A tipster sends in this shot and writes, "Well, the gutting of Manganaro’s has begun. I’m sure it will be yet another Thai restaurant."
What more, really, is there to say?
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a.k.a. The Book of Lamentations:
a bitterly nostalgic look at a city in the process of going extinct
- Jeremiah Moss
- THE BOOK:
"We should all buy Jeremiah Moss’s book, Vanishing New York." --Sarah Jessica Parker
“Essential reading for fans of Jane Jacobs, Joseph Mitchell, Patti Smith, Luc Sante, and cheap pierogi.” --Vanity Fair
"a vigorous, righteously indignant book that would do Jane Jacobs proud." --Kirkus Reviews
THE BLOG:
"the go-to hub for those who lament New York's loss of character." --Crain's
"No one takes stock of New York's changes with the same mixture of snark, sorrow, poeticism, and lyric wit as Jeremiah Moss." --Village Voice, Best of NY
“Jeremiah Moss…is the defender of all the undistinguished hunks of masonry that lend the streets their rhythm.” --Justin Davidson, New York Magazine
"One of the most thorough and pugnacious chroniclers of New York’s blandification." --The Atlantic, Citylab
"Hyperbolic and combative, tireless and passionate." --Salon
It really is heartbreaking to have lost such a beautiful interior.
ReplyDeleteI could think of a few things...but theyre not nice words.
ReplyDeleteThe day I met Seline, I started gathering input for my blog. I saw two vintage ladies hats. Thinking there might be some interesting backstory, I asked about them. She gave them to me to give to a lady friend. With the kindness she always showed me, I cant bring myself to go *next door*.
What a loss. So much history there. I went in from time to time to make purchases, but I preferred eating at the Manganaro's next door owned by another side of the family just because they are so much nicer.
ReplyDeleteTheyre NOT Manganaros.
ReplyDelete<3 Seline!
Does anyone know what caused the break in the family? There was some big fight or issue that divided them. I remember hearing about it back in the early 90s when I started to frequent these places, but I don't remember what the problem was. There was a lot of bad blood, though. Too bad, although not uncommon. What family doesn't have a rift somewhere in the line?
ReplyDeleteAnon, this gives the backstory on the feud: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/08/nyregion/a-family-a-feud-and-a-six-foot-sandwich.html
ReplyDeleteSad to read about their feud. Even sadder to see the place gutted. One word says it all: Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the NY Times link. What a shame these two brothers and their kids have wasted all of these years being enemies. Forget about business. It isn't good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteCrap. I used to live right next door to Manganaro's (early 80's). Only thing you can do is to enjoy/patronize any and all remaining 'old-skool' newyorkery!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me sick. The Manganaro's ladies had no idea how to run this business and clearly the new owners couldn't see value in this beautiful relic. With the right menu and the right promotion and attitude this place could have been a gold mine.
ReplyDeletei read on JVNY that they are moving to a new location. there was a post about this. any information?
ReplyDeleteno news yet on any move. will keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteThat giant vertical neon sign outside Manganero's was a Hell's Kitchen landmark on Ninth Ave... Guess it's dimmed for good. Too bad the other side of the family can't move it over a storefront and keep it lit...
ReplyDeletei don't understand why you can walk blocks and see countless thai places (whuts up w/ that anyway) and NAILs nails nails but no bookstore or just regular bread bakeries at the same rate or just regular coffee shops. what gives?
ReplyDeleteIn recent years, Manganaros was a shadow of its former self, but despite Seline's colorful chatter, it still had a certain untouched-by-time charm. Why does Hell's Kitchen need three Thai restaurants on every block, anyway?
ReplyDeletethis blows. i'll miss those sandwiches. *sigh*
ReplyDelete