Chinatown!

Recent closings of two well established businesses in Chinatown-NYC most notably Jan Lee's, Sinotique on 19 Mott Street & Mr. Tang's, a restaurant on the corner of Mott & Bayard Street has once again reminded us about the day in the life of a small business owner in NYC especially in the lower manhattan area. Probably, a more accurate coined phrase would be a "day in the death of a small business owner". It does not help that the 9-11 trials for the accused masterminds of the World Trade Center plot will be taking place across the street from Columbus Park in Chinatown with the locals fearing street closures, added armed security presence, & protestors will drive out foot traffic in C-Town. We've seen what the closing of Park Row has done to the community.
Sinotique is an asian inspired furniture-home accessories-jewelry dealer & importer that has been in the Chinatown family for decades. The Lee family has been a great supporter & advocate of the lower east chinese side of manhattan for years. Fortunately, the Lee's have re-invented themselves by moving their base to Brooklyn.
Mr. Tang's is a restaurant on the busy corner of Mott & Bayard which will be heavily missed. Some notables such as Russell Wong & Jackie Chan have been sighted as customers. Mr. Tang's has also been a host for photo & movie shoots. The most recent movie that I can remember being filmed there was "Year of the Fish". Then again , "Year of the Fish" was a cinderella tale based in New York's Chinatown so they were filming everywhere in C-Town!
Go support your local Chinatown! Chinese New year should be extraordinarily festive this season because it's the Year of the Tiger in 2010! Mark February 14, 2010 & the following weekend of Feb. 20 & 21st on the calendar to visit Chinatown-NYC! It's going to be a blast with the Chinese New Year Parade march through Mott Street & the impromptu Lion Dancing throughout the streets by the "organizations" & local Kung Fu Schools in the NYC area! Have some dim sum while you are there! See some dim sum suggestions below...
--Mr. C

Golden Bridge Restaurant
50 Bowery, New York, NY

Jing Fong
18 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY

Golden Unicorn
18 East Broadway
Manhattan, New York, NY

Dim Sum Go Go
5 East Broadway
(between Chatham Sq & St James Pl)
New York, NY