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
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

‘A Collective Oh No!’ La Mirabelle Has Closed — But There’s Hope!

June 13, 2021 | 8:26 AM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
29
Photograph by Ed Hersh.

By Carol Tannenhauser

“Long-time neighborhood mainstay La Mirabelle, which closed as the pandemic began, appears now to be gone for good,” long-time Upper West Sider Ed Hersh emailed West Side Rag at around 6 p.m. on Saturday.

At around 10 p.m., we learned that the celebrated French restaurant is indeed gone, but, hopefully, not for good.

“We will reopen in a new location in the very near future,” a representative from the restaurant, identifying themselves as NC, answered the Rag’s query. We assume that means on the UWS, but we’re awaiting confirmation. “We will definitely let you know when we do! We appreciate all the support throughout the years!”

Ed Hersh’s email was one of several tips about the closing of the restaurant that the Rag received. Earlier, one had come in with no message, simply a photograph of La Mirabelle with a large “For Lease” sign in the window, under the subject heading: “A collective oh no!”

In between the two tips, WSR verified that La Mirabelle’s phone was not in working order, you couldn’t book a table there through Open Table, nor place an order for takeout or delivery.

“Because of its location by a bus stop, outdoor dining wasn’t really an option for them, the owner told me when I saw him briefly last winter,” Ed added. “The place has a long history, starting over on 86th between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive, and, more recently, on 86th and Columbus.”

Here is how USA Today described La Mirabelle a few years ago, when they placed it number five on their list of the ten best French restaurants in all of New York CIty:

La Mirabelle often appears at the top of lists of most loved neighborhood restaurants. Unstuffy, honest and gentle, its patrons have been returning for decades. Annick Le Douaron, a transplanted Breton, brought her love of bistro fare, fresh ingredients and European hospitality to this corner of the city. Although this chatelaine of La Mirabelle passed away [in 2015], her daughter Natalie and her husband have embraced the role. Highly recommended is the roasted duckling with plums, which is crispy, juicy, while the sweetbreads are rich and memorable. The dining room is cozy but not crowded and unlike many new venues, you need not strain to hear your dining partner. Softly lit, the walls are decorated with Gallic paintings of rustic scenes that set the tone. Ever since La Mirabelle debuted in 1984, it has cultivated loyal patronage that spans generations.

And generations to come, hopefully! We will keep you posted.

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

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

29 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
George Jacques
George Jacques
3 years ago

Désolé.

0
Reply
Brett Mann
Brett Mann
3 years ago

C’est dommage.

0
Reply
Bill
Bill
3 years ago

I’ll miss the Bastille Day dinners with madame leading us in a rousing rendition of “La Marseillaise”, then segueing into a solo turn with “La Vie En Rose.”

0
Reply
Tag Gross
Tag Gross
3 years ago

We thought Santa Fe was gone and it came back so hopefully, La Mirabelle will return!

0
Reply
John Wright
John Wright
3 years ago

A very sad day…we have been going there for 24 years and always enjoyed the food and the wonderful wait staff not to mention the owners. A neighborhood icon really. I may go back to church to pray they reopen soon anywhere!

0
Reply
Corinne Schlam
Corinne Schlam
3 years ago

My heart broke when I saw the for lease sign last week. This is my favorite neighborhood restaurant and one of my all time favorites. You always feel welcome and at home here.This is for sure the best duck ever! So special and the staff so welcoming. I am heartened to know that they may move to another space, hopefully with outdoor dining.Lets hope!

0
Reply
Laurie Kennedy
Laurie Kennedy
3 years ago

Oh no

0
Reply
Marina Engel
Marina Engel
3 years ago

Pls let us know about La Mirabelle. We’ve seen eating there for more than 40 years and miss it terribly

0
Reply
Ruth Weisberg
Ruth Weisberg
3 years ago

Please please reopen when you can. whenever I come to New York ( I’m in California ) I have eaten at La Mirabelle. It is a GREAT favorite. Yes to the Duck and especially the Sweetbreads. I really really hope for your return.

0
Reply
Roger Wolfe
Roger Wolfe
3 years ago

A sad day for upper wet siders who enjoyed a very good meal and good service. The additional joy was the ability to have table conversation. It was a good restaurant for long tome UWS and especially senior citizens! I will miss the restaurant and I hope that they reopen at a new location.

0
Reply
chocolatesugarqueen
chocolatesugarqueen
3 years ago

Fingers crossed and wishes made that they open somewhere close to their old restaurant on 86th so we can still walk there! We love the restaurant and staff! They always gave a generous pour of every drink and their food superb! My favorite go to restaurant when friends visit or I just want to go out with my wonderful husband. I’ve missed them during the pandemic.

0
Reply
Penny Fuller
Penny Fuller
3 years ago

Oh NOOOOOOOoooooo!

0
Reply
Fabius Fox
Fabius Fox
3 years ago

We sincerely hope it reopens. Do you have any contact information for Natalie or Loic or anyone connected with the place? We have been going there for over 30 years and never had a bad meal.

0
Reply
Diana Erbsen
Diana Erbsen
3 years ago

There are several vacant restaurant spaces between 106th and 108th and Broadway. I hope la Mirabelle moves into one of them.

