Gonzalez y Gonzalez to Return; Big Neon Hat, Too

Gonzalez y Gonzalez—the Mexican restaurant that was for many years a local landmark on lower Broadway, near Houston, but which closed in August—is on its way back. And so is the giant neon sombrero that marked its entrance.

A reader, whom I have to assume is connected to the restaurant, wrote me to say:

Many people might already know, or soon will find out, that Chipotle is opening next week at the Broadway entrance of the old Gonzalez y Gonzalez.

What many people might also not know, is Chipotle only took half of the original space, and that 2 of the original bartenders from Gonzalez y Gonzalez were able to secure the name and the other half of the space, entrance on 192 Mercer Street, down the block from the Angelica Theatre, and will be reopening, with bands, liquor license, giant sombrero and all, by the end of the year.

Hears hoping they actually replace all the burnt out bulbs in that hat. I want to see it blazing in all its glory.

Here's Your Hat

The Gonzalez y Gonzalez hat on lower Broadway is gone. For many years a mid-Village neon beacon, here's all that's left. Kinda interesting to see the undercarriage of the whole contraption. But where'd it go?

Lost City Asks "Who Goes to Charlie Mom"

Can't remember the first time I went to Charlie Mom. But it was many years ago. It seemed old then. It seems old now. It's also very comforting. One of the better port-in-a-storm places in the Village. No shocks. No worries. 

Found out that one of the restaurants on my list of WGT candidates, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, will be closing after a couple decades plus in business. Now I'll never find out why the owners never replaced the bulbs in the neon sombrero when they went out.

Who Goes There? Charlie Mom

I would not be surprised if told Charlie Mom was founded in 1963, but it's only been around since 1983. It's the sort of Chinese restaurant that was once seen in abundance in New York, the kind that makes cocktails and offers choices from Column A and Column B, and a Peking Duck meal for $19.95. The odd space is L-shaped, the entrance on Sixth Avenue dominated by the large take-out and delivery operation. Many delivery men hang out near the cash register waiting for their marching orders, and there are more than enough chairs and benches for all of them to be seated four times over. Follow a mirrored corridor past the kitchen doors and look to the right and you'll find the dining room, which looks out on 11th Street, and has the feeling of a santum sanctorum. It's a good size and there are always a number of people who have chosen to dine in. They want a comfortable meal with little of the attendant fuss to be found at more formal restaurants.

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Chipotle Won't Be Getting This Hat

I have a friend out there who's extremely good at getting corporate mouthpieces on the wire. She has discovered that Chipotle no longer has plans to take over the Gonzalez y Gonzalez space on Broadway and Houston. As for the bulbous neon hat—which is all I really care about—it will be leaving with G y G. And going to a better place I hope.

What Will Become of the Big Neon Sombrero?

Few shed a tear for Gonzalez y Gonzalez when the Mexican restaurant closed its lower Broadway doors last January after 22 years. But the gigantic neon hat over the doorway has become a sort of Village landmark over the years. That so many of its bulbs burnt out and were not replaced made it all the more endearing.

It's still there, but what's to become of it? Chipotle is moving into the space at some point in the future, while some ex-employees of G y G hope to use the back half of the huge restaurant as a club. I doubt Chipotle would want to keep the hat as part of their signage, even though it's in keeping with the cuisine. Chains aren't know to have a sense of humor.

UPDATE: A friend wrote in that she had contacted the Chipotle people, who told her that G y G plan to keep the hat. Maybe they'll attach it to the Mercer Street entrance, if that club thing works out.

City Continues Evil Persecution of Red Hook Vendors

What the hell is wrong with City Hall? Does it hate good food, intrinsic culture and The American Dream?

Are they now doubly pissed at the poor, hard-working, great-cooking Red Hook Ballfield food vendors, because the Parks Commissioner's plan to unleash the field's concessions gig to open bidding was met with wide public opposition and gave the City a big bad-press black eye? (The people assert their will? How dare they?)

According the Porkchop Express, the City has now sicked a new agency on the vendors, in the form of a sudden inspection by the Department of Health. "Hey, if we can't shut them down one way, we'll try another!" Well, the raid didn't work, at least for now:

Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez was alerted. She immediately called the Mayor's office, and arrived to monitor the inspection in-person. In so doing, she defused a potentially big bomb. Rather than threatening closure, the DOH simply offered a list of "suggestions."

Foremost amongst these: no running water at the fields. So today (Tuesday) at 5:15 pm, Cesar was contacted about a "big" meeting Wednesday with the Deputy Commissioner of Health. Pressure has intensified, City Officials are again flexing muscle, and the implied bottom-line is rough. Worst-case scenario, the Vendors will have to shut down operations stat to comply with DOH mandates. But we wont know anything until tomorrow afternoon.

