78thand2nd

Bardolino To Tax. Dept: F*ck Off

A little interference from the New York State Department of Taxation -- like seizing the restaurant -- apparently won't completely halt operations at Bardolino on 78th and Second Ave.  From the comments: "I don't know any details about the closing, but I do know that I got delivery from Bardolino last night (May 29th), which has me very concerned about where the food was coming from."

A call to Bardolino confirms the restaurant is "temporarily closed" but they're routing delivery calls to sister restaurant Ecco-La, at 93rd and Third.

Tax Dept. Shuts Down Bardolino [78thand2nd]

Breaking: Crane Collapse On 91st

Another construction crane collapsed this morning - this time on 91st and First Avenue.  The Fire Department and local news are on the scene.

UPDATED:

According to NY1, the crane hit more than 12 stories before hitting the street.

"The Fire Department said it has pulled people out of the wreckage at East 91st Street and First Avenue. It's unclear how many people were rescued and whether or not there might be others still trapped. 

The top floor of a nearby high-rise apartment building was damaged with a corner of the building ripped apart."

Via the Gothamist:

"A Dateline producer, Ellen Sherman, who lives in the area, tells WNBC4 that she heard a noise and thought to herself, "It's the crane." Also, WABC 7 doesn't think the wind was the cause, because the chopper is calm.The under-construction building is the Azure (as Curbed suggested) which is supposed to be 34 stories high. It is located at 333 East 91 Street, or 1765 First Avenue--the northwest corner of 91st and First."

Ongoing coverage via Curbed:

"Initial reports say two people were killed in the accident, and the crane operator was injured."

"On May 20, a 311 caller reported unsafe conditions at the crane. A DOB inspector was dispatched, and the report states "NO ACTION NECESSARY NO UNSAFE CONDITIONS." According to news reports, an inspector was last at the site on Wednesday."

"The building that took the brunt of the damage appears to be 1749 First Avenue, with numerous damaged terraces (Andrew Fine says 10 or so) and what looks like, yikes, a partially crushed penthouse."

Via City Room (9:44 a.m.):

"A law enforcement official confirmed that at least one person, the cab operator, was killed in the collapse. “The crane operator is the only confirmed dead at this time,” the official said. “He was still in the cab of the crane” when it came down, the official added."

Taxman Strikes Again

And according to commenter Steve, Figaro Pizza, between 75th and 76th on Second Ave., has apparently suffered the same fate as Bardolino. Seizure signs are posted front and center at both spots.

Tax Dept. Shuts Down Bardolino [78thand2nd]

Tax Dept. Shuts Down Bardolino

So far, it's been a rough year for Italian eatery Bardolino. There was the fire back in February, which hit just in time for the place to miss that Valentine's Day sales boost, and knocked the restaurant out for almost three weeks. Now, more bad news courtesy of the New York State Department of Taxation, which, according to the posted signs on the restaurant's window, has closed and seized the premises until they fork over some cash.  Any one with further info, please hit the comments. 

Fire Breaks Out On 78th, Bardolino Restaurant Closed [78thand2nd]

Preview Of The 'New' Mo's Caribbean

The newly re-designed Mo's Caribbean gets its official debut today as the Stumble Inn. We had a quick preview last night, as the doors have been unofficially open for two nights.  A peak inside after the jump, including evidence that the beer pong tables are still in full-effect.

Mo's Caribbean To Close [78thand2nd]

Links: Liquor Store Thief; True Religion and More

 · Thief hits liquor store on 84th and First [NY Post]

 · True Religion set for UES [Racked]

 · Subway turnstile jumpers to pay higher fine [SecondAveSagas]

 · 10-day weather [Weather.com]

SWAT Team Called For 'Barricaded Perp' On 79th

From the 78thand2nd tipline last night, Marie emails in with an on the scene report of a "barricaded perp" at 79th and York: 

"We've got the SWAT team and hostage negotiators out.  I live across the street and it's a little bothersome that they don't tell anyone nearby what is going on.  Should I stay away from the windows??" 

Pet Spa Sued

The Biscuits & Bath pet spa on 82nd Street and 1st Ave is being sued for $200,000 for a dog on dog attack last month when Diesel, a 10-pound pooch, was allegedly mauled by pit bull.

Via the Post:

"[Diesel] was getting ready to go out for a walk when an "approximately 65-pound pit bull, without provocation, attacked" Diesel, biting into his hind leg and "almost removing it from the dog's body," the suit says.

The unidentified pit bull "bit and shook Diesel like a rag doll, digging [his] sharp teeth into Diesel's body, putting enormous pressure on Diesel's bones, dislocating his hip and causing massive bleeding," the suit says.

Now Diesel's owner, lawyer Jeffrey Tullman, is suing the spa - which offers fur treatments, hair exfoliation and weight loss programs for dogs, and refers to animals as "children" and their owners as "parents" - for negligence.

The suit also names the pit bull's owner, John Doe, whose real name the spa is refusing to disclose."

Links: Shooting In Central Park, Landlords Cut Rents, Water Main Breaks On 57th and More

· Shooting in Central Partk; Thieves on 77th [NY Post]
· Budget is hit by big raise for police [NY Sun]
· Landlords slashing rents [NY Post]
· DOB hopes more inspectors will help stem blunders [Gothamist]
· Inside look at UES Carriage House [Luxist]
· Water main breaks under 57th [NY Sun]
· 10-day weather [Weather.com]

Facelift For Blue Moon

From the tipline: Ken writes in with some insider info on Blue Moon on 75th and 1st, which will "most likely close at the end of May for a full interior demolition and remodeling. Should take a few months."