Chinatown Dessert Shop ‘Bonsai Kakigori’ Announces Hell Square Push
A Chinatown dessert shop is branching out, and will soon open a satellite in Hell Square.
Bonsai Kakigori recently taped teaser signage to the windows of 100 Stanton Street, former home of the popular El Rey cafe. This Hell Square location is the first foray into brick-and-mortar for the company, which currently operates at the Canal Street Market. As such, it’s more ambitious, and will include a cafe component. Menu features the signature sweet (shaved ice) alongside small Japanese bites, matcha, beer, and sake.
Debut is planned for sometime later this spring, as conveyed by the storefront messaging.
El Rey had held down this spot on Stanton Street for five years, until its closure last November. It was done in by a rent hike; apparently owner Nick Morgenstern couldn’t strike an agreement with the landlord, and walked.