Next up: a surprise visit from the Fire Department to check for fire hazards ("Hey, they're using fire to cook the food!"), and the Police sweep the area looking for any illegal immigrants ("Those vendors look like they were born in another country!"). A goverment of petty putzes.

UPDATE (Aug. 9, 10 AM): According to reports this morning, re Eater and Porkchop Express, by Sunday August 19th the vendors must:

· store more ice in coolers
· acquire portable hand washers/sanitation units
· wear sterile gloves and change said gloves regularly
· have a source of running water to wash hands, tacos, etc.
· rent commercial grade kitchens to prep food, or prepare everything on-site

And, "Most significantly, The Powers That Be want everyone who works at a stand to be licensed. Anyone associated with a tent – from corn shuckers to pupusa stuffers – must undergo a training session to obtain a mobile food vending license. At present, only 12 tent operators are licensed; this number will (must) more than quadruple."

Sigh.

Vote Tomorrow

I've toyed around for a couple months now with the idea of endorsing candidates in this election year. And, while my political views are apparent enough to anybody who reads this blog regularly, I'm not sure I'm want to render this site are regimentally partisan as that.

Still, I'll just reiterate that I am and remain a fan of Tony Avella. I believe he's the only chance we have this year for meaningful reform and change in City Hall. It's a shame the public and the press have not paid more attention to him. He's the only mayoral candidate with a shred of human decency and any principles to speak of.

As for the City Council elections, I would merely remind voters that anyone who voted to overturn term limits obviously has no respect for the citizens of New York, their rights or their votes. If you have a modicum of respect for yourself, don't vote them back in office.

The Council member who voted to allow a third term are:

Maria del Carmen Arroyo of the Bronx
Maria Baez of the Bronx
Leroy G. Comrie Jr. of Queens
Inez E. Dickens of Manhattan
Erik Martin Dilan of Brooklyn
Simcha Felder of Brooklyn
Lewis A. Fidler of Brooklyn
Helen D. Foster of the Bronx
Alan J. Gerson of Manhattan
Sara M. Gonzalez of Brooklyn
Robert Jackson of Manhattan
Melinda R. Katz of Queens
G. Oliver Koppell of the Bronx
Miguel Martinez of Manhattan
Darlene Mealy of Brooklyn
Michael C. Nelson of Brooklyn
Christine C. Quinn of Manhattan
Domenic M. Recchia Jr. of Brooklyn
Diana Reyna of Brooklyn
Joel Rivera of the Bronx
James Sanders Jr. of Queens
Larry B. Seabrook of the Bronx
Helen Sears of Queens
Kendall Stewart of Brooklyn
James Vacca of the Bronx
Peter F. Vallone Jr. of Queens
Albert Vann of Brooklyn
Thomas White Jr. of Queens
David Yassky of Brooklyn

In my own district, the 39th, there is not a City Council member to vote for or against, since it's a rare case of an open seat being sought by five Democratic candidates. (A couple Republicans, too, but, honestly, who cares?) I would merely point out that candidate Josh Skaller refused to accept donations from developers, and every other candidate followed him thereafter, and he has been steadfast in his insistence the Gowanus Canal get Superfund status. That's two strong stands on two major issues.

Still No Word from Parks Dept. on Red Hook Vendors

As Gowanus Lounge reported on Friday, the Parks Department met on that day with representatives of the Red Hook food vendors—whom the PD is thinking of kicking out in favor of a free-for-all bidding war for the Red Hook Park concessions—and City Council Member Sara Gonzalez.

The meeting was described as "positive" and "good." Still, nothing got done, and the Parks went home to think about their dumb idea some more, as if it would suddenly become a smart idea if left alone for a while.

Representing the Parks were First Depty Commissioner Liam Kavanagh and Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Julius Spiegel. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe did not attend. Not worth his time, I guess. GL reported:

Department officials noted that they are required to put the permits out for competitive bid and can't making an exception solely for the Red Hook vendors. Still, Mr. Fuentes told us that "they do do understand the importance of the vendors...and they're willing to work out something." He said he is confident that "something is going to happen."

Officials sure love to follow city rules when it gives them an excuse to ignore popular will.

Anyway, Red Hook Vendors Committee head Cesar Fuentes is trying to remain positive and he had this to say about the widespread community support the vendors had been getting: "To everyone who supported us and sent emails and petitions--it worked," he said. "They received it and they're very aware. Without the bloggers support I don't think we would have gotten a chance to get this type of attention."

