Harlem Gets a Splashy All-Day Brasserie Near the Apollo Theater

The Senegalese-born Elhadji Cisse who moved to the States in 1995 has opened a new spot. The chef and owner behind Harlem’s 10-year-old Ponty Bistro, Renaissance Harlem, and Harlem Cafe serving French and African cuisine, has opened the 4,500 square-foot PB Brasserie at 60 W. 125th Street, near Malcolm X Boulevard — a short walk from the iconic Apollo Theater. Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight (12:30 a.m. weekends), the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with items like French onion soup, escargot, beef tartare, steamed whole fish or lobster, rib-eye, and sides like jollof rice or truffle fries.

A French restaurant mainstay to close

After 44 years, La Ripaille has shuttered in the West Village, with the chef and owner, Alain Laurent, telling the New York Post, “It’s time to pass the torch.” The restaurant and the building at 605 Hudson Street are for sale for $17 million; Laurent bought the place for $900,000 (with its ten apartments) in 1986, according to the Post. The 40-seat restaurant dressed with white paper tablecloths and anchored by a fireplace has hosted the likes of soccer star Pelé, Madonna, and author Salmon Rushdie. Back in 2009, Eater said it felt “positively pre-Prohibition,” with Laurent taking orders (and cooking) himself. He said he wanted his kids to take over, “but they saw the sacrifice it took and say they will never do it.” He notes his schedule for the duration included working seven days a week, and often, holidays.

A 40-year-old kebab shop to relocate

After over 40 years, Upper East Side Afghan Kebab House will be closing by September 21 due to construction, but it will relocate to a turnkey location nearby at 1438 First Avenue, between East 75th and 76th streets. The owner told Eater he is sad the original is closing — “I’ve grown old in that place” — even if he’s relieved to keep the business alive in a new spot.

Two 30th anniversary events this weekend

Jim Lahey’s Sullivan Street Bakery is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Saturday, September 21, in its Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea locations, where they’ll be selling pizza bianca and pane Pugliese for a buck and $2.75, respectively. It corresponds with the rerelease of Lahey’s first cookbook from fifteen years ago, My Bread, earlier this week, featuring five new recipes.

Then on Sunday, September 22, Il Buco celebrates its 30th as well with a pig roast and a collection of dishes from 1 to 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30 for a vegetarian option and $60 for the menu.