As the new year dawns, we’ve been hearing about several more Upper West Side openings and closings.
Spice Thai is opening a new location on the corner of 108th street and Amsterdam Avenue. Spice has 11 other locations, including one at 435 Amsterdam Avenue (81st street). That block of Amsterdam already has other Thai spots. “They’ll be the third Thai restaurant in that one-block strip of Amsterdam Ave., joining Wondee Siam V and the excellent Thai Market,” says tipster Rich. Thanks to Paulie for the photo and Alyssa for the tip.
Paris Baguette is opening a new location on 8th avenue between 57th and 58th streets, the former location of Clarke’s Standard. The Korean coffee and bakery chain’s spreading fast, with a location at 70th and Amsterdam and one opening on Broadway and 96th. Thanks to Andrew for the tip.
Yogurt and Candy World, a nut shop, is opening on 81st and Columbus, the former home of Photo Op. Thanks to Andrew for the tip.
New World Coffee has closed its location at 80th and Columbus Avenue (pictured at left). A sign on the door says “Close and construction workers told our tipster that the site is “closed for good not renovation.” That’s a prime corner spot and it will be interesting to see what ends up there. Thanks to Andrew for the tip.
Barrique, the restaurant on 70th street off of Columbus that just opened a year ago, is now listed as for sale.
Asia Kan, at 710 Amsterdam Avenue, could be in trouble. The space is being listed as for rent, available immediately. Sometimes, restaurants are able to negotiate new leases in these situations, however.
Dallas BBQ on 72nd street near Columbus closed on December 31, as we wrote earlier. The Times had a long piece on the restaurant, noting that it stood out as a humble spot on a fancy block. Landmark rules and rising rents are blamed for its downfall. “There were other limitations. Outside the chain’s restaurant in Times Square, a rotating red and blue “BBQ” sign, about the size of a full-grown person, announces its presence. On West 72nd Street, small navy awnings mark the spot. The block lies within a historic district, where signage must be approved by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. When asked if the commission would be likely to approve a person-size rotating BBQ sign on West 72nd Street, a spokeswoman for the panel laughed.” All employees will get jobs at other locations, the owner said.
Jin Ramen on Amsterdam and 82nd will open fully to the public on Friday (we had initially heard it would be on Wednesday).
Asia Kan opened in 2007. It was an obvious ripoff of Buddakan downtown, which was new and hot. But Asia Kan has had reliably good food and lasted nearly 8 years. Time Out NY gave it four stars (out of six) and we wound up going for or ordering in their shumai and pepper udon many times. It was never busy, though, and I’m not surprised it’s going out. Too bad.
The low carb movement doesn’t bode well for the new bakeries in NYC. I cant imagine buying a baguette.
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/uptown/upper-west-side-eatery-splits-harlem-article-1.2064307
We reported Cafe Con Leche’s move a month ago: https://www.westsiderag.com/2014/12/07/cafe-con-leche-closes-after-25-years
WSR
Barrique was a nice little neighborhood spot- always seemed busy- I wonder what happened. Too many places to grab tapas probably. I’d like to see something a little more down-to-earth in there, maybe a little dive bar with cozy couches and a a little beer garden in the back.
Paris Baguette is a South Korean-owned, faux- French bakery chain. I advise against it personally, although if your looking for a cronut knock-off that tastes like melted plastic, you know where to go.
Jeez…another Thai on that two-block stretch of Amst? Though I am very grateful that the stinky fish market previously in the Spice space is gone, I sure was hoping for something different/more interesting. I hope that this helps clean up that corner, which often seems to have dicey stuff going on on the sidewalk/stoops around the corner onto 108th.
I’m new to your blog and wanted to tell you that I love it. My favorite part is the openings and closings. Now I can tell friends what’s happening here on the good old UWS. Thanks so much.
cafe ronda closed on columbus and 72nd