Moody Tongue, a brand known for brewing exotic beers and pairing them with seafood, is currently renovating a new spot in the East Village.
What Now NY connected with the brand’s CEO Jeremy Cohn to get some insights into what we can expect at 123 St Marks Place.
A questionnaire filled out by Cohn for a liquor license application last October indicates this location will house a Japanese restaurant, although the name was not specified at that time. Moody Tongue has two distinct concepts in two different cities. It is unclear whether this new location will be an original concept or will borrow from the brand’s brewery/dining room in Chicago or their sushi spot in NYC.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company is the world’s first two Michelin-starred brewery, and its dining room menu features upscale dishes like Hokkaido sea scallops, prime New York strips, duck breasts and bone-in pork chops. When the brand expanded to New York City, they modified their menu to emphasize pairings of beer with sushi.
“We have loved expanding our Moody Tongue brand to New York City over this past year with Moody Tongue Sushi in the West Village and can’t wait to continue introducing our passion for hospitality to a new neighborhood,” said Cohn. “I used to live several blocks south of this new location we are working on in the East Village, and now Jared and I both have family on 9th Street, so the neighborhood really has become a home for us.”
Reporting by EV Grieve indicates construction is going on at 123 St. Marks Place. What looks to be a tile-covered oven with the words “Moody Tongue” on it was spotted outside as well.
The storefront at 123 St Marks Place has been vacant for many years, but Cohn and his team will infuse a new sense of life into the space. Plans indicate there will be 16 tables and enough seating for 60 guests.
A sample menu attached to the beer and wine license questionnaire includes sushi palettes, noodle dishes, dumplings, Korean fried chicken, and seasonal crudo. This proposed menu seems to align with Moody Tongue Sushi’s menu in the West Village. A representative for Moody Tongue did not confirm the name or exact concept of this new location, but updates are expected soon.
“As we get closer and closer to opening, we can’t wait to share more of our story and vision with you all,” said Cohn. “For now, feel free to follow us via our social channels @moodytongue and @moodytonguesushi for all opening details and announcements in the coming months.”
