By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Tatiana, the new restaurant from award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi, is opening in the renovated David Geffen Hall at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza on November 1st. The menu is inspired by the diversity of New York City and chef Onwuachi’s background, bringing together influences from African, Caribbean, and Southern cuisines. The restaurant is named after Onwuachi’s half sister, who he grew up with in the Bronx and is also a professional chef. It will be the only sit-down, full-service dining option at David Geffen Hall. Reservations are available on Resy, but there’s a wait – the first open slot isn’t available until November 23rd.
Emmy Squared Pizza, serving up rectangular slices, is opening at 200 W. 60th Street in the space formerly occupied by the Olympic Flame Diner. Emmy Squared Pizza combines New York style grandma pies with Detroit style pizza made with “fluffy focaccia-like dough edged with a caramelized, crispy cheese known as frico crust.” Emmy Squared’s first location opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2016. The company now has 18 locations nationwide including eight in NYC. The pizza chain also serves burgers and their double stacked burger, “Le Big Matt,” was voted one of “The Best New Burgers in NYC” by Gothamist. (Thanks to Alison for the tip.)
NeXa Pilates is moving its studio from 2273 Broadway (at 82nd Street) ten blocks south to 50 West 72nd Street, between Columbus and Central Park West, on October 31st. The last day of business at the Broadway location will be Friday, October 28th. NeXa is a fully equipped Pilates studio offering private and small group classes. Currently the studio has an introductory offer for private sessions (three for $250) and for group classes (three for $110). “The caliber of the instructors at NeXa is outstanding,” a loyal client told WSR. “Their attentiveness to the client experience is evident in every aspect of their operation. NeXa is hands down my favorite place to workout.”
RA Sushi at 433 Amsterdam between 80th and 81st Street has closed its UWS location. The sushi restaurant has another location in Times Square, which it directs customers to in a sign in the storefront window. RA began operating in the space last year, which previously was run under the name Haru Sushi. (Thanks to Stephanie for the tip.)
A Panera Bread is opening at 2333 Broadway between 84th and 85th Street, replacing a Victoria Secret store. The chain also recently opened a location on 8th Avenue between 56th and 57th Street. The chain’s first cafe opened in St. Louis in 1987 and now has thousands of franchises across North America serving breakfast, soups and sandwiches. (Thanks to Marc and Jon for the tips.)
Jade Nails & Spa is in its soft opening at 2286 Broadway between 82nd and 83rd Street. The salon is offering 30% off all services, which includes: manicures, pedicures, waxing and massage as well as eyebrow and eyelash treatments.
The last day to visit Pier i Cafe before it closes for the season is October 30th. The seasonal outdoor cafe is located in Riverside Park along the Hudson River, closest to the 68th Street entrance. This weekend it is open from 11:30am to sunset.
When is Panera’s opening? Anyone know?
I love Panera Bread. Been to them in several other US cities!!! Wonderful selection of soups and breads!!!
It has a huge “For Lease” sign. It was a retail space and the Panera image is just a concept for the space. Very doubtful it will open there.
I have spoken to someone working there. It will be Panera.
I wholeheartedly second the comment made by the NeXa Pilates client. I live on 84th so I’m devastated that they’re moving too far for my lunchtime and quick after-work classes. To anyone into or interested in Pilates around their new location, I can’t recommend them highly enough. The instructors are terrific. Knowledgeable and patient. And challenging! Everyone is super nice. I’ll miss them a lot.
I just started going to NeXa and so bummed they are moving! I live in the low 90s, and the 82nd St location was so convenient. I will try their new location but likely won’t make it as often.
I think Panera is opening in January ? I could be wrong. It can’t open fast enough IMO. The food is good, affordable and somewhat healthy. I was sad when the one on East 86th went out of business.
Are you sure about that Panera? There’s an artists rendering of how the space could be used that’s been at that location since they put up the plywood. If there’s a separate more official notice that’s directly from Panera, that’s different.
I think part of the Victoria’s Secret space will be Panera Bread and part of it is still available for lease
Agreed! It is weird they would use the Panera name like that, but it also seems to be a rendering and nothing more That would be an odd spot for a large Panera, especially given that they closed e.g. on E. 86th Street in an arguably better location. Has anyone actually checked with Panera?
