Savelli Restaurant And Bar Coming, Ichiba Is Now Izakaya And Other Smith Street Restaurant News

We have heard great things about Purepecha

Ichiba, a Thai restaurant which opened in the spring of 2019 seems to now be called Izakaya, or is it Gatsu Gatsu?

Finally, some action at 195 Smith Street, which has been standing empty for a couple of years now.

We love when people reach out to PMFA with news of the neighborhood. With so many openings and closings on Court Street and Smith Street, we sometimes miss a new restaurant or bar, so we are glad for any tips from local residents.
Recently,  a 30-year neighborhood resident (who prefers to stay anonymous.) contacted us to make us aware of changes to three establishments on two blocks on Smith Street.

Below are his observations on these new establishments.
Thanks for your contribution, N.

Hi Katia,

Of neighborhood interest are three new restaurants on Smith Street within two blocks of each other (between Warren and Butler) that each come with a backstory. 

Purepecha (213 Smith)

This new Mexican occupying what would seem to be a cursed space (formerly Broccollino, formerly Hunter’s, Ossobuco, El Pitayo, Athena, a Japanese joint...) appears  to be defying the odds judging by the number of diners I have seen in there as of the past month or so. Perhaps a very good review in Eater NY in late November had something to do with it?

Ichiba (196 Smith)

I mean Woori. I mean Ichiba. As PMFA noted, this Japanese-Korean opened in the spring as Ichiba. Closed suddenly and mysteriously. Opened again as Woori in the fall. Closed suddenly and mysteriously. Now marked as Ichiba again with a sign that says opening soon. Guess we’ll see…and eat..maybe.

Savelli’s (195 Smith)

Speaking of mystery… There are (again) signs of life in the Mystery Pizza place in the old Robin Des Bois space. Signage for “Savelli’s” coal oven pizza have been up for the past month and lights have occasionally illuminated the brown paper covered windows and front door. Perhaps that take-out order I placed in 2012 is finally ready? 

Bonus: Has Chance (223 Smith) been renamed “Seized?” Black humor, I know. 

Bonus x2: Zest (176 Smith) has closed. To be replaced by a taco joint according to signage. Not black humor.

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A Moment Back In Time: When "Chance" Was A Grocery

Photo credit: MP 

Photo credit: MP

Here is a look back in time.
Friend and fellow Carroll Gardener MP just wrote to say that she was going through some of her old photos and came across these two shots of 223 Smith Street at the corner of Butler Street.  They were taken in November 2000, when a grocery store/bodega occupied the storefront.
The space has been used by "Chance", an Asian bistro for quite some time now.
Does anyone else remember the T and J Deli?

Amidst MP's photos was also the one of 241 Smith Street, shortly after "Carniceria" closed at that location in 2007.  Before that it was Banania, a much loved French Bistro.
After Carniceria, it briefly became "Porchetta".
For the past few years, "Jolie Cantina" has been occupying the storefront.

Photo credit: MP

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