SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Rasputin, the windowless, mausoleum-like restaurant and nightclub at 2670 Coney Island Avenue, has been shuttered and padlocked.

There is a notice taped near the entrance that shows it was closed by city marshals and turned over to the landlord.

It’s unclear if this is related to the criminal case against Michael Levitis, the owner of Rasputin Restaurant. Levitis is alleged to be the ringleader of a fraud scheme, in which a company he controlled – Mission Settlement Agency – preyed on debt-laden victims. The company claimed to reduce a client’s debt to creditors and make payments on their behalf. In reality, prosecutors say, the company collected fees and did little or nothing to help clients, and Levitis used the fees to pay operating expenses at Rasputin, lease two luxury Mercedes and pay off his mother’s credit card bills.

Prosecutors have filed to seize approximately 40 bank accounts connected to Levitis, as well as Rasputin Restaurant and two properties he owns in Manhattan Beach. The assets would be used to pay back his victims if Levitis is found guilty.

However, the property on which Rasputin sits is not owned by Levitis. Notices like the one above are often left when a lessee fails to pay his rent and the landlord wins an eviction in court. It’s unclear if that’s the case, or if the landlord was somehow able to wrangle back control of the property amid Levitis’ problems.

The landlord was not available to answer questions as we went to press, but we will update if we hear from them.

Meanwhile, a post on Michael Levitis’ Facebook page that had announced the closure late last week or over the weekend has since disappeared. In reply to comments left on the post, Levitis had credited the closure to “higher powers,” but had not elaborated beyond that point when we stumbled across it.

Source: J. Reed via Wikimedia Commons

UPDATE (5/22/2013 @ 12:45 a.m.): It turns out that Nathan’s famous opened for business the night before we posted this story on Monday, May 20, at 7 p.m., according to a CBS report. Hot dog mode, engaged!

Original Post

The iconic Nathan’s Famous (1310 Surf Avenue) has faced a long and sometimes trying path to recovery. Weathering extensive flood damage following Superstorm Sandy and a small fire that broke out on its roof while being repaired, the famous wiener mecca is closer than ever to reopening, hoping to dole out dogs before Memorial Day.

NY1 is reporting that not only are the repairs on Nathan’s almost complete, but that they have significantly upgraded their service counters and infrastructure. The changes include a redesigned interior space, a new clam bar that will be serving oysters for the first time in 30 years and an overall modern more modern look.

Nathan’s also made the effort to protect themselves against future storms.

“We used to have all of our utilities in the basement, so we brought everything above flood line, so if something should happen again it won’t knock us out completely,” Bruce Miller, senior director of operations told NY1.

While lamenting that they couldn’t recreate the location exactly as it once was, Miller promised that the new Nathan’s is working hard at improving what they have.

“You can’t go back to the way it used to be 50 years ago. You have to make everything current to code, so Nathan’s took the opportunity to not only bring everything up to that level, but also to take an opportunity to provide a better service for our customers,” Miller said.

People visiting Coney Island before the Surf Avenue Nathan’s reopens can still grab a hot dog at their boardwalk spot, which was quickly rebuilt following the storm.

The following is a paid announcement from Independence Care System, a nonprofit Medicaid-managed long-term care plan serving residents of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens.

ICS is seeking a Masters-level bilingual (Russian-English) health professional or a nurse to lead an interdisciplinary team of social workers, nurses and care managers for Independence Care System (www.icsny.org). ICS is a NYC Medicaid-managed care program serving physically disabled adults.

The Team Leader oversees an interdisciplinary team that coordinates members’ overall long-term care which includes a range of health and social supports aimed at maintaining health; preventing the exacerbation of serious medical conditions; and promoting independent living in the community.

Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse with Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, licensed to work in NYS; Physical or Occupational Therapist licensed to work in NYS; or Master’s Degree in Social Work, Business, Public Administration or similar degree.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in the social or health services fields.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a supervisory role.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience with the physically disabled population.
• Program management/administration experience.
• Bilingual (English/Russian)
• Comfortable with travel in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and/or Queens

This search is being conducted by Schall & Russo Planning Works, LLC.

For further information, please contact Steven Schall, Schall & Russo Planning Works at sschall@schallrusso.com or 917-207-7191.

The above is a paid announcement by Independence Care System. Sheepshead Bites has not verified the claims made in this advertisement. If you own a business and would like to announce a special offer to tens of thousands of locals, e-mail us at advertising [at] sheepsheadbites [dot] com.

We first told you about Jumpin’ Bean, a new Mexican restaurant slated for 3081 Emmons Avenue, way back in early October. At the time, they had planned to open just a few weeks later.

Then Sandy hit. The entire interior needed to be redone, and all kitchen equipment replaced (the kitchen, mind you, is a few steps below street level).

It took some time, but the restaurant quietly opened its doors on Wednesday, and has asked us to spread the word to our readers.

On a related note, V & S Pizzeria on Emmons, and Munchinette and Delmar’s Pizzeria on Sheepshead Bay Road are all now open as well. Istanbul on Emmons Avenue should be opening any day now, if it’s not already.

