There is lots of news this week about forthcoming openings, new menus and more at restaurants on the Upper West Side.
Dakota Bar on the corner of 72nd street and Columbus (above) will start serving lunch this weekend. “Starting Saturday, June 8th, The Dakota Bar will be open for lunch at noon 7 days a week with more delicious summer specials added to it’s already extensive 4 page food menu.”
Cafe Tallulah, on 71st and Columbus also just started to serve lunch from 11:30 to 2:30 Monday-Friday; check out its tuna nicoise at right.
Indus Valley, the Indian restaurant on 100th and Broadway, has settled a suit with its workers, Columbia group Student-Worker Solidarity tells us. The Columbia group had been picketing outside every week. “Former delivery and restaurant workers at local restaurant Indus Valley announced today that they had reached an “amicable settlement” of their wage theft lawsuit against the owners of the restaurant. The suit, with millions of dollars in stolen tips and wages at stake, came to a conclusion after months of struggling to get the owners to respond to the court,” SWS said.
Corvo Bianco, the long-awaited restaurant at 81st and Columbus (former home of Calle Ocho), landed a celebrity chef. Says Grubstreet: “Next Iron Chef finalist Elizabeth Falkner left Brooklyn’s Krescendo earlier this month, and she has already found a new post — this time in Manhattan. The spikey-haired San Franciscan signed a deal this weekend to become chef at the long overdue Corvo Bianco on 81st Street and Columbus Avenue, now scheduled to open in July.”
Joanne Trattoria, the restaurant on 68th street off of Columbus owned by Lady Gaga’s parents the Germanottas, has reduced its prices. The high price of some items was criticized in reviews of the place. Joe Germanotta told us he reduced prices because he’s attracting lots of young people, the economy is tough, and the summer’s here. Check out the dinner menu here.
Juice Press, a fresh juice store part-owned by Yankees first baseman Mark Texeira, is opening a location at 239 Columbus Avenue (71st street), the former home of lingerie store Brief Encounters. A bidding war sent the monthly rent from $13,000 to $15,000, the Post reported.
Red Farm, the Chinese spot in the former home of Fatty Crab on 77th and Broadway, is about 4 weeks away from opening, says Zagat.
After being closed for about a week following a disastrous health inspection, Legend on 72nd street has reopened with a Grade Pending health notice. On Thursday night, a community board committee will consider its application for a liquor license, along with four other possible restaurants:
1. 2418 Broadway a/k/a 216 West 89th Street, Bukefal LLC, d/b/a Cibo e Vino (not definitive).
2. 127 West 72nd Street (Columbus Avenue) Legend 72, LLC, d/b/a To be Determined.
3. 320 Columbus Avenue (West 75th Street) 320 West Side Café Inc, d/b/a To be Determined.
4. 215 West 85th Street (Broadway) 85 Broadway Rest Corp, d/b/a Arte Pasta.
5. 421 Amsterdam Avenue (West 80th Street) B&G Restaurants LLC, d/b/a To be Determined.
Isn’t 215 West 85th Street (Broadway) Dean’s Pizza? Are they closing? I really love their Grandma pie.
re: Joanne Trattoria
Those are the REDUCED prices? Good lord. It’s still through the rough – at least for boring old pasta.
Is something finally happening with the old Neo Sushi spot? They’ve taken down the “for rent” signs, and there appears to be work going on inside…
The construction permits in the window confirm the Rag’s longtime information that the old Neo will be a Chipotle.
I do not believe Corvo Bianco will ever open and that chef will bever set foot in that restaurant. she will move on to other things bc the opening has been dragging for over a year.
Isn’t 320 Columbus currently Mughlai? Is that closing?
When will something go in at the old bank spot on 91st and Broadway? It’s been vacant forever.
That bank spot was supposed to be one of two Chipotle’s – but that location seems to have fallen through. When you see such a larger property empty for so long – gotta wonder what the real issue is. The other Chipotle location is the old Neo sushi restaurant – now under construction seemingly forever – but apparently real – it is noted so on the construction permits. Artie’s Restaurant owner must be so happy to see that location opening (not!).
THIS IS ALL GREAT NEWS FOR THE UPPER WEST SIDE…………………….NOT
Really Joanne…Really? (in my Seth Meyers SNL voice) A Penne Primavera for $22!!
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Penne Primavera $22
Red and yellow peppers, string beans, peas, mushrooms, chopped garlic and virgin olive oil
Very excited for Cibo e Vino, will be a great addition to the neighborhood.
Joanne couldn’t reduce their prices enough to make suffering through another meal there worth it for me.
What? Reduced prices at Joanne’s? Pasta and meatballs (2) for $23. Don’t underestimate the “young people”, they’ll figure it out soon enough and you’ll be left with tourists.
those must be meatballs of gold
I’ve been getting into Japanese shochu recently, anyone know of any restaurants or bars on the upper west side that have it? I didn’t see any at Amber or Tenzan. Even Redfarm seems to carry more western liquors.