Friday
Jan162015
Elberta Restaurant & Bar Seized by Taxman
Friday, January 16, 2025 at 8:06AM
Elberta, the New American restaurant on Flatbush Avenue opposite Seventh that opened in July 2012, was seized by the state for nonpayment of taxes last night. The restaurant was run by the same owners as previous occupants Heights Coffee and the short-lived Velvet Peach Cafe, the husband-and-wife duo of Erica Phillips and Irwin Caesar.
The restaurant had loyal clientele, but may have overextended itself; it expanded into the adjacent space last year as a private party room but closed that down after a "grand closing party" on New Year's Eve.
tagged Seized in Bars, Food, Scoops, Storefronts
Seized in Bars, Food, Scoops, Storefronts
Reader Comments (12)
Haven't we learned enough not to see these seizures as the death blow for businesses? The obituary for the Kolner Bierhalle appeared for this reason in December and now they are back open. Old Carriage Inn on Seventh Avenue also had a similar seizure (for over $100k in back taxes) and was open the next day. Maybe they will both eventually bite the dust but it is definitely too early for the past tense.
Now this would be a site for a Chipotle! Actually, I don't know if it's large enough, but the mere possibility of writing this will anger the right people.
Or another coffee shop: starbucks, grumpys, etc. Might be good for the nabe.
I was excited to try the place, but most of our food was pretty blah and the service was horrible--our server's friends came in and he just sat at the table with them chatting, totally oblivious to us. It took forever just to put in a drink order then probably 20 minutes for him to bring the drinks on a night when there were three tables seated. I got jerk chicken but it was not at all jerk; it was a roasted chicken drowned in super sugared hot pepper jelly. Yuck. Cute space, but I hope if they reopen they make some improvements. I hardly ever see more than a few people in there.
Sloper, they're always crowded during prime PM dinner -- not sure when you walk by.
Wouldn't count Elberta out yet. They received a Bib Gourmand ("Inspectors' Favorite for Good Value") in the 2015 Michelin Guide.
I had brunch there once and they were very accommodating (we had a toddler and an infant at the time) and the food was delicious a cut above ordinary brunch fare.
Sloper, they're always crowded during prime PM dinner -- not sure when you walk by.
They have reopened as of last night (January 23)
Actually they were re-opened less than 24 hours after the signage went up. For those not in the loop their "Grand Closing'" New Years Eve theme party was about the ending of a 20 year career for the host celebrity DJ host who is moving to Las Vegas. It was his last NYE party in NY not the closing of their event room.
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You should really do an updated post about this because they are indeed open again and seemingly full most nights when I walk by.
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