Christie's Jamaican Patties Sticking Around After All

When news broke back in November that due to a landlord dispute the beloved Christie's Jamaican Patties, on Flatbush near Sterling Place, would be closing by January 1, many chalked it up as the worst-case-scenario of the damage the incoming arena can do to the neighborhood, paired with an overbearing landlord. Owner Paul Hayes wasn't giving up without a fight, though, and he's been able to settle with landlord Lina Feng and save the 45-year old shop.

"We're still not out of the woods, but we're open and will be open for the foreseeable future," said Hayes. "She decided to drop the lawsuit in exchange for $20,000 upfront, a new rent we worked out, plus $1,300 per month." It's a tall order, as they're operating without a lease, but Hayes is confident that they won't be closing any time soon.

"I decided to settle in order to move forward, but it's a big risk on my part," Hayes added. "She has the ability to start up another lawsuit, but the risk is worth taking. We're going to limp towards the spring and hope business picks up."

So Christie's has gotten a reprieve, but it's still on thin ice. The only way to guarantee that it sticks around is by shopping there, so go get some patties and curry goat!

Cyprus Avenue to Re-Open by Saturday

Cyprus Avenue, the Irish pub on the corner of Fifth and Bergen, will be re-opening in time for the weekend.

The bar, which closed for "minor renovations" a little over a month ago, took the paper down from the windows yesterday, revealing an interior that looks more or less the same as it did before the closure. That's fine by me (that cozy atmosphere made it a winner in my book), but I'm guessing there were more factors in play here than just cosmetics.

I'll be sure to do some "investigation" into what's been changed once they open back up. In the meantime, the owners have posted a sign to the front window asking for ideas about how they can improve. You can email them if you have any suggestions.

Closed for Business (Probably): Mango/Remixed Thai Brasserie, 52 7th Avenue

Mango Remixed Thai Brasserie, formerly just known as Mango, has shuttered. The restaurant, on Seventh Avenue between Lincoln and St. John's, had been struggling for years, and in fact closed down for a couple weeks back in June of last year, but this time appears to be the real deal.

The restaurant was constantly rebranding itself and updating its menu, driving itself further and further into the "fusion" zone that's doomed many well-intentioned restaurants. The folks at Amin Indian next door confirmed that it's been shuttered for at least a week now, but if we can judge anything from the past, there's always a chance that they might rise from the dead once again.

Closed for Business: MetLife Home Loans, 200 Seventh Avenue

Well, that was a bust. Less than six months after opening a branch on Seventh Avenue between Second and Third Streets, MetLife Home Loans has shuttered that location.

Prior to this office, the space was home to the "pop-up gallery" of artist Mark Ravitz, who's installed his famous "drips" on the building, which he also owns. He spent several years looking for a non-restaurant tenant, and supposedly turned down plenty of nail salons before settling on MetLife. Prior to that, the space was home to Park Slope Books.

Hopefully this opens the door for something moderately more exciting to move in.

UPDATE: Parkside Diner to Re-Open Soon

Parkside Diner, on Flatbush between Park and Sterling, was shut down by the DOH back in October, and never reopened. It was never anything special, but no-frills diners are becoming more and more scarce these days. About a month ago, however, work got underway in the space (and the awning was removed a couple days ago), and earlier today a tipster who'd spoke with the manager at the Kings Pharmacy next door let me know that it will be re-opening soon, possibly by the end of the week.

I had a chance to peek inside over the weekend, and the space has been completely renovated and cleaned up.

UPDATE: Many thanks to Sharon at the NFBID for filling in some of the details. Looks like it will indeed remain a Greek Diner, albeit with new ownership:

"The owner of the building is bringing in his own client, and ParkSide will be used as a diner with Greek owners. It will be a Greek diner and possibly serve along with the Hamburger Deluxe, some Greek goodies but it will not be a Greek Restaurant. The previous diner owners were booted for back rent and unpaid taxes."