for a liquor license. The first Soho House opened in the Meatpacking District in 2003, then more recently the second house opened on Ludlow Street in the Lower East Side. The newest location will be housed inside of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Empire Stores and will have outdoor spaces facing the East River and nestled between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Founded in London in 1995 by Nick Jones as a private members’ club for people in the creative industries, Soho House has since opened 18 clubs across Europe and North America, as well as hotels, restaurants, cinemas, workspaces, and spas. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of the Soho, Ludlow, and Dumbo House team.
The Wing, born out of the belief that women need and deserve a multi-purpose space designed to make their lives easier, and that magic is created when women gather together, opened its second Manhattan location at 52 Mercer Street last week, and was just approved for a liquor license. Founded by Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassen, this member’s club and co-working space designed for women opened its flagship at 45 East 20th Street, and is now expanding to the Clocktower building in Dumbo. Bernstein Redo, P.C. is proud to be a part of The Wing team.
After more than four years, the long-awaited Tetsu restaurant, created by world-renown chef Masa Takayama, will open this month at 78 Leonard Street. The restaurant will feature an a la carte menu for casual dining, as well as a Chef’s Tasting Menu, comprised of 15-20 courses of Chef Masa’s creative interpretation of Japanese cuisine. Chef Masa is also the owner and chef of the Japanese and sushi restaurant Masa located in the Time Warner Center. Bernstein Redo, PC is proud to be part of the Tetsu team.
Last week, the New York City Council voted nearly unanimously to repeal what is referred to as the Cabaret Law, subchapter 20 of chapter 2 of title 20 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. That section had required premises where there is dancing or other conditions stated in the law to obtain a cabaret license from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.
The Cabaret Law was first introduced in 1926 to supposedly crack down on racketeers, though according to the October 30, 2017 City Council’s Committee Report of the Governmental Affairs Division, Committee on Consumer Affairs, some argued the law’s true aim was to prevent interracial mingling in Harlem jazz clubs. Over the decades there were a number of legal challenges to the law; some were successful and certain provisions of the cabaret law were struck down, and some, specifically related to dancing, were not. Many venues, including hotels and restaurant/lounges, that are not nightclubs, have suffered violations of the law simply when patrons standing at the bar dance or sway to music. This often resulted in the issuance of criminal court summonses, and license revocations proceedings by the New York State Liquor Authority. Enforcement however has been inconsistent.
After an exhaustive review and intense lobbying, the new local law sponsored by Councilmember Rafael Espinal and approved by the City Council repeals subchapter 20 and does away with the requirement to obtain a cabaret license for public dancing from the Department of Consumer Affairs. No specific permit will be required specifically for dancing under the new regulation, once it becomes law.
For premises that carry zoning use group 12, however, the new law still imposes requirements that are important to be aware of. Use group 12 applies to large entertainment facilities and includes pool halls, bowling alleys, eating and drinking establishments with entertainment for over 200 people, or any premises where there is public dancing. The new requirements include having digital video surveillance cameras at all entrances and exits with specific light and speed requirements that must be in operation during all hours of operation and for two hours after closing. The recordings must be preserved for a minimum of 30 days and signs must be posted notifying the public of the use of video surveillance. The new regulations will also require eating and drinking establishments that operate under use group 12 to have proof that each security guard and security guard company is registered as required by law. The law also specifically denotes what constitutes a security guard.
The repeal and new rules are awaiting signature by the mayor whereupon after a 120 day waiting period it will become law.