New pizza, Mexican food and a possible beer garden are coming, while a longtime dry cleaners and an upscale fashion store are on the way out.
Farinella Bakery & Pizza is opening in a former Sprint store on Amsterdam Avenue between 72nd and 73rd streets. “Not much good pizza (by the slice) in this area and Farinella’s rectangular slices are amazing (I think 2 locations on the East side),” says our tipster EK. “When I go to doctor’s appts on the East side I am always sure to pick up a slice or two.” Check out the menu here. Thanks to Andrew, EK and Robert for the tips.
CPW Cleaners, which had been at the corner of 100th and Central Park West for 20 years, is closing at the end of the month after a rent increase a tipster tell us. They’re hoping customers take their laundry across the park to their East side location, and are offering free pickup and delivery to loyal customers (see note below).
Burberry on Columbus Avenue between 67th and 68th streets has closed with a sign on the door telling people to visit their other locations, Andrew tells us. “This store location is no longer open for business,” the answering machine confirmed.
LuLu’s Taqueria & Tequila Bar just opened on Monday at the corner of West 123rd and Manhattan Ave, ” in the space that once housed Perk’s jazz club,” Chantal M. tells us. “French doors open to the street at this bi-level restaurant, allowing for a nice breeze. The basement space is a bit dark but would be good for groups or private parties. LuLu’s menu features tacos and other Mexican fare, plus an array of cocktails and tequilas. Proprieter Marc Bernstein owns two other restaurants in Upper Manhattan: Cantina and Harlem BBQ.”
ChicoJulio, the Mexican restaurant on Amsterdam between 96th and 97th streets that closed in January, is planning to reopen this month, according to Alex Zamudio at the Columbus Amsterdam BID.
Alex also tells us that a beer garden called Manhattan Brew & Vine is expected to open on 109th and Columbus Avenue, although details remain scarce. We’re hoping to talk to the owners soon.
I heard the Hertz on West 95th Street is closing.
Bob’s Your Uncle, new bar in the location of the Ding Ding Lounge on Columbus between 105 & 106, is now open.
Yawn, I’ll miss the Ding Dong. But then I didn’t have to live above it. Was nice to have a fun, downtown type rock dive to go to while it lasted.
I tried to make a reservation at the W95th Hertz for Memorial Day weekend and the online system said the location was permanently closed.
Looks like the only location in the area is 83rd and Amsterdam?
You also can try Hertz 24/7 (Zip-car equivalent). There are multiple locations around UWS. Their system takes reservations 14 days or less from rental date.
Also got “permanently closed” from the Hertz reservation system, so I walked to 95th St location to ask. They’re closing May 8. The lease is up, and I guess it was too expensive to renew. Hope they find another location soon (and hope the service is a bit smoother).
and has anyone noticed that the former RCI location, 98th and Bway SW corner, is still vacant? they kicked RCI out so the place could sit vacant?
what is with these landlords? there are so many commercial sites on Bway that have sat vacant for months and even years. does anyone have an idea of why they do this?
RCI stated numerous times it was not a rent issue and that the landlord had been accommodating. The reality was that they could not compete with on line and larger stores.
Sigh.. Pizza on Amsterdam .. Does anyone else miss Vinnie’s as much as I do?
I left a post earlier this year about Vinnie’s, but couldn’t remember the name. Speaking of the old days (i.e.: 1980s), I seem to remember a tiny diner/luncheonette on Columbus around 73rd Street that had a counter with stools and maybe no tables. Anyone? Also, Miss Grimble’s…
Yes. I think about Vinnie’s every time I walk the 73rd-74th block on Amsterdam. Those were better days.
ME TOO!!! I used to work at the Beacon and it took massive discipline not to eat there every show.
Freddie and Peppers pizza on Amsterdam between 74/75 is excellent!
I just tried Farinella’s Pizza. I have had card board that was tastier, Saltines with more zip. So I took it apart, the cheese solo did zippo to make my snorring taste buds awaken, ditto the crunchy flavorless crust, the proscuitto did have a scintilla of flavor but it had been dwarfed to zed by the other ingredients.
This cupcake is never going back…the UWS is still longing for a great slice…..Oh Pizza God wake up and send us a decent pie!!!! F.S.