Cafe Orlin Could Reopen In East Village Under New Owners

EAST VILLAGE, NY — The storied East Village restaurant Cafe Orlin could reopen under new management, just months after the the 36-year-old restaurant closed its doors.

Robert Perl, president of the real estate company Tower Brokerage, has applied to take over Cafe Orlin's existing liquor license.

The restaurant, located at 41 St. Marks Place, closed in October after 36 years on the legendary East Village street.

The cafe's owners didn't comment on the reason behind the popular restaurant's closure, but one employee of the cafe told Grub Street: "I think the owner is tired, after 36 years."

Now, it appears that new owners are looking to reopen the cafe in the same space and under the same name. Perl and multiple associates have applied for the corporate change, according to the application filed with Community Board 3.

The application indicates that Perl, who owns numerous East Village properties, would serve as the president and director of the new company behind Cafe Orlin.

Perl formed the restaurant's new majority owner, Joya PRC LLC, with fellow Tower Brokerage executive Steve Dunaif, restaurateur Darin Rubell and chef Joya Carlton.

It's unclear what the new owners have planned for the second life of Cafe Orlin. Perl and an attorney representing him did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Patch.

Perl and Rubell have together opened several other bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, including Drexler's, the Double Down Saloon and Boulton & Watt, which they opened with Dunaif. Carlton is the executive chef behind the vegan deli Orchard Grocer.

Image credit: Ciara McCarthy / Patch