26 The QUEE NS Courier • august 28, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com THE COURIER/Photo by Eric Jankiewicz MELA’S CAFÉ DEBUTS FRENCH BISTRO OPENING OFF BELL BOULEVARD BY ERIC JANKIEWICZ ejankiewicz@queenscourier.com/@EricJankiewicz A new French restaurant is set to open in two months in Bayside, according to a spokesman for one of the two owners. The location was previously the home of Bentley’s Off Bell, a bar and grill that closed earlier this year. The French bistro started work in March, according to city records, and the awning for Bentley’s still hangs over the location on 39th Avenue. When it opens, it will be the only French restaurant in the neighborhood. The owners didn’t want to discuss details of the restaurant, so whether or not the menu will include escargot remains to be seen. IN KEW GARDENS HILLS BY LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com @LiamLaGuerre Mela’s Café may be replacing another diner in Kew Gardens Hills as it opens on Aug. 27, but owners promise it will bring new flavor in more ways than just taste. The left side of the restaurant has booths and tables with exposed brick walls, while the right side has large windows that will guide in natural light, giving customers different ways to experience the eatery. The diner seats 90 people, but it can expand it to about 120 seats if necessary. There are electrical outlets and USB ports scattered around the restaurant so patrons can charge their mobile devices, and free Wi-Fi is set up for people needing to use the Internet. With these features, they expect to attract the younger crowd from nearby Queens College. “If we are going to make a difference we can’t go old, we have to think now,” said Melissa Guzman, daughter of the owner and the morning manager. Owner Franklin Rivera named the diner after her nickname, Mela. Mela’s Café will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. In terms of food, head chef David Nunez will be mixing his knowledge of Latin dishes with various flavors from other nationalities, such as Japanese, to bring a new culinary experience to the neighborhood. “We didn’t want people to say, ‘Oh that’s a Dominican family so it’ll be only Dominican food,” Guzman said. However, at the moment Mela’s is still waiting to get liquor license approval, so they won’t be selling alcohol for a little while. Although Mela’s will bring many new features to the area, the one thing that may be familiar to local customers will be the staff. There are 45 employees in the establishment, according to the human resources manager, and owners made a push to rehire servers from the former restaurant, because of their proximity to the diner and familiarity with the neighborhood. The family held an emotional meet-and-greet on Aug. 22 to thank community members and leaders for their support. They are looking forward to introducing their food to the neighborhood. “To be honest, I’m anxious and nervous, but I’m very excited,” Guzman said. “This is a big moment for my family. I’m pretty stoked.” Visit http://melascaferestaurant. com/ for more information. Legally Speaking By: Scott Baron, Attorney at Law WOODEN HANGERS Q: While fighting a fire in an abandoned public school building, my wife was crushed by the fall of a heavy suspended ceiling. This building had been constructed before the turn of the century. The ceiling had been hanging in the building for as long as anyone can remember. It turns out that the ceiling had been hung from the roof by combustible wooden straps instead of by metal hangers. Wooden hangers are extremely susceptible to quick collapse in the event of fire. I say the use of wooden hangers violated good and sound construction practice. A: Our statutes confer a cause of action upon injured firefighters, and the families of deceased firefighters, against any person or entity causing the injury or death by reason of the violation of any governmental statute, ordinance, code or regulation. Suppose that a statute requires the use of metal hangers in existing nonfireproof, Advertorial special occupancy structures, but that it applies only to structures and parts thereof constructed after a certain date. The statute might well not apply, if this building was very old. Even if the law was violated, it appears that the defect was a hidden one and could not so readily have been discovered, even by an inspection. Doubtless the defendant will argue that it was never put on notice of the existence of this defect. The law responds to changed conditions; exceptions and variations abound. Here, the information is general; always seek out competent counsel This article shall not be construed as legal advice. Copyright © 2014 Scott Baron & Associates, P.C. All rights reserved. 159-49 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, New York 11414 1750 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10710 718-738-9800, 914-337-9800, 1-866-927-4878
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