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Openings and Closings: LaSalle Dumpling Room, Andy’s Deli, Osteria Accademia, The Chelsea House, MACC Wine Bar, Warby Parker, Kirsh Bakery & Kitchen

October 13, 2022 | 12:34 PM - Updated on October 14, 2022 | 1:23 PM
in COLUMNS, FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
45
La Salle Dumpling Room. Photographs by Scott Etkin.

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

La Salle Dumpling Room, the Chinese restaurant that has been closed since the start of the pandemic, has reopened at 35 West End Avenue between 61st and 62nd Streets. It is sharing space with Friedman’s West, the American-style restaurant that’s under the same ownership. “We were listening to our guests, and the neighborhood really wanted the return of the La Salle Dumpling Room,” said Jonah Phillips, Managing Partner at Friedman’s Restaurant Group, which also owns Pick-a-Bagel and Community. Over the last six months they have “re-engineered” the kitchen to accommodate both menus. There’s another La Salle Dumpling Room on Broadway and La Salle (124th) Street, but the Lincoln Center location offers more vegan and gluten-free options, such as Impossible soup dumplings. “It’s really fun to see people at the same table eating pork fried dumplings, cobb salad, General Tso’s chicken, and spinach dip,” said Phillips. “We love the different cultures at the dining table – it’s so New York.”  

Andy’s Deli.

Andy’s Deli, on the corner of 80th Street and Columbus is closing on October 13, due to a rent increase. It had been in the space for 32 years. “The new owners moving in will make a new type of cafeteria style restaurant, replacing Andy’s Deli and joining the store next to it,” which used to be a Rituals cosmetics shop, writes Billy Amato, president of the West 80th Street Block Association. Before Andy’s, the location was home to a “true bona fide original Puerto Rican Bodega with the best Puerto Rican food that you could buy,” which opened in 1954, writes Billy. Andy’s deli was a favorite neighborhood spot for many longtime loyal customers. “I am heartbroken. I will miss their tuna sandwich forever,” one regular told WSR.

Osteria Accademia dining shed.

Osteria Accademia, an Italian restaurant, has opened at 646 Amsterdam Avenue between 91st and 92nd Streets. Huseyin Ozer, the owner of popular UWS Mediterranean restaurants Bodrum and Leyla has partnered with Leyla’s general manager Murat Akinci, who has worked in management at other UWS restaurants including Nice Matin and French Roast. The scholarly theme – a nod to Columbia University and the other schools in the neighborhood – is incorporated into the decor, which features 3,500 vintage books repurposed from a decommissioned library line. 

The Chelsea House.

The Chelsea House, a seafood bar and grill, has opened at 710 Amsterdam Avenue at 94th Street. The Chelsea House is open for dinner and serves seafood sandwiches and baskets in addition to main dishes. It is available for private events. Its first location is on 9th Avenue in Chelsea. (Thanks to Joseph for the tip.)

MACC Wine Bar at 51 West 106th Street, which had weekly live jazz performances, has had paper covering the windows for a few weeks. WSR tried to reach MACC by phone but it appears the phone is not being answered. MACC Wine Bar opened in 2019. (Thanks to Ruth for the tip.)

Warby Parker.

Warby Parker, the eyeglasses store, will be opening two new locations on the UWS: at 2875 Broadway between 111th and 112th Streets (formerly a Chase bank), and at 284 Columbus between 80th and 81st Streets (formerly a Flying Tiger Copenhagen store). There’s also an existing Warby Parker at 185 Columbus Avenue at 68th Street. Warby Parker was founded by Neil Blumenthal in 2010, originally as an online-only business. (Thanks to Matthew for the tip.)

Kirsh Bakery & Kitchen.

An eviction notice has been posted on the storefront of Kirsh Bakery & Kitchen at 551 Amsterdam between 86th and 87th Street. Originally opened in 2016, it has been closed since August. (Thanks to Betsy for the tip.)

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45 Comments
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Madd Donna
Madd Donna
1 year ago

Again, how many more optician stores does one neighborhood really need?? So boring.

