The Upper West Side is getting some new restaurants, and even a brand-spanking new Starbucks. But alas, another frozen yogurt spot has bit the dust.
Chinese restaurant Xi’an Famous Foods (pictured above) has already “soft-opened” its newest location at 2675 Broadway (102nd street). Its official opening is on Saturday, and you can get a free dish on that day by printing out the coupon here. Specialties include noodles and burgers. As of Tuesday, they were also looking to hire a cashier.
A new Starbucks is about to open at 99th street and Broadway, the former site of the Shoe Club shoe store. It’s the first we’ve heard of a Starbucks expansion in the past few years. Thanks to Jamie and Sean for photos and Matthew and PJ for the tip.
A new Yogurtland fro-yo place is set to open at 795 Columbus Avenue in Columbus Square right next to Modell’s. Thanks to Paul for the tip.
OO Wonder, the frozen yogurt spot on Columbus between 72nd and 73rd, recently closed. The shop was open for a few months and it was good. But it probably didn’t stand out enough.
Another restaurant called New Ranchito also just opened at 105th and Amsterdam, with exposed brick and copper stools. We don’t know much about the place, but assume it’s Mexican. Let us know if you’ve tried it. Thanks to Nik for the tip.
A new Chinese restaurant called Uncle Luoyang is set to open on Amsterdam Avenue and 105th street soon. The Times says the restaurants is an offshoot of a food truck catering to Columbia students. The food truck gets great reviews.
“A new 60-seat Chinese restaurant is scheduled to open in January at No. 928 near West 105th Street in a space that had been leased to Velez Discount Furniture & Bedding, which will continue to occupy the storefront next door.
The restaurant, Uncle Luoyang, will be an offshoot of a same-named food truck that sells noodle dishes outside the gates of nearby Columbia University. Jack Chen, a restaurant partner, said he picked the location to be close to existing customers.
Mr. Chen added that he was paying about $11,000 a month for the 1,800-square-foot space in a 15-year lease.”
There had been a Starbucks for a number of years on 98 & Bway where the 16 Handles is now. This new Starbucks is on the same block but at the next intersection up…… Starbucks has one every 4 or 5 blocks in the 90’s. Hmmm.
I am not a fan of Starbucks, but at least it’s better than another empty storefront. We need some more commercial life in our ‘hood!
As Susan notes, this new Starbucks basically replaces one that used to be a block away on the other side of Broadway. And frankly, if it takes some of the pressure on being able to get a seat at the Starbucks at 103rd, that’s fine with me.
BTW: O’Connell’s Pub at 108th St “closed for renovation” just before Thanksgiving. It re-opened Wednesday, but the signage now says “Tara Hill”. Ownership change?
Message received, loud and clear, loud and clear:
any place that’s youthfully cool will be enviously shut down by liquor license revocation by the prune heads of CB7.
New Ranchito- is Dominican Restaurant, Welcome to Neighborhood, Food Was Great!
David.C.
You know ,Mexico is only one country in Latin America.. Assuming that a restaurant with Spanish name is Mexican , is a little narrow minded .
All these Chinese restaurants cropping up in the 90s and 100s. Where are they in the 60s and 70s now that Ollie’s and China Fun are gone?
“Alas, another frozen yogurt place has bit the dust”?? You’ve got to be kidding. Close ’em all. Just the latest scourge to hit us. First drug stores, then banks, then cell phone purveyors. EWI — Entrepreneurs without imagination.
So which businesses meet your approval?