By Ed Hersh
Many Upper West Siders were heartbroken to learn that Telio, the Greek restaurant that has been a neighborhood fixture for decades at 2481 Broadway (92-93), served its last meal and closed on Sunday night after the popular spot could not come to an agreement with the landlord.
But now, the WSR has learned, Telio is getting a second chance at life through a unique arrangement with another neighborhood staple, popular brunch spot Good Enough to Eat on Columbus at 85th Street.
Owner Jeremy Wladis — who also operates Nina’s Burrito Bar, Harvest Kitchen and more recently, Fred’s and Big Gay Ice Cream– is partnering with owner Yianni Berbeis to bring the Telio dinner menu to Good Enough to Eat.
Here’s how it will work, according to Wladis: it will still be the familiar Good Enough to Eat for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, served every day. But starting at the end of this week, it will close each afternoon at 4pm. And at 5pm each day, it will reopen as Telio’s Taverna, with the same menu, pricing and chefs from the original Telio on Broadway.
Wladis explained that while Good Enough to Eat has been wildly popular for years as a breakfast and brunch mainstay, often with lines to get in on weekends, the crowds thin out at night, and he’s struggled to stay busy. “People haven’t really respected it as a dinner place,” he explained.
He said that Telio had long been one of his favorite neighborhood restaurants on the Upper West Side. “Yianni and I became friends because I used to eat there, and for years we’ve been looking at doing something together,” he said. “When his landlord couldn’t come up with a good deal, he said to me, ‘why don’t we do something in one of your spaces?’”
He says he plans to put up signage soon explaining the new split personality of the restaurant, and he said Good Enough to Eat’s signature cakes and pies will still be available at all times. “My goal is to now put that space on the map as a place for dinner.”
Wladis called the new arrangement a win-win. “Together, we’re saving another neighborhood restaurant.”
Wonderful. Loved hearing the live music at Telio’s whenever I walk by
Is the pizza shop closed also?
What a great idea! Good luck to both
Great news. Curious how they can do the brick oven pizza though. Good Enough to Eat doesn’t have one I think
Tellio didn’t either. It was just a regular gas pizza oven.
We called and asked about that his last night and were told it would not be included😢. Best pizza on the upper west side. So disappointed!
Try Marinara on West 83rd
Marinara is on Amsterdam Ave.
The actions of the landlord, as far as they can be inferred from the article, don’t put me in my happy place. But I’m glad that Telio and GEtE have made this partnership.
Such a win-win for the community! I love the collaborative thinking.
Now we just gotta get Mermaid Inn to move into the old Telio/Perfecto space!
Hey, I think that’s a wonderful idea. But then I’ve been suggesting a TJ or Morton in the 90th & BW space…
I think Morton would make more sense, since there’s a TJ at 93rd & Columbus, whereas the nearest MWs will be at 69th & Broadway (once it opens next year) and 115th & Broadway.
Did the pizza place adjacent to Telio’s also close? I was never clear if they were part of the same restaurant or not, but I really liked their pizza.
I guarantee the old Telio’s spot will sit empty for years – not sure why the landlord couldn’t make it work, Smart idea for the combination of the two restaurants – I hope it works out for them.
WHOO HOOO JEREMY! YOU ROCK!
Jeremy, you should definitely look at the former Arties Deli space on Broadway and W83rd to bring BOTH brands there.
A win for the 80s but still a loss for the 90s.
I join in welcoming Telio’s Taverna to the W 80s! Hope they will bring their music, too.
Yes, I hope vocalists re-appear in a future establishment where Telio’s was. When Cleopatra’s Needle closed down with its legendary musicians and singers, Telio’s vocalists then appeared as if by magic, or fate – and outdoors!
Great idea! I haven’t been to Telios but now I’ll check it out.
Great! Don’t forget to bring over the the rice pudding
I love this! I’ve seen it in rural areas and it works rather successfully! A win-win for all! I wish them both good luck!
This makes me so happy.
Echoing some of the other comments – my real concern is – what happens to Perfecto Pizza? Will Perfecto still remain???
What a fantastic idea! 👏
Can Jeremy find a place for La Mirabelle too?
Wait. When did Fred’s change ownership? How did I miss that news?
What a lovely idea! Really clever. We’re fans of GETE, but didn’t know about Telio. Excited to try it when when they get settled! Good luck to you all!