5
Reply
Chrispy
Chrispy
1 year ago
Reply to  Madd Donna

Only one problem – if you investigate the labs Warby Parker use to make their lenses you will understand why they are so cheap. Before looking into it I went through 4 pairs of glasses that scratched without any abuse on my part. Yes, they replaced them. But the hassle and inconvenience of returning them and wearing scratched lenses did not make up for spending a little more money. I’m not into advertising anyone, but a close-by shop with an “x ” in their name actually gave me a choice of labs based upon my research. I’ve had them 2 years withou a single scratch. Competition is what makes America great.

2
Reply
Doug Garr
Doug Garr
1 year ago
Reply to  Madd Donna

Excuse me? Warby Parker is a third of the cost of all the UWS opticians, which have become ripoffs.. Their customer service is excellent, as well. Glad they’re opening 2 more stores.

20
Reply
Cato
Cato
1 year ago
Reply to  Madd Donna

But that’s just the problem: The people who most need opticians (and I’m one of them) can’t see far enough without glasses to find all the rest.

17
Reply
Big Fan
Big Fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Cato

Cato, YOU ROCK!!! Welcome back.

0
Reply
Dan S
Dan S
1 year ago

The “287 Broadway between 111th and 112th Streets” address listed as a new Warby Parker location must be missing a digit. 287 Broadway is a block north of City Hall.

6
Reply
West Side Rag
Author
West Side Rag
1 year ago
Reply to  Dan S

you’re right, Dan. It’s 2875. Thanks!

2
Reply
Bree140
Bree140
1 year ago
Reply to  Dan S

I think the address for Kirsh Bakery & Kitchen is also wrong, it’s at 551 Amsterdam, not 176 Amsterdam. (Between 86th and 87th Streets is correct.)

1
Reply
West Side Rag
Author
West Side Rag
1 year ago
Reply to  Bree140

Right, again. Fixed.

2
Reply
Wishful Thinking
Wishful Thinking
1 year ago
Reply to  West Side Rag

Why don’t you just send Bree140 copy whatever you going to publish for proofreading for corrections — LOL

7
Reply
UWS-er
UWS-er
1 year ago

Gluten-free dumplings would be amazing. Can’t find a menu that mentions them though.

1
Reply
david
david
1 year ago

Really hoping for a good new book shop in the hood. There is an independent book shop renaissance happening in NYC, but mainly relegated to downtown neighborhoods and Brooklyn.
Strand and Shakespeare and Co. are fine, and Westsider is excellent of course, but I think that a Mcnally Jackson or similar would do amazing business and would fit perfectly on the UWS.

13
Reply
Bookworm
Bookworm
1 year ago
Reply to  david

You’ve got book culture on 114 & 112. West Sider & the Strand 2 blocks apart. We need a store in the 90s or low 100s, that’s the gap right now

1
Reply
david natoli
david natoli
1 year ago
Reply to  Bookworm

Well, I was speaking more in terms of the type of book shop that would work or that in my opinion, we need. A well curated general book shop with a selection of international magazines and periodicals such as McNally Jackson or Books Are Magic would be fantastic. The UWS is a magazine desert aside from the Barnes and Noble. There are fantastic magazine shops below 14th Street, and the independent magazine world is exploding for quite a number of years now. Strand and Shakespeare are shops that I like, and support as much as I can but both feature a very mainstream selection of basic titles. Book Culture is great but unless you live above 96th street is not very convenient. Granted we are doing better than the UES at the moment, but there is certainly room for more!

0
Reply
Martin
Martin
1 year ago

No word about Kyuramen at 2787 Broadway?

1
Reply
alex
alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Martin

Soft opening last night

0
Reply
Debbie Fabian
Debbie Fabian
1 year ago

There is an Andy’s Deli on 74th st and Amsterdam that’s been there for years are you talking about that one closing? I’m not aware of one on 80th & Columbus

0
Reply
Upper West Side Concern Neighbor
Upper West Side Concern Neighbor
1 year ago
Reply to  Debbie Fabian

The Andy’s deli that has closed is on Columbus Avenue at 80th St.

