By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — The shuttered restaurant that counted Lady Gaga among its investors appears poised to reopen, but Poker Face doesn't seem to be gambling on the new establishment.
A restaurant at 70 W. 68th St., where Gaga-backed Vince & Eddie's operated until its sudden closure in March, is slated to ask Community Board 7 to bless a new liquor license application on Wednesday night.
Vince & Eddie's owner Peter Di Giuseppe told DNAinfo he's not involved in the new venture, which is listed on the board's agenda under the name Second Wind Restaurant, LLC.
An attorney representing Second Wind said he couldn't comment.
Vince & Eddie's was a favorite hangout of Gaga and her parents, Joe and Cynthia Germanotta, who live on West 70th Street. After news broke of Gaga's investment, fans called the cozy restaurant on the hunt for the pop megastar, Di Giuseppe told DNAinfo.
But the notoriety apparently didn't help the eatery. It closed without warning in March. Employees then sued the owners, claiming they weren't paid for their last few weeks of work.
The attorney representing the workers couldn't be reached immediately for comment on the status of the lawsuit Tuesday.
Vince & Eddie's isn't the only resurrected establishment on Community Board 7's agenda.
Greg Hunt, the Upper West Sider whose dream of opening an upscale wine bar at 25 Central Park West was defeated by neighborhood opposition, is applying for a liquor license at 240 Columbus Avenue at West 71st Street.
The space was once occupied by Malayasian restaurant Penang. Hunt couldn't be reached immediately to comment on the new business.
Also seeking a new liquor license is the restaurant at 2161 Broadway and West 76th Street, which was once home to Niko's Mediterranean Bar and Grill. Like Vince & Eddie's, Niko's was the subject of a lawsuit alleging unpaid wages. It closed in March.
Community Board 7's Business and Consumer Issues committee meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the board's office at 250 W. 87th Street.