0
Reply
Marina Engel
Marina Engel
3 years ago

we have been eating at La Mirabelle for over 60 years, from between WEA and RSD and then near Columbus Ave. We are devastated that they are closed and hope for news that they’ll open soon at any location on the UWS.

0
Reply
Janet Levy
Janet Levy
3 years ago

Love, love this restaurant and all of the family. So praying for us and hoping for them it makes sense to reopen. Annick will always be remembered for our family as a gracious, beautiful and talented restauranteur. Natalie, her pride and joy turned to our neighborhood top chef. And alway Danielli—our artist of all that is beautiful (our walls prove this with her beautiful art) serving us our favorite, simple, delightful meals, often with song . To you all. May we all dine together again.
Much love to you all. Xo

0
Reply
Andrea
Andrea
3 years ago

I had been by a few months ago and mournedthe signage in the window. I’m thrilled it may reopen. It’s my #1 on the U.W.S. and has the most delectable “real,” old-fashioned French cuisine in town. Praying they do reopen, so keep us posted, please.

0
Reply
Pcnyc
Pcnyc
3 years ago

Seeing the For Lease sign over the weekend left me tres triste too. Happy and hopeful that they will re-appear.

0
Reply
Nina Joan Edwards
Nina Joan Edwards
3 years ago

I certainly hope that La Maribelle will reopen. .. really looking forward to it and hope it stays on the upper west side.

0
Reply
LOUIS ALEDORT
LOUIS ALEDORT
3 years ago

We were regulars the duck my favorite did many business dinners as well please reopen

0
Reply
Joan Gross
Joan Gross
3 years ago
Reply to  LOUIS ALEDORT

My husband and I,plus another couple, spent the night of our lives for New Years Eve when
Mirabelle was on 86th & Riverside Dr. An old fashioned French celebration, music-champagne poured for every table- goodwill and love applied generously. I will always remember it!

0
Reply
Jill Gill
Jill Gill
3 years ago

please p0lease find a new home, Mirabelle….

0
Reply
Lesli Klein
Lesli Klein
3 years ago

Please come back soon. We miss you very much. Lesli Klein

0
Reply
Jim Frazee
Jim Frazee
3 years ago

This is my favorite Restaurant in New York City. For the past 20 years we have celebrated Christmas Eve with a dinner there. It is a place I take friends when they come to town. I hope they come back. They are an UWS treasure.

0
Reply
LEE APT1
LEE APT1
3 years ago

LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!! HOPING FOR ITS RETURN TO THE UWS.

0
Reply
Liz G
Liz G
3 years ago

Me (40), my parents, and their friends were all regulars here. I was heartbroken to see the sign go up last weekend. Please find the strength to come back, and we will return! Have spent Christmas eve and birthdays here. Loved the escargot and the sole almondine, and also the cold martinis and the music.

0
Reply
Nancy Austin
Nancy Austin
3 years ago

I will miss La Mirabelle for the rest of my life, if it closes. The artichokewith their fantastic dressing, fish, duck with mirabelles are a few of parts of the excellent dinners we have enjoyed since they were near Riverside Drive. We had a small baby shower for three members of our family upstairs. The kids are now 11 years old. May we see you again, Mirabelle.

0
Reply
ileen
ileen
3 years ago

La Mirabelle did take-out/delivery early on in the pandemic and was holding on up until outdoor dining began, but couldn’t compete with no outdoor space. I was enjoying their gazpacho regularly until they closed & can’t wait to see them at a new location – I will be there!

0
Reply
Sheri Imirziades
Sheri Imirziades
3 years ago

I send sympathy and encouragement to Natalie and family and staff. It is indeed a hard business. (From Sheri, formerly of Big Nick’s and Niko’s)

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Here’s the UWS Dish: Mille-Feuille Bakery’s Vanilla Mille-Feuille
COLUMNS

Here’s the UWS Dish: Mille-Feuille Bakery’s Vanilla Mille-Feuille

May 12, 2025 | 8:23 AM
Monday Bulletin: UWS Private School Prank Featuring Fake Border Checkpoint and Mariachi Band Prompts Outrage; UWS Toy Store Owner Worried Tariffs Could Cause Closing; Protestors Arrested After Columbia Building Occupation; More UWS Projects to Receive Funding
NEWS

Monday Bulletin: UWS Private School Prank Featuring Fake Border Checkpoint and Mariachi Band Prompts Outrage; UWS Toy Store Owner Worried Tariffs Could Cause Closing; Protestors Arrested After Columbia Building Occupation; More UWS Projects to Receive Funding

May 12, 2025 | 5:00 AM
Previous Post

Owner Asks for Help Finding Dog Lost for Several Days

Next Post

Monday Bulletin: Socialist Penguins, Jeffrey Toobin’s Return, Best Sandwich

this week's events image
Next Post
Monday Bulletin: Socialist Penguins, Jeffrey Toobin’s Return, Best Sandwich

Monday Bulletin: Socialist Penguins, Jeffrey Toobin's Return, Best Sandwich

Two Teens Shot Sunday Morning

NYPD Writing Fewer Traffic Tickets on UWS; Community Board Calls for Increased Focus on Street Safety

Summer Virtual Fitness + Wellness Classes at the JCC Health Club

Summer Virtual Fitness + Wellness Classes at the JCC Health Club

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

© 2025 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
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.