Photo: Early evening on Canal at Essex Street, facing east.
In the news this past week:
— Local activists rally at Beth Israel, celebrating their victories in stalling the hospital’s closure. But keeping Beth Israel open long-term is going to be a tall order. [AM New York]
— SMA Equities secures a $62 million construction loan for its 157-unit rental project on the north side of East Houston Street. [Commercial Observer]
— Two brothers say they were only defending themselves during a Chinatown brawl in 2020, in which one of the brothers used a sword, and the attackers allegedly uttered anti-Chinese slurs. One has accepted a plea deal and the other is thinking about doing the same. At least one Chinatown activist calls it outrageous that the men who reportedly went after the brothers have faced no charges. The Manhattan DA released a statement saying that his office’s investigation, “determined there was no evidence to charge any other individual at the scene with criminal conduct.” [ABC7]
–“Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story,” a new documentary debuted in New York City over the weekend and the film will be featured on PBS next month. Lee, who died in 2021, spent his life documenting the struggles of Asian Americans in Chinatown and beyond. [The Guardian]
–Now open at 205 Allen St., Kisa, an homage to Korean diners known as. “driver’s restaurants,” where you can stop in for, “a satisfying meal for a good value.” [Eater]
— Helen Rosner praises many of the dishes at Corima, the fine dining spot focused on Mexican cuisine on lower Allen Street, but says you’re better off ordering a few dishes in the more casual front room than partaking in the full-scale tasting menu in the main dining room. [The New Yorker]
— Top restaurants on the Lower East Side, from “a classic pastrami sandwich on rye… (to a)n innovative tasting menu for a special night out… the best Neapolitan pies in all five boroughs… (and) a warm bowl of ramen…” [The Infatuation]