I’m going to go get a margarita to celebrate the recovery!

The following is a paid announcement from Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts.

Looking for a fun, different, and quirky event to attend with your friends and family next weekend? Get your vocal chords warmed up and join us at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, May 19, at 1 p.m. for the screening of the Academy Award-winning movie musical The Sound of Music. This is more than just a chance to revisit the classic Julie Andrews movie on the big screen; it’s also a major audience participation event.

Upon entry, audience members receive a free swag bag, complete with edelweiss, a curtain swatch, an invitation to the Captain’s Ball, and more. An emcee guides the experience, as subtitles assist the audience as they sing along to classic tunes including “Climb Every Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” and of course the soaring title song. Dress up as your favorite character for the costume contest—the possibilities are as endless as a Ray of Golden Sun. If you’ve always wanted to be a part of a musical, this is your chance!

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music – Sunday, May 19th at 1pm
Tickets: $15

The above is a paid announcement by Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. Sheepshead Bites has not verified the claims made in this advertisement. If you own a business and would like to announce a special offer to tens of thousands of locals, email us at advertising [at] sheepsheadbites [dot] com.

Sweet Life. Photo By Armando Guevara

If you are looking for a taste of the Sweet Life, you should head over to Avenue U. A new store offering ice cream, cupcakes, candies and other delicious sweets is taking over the spot once occupied by “U Sun Shine” Carpet and Furniture at 2106A Avenue U.

That bright and beautiful sign sure makes whatever they are selling seem really delectable.

Thanks to Armando Guevara for the update and the photo.

Source: cinematreasures.org

Sheepshead Bay’s United Artists movie theater will be hiking its prices this Friday, with adult admission reaching $14 – or nearly twice the national average – Sheepshead Bites has learned.

A source has confirmed the price hike, noting that adult admission will rise from $13.50 to $14.00. Seniors, children, and matinee admission prices will climb from $10.00 to $10.50.

The UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14 & IMAX, owned by Regal Entertainment and located at 3907 Shore Parkway, is one of the only remaining movie theaters in Southern Brooklyn, maintaining a stranglehold that draws thousands from around the borough every weekend.

The new rates mean that the theater is that much closer to being double the national average for a movie ticket, which in 2012 was $7.96 according to the New York Times. The average admission nationwide increased just three cents last year, a lesser increase than in previous years; from 2008 to to 2010, the Times reports, prices jumped 4 percent annually.

There’s no word yet on whether or not the UA will increase the price for 3-D movie tickets. According to the Times, 3-D admissions are fueling rate hikes across the country as interest in the gimmick plummets, causing theater owners to charge more for regular tickets.

The Times reported in February:

Regal Entertainment, the nation’s largest movie theater chain, said last week that it raised prices for standard screenings by 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter [of 2012]; 3-D ticket sales in the period contributed 14 percent of Regal’s sales, down from 17 percent in the same quarter a year ago. 

The sales slump suggests that the local UA may keep its 3-D offerings pegged at $20.00 for adults and $16.50 for children and seniors.

The following is a paid announcement from il Fornetto Italian Restaurant & Caterer (2902 Emmons Avenue), Sheepshead Bay’s premier waterfront dining experience.

The above is a paid announcement by il Fornetto Italian Restaurant & Caterer. Sheepshead Bites has not verified the claims made in this advertisement. If you own a business and would like to announce a special offer to tens of thousands of locals, e-mail us at advertising [at] sheepsheadbites [dot] com.

Royalty is coming to 2663 Coney Island Avenue, for who else would reside in Sultan Palace other than the sultan?

Well, we passed by yesterday, and we didn’t see any sultans hanging around. We’re still not quite sure what the plan is yet. But if we were to guess, we’d say it’s one of those places where the menu will most likely say “restaurant, cafe, lounge and hookah bar.”

Just a feeling. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Photo via ny.eater.com

I have to admit, I am a little wary of writing this article. The daily lines to get a slice of Di Fara’s incredibly perfect pizza are already so long that I am loath to spread the word of the new spinoff spot located just a few doors down (1012 East 15th Street) that features an expanded menu. Still, if the food is just as good as Di Fara’s, no amount of ink spilled will stop foodies from flocking to Avenue J in Midwood.

According to a report by NY Eater, MD Kitchen is officially open for business, offering an expanded menu of delicious Italian foods that Di Fara used to feature before pizza became the only menu item.

Opened by the children of pizza master Dominic DeMarco, MD Kitchen will be serving up everything from pasta dishes, salads, heroes, sandwiches, wings, fries and hot dogs. The name MD Kitchen was humorously explained by Dominic’s daughter Maggie DeMarco on a Facebook entry.

“Mama DeMarco’s for our mom, Mikey DeMarco for our nephew, Maggie DeMarco for me? What it does not mean is medical doctor.”

Personally I don’t care what it stands for, I will be heading over ASAP to see how the new menu stacks up to the incredible pizza experience just a few doors down.