By Maya Dangerfield
A backyard seating area at a new restaurant planning to open on 105th street could prove a big draw for locals looking to dine al fresco — but neighbors are demanding that the spot be quieter than its predecessor.
Community Board 7 and the potential proprietors of 2756 Broadway where 5 Lamps Tavern is located, clashed over noise concerns during the review of their liquor license application.
Paul Lee and Karim el Sharif, restaurant consultant and former manager of the Upper East Side staple Daniel, faced a series of queries from the Business and Consumer Issues Committee and a local resident about soundproofing the outdoor dining area. The roughly 2,000 square foot outdoor dining space is bordered by a number of apartments whose residents have filed multiple complaints about noisy diners.
Neighbor David Rebhun came with a petition with 30 signatures from concerned neighbors. “When I knocked on doors and I explained the petition, people were immediately like ‘here give it to me,’” said Rebhun.
Community Board 7 has dealt previously with 5 Lamp Tavern’s noisy patrons. The restaurant’s renewal application was not approved by the board, but ultimately accepted by the State Liquor Authority.
Debate focused on appropriate soundproofing measures for the space. For Lee and el Sharif the backyard garden dining is a central component for their restaurant deal. El Sharif assured the community board that he would walk away from the deal without the garden area.
“I’ve been searching years for a space like this,” said el Sharif.
Soundproofing measures, ranging from umbrellas and trees to a glass enclosed space were debated by the board for over forty minutes. The potential restaurant owners assured the community board that soundproofing the area was an essential priority, but would take time and the approval of the Department of Buildings.
The parties agreed to reduced backyard hours for the first year to 9 pm Sunday through Tuesday.
The board will vote on the decision at the full board meeting Tuesday March 3, 2015 at Fordham University.
i hope the new 5 Lamps doesn’t go too ‘upscale’ – though i never sat on the patio, we loved the wall of TVs inside and the fun sidewalk scene. enough with the emphasis on craft beers for their own sake, by the way; dime a dozen.
Should of opened a few years ago. It’s like the second era of Dinkins up there around 106th street.
As a nearby resident, I’m wondering what you are referring to, Mark. The neighborhood is relatively safe (though I’m looking forward to a redesign of the intersection) and has a mix of upscale stores (Silver Moon, Henry’s), chains and small businesses. This has been the norm for years.
I also question your reference to the “second era of Dinkins.” After all, reported crime rates started falling (under Ray Kelly) while Dinkins was mayor. While I don’t agree things are in bad shape, maybe your reference should be to the “second era of Koch,” since he wasn’t able to stem the growth of crime during his time in office. And the stretch between 96th and 106th was a bit dicey during the ’80s, for sure. Otherwise, your comment comes off in a way that doesn’t reflect well on your view of the world.
Thanks you, Joe! You said it better than I ever could. I wonder about all the suburban-bred transplants who seem to think our neighborhood should mirror the white-flight enclaves of their youth.
While I’m not sure I agree with Mark’s position, it’s your post that I really take offense to, Mary. Why shouldn’t your neighbors, whether born here or elsewhere, have the right to walk down the street without fear of getting mugged or worse? I’ll never understand those who long for the bad old days.
Mary didn’t express any wishes for a return to higher levels of crime; in fact, she didn’t bring up crime at all. And she said she agreed with Joe, who praised the DROP in crime, which he correctly notes started under Dinkins. look at the statistics and you will find that Joe is right.
What Mary wished for was a more ethnically DIVERSE community, like we used to have. It was Paul who somehow made the illogical leap that an ethnically and racially diverse neighborhood means one doesn’t “have the right to walk down the street without fear of getting mugged or worse.”
And please don’t accuse me of twisting your words. I didn’t. Perhaps you mis-spoke, but the thread is there on the screen.
I still miss meridiana for their manicotti and their linguine bolegnese. But I’m looking forward to something new. 5 lanterns didn’t do it for me.
If they want to walk away from the “deal”, let them. As it is, the bar is noisy and caters to over-indulgence in alcohol and noise. Its culture does not give rise to quiet dining. I say good riddance.
Mark; It looks like the 7-11 location is actually turning into a pizzeria, we have a great wine shop in the Grape Collective, Schatzie the Butcher is moving in and we have Silver Moon and now Plowshares. The neighborhood is coming along very nicely, I would say. Now if only Artisanal or Murray’s would open a cheese shop in the hood, we would really be in good shape, foodwise. That’s my wish for 2015!
@Bruce B, regarding your comment to me above, you’re correct – you didn’t twist my words, you re-crafted a whole thought process. Perhaps someday you’ll understand that yearning for safer streets doesn’t automatically equate itself with calling for a lack of diversity. I know you won’t be able to run around screaming. “racist!”, but perhaps you’ll find another hobby.
… and methinks you started a new thread because you don’t want people to see the old one! maybe you’re just a little embarrassed.
Dr. Bernstein, I presume? You can “thinks” all you want, but if I need someone to analyze my emotions, I’ll pay for a real psychiatrist, not listen to someone who plays one on a blog.
Incidentally, had you been more observant, you’d see that there was no place for me to reply to your inane response to my comment on the original thread.
Good day, Doctor!
First of all, the outdoor space is not legal. There is no Certificate of Occupancy for the space to be occupied, they do not have the proper egress and city sign off’s to allow any people back there. This was brought up in length at 5 lamps CB meeting way back when. It’s a pretty old story that people keep forgetting about.
What’s the point in the Department of Buildings and the whole Certificate of Occupancy requirements are not adhered to. The space back there is disgusting and dangerous. A few years back a fire broke out back there. Can you imagine if the space was occupied? Complete panic.
of course you can’t explain how i “recrafted the thought process.” because i didn’t.