On the Siberian evening of December 31st two women dressed in hot pants and body paint stood on tables in the front window of Kurve, dragging their limbs in a dazed approximation of dancing. Never before had so many people crowded inside this lounge, but one got the sense that putting naked girls in the window was the last gasp of the long-drowning project. Sure enough, a few days later the doors were shuttered, with an eviction notice taped to the glass. And true to form a few days later it was back from the crypt, open for business again.

Such has been the pattern at Kurve, an oft-closing Thai/pan-asian restaurant soaked in neon purple lighting, with futuristic decor and undulating walls embossed with swirls. Some reputable names are behind this venture: Andy Yang of Rhong-Tiam runs the kitchen, Sasha Petraske of Milk and Honey consulted on the cocktails, and Pichet Ong of P*ong created the desserts. But as Frank Bruni reports, despite some highlights like dim sum and drinks, it doesn’t all add up–the miserable service and culinary missteps merit no stars.

Despite the happy diners pictured in the NYTimes slideshow I never see anyone in here. So my fascination burns, because I don’t see how a place like this can continue to revive itself in times like these. Is there something redeeming here? What ever happened to Mosto, the former tenant, a perfectly low-key, affordable Italian place with hot waiters and delicious ravioli?

Ten bucks says they brings back the dancing girls…

Eater chronicles Kurve’s path to extinction

Kurve, 87 Second Avenue at 5th St.