West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • GET WSR FREE IN YOUR INBOX
    • SEND US TIPS AND IDEAS
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Favorite WSR Stories

    SUPPORT THE RAG
    Get the neighborhood news that matters.
    Sign up for our free newsletter

    Openings & Closings: The Flying Fisherman, Hamsa, Soap n’ Suds, Q Ten Nails & Spa

    September 6, 2018 | 9:44 AM
    in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
    24

    The Flying Fisherman has opened on Columbus between 72nd and 73rd Streets, in the former home of A.G. Kitchen. The restaurant also has a smaller take-out-focused restaurant called Fish on the Fly next door, though it isn’t open yet.

    The menu at Flying Fisherman is divided into Bait (appetizers), Catch, Land, Fisherman’s Grill and Fisherman’s Bar. Among the Bait options are seafood dips like octopus hummus (!). Here are links to the food menu and drinks menu, which may still change as it is a soft opening. There will be a public hearing on the liquor license next Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at 250 West 87th Street.

    Hamsa, a Mediterranean restaurant that opened briefly in place of Barley & Grain on Amsterdam and 80th, has closed and there’s paper on the windows. It will be replaced by a pizzeria, Tim tells us.

    Soap n’ Suds, a basement-level laundromat at 304 Columbus Avenue, is closing on September 15. “Thank you again for choosing to wash with us for so many years!!!” management said in a note on the shop. An attendant told our tipster Patricia that the shop was closing because the building had been sold (though we couldn’t find the record of a recent sale in city records). There has been a wave of laundromat closings in recent years.

    Q Ten Nails & Spa has replaced Barcibo Enoteca at 2020 Broadway between 69th and 70th. Thanks to Joel and anonymous for tips.

    Share this article:
    SUPPORT THE RAG
    Leave a comment

    Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

    guest

    guest

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    24 Comments
    geoff
    geoff
    8 years ago

    no closing has actually rocked me until i read of soap’n suds. i’ve been going there for around 40 years or more!

    oh well. there are a couple of others around, but i liked the groove i felt.

    a great new york laundromat. never had a conversation in there, except with staff. remember Angel and Connie? i think they were my beginning.

    0
    Reply
    David
    David
    8 years ago
    Reply to  geoff

    Back in the mid 1980s, the first apartment we lived in was a walk-up on West 76th between Amsterdam & Columbus. The building did not have a laundry room. We used to bring our stuff to Soap n Suds on our way to work. Never had a conversation with customers or staff – just happy to have clean clothes. Eventually we had enough money to afford an apartment in a building with a laundry room (with ancient machines) on the other side of Broadway and spent hours washing baby clothes. Ahh, those were the days (not).

    0
    Reply
    Jenn
    Jenn
    8 years ago

    Ughhh, have many fond memories at Barcibo. Such a great local place!

    0
    Reply
    Jess
    Jess
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Jenn

    Agree… I still wonder what happened there. And what that new bar was that was there for like 30 seconds. Would have been so nice to hit Enoteca after a trip to Shakespeare and Co. Sad sad sad.

    Now, another nail spa. EXCELLENT. šŸ™

    0
    Reply
    Jules
    Jules
    8 years ago

    You forgot to mention that Indigo on Columbus and 74th has closed. Heartbroken I am. My favorite restaurant. Great food amazing prices.

    0
    Reply
    Steven
    Steven
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Jules

    Just seeing this after posting a comment asking about it. I loved that place too. Any idea what happened?

    0
    Reply
    TC
    TC
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Jules

    This is awful news! That was our go to Indian place. Was just there 2 weeks ago.

    0
    Reply
    Allison
    Allison
    8 years ago

    When I visited, the employee at Hamsa mentioned that they would be closing and turning it over to a different style. I think the owner is experimenting to see what fits the neighborhood more before sticking to a specific cuisine.

    0
    Reply
    Beverly
    Beverly
    8 years ago

    Another fancy pizzeria? I hope not. Miss Caesars so much!!!

    0
    Reply
    Betsy
    Betsy
    8 years ago

    Soap and Suds is a huge loss. Been there forever. A neighborhood staple. What a great, friendly, convenient, place. I will miss the lovely ladies who work there and make me laugh.

    0
    Reply
    Kathleen
    Kathleen
    8 years ago

    What we don’t need is another mani/pedi joint. What we DO need is our laundromats, hooray for those that are left.
    What a shame to say goodbye to good old reliable Soap’n Suds.

    0
    Reply
    Sean
    Sean
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Kathleen

    Obviously the women of the UWS want to have their nails done. Laundromats are so last century. Most Manhattanites theses days either have a laundry in their building or use a service. It’s just the way it is.

