Seaport Report

By Janel Bladow

Still keeping those New Year’s Resolutions? Probably not…in that case…

Shopping…eating…drinking… All kinds of new retail “presents” along Fulton St.…a new Bolton’s and Strawberry for fashions bargain hunters. Nail salon…

A friendly portal… And on John St. the Open Door, well, opens its doors. This neighborhood gastropub — quality food served in a public house setting — kicked off its culinary and bar business a couple weeks ago and is off to a great start. Owners Peter O’Connell and John Ronhehan (who also own the Paris Café and Molly’s Tavern Uptown) have completely remade the space once occupied by Mark Joseph Grill. Dark red walls, a long bar, booths along the wall and tables at back give the restaurant a more sophisticated feel, kicking it up a few notches from a pub with an extensive array of high-end microbrew beers — some 40 brands in bottles and on tap — and quality food, prepared in the hotel-sized, stainless steel kitchen by general manager chef John MacLaughlin.

“We’re doing a great lunch business,” O’Connell told Seaport Report. “The location is lovely. From the Paris, we know the neighborhood and love this space. We want to have a neighborhood bar feel. We have a children’s menu, weekend brunch and limited light night food service from 10 p.m. to midnight. We really want to be a community spot.”

Chef MacLaughlin who has worked extensively in hotels, echoes the community appeal. He says he plans specials on drinks every afternoon and daily dining exclusives.

S.R. found the menu – from duck sliders to tuna nachos – unique, and the atmosphere friendly.

Soft opening… Lei (pronounced “lay’) opened for drinks-only last week. Owner Jeff Lim, who also runs Fish Market and Cigar Landing, is a long-time neighbor and merchant who has an affinity for the ‘hood. “I’ve always loved it here,” he told S.R. “I’ve worked in so many of the places, it’s my home.” Lei will be an Asian Fusion restaurant, but until the kitchen is up and running in March, neighbors are invited to stop by and visit another long-time Seaport establishment.

“We have Bobby T behind that bar and as manager,” says Lim enthusiastically. Bobby T, as many in the ‘hood know, is a Seaport staple. He’s bartended locally for more than 15 years, serving pints at the Paris and martinis at Sequoia on Pier 17.

Sad passing… Farewell to another furry friend. Sadly, the “miracle pup of South Street Seaport” had to be put to sleep a few days after he survived a fall from the roof of his building. Brooklyn, a 10-month old papillion-poodle mix made a mad dash out the door, up two flights of stairs and off the edge of the seven-story building when he escaped his home and no one was fast enough to catch him. Suffering a broken spine and other injuries doctors advised Diane Mella and her family to put him down. There is a bright note to the story though. Brooklyn mated with a papillion named Precious and the puppies are due this week.

Diane e-mailed S.R. that “He was such a loved, playful, adorable, sometimes mischievous puppy. Everyone loved him wherever we went (from FishBridge to Tribeca dog runs) and we made many new friends because of him. He brought so much joy to our world! His excitement whenever we walked into the door was like no other greeting. We miss him so much and eagerly await the arrival of a Brooklyn Junior. Hopefully all will go well with Precious and her pregnancy.”

To read more about the little scamp, visit www.PEOPLEPets.com.

Puppy love… celebrate your four-footed friend with a wine and canine treat party at Salty Paw for Valentine’s Day, with a trunk show soiree Feb. 12, 6 –9 p.m. Selected designers will show their collections for canines. Also Seaport sketch artist “Jan Rhodes” joins the Paw team on weekends for the next few months to create custom poochie portraits.

Fielding complaints… construction site on Front and Dover Sts. has taken over the sidewalk, blocking it off from pedestrian traffic with fencing. Does it bother you that walkers now have to jostle with vehicles along the Brooklyn Bridge? Also, city workers parking their city cars overnight in the neighborhood continues to irritate both residents and retailers. Upset that you can’t find a place to park while the city designated spaces under the FDR sit empty? Call 311…that’s the only way something will be done about either problem.

So around the Seaport, it’s appropriate that January is named for Janus, the Roman god of the doorway, gates, beginnings and endings.