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Openings & Closings: The Owl’s Tail, Birdbath Bakery, Elsa Cafe, Muscle Maker Grill, Plant Shed, Joe Coffee

March 27, 2018 | 5:44 PM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
42

One avian-inspired cafe is closing on the Upper West Side while another is opening.

The Owl’s Tail is a new cafe scheduled to open this summer at 215 West 75th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam. We wrote about it in a recent restaurant roundup — the owners said it will serve small plates but that’s all we know so far. Thanks to Ken and H. for the tips and photos.

Birdbath Bakery is closing its location at 518 Columbus Avenue near 85th Street on Wednesday. We asked Maury Rubin, the owner of Birdbath-parent City Bakery, what happened: “That Birdbath has been a favorite [and busy] spot since it opened, and it still is, but …. a few factors in play here: foremost, our lease is up later in the year, and we had the chance to exit before summer, which is the slowest season. Secondly, we have a few large City Bakery projects in the works for later in 2018 and 2019, so the chance to focus on those right now makes the most sense for us.” Thanks to Drew T. and Sam for the tips.

Elsa Cafe & Restaurant is opening on the corner of 104th and Amsterdam. It’s not clear what it will be serving.  Thanks to Tsadik for the photo.

Muscle Maker Grill has closed its location on Broadway between 104th and 105th, severla tipsters tell us. The location is also no longer on the company’s map of locations.

Plant Shed, a shop at 209 West 96th (near Broadway), is opening a second location on 87th and Columbus, Alison tells us.

Joe Coffee looks like it’s getting closer to opening its new location at 271 Amsterdam Avenue, between 72nd and 73rd. Thanks to Lauren for the photo.

The Art of Shaving on Broadway between 75th and 76th is closed. Thanks to Kevin for the photo.

And put this in the “rumors” category for now: Tipster @Jsunshinesays says he heard from a super across the street that Big Nick’s on 71st will become a restaurant called Sumo Burger. The Sumo Burger was a Big Nick’s signature burger, so this would raise all sorts of questions…

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago

“…foremost, our lease is up later in the year, and we had the chance to exit before summer, which is the slowest season.”

I’m thinkin’ the landlord’s got something else in mind for Columbus Avenue near 85th Street.

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Kim
Kim
5 years ago

Maybe too far north but M2M on Broadway/115 is now closed. Too much competition from Hmart.

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What neighborhood so I live in?
What neighborhood so I live in?
5 years ago

Good riddance Muscle Maker Grill. I tried it once and couldn’t believe when they literally microwaved the cheese right in front of me. Can’t wait to see what comes next…

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Paul RL
Paul RL
5 years ago
Reply to  What neighborhood so I live in?

I tried Muscle Maker Grill but I still got sand kicked in my face by that bully on the beach 🙁

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul RL

Charles Atlas.

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
5 years ago
Reply to  What neighborhood so I live in?

I can’t believe you tried it. “Muscle Maker Grill?” Seriously?

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OriginalMark
OriginalMark
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

To be fair – his criticism is more valid than someone who judges things without actually trying it.

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John
John
5 years ago

Thanks, Joe, just what we need: another coffee joint. NOT.

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patrick
patrick
5 years ago
Reply to  John

not sure if you’ve ever had their espresso, but its some of the best in the city. if you’re a coffee lover, you should be very, very happy

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EricaC
EricaC
5 years ago
Reply to  patrick

Agree! I’m very happy to have another Joe’s.

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joe
joe
5 years ago

When Muscle Maker opened, my wide and I gave them less than a year. No surprise there.

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Sean
Sean
5 years ago

The W75th space is so small that they will have to cook on a hot plate.

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Priscilla
Priscilla
5 years ago

Phew! I was scared when I saw Plant Shed in the title. Thought You were going to say it was closing.

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Chris
Chris
5 years ago
Reply to  Priscilla

Me too. The Plant Shed is one of the businesses that make the neighborhood feel like a neighborhood.

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Charlie
Charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  Priscilla

Pretty sure they own the building on 96th. There’s a greenhouse on the roof and an assembly shop on the upper floors. Unless that changed, those guys aren’t going anywhere.

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APF
APF
5 years ago
Reply to  Priscilla

OMG! Me too! My heart literally dropped when I saw Plant Shed in the headline.

While I pass by it all the time, I only recently went in to purchase something for the first time. I was like, holy cow! This place is great!