0
Reply
Brett Mann
Brett Mann
1 year ago
Reply to  Debbie Fabian

Two different locations. 295 Amst Ave & 74th is the Andy’s Deli you’re talking about. 418 Col Ave & 80th is the Andy’s Deli that’s closing, mentioned & pictured above.

0
Reply
marci
marci
1 year ago

We have yet to see the thing we need most in the 80″s is a real grocery store

8
Reply
Juan
Juan
1 year ago
Reply to  marci

Key Food and Gristedes are in the 80s? Plus Broadway Farm. None of these are ideal but you can get most basic provisions at any of them.

0
Reply
JCT
JCT
1 year ago
Reply to  marci

The DSW would be a great location for a grocery store, but I doubt it will ever happen.

2
Reply
Wishful Thinking
Wishful Thinking
1 year ago
Reply to  JCT

I will never happen….
Columbus Avenue store rents are ridiculous.

1
Reply
Jason
Jason
1 year ago

Martin, Kyuramen appeared open (or close to it) just the other day.

Last edited 1 year ago by Jason
0
Reply
Dee
Dee
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason

It’s definitely open. Had large floral displays outside and looked pretty busy last night. Not very ethnically varied though…mostly Asian customers. But I live close and will give it a try.

0
Reply
Huh
Huh
1 year ago
Reply to  Dee

“Not very ethnically varied though…mostly Asian customers ”
Huh?

6
Reply
MJB
MJB
1 year ago
Reply to  Huh

I guess we have to enforce equity even in restaurant patrons.

4
Reply
Ethan
Ethan
1 year ago
Reply to  Huh

Yes, indeed…

Huh???

2
Reply
Greg
Greg
1 year ago

La Salle Dumpling’s “other” location is not on 124th and Broadway (there is no 124th street on Broadway). It’s on La Salle St.. Hence the name.

1
Reply
West Side Rag
Author
West Side Rag
1 year ago
Reply to  Greg

Thanks, added.

0
Reply
Will
Will
1 year ago

I hope MACC Wine Bar reopens.

0
Reply
John Charles
John Charles
1 year ago

No love for Andy’s? I never went in. Maybe the folks who frequented it and appreciated it are long gone from UwS,

2
Reply
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
1 year ago
Reply to  John Charles

I lived close to Andy’s and loved it. The guys who worked there were so helpful. There are a bunch of people in the area who are sad to see them close.

3
Reply
david natoli
david natoli
1 year ago
Reply to  John Charles

Many empty storefronts for such a high profile block across from the AHM. Not good.

0
Reply
Wishful Thinking
Wishful Thinking
1 year ago
Reply to  david natoli

A lot of this is do from the pandemic. You will start seeing a little bit of improvement on Columbus Avenue within the next year. A lot of these stores will start filling up on that block opposite the museum from West 81st Street down to 76th St.
After the extension opens at the museum in February, you’ll see a big difference come Spring, a lot of foot traffic.

1
Reply
Wendy
Wendy
1 year ago

I’m amazed Kirsh lasted as long as it did. Ate there once, the food was terrible. Pastries were wildly overpriced. It was never ever busy. Never forgave that landlord for forcing Popover to leave.

2
Reply
MeInWhySee
MeInWhySee
1 year ago
Reply to  Wendy

I endured one of the surliest customer service experiences ever there, where the man running the take-out section literally looked down his nose at me with a facial expression that suggested both that I was beneath his contempt and that I was emitting some terrible odor. He acted like taking my money in exchange for his extremely mediocre food was doing me some huge favor. It was shocking and upsetting, and I swear I did nothing to invite it.

0
Reply
Sally F
Sally F
1 year ago
Reply to  Wendy

Aww, Popover! Sure wish they were still there!

1
Reply
Brooks
Brooks
1 year ago

Wu & Nussbaum (at 113th & Broadway) also serves La Salle Dumpling Room dumplings (I believe it’s the same owners). They are delicious! They also serve the “Impossible Menu”, which I would guess is similar to the Lincoln Center location.

