Neighborhood Update

What's new around Nolita:

Fire on Elizabeth
While Public may be one of New York's hottest restaurants, on Monday the restaurant had to cede the title of hottest spot on the block to an apartment building that caught on fire.

A fire tore through the six-story walk up, located on 196 Elizabeth Street, sending two to the hospital, according to the New York Daily News.

On Tuesday, charred evidence remained piled on the street just outside the building. John Playford, a manager at Public, said that he was there just as dinner service starting up when firefighters arrived on the scene at about 6:30 p.m.

"The flames were huge," he said, adding that the largest came from the top floor of the building.


Watch out below

Delicatessen, which opened its doors in July, has been the source of several neighborhood conflicts in recent weeks. The eatery, which features wrap around glass window walls and a signature transparent ceiling, also stays open late into the night with a mix of trance music. Dozens of neighbors have filed complaints, but in recent weeks, one man has taken his frustration to another level according to one hostess.

The man, probably in his late forties, has taken to exposing his naked body and, more recently, relieving himself on the roof, according to Nicole McDonnell, a hostess at the restaurant.

"It's disgusting," she said. "He may not like our music, but this is just uncalled for." Although the incident only happened once last week, the police have been contacted, McDonnell said.