East Village's Cafe Mogador to Open New Bar

The new bar, named Matbucha, will be located at 126 St. Mark's Place, taking over the space formerly occupied by East Village Social. This venture is designed to complement the original restaurant, offering a more bar-forward experience with a focus on drinks and small plates in an intimate setting. The idea is to provide a waiting spot for diners with reservations at the often-crowded Cafe Mogador. Cafe Mogador has been an East Village fixture since 1983, when it was opened by Rivka Orlin, an immigrant from Essaouira, Morocco. The restaurant, known for its Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, started in a single storefront at 101 St. Mark's Place and has since expanded. Many of the recipes were passed down from Orlin's mother. The family-run business is now in its second generation, with Rivka's son Danny Orlin and his cousin Jacob Ahiyon taking over daily operations. Rivka Orlin, a longtime neighborhood resident, is still involved in the new bar, telling a community board she envisions "a place where we can meet friends, people from all ages can sit, have a nice meze, a nice drink that I'll be preparing." The new establishment will have a different feel from the bustling restaurant, aiming for a "toned-down atmosphere." The interior will feature rustic elements like a hardwood floor, brick walls, and a tin ceiling, with decorations sourced from thrift stores to create a "lived-in and welcoming" vibe. While the new venture is a bar, it will maintain a Moroccan/Mediterranean influence through its small plates.