New Midtown & Hell's Kitchen Restaurants: Two — Or Three — New Spots

MIDTOWN, NY — In what one Community Board 4 co-chair called "maybe a record for shortest agenda," two — or possibly three — new spots are opening soon on the west side.

The restaurants were presented to Community Board 4's Street Life Committee on Tuesday as owners sought approval for beer, wine and liquor licenses.

Here's what we learned about each new restaurant:

Yo Yo Sushi (421 Eighth Avenue)

The owners of upscale downtown sushi spot BondST are planning on opening a new sushi stall with counter seating at Moynihan Train Hall. The menu will be a mix of grab-and-go items as well as rolls, combos, bowls and more, which can be enjoyed at the 14-seat counter.

Petit Disco (161 West 23rd St.)

A new nightclub is replacing the former Motel 23, a popular gay club owned by accused sexual abuser Michael J. Cohen.

Petit Disco features all-new owners looking for less "college crowd" vibe and a more "mature" audience. But the new disco will keep the late night fun by keeping hours open until 2 a.m. on Sunday - Wednesday, and until 4 a.m. between Thursday to Sunday.

Some community members voiced concerns about the crowd, saying that even the bouncers at Motel 23 "was part of the problem." The new owners said the security they use at other locations are actually appreciated by nearby residents at a sports bar they run, Bounce Sporting Club. But residents were still bothered to hear that the owners did not reach out to a neighboring home for the blind at Selis Manor — and the 24-hour Malibu Diner that the residents frequent — which they promised to do the next day.

Par Avon (465 West 23rd St.)

A new French wine bar to replace the old French wine bar at the address, LePif, which closed during the pandemic.

With 45 seats, plus a few tables on the sidewalk, Par Avon will also offer a very simple menu of Steak and Tuna Tartare, oysters, cheeses, escargots and charcuteries. The operators offer a long line of hospitality and wine experience, including a past operating manager at Vin Sur Vingt.

Board members said they were a little worried about the later operating hours listed compared to the prior wine bar, listed sidewalk dining and a general sense that the block was not enthused to have a bar at that location.

Owners replied at the meeting that they have received a wide array of community support as demonstrated by a collection of signatures from neighbors and that changing their operating hours would make it "a very risky investment" for them.

Both the board and owners of Par Avon said they were surprised at their differing views on neighbor support for the new wine bar, but pledged to work together.

Correction 5/12/23: The story was updated to correct and clarify that one of the Par Avon applicants was a former operating manager at Vin Sur Vingt, not an owner.