We’ve seen the slow, steady expansion of empire for Via Tribunali here in Seattle. Here’s word of an ambitious escalation of that expansion of Via Trib and the Pike Street Fish Fry concept all the way to New York’s Ludlow Street. From BoweryBoogie.com:
In due course, two newly-vacant Ludlow Street storefronts will become side-by-side outposts of established Seattle eateries. Both are situated in a resolution area, and are seeking beer and wine licenses at the upcoming Community Board 3 SLA meeting on August 16. Considering Ramen Kuidouraku across the street was just denied, this will definitely be an uphill battle.
Sounds like the neighborhood won’t be completely thrilled with the addition.
The good people at Bowery Boogie tell us they love KEXP and John in the Morning, however.
My feeling is that they are slightly overpriced for the market here, an with all the competition in NYC they won’t stand a chance. Perhaps a Portland opening or Olympia would be a better move. less bold.
Agreed – In my opinion, as a recent transplant from that neighborhood, there is better, cheaper pizza, both wood oven and New York style, within a block or two of their new location.
challahbackgirl–you sound like my type of girl–if you are female that is. Let us go for a slice and how do we make that happen jseattle…?
If they get Via Trib – can we have a branch of the ramen place?
Seriously, we could really use a ramen place (no offense, Boom)
Dear New Yorkers: shut he fuck up about yourselves and go back.
Thanks,
All of Seattle.
anon tough guy ITT
You know what? Screw you. This post is about Seattle businesses expanding to NYC. So it kinda makes sense to discuss the market in that very city. No one is showing off, bragging, or saying that NYC is superior. People are just discussing the realities of that market. So shut your mouth, you annoying, passive aggressive (ANON comment? For real? How dark side of the NW can you get!?!?) piece of crap.
Kisses!
–A transplant who LIKES being here, but will be damned if she can’t dare mention another city from time to time without “all of Seattle” flying into some frenzy.
Don’t feed the trolls, rs. We like you just fine.
I guess I went a little over the top. That guy may be a troll, but seriously, I encounter this crap on a regular basis, just for mentioning my hometown in vague passing like once a month. When people ask me where I am from, I am scared to even tell them lest I encounter a “SHUT UP ABOUT NEW YORK ALREADY!!!” Hah. I guess I am just a weeeee bit sensitive on this point.
What’s going on with Via Trib/Cafe Vita/Fish Fry’s owner, Mike Mconnell’s, DUI, hit and run, assault case?
I lived in NYC for 10 years in community board district 3, both in the east village and on the lower east side. for 6 of those years I was a member of Community Board 3, and sat on the Liquor Authority Task Force committee hearing liquor license applications and complaints about licensed establishments.
While it would be great to be able to have some fish and chips on the lower east side when I am back visiting (doubt I’d ever opt for via trib pizza over authentic NYC pizza), they could not really have picked a more over-saturated street. There are something like 8 licensed establishments around the intersection they have picked. And while it might appear good for business, it is not, in the long run, good for the neighborhood. Also if memory serves, neither space was never a restaurant, so both will likely require costly kitchen installation and duct work to the roof.
Regarding the market competition: they are opening i think 3 blocks from Bondi Road, a fish and chips joint on rivington and clinton, and there are easily 4 pizzarias within 3 blocks, expand your radios and you have some very similar pizza at Lil Frankies on 1st and 1st, and Lombardi’s Coal Oven a few more blocks to the west.
Woops: must have accidentally deleted this:
I think they will have a very tough time getting a liquor license DUE TO the over-saturation of licensed establishments in that area. Though the State Liquor Authority regularly grants licenses in spite of community opposition, so who knows.
NYC is a big big monster, put out mediocre expensive offerings and you’re not going to last long. I wish these gents well, but a PDX or even Spokane venture would have been a much much wiser place to venture next.
It’s better to be a big fish in a little pond than a little fish in a big pond. And NYC is about as big as ponds get in the food world.
A lot of us who live in the two adjoining buildings where the restaurants will be located,are not happy to have them move in.It means more nice,and sleepless nights
I agree Greg.I live on that block and testified against the two restaurants getting a liquor license.
Please excuse the typo in my comments.It should read;more noise,not nice