Has Pakistan Tea House Closed for Good?

When iconic hole-in-the-wall Pakistan Tea House closed December 7, the word from its neighbors was that the restaurant was doing some renovations. But the metal gate has been shut ever since, and as several readers have emailed/tweeted, there was never a “closed for renovations” notice of any kind posted. This morning, another reader emailed to say that the sign is gone (but I’m out of town so I can’t verify it; the photos is from a couple of weeks ago). The website still exists, and the phone just rings and rings. I have no idea how to contact anyone there, and I’m not sure how to verify its status. If anyone has a lead or a suggestion, let me know. P.S. If anyone walking by wouldn’t mind sending a photo of the non-sign to tribecacitizen@gmail.com or 917-209-6473, I’d appreciate it. [Note: Keep reading past the photos for updates.]

UPDATE: A reader sent over a photo of PTH. The sign is still there, but no evidence of progress. UPDATE #2: The sign at Church Street Kitchen, two doors to the north, is down, which could be the source of that confusion. UPDATE #3: James has this to point out:

A complaint was filed with DOB on 12/8. It is hard to run a restaurant without gas for cooking.

“NYC Department of Buildings
Overview for Complaint #:1411776 = ACTIVE
Complaint at: 176 CHURCH STREET BIN: 1001604 Borough: MANHATTAN ZIP: 10013

“Re: UTILITY NOTES THAT NEW/SUSPICIOUS GAS PIPE WORK WAS OBSERVEDSUPPLYING STEAM TABLE IN VICINITY OF ANSELL (sic) VALVE. UTILITY CLOSED MCV,VERIFIED AND LOCKED OFF GAS SUPPLY”

Pakistan Tea House 122915Church Street KitchenUPDATE #4 (12/30): “Pictures from earlier today,” emailed Hudson River. “Work being done inside but nobody there. Strange foil-wrapped object in lower left may be part of gas system?”

Pakistan Tea House 123015 Pakistan Tea House pipeUPDATE #5 (12/31): “Baluchi’s coming!” commented Farid, so I emailed to ask what that meant. Farid “saw the Baluchi’s sign inside as it is being upgraded.” I’ll stalk the place today, but if anyone else walks by and finds the gate open, by all means look inside to see what you can find out.

UPDATE #6 (12/31): “Walked by today at 1:30pm to see the gate was three-quarters open,” emailed R. “Lights were off and no one was visible inside.”

Pakistan Tea House fullsize by R

 

8 Comments

  1. I’ve definitely seen the gate open since then and work being done. Not sure what that means, though.

  2. yeah I saw the gate open and wooden tables and chairs being worked on as recently as exactly a week ago today, sure of it

  3. A complaint was filed with DOB on 12/8. It is hard to run a restaurant without gas for cooking.

    “NYC Department of Buildings
    Overview for Complaint #:1411776 = ACTIVE
    Complaint at: 176 CHURCH STREET BIN: 1001604 Borough: MANHATTAN ZIP: 10013

    “Re: UTILITY NOTES THAT NEW/SUSPICIOUS GAS PIPE WORK WAS OBSERVEDSUPPLYING STEAM TABLE IN VICINITY OF ANSELL (sic) VALVE. UTILITY CLOSED MCV,VERIFIED AND LOCKED OFF GAS SUPPLY”

  4. Any info on Taras on Warren……I have attempted lunch 3 times during Mondays and Tuesdays, during the past two weeks and doors are closed.

  5. baluchi’s coming!

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