By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Moonrise Izakaya, the Japanese gastropub at 774 Amsterdam Avenue (98th Street), is closing this weekend. “We are so happy with everything that Moonrise has done, the people we have brought together, and the community we have built over the last 3+ years,” Moonrise posted on Instagram. Moonrise was decorated with elaborate murals and served a variety of traditional Japanese dishes and small plates, including: Japanese fried chicken, ‘Karaage’, bao buns, ramen, gyoza, fried rice and udon noodles. Izakaya, which translates to “pub,” will host a “final farewell party” on Saturday and is offering 30% off after 9pm. “Keep an eye on our account as we may have some new projects coming in the future,” Moonrise wrote on Instagram. (Thanks to Meg for the tip.)
Buttercup Bake Shop is now open at 166 West 72nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus. Known for its buttercream cupcakes, Buttercup sells classic American desserts and is certified kosher. The original Buttercup Bake Shop was across the street – it was founded by Jennifer Appel, who also co-founded Magnolia Bakery a few years earlier. This is the fifth location in Manhattan for the bakery, which also has two shops in midtown and two downtown. The UWS space was formerly occupied by My Pie Pizzeria Romana. (Thanks to Lese for the tip.)
QQ Nails & Spa has opened at 528 Amsterdam between 85th and 86th Street. It replaces the salon Devi Nails. They are offering 15% off all services for the month of November. QQ has many locations throughout NYC, including another UWS spot at 312 Columbus Ave. between 74th and 75th Street. The spa offers all types of manicures and pedicures, including kids manicures and pedicures as well as waxing services.
Columbus Ceafood Bar & Restaurant at 903 Columbus Avenue between 104th and 105th Street has closed. Its menu featured fish and grits, sandwiches, happy hour specials and lobster rolls (including the fried lobster “UWS” roll). The restaurant posted on Instagram that they will reopen as a food truck. We’ll update with more information.
I won’t miss Moonrise Izakaya. I went there once, was talked to by the staff like a piece of garbage. I’m a New Yorker and used to rude service, but this level was so shocking I had nothing to say to the man with green hair and odd piercings. I never returned.
I had a similar experience. I really liked the food though, but the establishment seemed filthy.
I was sad to see Ceafood closed, because despite multiple attempts I hadn’t been able to eat there yet. They’d always be out of things or some other weird issue it seemed. I think they’d do well as a food truck and wish them luck – always seemed like really nice people!
Continue to wonder how there can be so many nail salons?
How can they all survive, especially given high rents?
Maybe most of them are fronts for sex trafficking. It is strange that so many keep popping up and these “salons” can somehow afford the enormous rent even though they hardly have customers!! Something fishy for sure.
this article might enlighten some: from the HuffPost (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nail-salons-and-human-tra_b_669076): “more and more nail salons are opening up seemingly by the day in strip malls and along shopping avenues in even the tiniest of towns. The majority, which are owned and operated mainly by Vietnamese immigrants, function straightforwardly as nail salons. But state and federal law enforcement officials believe that the owners of some shops are engaged in illicit activities that may include money laundering”
Every nail salon I pass is almost always brimming with customers and busy. You ever try to get a massage or anything else at Pinky’s? There’s an hours long waiting list!
Another one just opened on Broadway between 82nd and 83rd. Really too many. Hope they don’t take business away from the incomparable Cindy’s on Amsterdam between 83rd and 84th, which has been in the neighborhood for decades!
A wonderful yearly event, the Goddard Riverside Book Fair will not be held anymore! Their website stated that publishing has changed and they will now have a book give away in the summer for kids instead.
This is a devastating closing of sorts. One of my favorite UWS events. Great books for sale before the holidays and the loviest volunteers for a good cause!
Will Moonrise Izakaya remove their fortress-like sidewalk and roadway dining sheds before vacating!
Right! One of the worst eyesores in the sidewalk shed pandemic.
Do we really need another cupcake shop?
Who doesn’t like cupcakes?
I do but these bake shops sell sub-par cupcakes. Buy a box of Duncan Hines and make your own and they will taste way better. Always overdo it with the frosting too. It’s no wonder so many New Yorkers are diabetics.
Moonrise is closing. You made my day! What a dump.