    0
    Reply
    A Murphy
    A Murphy
    8 years ago

    There are so many Nail and Spa stores on 72nd Street and in the surrounding area especially on the 2nd floor of many buildings. 72nd Street should be called the Nail & Spa District of NYC. Amazing they are all doing business and that new ones like the very creatively named Ten Nail & Spa continue to open.

    0
    Reply
    Dan
    Dan
    8 years ago

    I was lucky enough to try The Flying Fisherman during the “soft open” – it’s very good and will be a worthy replacement for AG Kitchen (although with a very different menu).

    0
    Reply
    NotImpressed
    NotImpressed
    8 years ago

    When is that annoying book vendor at 73 and Bway going to close?
    His area has been unattended for the past three days and his books and table wrapped up.
    I’ve reported twice to 311 and there has been zero follow-up.

    0
    Reply
    stopthemadness
    stopthemadness
    8 years ago

    If another nail salon or coffee house opens in our neighborhood I’m going to scream!

    0
    Reply
    Mark
    Mark
    8 years ago

    Fish on the Fly is actually on Columbus between West 72-73 Streets (east side of the avenue).

    0
    Reply
    West Sider
    Author
    West Sider
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Mark

    Thanks, fixed.

    0
    Reply
    EK
    EK
    8 years ago

    I don’t think the neighborhood needs yet another nail salon in place of a good restaurant. I was very disappointed to see a nail salon in that space. There a nail salon on every block.

    0
    Reply
    Cathy
    Cathy
    8 years ago

    Question: Where’s the closet Laundromat to 75 and Columbus now that Soaps and Suds is closing? Thanks!

    0
    Reply
    Sean
    Sean
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Cathy

    Try W74 next to that bakery with all the texting tourists in front of the entrance. It’s just off Amsterdam. You may have to ask them to move aside.

    0
    Reply
    Quests de Cuisine
    Quests de Cuisine
    8 years ago

    The Flying Fisherman looks great. Changed decor and it’s much more muted lighting indoors, open entry with tile floors welcoming. They may have been there during AG Kitchen days, but looks classier. Host told us that it’s the same staff and we were happy about that. On a Friday night after just having opened, it was bopping.

    Cannot speak for the food yet, but fingers crossed! We will try it next week.

    0
    Reply
    Steven
    Steven
    8 years ago

    Anyone know what happened to Indigo Indian restaurant on Columbus between 73-74th street? The number is no longer in service, but their website is still up, though it says closed for delivery.

    0
    Reply
    David S
    David S
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Steven

    was wondering the same thing! That would be my worst nightmare if they were gone. love the food and the workers. I just tried ordering today and phone was disconnected

    0
    Reply

    YOU MIGHT LIKE...

    Man Robbed At Gunpoint in Central Park: Police
    NEWS

    Teenage Girl Has Been Missing From the Upper West Side for More Than 6 Weeks: Police

    September 30, 2026 | 1:34 PM
    Big Tree Falls on Central Park West
    NEWS

    Big Tree Falls on Central Park West

    September 30, 2026 | 12:11 PM
    Previous Post

    JCC Fall Open House: Total Health for Your Body & Brain

    Next Post

    How a School Battle on the UWS Sparked Cynthia Nixon’s Bid for Governor

    this week's events image
    Next Post
    How a School Battle on the UWS Sparked Cynthia Nixon’s Bid for Governor

    How a School Battle on the UWS Sparked Cynthia Nixon’s Bid for Governor

    Don’t Call 911 If You See Nude People Being Painted on Saturday, Says NYPD

    Don't Call 911 If You See Nude People Being Painted on Saturday, Says NYPD

    City Testing ‘Sickly’ Raccoon Found Near Playground in Riverside Park

    City Testing 'Sickly' Raccoon Found Near Playground in Riverside Park

    • ABOUT US
    • CONTACT US
    • NEWSLETTER
    • WSR MERCH!
    • ADVERTISE
    • EVENTS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS OF USE
    • SITE MAP
    Site design by RLDGROUP

    Ā© 2026 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • TOP NEWS
    • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
    • OPEN/CLOSED
    • FOOD
    • SCHOOLS
    • OUTDOORS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • ART & CULTURE
    • POLITICS
    • COLUMNS
    • CRIME
    • HISTORY
    • ABSURDITY
    • ABOUT
      • OUR STORY
      • CONTRIBUTORS
      • CONTACT US
      • GET WSR FREE IN YOUR INBOX
      • SEND US TIPS AND IDEAS
    • WSR SHOP

    Ā© 2026 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.