This document from Meridian Leasing says otherwise. Panera will occupy that space (retail spaces 1-2 of the 4 total in that building).
https://www.nycretailleasing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2333-Broadway_Meridian-Setup_V8.pdf
There’s a sign on the old VS store that says Panera is opening there. I noticed it today while I was at the bus stop on 86th, because the homeless man who’s been ‘living’ there for 10+ years was walking out into traffic. He made his way to the bus stop and started pacing and ranting at everyone to get out of his house. I understand from previous threads that he normally doesn’t bother anyone, but someone called 911, and I hope he gets the assistance he needs.
I believe his name is Angel. I have seen him on the streets for 20 years. Someone on here once said they went to high school with him and he grew up in the area.
It makes my heart hurt to know that he probably still has family around, but his mental illness makes him terrified and wary of any help. I tried to help him back when he lived around 98th st, but he grew very suspicious of any assistance and thought people were trying to poison him. He then moved down to 86th.
I know that people used to be locked up for mental health issues and that was awful, but we have swung so dramatically far the other way that even people like Angel, who could truly benefit from being monitored and on medication are just left to fend for themselves while we step over them because they are too paranoid to seek treatment and the laws forbid treating them unless they end up becoming dangerous.
Ronald Reagan, who destroyed the middle class, also played a part in putting the mentally ill on the streets.
https://www.salon.com/2013/09/29/ronald_reagans_shameful_legacy_violence_the_homeless_mental_illness/
They get picked up and helped when they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. Then they DO get help, medication, etc. and once they are better, they are released and usually stop taking their medication and decompensate. It’s a revolving door, but I don’t believe you can’t legally MAKE people take medication. Also, I believe these “regular” homeless people are indeed “monitored” as I’ve seen a van in Riverside and elsewhere with people who seem to know the names of the homeless and seem to be talking with them….perhaps seeing if they want shelter or medication?
That’s good to know, thank you for the feedback! : )
Thank you for putting a name to the face. I had never heard him speak until that day. Several people asked if he needed anything, and he clearly and repeatedly shouted, “You can’t live on Riverside Drive–it’s only for rich people.” It never occurred to me that he might have lived in the area at one time. I agree that he needs to be monitored, and unfortunately the laws are working against him (or us). : (
The Olympic Flame Diner has closed? What a crying shame; great vanilla egg creams have one less home to call their own… I’d wear black to honor them but I always wear black, so…
I was watching the film, FRANKIE & JOHNNY yesterday, which takes place in a diner in Chelsea, and thought: the disappearance of diners in the city… heck, in the entire Northeast… is reaching tectonic proportions; it seems like the ground is shifting & groaning on an almost daily basis…
And now this piece of wildly unwelcome news.
A moment of silence ensues…
I hate the loss of any diners, but the (non-Olympic) Flame Diner is just two blocks away (I wonder if there’s a story there?). Emmy Squared is very tasty. This is on par with when Motorino came to the neighborhood.
Always wondered about the Flame and Olympic Flame being in such close proximity and if it was just a coincidence or if there was a story to it.
I am sorry to hear that RA/Haru is closed. My family has enjoyed eating there for many years. I think the permanent street construction project right outside has done them no favors – it is very unfortunate.
A Panera is definitely opening at 85 and Broadway – I thought that was common knowledge. I am really looking forward to it – I know many of our neighbors passionately hate chains, but it is good food at relatively reasonable prices.
I’m not sure what will happen to the guy who Victoria’s Secret allowed to live there for years who has exposed himself to me and my children dozens of times. Talk about the poster child for Kendra’s Law…
Oh ok! That’s great about Panera. Can you say how you found out?
Excited we get an Emmy Squared Pizza on the UWS!
RIP Haru/Ra — it was the same owner (Benihana group) and they did a great job. Sorry to lose them after 20(?) years!
I’m looking forward to trying Tatiana. According to Rezy, the ONLY date that reservations are available is Nov. 23. Nothing before and the dates after that are blocked off.
I believe that RESY, generally, does not offer reservations beyond a certain date in the future.
We need a Panera in Morningside Heights.
When it opens, Panera will be a huge success. Finding a spot to meet someone in a pleasant setting and eat affordably is impossible. This place will be packed every day.
At least in some Panera locations I’ve visited management welcomes local meetings and groups. I once belonged to a knitting group that met regularly at a Panera. We got our own space for a couple of hours a week and of course we bought sandwiches and drinks. Win-win for the company and the community. (The one on East 86th was poorly configured for that purpose; and eating in the narrow basement was not fun.)