0
Reply
Jary m
Jary m
1 year ago

We need more affordable supermarkets and 99c stores !

0
Reply
Peter Farnsworth
Peter Farnsworth
1 year ago

“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”
– J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

The power was out everywhere, but that’s all we knew. Anxiety ran high, especially just two years removed from the terrorist attacks of 9/11. With the subways shut down, streams of people were walking the streets of New York, trying to navigate a way home before nightfall. We ultimately learned that as many as 50 million people were affected by a major blackout that reached as far west as Ohio. But in the moment, we were just scrambling to find supplies and host stranded co-workers.

“Take whatever you need,” said the owner of Andy’s Deli on 80th & Columbus. “With the power out, the register doesn’t work and things may spoil. Help yourself.”

At the time, the offer of free goods seemed remarkable. But I soon realized – and decades of daily interactions have reinforced: the place is simply different. Immigrant owners from Greece, work alongside employees from throughout Latin America. Some customers are wide-eyed first-time visitors and others are neighbors in sweatpants and slippers.

With two registers, a long counter and offerings stacked to the ceiling , Andy’s Deli is some parts restaurant and other parts grocery store. You’ll generally find what you were looking for – or come out with something you didn’t know you needed. There’s a constant stream of banter between customers and staff, often about whichever sporting match is on the television overhead, particularly international soccer matches.

After a few visits, one begins to appreciate the true uniqueness of Andy’s Deli: it’s the combination of holiday cards from neighbors adorning the walls; pet owners stopping by to spoil their dogs with turkey treats; travelers leaving luggage while touring the nearby Natural History Museum and the unique places the bike delivery guys reach, including picnics in Central Park.

It’s easy to recognize the regulars: the kind lady who takes care of the adopted cats living in the basement; the eccentric guy on his bike, using a bullhorn to amplify his rants and colored chalk for sidewalk scribbles. Officers from the corner precinct mix with construction workers from a nearby project. Others stand in the back, consuming beer and escaping the day-to-day.

The team that works the counter often knows your order before you actually make it. “It’s the egg white omelet with feta and no toast for your wife. The grilled cheese and tomato on wheat for your son and an egg sandwich with avocado for your daughter,” I’m reminded on weekend mornings. To which I reply: “I’ll have the Becket sandwich,” a specialty offering that comes with french fries inside and was created to honor our beloved Jack Russell who was in and out of Andy’s Deli for all eighteen years of his life.

Whether it’s the tight space, fast pace, or cross-section of cultures, the authentic interactions represent a realness that’s the best of New York. After the chaos of the last three years – and with crime, unemployment and homelessness all on the rise – it’s a communal space we desperately need more of. Yet after over thirty years as a neighborhood institution, last Friday, October 14th, was the last day of business for Andy’s Deli – another casualty of landlords raising rates and small businesses unable to survive.

There may be a day when the space formerly occupied by Andy’s Deli will yield a higher revenue to the building owners. And local residents will find another place for a sandwich, pint of ice cream or package of Advil. But as a community – both locally and more broadly defined – we’re far worse off without businesses like Andy’s Deli on the corner.

11
Reply
Amy Herren
Amy Herren
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter Farnsworth

Oh my gosh! This is lovely, and heartbreaking.

1
Reply
Peter Farnsworth
Peter Farnsworth
1 year ago
Reply to  Amy Herren

Thank you for reading (and your comment back). In my estimation, Andy’s wasn’t just another ‘closing’ amongst so many others. After 32 years (and perhaps just for us loyalists), it was part of the fabric of our community (at least within a four / six block radius of the store). Very sad.

4
Reply
Wishful Thinking
Wishful Thinking
1 year ago
Reply to  Peter Farnsworth

Time marches on… moving forward. 👍

0
Reply
ekaje
ekaje
1 year ago

Who raised the rents on Andy’s so they had to leave? Love to know who did this to our neighborhood.

1
Reply

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