Nice to know bloggers are good for something.

I went back to the park on Saturday and had my usual three lunches. The first was a barbacoa (goat) taco and carne asada taco from Perez Tacos. Next came a Papa Reyana from Ceron Columbian, a deep-fried ball of mashed potatoes filled with succulent beef. And I finished with Ochoa Guatamalen's shrimp-filled version of ceviche. Tangy and hot (as in spicy). There's still much I haven't tried. But there are more weekends left in this summer. This may not be the last summer for the vendors, but I can't take any chances.

Oh Happy Day! The Vendors Previal!

This is certainly strange timing. One day after I complained about the smoke screen the Parks Department was putting out about the Red Hook Park concessions competition, the office sent out this happy and surprising news (I'm reprinting the whole press release because, well, it's not often you want to reprint a whole press release):

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today announced the awarding of a permit to the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park, the same organization synonymous with Latin American delicacies in Red Hook. The permit is effective for a six-year term and will allow them to operate an ethnic and specialty food market in Red Hook Park, Brooklyn.

"One of the great New York City pleasures is enjoying tacos, huaraches and other fine Latin American cuisine at Red Hook Park," said Commissioner Benepe. "The Parks Department is happy to keep this longstanding tradition in place by awarding a permit to the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park."

"These vendors have made the Red Hook ball fields a destination for soccer fans and foodies alike, and I applaud the Parks Department for recognizing the value they bring both to Brooklyn and the New York culinary scene," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. "Over the past fifteen years, the vendors have been at the vanguard of the Red Hook Renaissance, and now they have another six years to continue their delectable work. I look forward to visiting the ball fields again soon and supporting this Brooklyn treasure."

"On behalf of the Red Hook food vendors, we are thrilled to be able to continue our 33-year-old tradition," said Cesar Fuentes, Executive Director of the Food Vendors Committee of Red Hook Park Inc. "We have the best intentions to create an even better food market with the assistance of New York City Parks and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. It is a beautiful thing to be able to combine culture, cuisine and recreation together to enhance the park’s experience which is so vital to an urban center. To be able to get in the city what you would get in a rural area, fresh wholesome food, is really fantastic. Thanks to New York City Parks for being proactive in supporting this type of small affair of artisan vendors.'

The Parks Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for food vending at Red Hook Park earlier this year. When making a determination, Parks looked at factors including planned operations, variety of cuisine, prior operating experience, fee offer and financial capacity. Any required permits or licenses from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene must be obtained separately.

In recent years, vendors have drawn New Yorkers to Red Hook Park, through selling Mexican, Central American, South American and Caribbean specialties. Originally, temporary permits were issued but as the vendors gradually became a permanent fixture, it became clear that a permanent permit was required to best comply with city concession regulations.

The Parks Department also acknowledges the efforts of Senator Schumer, Congress Member Nydia Velasquez, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Sara Gonzalez, Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel and Assistant Commissioner Betsy Smith for all of their work on behalf of the vendors and the park.

I put that one phrase in bold because it just gives me pause. It reads like an back door excuse for the City to shut down the vendors anyway. The DOH has been such a Puritanical pain lately. That aside, I am overjoyed that the tacos, huaraches and other delicacies that Benepe and I so enjoy will be back again this summer. And for six years! By that time, we'll have another administration, one that doesn't bully creators of good food and urban tradition. Andre, the first ear of grilled corn slathered in cheese is on me.

P.S.—I still want to know who those masked competitors for the vendors' spot were.

Brooklyn Food News: Red Hook Vendors, Di Fara's

There's good news for the Borough of Kings this Monday morning.

According to Gowanus Lounge, the Red Hook Ballfields food vendors controversy (Parks Commissioner: "You must pay a higher rent!" Vendors: "We can't pay a higher rent!" Sen. Schumer: "I'll criticize the higher rent!" New Yorkers: "Our hero!") will possibly be resolved tomorrow, when Cesar Fuentes, the selfless head of the vendor's group, will meet with Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel and City Council Member Sara Gonzalez. Guess Sen. Charles Schumer's press conference on Saturday and the resultant press had an impact. Fuentes also said the vendors are looking to set up shop year round. That would be mighty nice.

Meanwhile, in Midwood, Eater.com, by way of Slice, has the scoop on Di Fara's, recently closed for the second time by the Spanish Inquisition-like ("Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapons are Fear, Surprise, Ruthless Efficiency...") Department of Health. The pizza palace will reopen by week's end, and they do not have to go to court on the 14th. Let's hope they keep it clean this time and not provoke the easily provoked DOH.