New Restaurant Expected to Fill Former Isabella’s Space By Spring; ‘We’re Reaching the Finish Line’

By Carol Tannenhauser

A new Mediterranean restaurant is coming soon to the space occupied by the iconic Isabella’s for nearly 30 years. 8th Hill will open by the end of March, owner Semi Feyzioglu promised.

It’s been almost two years since Isabella’s closed, seemingly overnight, leaving the neighborhood shocked, and the southeast corner of Columbus Avenue and 77th Street empty, a sad reminder of the neighborhood’s purported decline. Isabella’s and its outdoor cafe had brought life to the block right across from the Museum of Natural History for decades.

Last May, we announced the forthcoming arrival of 8th Hill, but the opening was “delayed nine months by DOB and Landmarks,” Feyzioglu, 29, explained. “We’re reaching the finish line.” The 5,800 square-foot space has been completely renovated and made accessible. It is stunning to behold.

“When I first saw this place, I fell in love,” Feyzioglu said, standing recently in the midst of the construction, which is in the painting stage. “To open a place like this in New York City was my dream. I put everything I had into it and worked really hard to get it, because the landlord was looking for a very specific kind of tenant. He came to our restaurant in New Jersey to taste the food and chose us. I know how special this spot is, and that everybody has been waiting for eight months for us to open. It’s going to be worth the wait,” he said. “I don’t want to be humble, because I trust my chefs. I know them from Turkey.”

Feyzioglu comes from a restaurant family in Istanbul. He came to the United States to study at NYU, then decided to stay, “because you feel freer here,” he said, adding, “but I love my country and Istanbul is one of the biggest and most beautiful cities in the world. It consists of seven hills, so this is the 8th hill of Istanbul.”

“Of course, we’ll have a lot of Turkish food,” he continued, “but, also, the best of everything Mediterranean — the best of Greek, the best of Lebanese, Middle Eastern, whatever you can imagine, and really nice appetizers to go with the bar. (The menu will be available on March 4th.) Service is also important. I used to be a waiter at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. People are going to be taken care of really well. If you have really nice service, and really nice food, and a space like this, what else is there?”

Will it be quiet?

“Not quiet,” Feyzioglu said. “How could it be when it seats 150 people? But it won’t be noisy, because we put a soundproofing system behind the ceiling and under the tables. It was the landlord’s idea, to be fair to the building residents and customers. We’re going to take care of people really well,” he emphasized. “No one’s going to rush them. When they come here it will feel like home.”

“I think it’s so great that this space is reopening,” said Nina Teicholz, a 20-year resident of the neighborhood. “It’s such a beautiful, vital space in an important location on the Upper West Side — and it’s been closed for so long!”