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Stacey
Stacey
5 years ago
Reply to  Priscilla

I know!! Me too, I got such a fright! I love Plant Shed – the best!

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Sue
Sue
5 years ago
Reply to  Priscilla

I thought the same thing! What a relief!

If only that had been the case with so many other closings. Lincoln Plaza Cinemas. Westside Market. Scaletta’s. etc. etc.

But very happy the original plant shed is staying put – and opening another….branch 🙂

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T
T
5 years ago

Not really sure why so many people are so upset by the demise of the Big Nick’s franchise. They were open late but their food was mostly mediocre to crap

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Jonny West
Jonny West
5 years ago
Reply to  T

I agree. I just live near there so I thought I’d report what I found out. I was hoping for something – anything – other than just a burger place.

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Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  T

Says you

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
5 years ago
Reply to  T

The one that closed several years ago on Broadway was downright repulsive. We had a table there once that offered a view into the rear food prep area. It was nauseating.

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Ruth
Ruth
5 years ago

Elsa Cafe is on Columbus not Amsterdam. Between 104 and 105.

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Izzy
Izzy
5 years ago

Wow. Elsa’s looks like a really classy joint judging from the sign.

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Izzy
Izzy
5 years ago

Also, Muscle Maker grill is leaving a great spot open! That block up there now has some really decent food options–hopefully MM Grill leaving will bring someone new and better!

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CityKitty
CityKitty
5 years ago
Reply to  Izzy

Hopefully not pizza! We now have enough of that in a one-block radius.

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Madd Donna
Madd Donna
5 years ago

Do we really need another Joe’s so close to the one on Columbus? Overpriced anyway and don’t think the coffee they serve is worth the high prices. Whatever happened to diveristy??

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RK
RK
5 years ago
Reply to  Madd Donna

You’re right. I was thinking that a Chase branch would be much better.

PS: Go to Box Kite

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katie
katie
5 years ago

Muscle Maker GRILL was actually Muscle Maker MICROWAVE. Went once. It was terrible. Never went back. Good riddance I say!

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
5 years ago

Will the new Plant Shed take over the entire block with outdoor displays as well? (Not that I mind when they do that on 96th)

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

On 96 Street, it adds some nice greenery to the block.

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Reply
Trish
Trish
5 years ago

Oh nooo! I love M2M.

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Reply
Courtney
Courtney
5 years ago

Does anyone have any insight as to what is coming/opening on the Southeast corner of 87th and Columbus? First time since 2014 that there has been any activity there (or on that entire block for that matter)

I was able to peak inside and it looks beautiful – brick wall, nice finishes, looked like it may be a retail store (I saw dishes, decorative items, etc)?

Any ideas?!

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Christine E
Christine E
5 years ago
Reply to  Courtney

I agree, the space is beautiful! It seems they loaded the plants and equipment last night (Thursday). It is a combination plant and coffee shop, which I think is fantastic. Lovely ambiance compared to the Starbucks etc across the street. I spoke with a David who was setting up inside, and he said they will start serving coffee from 9am today (Friday 3/30). So everyone please go to the SE corner of 87th and Columbus soon! Can you tell I am excited about this, lol.

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Reply
EricaC
EricaC
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine E

I think Starbucks is at 86th and Columbus. I’d love to see something go into that empty spot at 86th.

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WALLY
WALLY
5 years ago
Reply to  Courtney

one of the workers said it was going to be a mayonnaise store

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Digitallyrich
Digitallyrich
5 years ago

The Birdbath had stopped selling bread awhile ago. So it was NO longer a bakery (with the only worthwhile bread around). I stopped going. Hope something worthwhile pops up.

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Jeannie
Jeannie
5 years ago

Rumor category also:
Joseph’s Pharmacy on 72nd may be moving into the previous Love Store space…..???

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Reply
Mandra
Mandra
5 years ago

It’s hard to imagine people buying anything at The Art of Shaving. Their prices are 400% higher than elsewhere – $40 for shaving cream you can get online for $10.

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Reply
Ted
Ted
5 years ago

I think it is just a miracle that The Art of Shaving outlasted the mustard store. Talk about a race to the bottom.

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Ted

Both were for the uber-class to display their wealth and extraordinary sophistication.

Mustn’t have substantive practicality.

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Peter
Peter
5 years ago

What is a “social eatery”? Do I have to share my plate of fried plantains with strangers?

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